Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Alisha Reed. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Call her any that follow: The FLY Pharmacist, Self-Care Strategist, and founder of lifestyle brand, FLY with Alisha Reed. Dr. Reed was born and raised in New Orleans, where she attended Xavier University of Louisiana and received a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree.
Dr. Reed has been a licensed pharmacist for almost two decades and has seen first-hand how self-care impacts health in the community. The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” The FLY Pharmacist acts as an advocate to empower and educate her community to make self-care a priority in their lives. As a Self-Care Strategist, Dr. Reed provides the tools and training necessary to create a successful self-care plan.
She is a widowed mom who believes that self-care is non-negotiable and is determined to break the generational curse that “strong women don’t take breaks.” Self-care has become such a buzzword, but the truth is that self-care is whatever you need it to be.
After losing her husband in 2019, Dr. Reed wanted to normalize grief by publicly sharing her grief journey, while continuing to practice exceptional self-care. Dr. Reed moderates a widow support group and hosts The Fly Widow Podcast.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
On Monday morning of December 23, 2019, my entire life changed. My husband, my son’s father, and my best friend passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 43. My heart was broken into a million pieces. At 40, I was now an overnight widow. What do I do? How do I go on? What do I tell my 4-year-old son?
In 2014, I founded Nola Bougie, a lifestyle brand and blog with a mission to inspire women to live their best lives by becoming the best versions of themselves. That day, I just wanted to shut down. How could I live my best life without my soul mate?
Then the messages started coming in. Hundreds of them from people all over the world. They were telling me how much I inspired them. They were showing me love and compassion. They sent flowers and cards to my son. They sent food and gift cards. They sent encouragement and motivation. I couldn’t believe it. I had no idea people were really paying attention to what I was trying to do. I had no idea I was inspiring others. That was my purpose all along, but I didn’t realize I was actually living in my purpose. It was the love and support that made me realize I couldn’t give up on my purpose. It just would look a little different now.
I’m still bougie but, my life is so much more than that. It’s time to tell my story. My real story. With no judgment, no hesitation, and no fear.
I realized that I’ve spent a lot of my time doubting myself, judging myself, criticizing myself, sabotaging myself, shaming myself, and, holding myself back. I’ve done everything but LOVE myself the way I should. It’s time for me to change that. Before you do anything else, you must FLY – First Love Yourself.
I plan to fly in everything I do by putting my needs, my goals, my desires, and my purpose first. I know that is what my husband would want for me. And I know when I fly, I will be able to help others fly too.
What matters most to you? Why?
Living life authentically. Over the past 2 and 1/2 years I have realized that in order to truly understand the value of time, we must be intentional. I choose to have intentional relationships, both personal and professional.
I also believe that we need to make sure that we give ourselves the same love and kindness that we share so freely with others. We have to come first.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dralishareed.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dralishareed
Image Credits
Taylor Hunter Photography
Ishitiri Bandyopadhyay
Modern Mangolia Creative
