Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Jackson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m the firstborn to two teenage parents—my mom was 14 and my dad was 16—who defied the odds and broke generational barriers. As Black teenage parents, they shattered the statistics of what was expected of them. My mom was a resilient, multi-gifted woman, and my dad was known for his fiery spirit and loving heart. Growing up as the only girl and oldest of my two brothers, I became the family’s go-to counselor, soother, and peacemaker. In many ways, I felt like I grew up alongside my parents.
When my parents moved my brothers and me to Texas, it was a huge culture shock. I was thrust into a role of responsibility—both spoken and unspoken—that I wasn’t fully prepared for. The expectation was that I would take care of everything and everyone, but no one taught me how to take care of myself. Coming from a lineage of strong, resilient women—my maternal grandmother, who grew up in foster care, my paternal grandmother was a single parent, and my mother, who fought to overcome her own obstacles—I internalized the idea that strength meant sacrificing my own needs.
I wasn’t emotionally safe as a child, and I wasn’t taught to ask for it or even recognize its absence. Like my teenage parents, I wasn’t given a blueprint for emotional wellness or survival. I learned early to disconnect, deny, and abandon my emotions as a way to cope, a pattern I’ve had to unlearn as an adult. For many years, I placed so much value on others’ joy, safety, and well-being that I sacrificed my own. This belief shaped me deeply, as I wasn’t taught how to prioritize my wellness. As I grew older, I realized that this way of living wasn’t sustainable. My whole world and perspective deepened when I experienced my first immediate family death: the loss of my youngest brother, who struggled with mental illness. His passing profoundly impacted my understanding of grief, loss, and the complexities of optimal wellness. This experience forced me to confront the realities of my wellness and the importance of support, both for myself and for others navigating their wellness.
I understood early on that there was something sacred in making space for others, but I now recognize that I also need to be included in the “others” – I need to make space for myself too. True wellness, for me, is about taking care of myself so that I can better serve others. This shift has been transformative. I’ve embraced both the resilience and the struggles that come from my upbringing, and I’m practicing wellness in a way that allows me to thrive while continuing to help others.
I’m a first-generation college graduate. I initially started as a nursing major, was accepted into nursing school, but left after a year to become a flight attendant for a major airline for eight years. During that time, I realized I needed to finish what I had started, so I switched to business administration, earned my degree, and began working in education. Counseling, however, kept calling me. I resisted at first, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of carrying others’ emotions without understanding how to manage my own. But after having my daughter, I knew I couldn’t run from this calling anymore. I pursued my counseling degree, and I’ve never looked back.
Today, I have over 20 years of experience in education, more than 10 years as a professional counselor, and nearly five years as a wellness coach. Now, as a licensed professional counselor and certified grief counselor, I’m fully embracing my role and understanding that my wellness is key to serving others well. This journey has shaped me into who I am today, and I’m grateful for both the challenges and the growth that have come with it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been anything but smooth. My journey has been full of tough lessons, setbacks, and moments where I had to bet on myself, even when it felt risky and uncertain. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating systems that often feel set up to make you fail rather than succeed. Whether it’s the barriers as a woman of color in business or simply trying to create space in a field that can be emotionally exhausting, there’s always a sense that the odds aren’t in your favor.
After leaving nursing school, I felt completely lost. That experience shook my confidence and focus, and getting back up and starting over wasn’t easy. Betting on myself—choosing to pursue counseling after trying to avoid it for so long—was a scary leap. At the same time, I knew I couldn’t keep running from my calling, even though it meant facing more uncertainty and challenges ahead.
Being a business owner has added another layer of complexity. There’s this constant pressure to be successful, to keep pushing forward, and to prove that you belong in a space that wasn’t necessarily built for you to thrive in. Balancing the needs of my clients, managing the business side of things, and maintaining my own personal well-being has been overwhelming at times. But I’ve learned that if I’m not taking care of myself and practicing wellness, I can’t effectively care for others.
Betting on yourself, especially in a world that feels like it’s designed to make you question your worth and ability, is terrifying and not for the faint at heart. There’s a constant fear of failure. But through all the bumps, I’ve found that the challenges have shaped me. Every failure, every difficult moment, has forced me to grow. I’ve learned to set boundaries, trust the Creator who had a plan for me even when I was in my mother’s teenage womb, trust myself, and prioritize my wellness. The road has come with it’s challenges, but it’s made me a stronger, more fortified person and business owner with character and integrity. Betting on myself wasn’t easy, but it’s been worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Wellness Playground is a counseling and wellness practice that offers a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. We specialize in providing compassionate support through individual therapy, group therapy, and wellness coaching, focusing on grief & loss, life transitions, anxiety, trauma, and self-care. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive space where clients can explore their emotional health with genuine care and respect.
We are most proud of our intentional focus on whole-person healing. The Wellness Playground doesn’t just offer services but provides an experience designed to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Our goal is to help clients feel seen, heard, and valued while offering practical tools for building a continuum of wellness and personal growth.
What I want readers to know is that this is more than just therapy; it’s a space to heal, grow, and embrace your wellness journey, guided by professionals who genuinely care. Whether you’re navigating personal challenges, seeking balance in your life, or simply looking for a safe space to talk, The Wellness Playground is here for you.
What makes you happy?
Family is my greatest joy, as I believe in genuinely being well for real. I find immense peace in sipping green tea and embracing the peacefulness of nature, especially with my feet in the sand and the soothing sounds of ocean waves. Traveling expands my horizons and fills my heart with gratitude. I cherish reading God’s word and immersing myself in a good book, preferably autobiographies or psychology self-help, which nourish my mind and spirit. Additionally, my fitness and yoga practice fuels my stillness, silence, and solitude, providing the perfect space for prayer and seeking God’s direction for my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thewellnessplayground.org
Image Credits
Vision One Seven Photography (yoga photos)
