Kierra Washington of West Valley (Surprise) on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kierra Washington. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Kierra, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I am going through a “Pruning Season”, meaning that in this season, I can see The Most High God removing situations, people, and characteristics from my life to mold me and prepare me to fulfill what He has called me to do. It’s not an easy season, but it is certainly necessary for elevation.

I am being called to embrace entrepreneurship in ways I could not see clearly before, and certainly would have been afraid to pursue.

I am being called to use my skills, talents, and personal experience with domestic abuse to help women heal from and overcome trauma and spiritual warfare so they have the clarity, confidence, and tools to step into their God-given purpose.

I am also being called to continue my journey with Birth Work and help women embrace the beauty of homebirths, overcome birth and postpartum trauma, and provide services that will help reduce the black maternal mortality rate.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, I’m Kierra Washington, and I wear a few hats. I am a mother of 3 under 4, a Birth Worker, a Podcast Host, a Mindset/Trauma Informed Coach, an Author, and a Part-time College Professor.

I am a Professional Project Manager by trade, but have left corporate America because I felt called to utilize my skills and talents in a way that would be more beneficial and inspirational. Through Birth Work, my goal is to help reduce instances of postpartum depression and help more women embrace the beauty of unmedicated Homebirths. I also want to do my part to help reduce the maternal mortality rate for black mothers, which is significantly higher than other ethnic groups. I have just published my new book on Amazon called “Mindful Homebirth: A Guide to Prepare Your Mind, Body, & Spirit for a Natural Homebirth.”

Through my Coaching business (Purpose Focused Growth), podcast (She’s Healing With Yah Podcast on Apple and Spotify), speaking engagements, and my books, my goal is to help women overcome various forms of trauma, self-limiting beliefs, and spiritual warfare that is holding them back from pursuing their true purpose. I hope to inspire other women to seek true healing and growth in their lives by sharing my personal experiences and testimonies. I was in an abusive relationship for just about 4 years, and being physically assaulted during the first trimester of my last pregnancy was a major wake-up call for me to completely remove myself from the toxicity and manipulation I had been accepting. I am moving forward in healing, growth, and carrying out this purpose Yah has placed in my spirit.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that was heavily focused on helping people who are not actively seeking change and growth has been released. I saw light and potential within these individuals, so I devoted time and energy to help them fulfill it, but repeatedly I ended up hurt, disappointed, or causing a setback with my own growth and development.
That part of me must be released as I step into my next season of life. Does this mean I give up on helping people altogether? Of course not. It means I now focus my efforts on people who want to do better, who want to see transformation in their lives, and are actively trying. As I continue my growth journey, if any of my experiences, skills, or talents can help them progress on their healing and growth journey, I am more than willing to support them.

This is a significant realization for me, as it affects my coaching business too. Potential clients may seek my services and find we are not a good fit for each other. I am not the coach who will do the work for you. It does not help you become the woman you desire to be or God desires for you to be. But, I am the coach who will challenge you, support you, encourage you, and give you proven tools to help you be successful. I am the coach who will help you heal your mind from the self-limiting beliefs that have been subconscious crutches in your life. And this is how we unlock true growth and healing.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
There are a few. I would say coming from a family plagued by addiction and the impact I allowed it to have on me was a defining wound. To heal and move past it, I had to stop focusing on their actions and the fact that they were my loved ones and start viewing them as broken human beings trying to navigate life just as I am. It allowed me to show grace, release anger, forgive, and grow. It allowed me to focus on myself, behaviors I no longer (or ever) wanted to see in myself, and do my best for the generational curse to stop with me. I’ve been able to use it as motivation to develop my relationship with The Most High God, increase my resilience, and develop a vision for my life that will allow me to be a positive example for my children.

Another would be the abusive relationship I was in with my children’s father, which has led to me solo parenting. I never imagined this outcome for my life, and it has certainly left wounds, but I have to take accountability for who I chose to have children with and accept that this has become my reality. It began with verbal and mental abuse, different forms of manipulation, and ended with physical abuse that put my current pregnancy at risk and led to several injuries.
I realized I had a decision to make and stand on. I had to choose “my hard”. Did I want to stay in a space that was slowly tearing me apart and would teach my children that this is how relationships should be, that abusing mommy/women is okay, that dysfunction and manipulation are love? Or did I want to protect my children from toxicity, even if it meant more burdens on my shoulders as a solo parent?

This sparked a deeper level within my healing journey and showed me how I could be an advocate for other women in similar situations. I realized I had to heal from the manipulation I began to believe. I had to process the abuse and dismantle all the lies. I had to re-learn what it means to love myself and re-establish my confidence. I had to accept my new reality and begin strengthening my faith in the transformation that God is doing in my life, despite the unfortunate circumstances I see before me. My healing journey is still progressing, and I am thankful that as Yah is working on me and through me, I get to help and inspire other women on their healing journey, too.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to helping women pursue true healing, growth, and breaking free from past traumas so they can step into their God-given purpose, whatever it may be. Many of us, coming from black households, were taught to sweep issues, emotions, and situations under the rug and just keep moving forward. This has created generations of trauma and mental health issues. If I can help women unpack and heal past traumas (including childbirth trauma), identify and overcome deep-rooted negative self-beliefs, this helps us in so many ways.
We will be able to see our purpose more clearly and carry it out with confidence, which benefits not only us personally but also each person who is relying on the talents and expertise we have to help them move forward on their journey. We will be better mothers, spouses, and have a deeper understanding of self-love and our power.
We will be able to better advocate for our needs and be wise enough to avoid manipulation and distractions that can deter us from fulfilling our purpose. For women of faith, this allows us to shine our light in such a way that draws other people to us because they sense Yah’s spirit in us. This is a goal truly worth being committed to, no matter how long it takes.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
If God has given you a purpose to fulfill, and you are committed to doing so, then time is not an issue. You have enough time to complete what you are called to do, because His words do not return to Him without fulfilling what He commanded. Meaning what He said you will do, you can do, and you are qualified to do. The work He started in you, He will complete it!

You may look at your current circumstances or the state of the world and feel there is not enough time. You may feel you don’t have the resources or understanding to complete it, but His thoughts, ways, and plans are greater than ours, so keep working. Even if you are confused, scared, or worried, keep moving forward seeking His guidance daily. Stay diligent. Stay consistent. Focus on the goal, not the distractions the enemy will try to send your way. Those baby steps you are taking will lead to the exact product Yah said you would produce.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healingwithyah.com
• Instagram: @sheshealingwithyah
• Other: Birth Work: www.birthingroyaltydoulas.com

  Link to Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-healing-with-yah-podcast/id1806133833

  Link to Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vht0WftpbPd1JvezgwwqL?si=CaFP38JvToet8uDjug5cKw

  Link to Mindful Homebirth Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bAplVxT

  Link to Growing and Glowing Journal on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2Kf1BEg

Image Credits
Jaycee Photography