Meet Angela Lightener | Family Life Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Lightener and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Becoming a mother was one of the most important goals I set for myself coming into adulthood. Unfortunately, the journey to motherhood was not easy as we battled almost 6 years of infertility which included suffering and healing through miscarriages, experiencing countless months of disappointing pregnancy tests, and even hospitalizations due to illness related to infertility. Though the journey to motherhood was difficult, I quickly realized the journey through motherhood was difficult as well. As a nurse working in women’s and community health nursing for over 17 years, I spoke to women daily about motherhood and realized I wasn’t the only one who found motherhood challenging. After searching for programs and finding little to no help for mothers like myself who may seem to “have it all together” yet struggled with the challenges of motherhood, I decided to create a business that focuses on providing support, resources, and education to help mothers through the journey of motherhood.

I believe being able to relate to the difficulties motherhood has presented has allowed me to relate to mothers of like mind. Transparency, relatability, and providing a non-judgmental atmosphere contribute to the success of Life Interrupted.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Professionally, I have worked as a registered nurse for 17+ years. I graduated from Prairie View A&M University where I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and have also obtained my Master’s of Science in Family Studies degree from Texas Woman’s University. My nursing career has consisted of working in labor and delivery, high-risk obstetrics clinics, teen pregnancy mentorship programs, and elementary school nursing. Each field I have worked in has allowed me to work with mothers and families providing care and education. Becoming a nurse was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve done, however, my desire to help mothers and families is what has fueled my current career and business. A family’s success starts with a solid foundation and I believe mothers are a very important foundational piece of the puzzle. Without mothers, there is an increased risk for instability that can directly impact the children and family. My thoughts are “if mommy is not good, nobody is good,” which means the mental and physical well-being of the mother is crucial to a solid familial foundation. I am excited about the work Life Interrupted is doing by bringing women together to connect and build support with one another. Building a strong support system is vital in helping to improve one’s mental health.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What is life without a little bit of fun?! Whenever I have time I make sure to enjoy some of Houston’s highlights with my husband or best friends! If a friend was visiting from out of town, we would grab a quick bite to eat at The Breakfast Klub enjoying the great food and great vibes they have to offer. After we stuff our bellies, we would head down to Black Market Houston, held at the Buffalo Soldier Museum, to support our local black-owned businesses right here in Houston. For some physical fun, we would join in on the Let’s Do This Houston Bike tours enjoying a cool bike ride with jamming music. If we wanted to do something a bit more relaxed, we would chill out at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park and catch up on some great conversation. Heading into the evening, we would go get changed into something jazzy and enjoy a great steak and cocktails at Ruth’s Chris. Houston has so much to offer, the possibilities of fun are endless!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I want to thank God for blessing me with a gift to connect with others. My support system is amazing but I must admit, my husband is my biggest cheerleader. He believed in me when I doubted myself or wondered “will anyone really understand the help I’m trying to offer?” Needless to say, I appreciate him and everyone who supports me and Life Interrupted.

Website: www.lifeinterruptedhouston.com

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