Meet Malecia Griffin: Life management strategist, advocate, and author

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

Hi Malecia, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Great question! I am what is known as a military brat. My mother and father were both active-duty military. My mother is from Georgia and my Father is from South Carolina. However, I was raised by my mother and my stepfather whom I love dearly. When I was out of school or during breaks, I spent most my childhood in Georgia with my mothers’ side of the family, which I refer to as home. This time spent in the country is what shaped my perspective on God and my love for the outdoors.

In my upbringing, I watched my mother serve in the military and not let circumstances define her. She had one goal which was to provide for me. She made sure to do that all while also serving her country and others. She was devoted to her cause and that resilience and strength is what I carry today. This strength is what allows me to stand alongside others who may be in situations they do not know how to face on their own.

I also began working at the age of 14 and have been working ever since. It was at this time that I learned the art of study. I studied people, systems, organizations, and structures. This is what led me to my love for education, coaching, and management. This drive for independence is where I get my zeal and why when I feel passionate about something, I put my all into it. Lastly, I believe traveling frequently allowed me to be more diverse in my thinking and comfortable to connect with many types of people. Interestingly enough though, this is a question I discuss deeper in my book Year of She Arise: Discovering your identity through the wilderness, which can be found on Amazon.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am an author and life coach. I assist women in breaking down barriers in their heart, by demonstrating a balance between healing and productivity along with prioritizing mental health. During my struggle with sexual trauma, I masked my hurt in relationships by pushing people away, overachieving, and procrastinating. Once I submitted my pain to God, I was healed from the sexual trauma, infidelity in my marriage, abandonment, and rejection all while still functioning in my purposes daily. While I was healing, I could not stop being a wife, mother, employee, or student. I had to show up for myself, my family, and that was only possible through applying meaningful strategies that work. We often get into conflict with our healing, as our emotions seem to drown us causing us to shut down and leaving room for depression to settle in. God wants us to be free AND He wants us to take care of our responsibilities. I help women by providing strategies on how to manage life by teaching them how to hear the voice of God so they can function wholeheartedly in the assignments He has given them, while keeping family and mental health a priority.

I am also the founder and writing coach for Gold Leaf Academy. It was during my time of healing I wrote and self-published my first book. I now teach other women through the “Journal your Journey” © workshop about the power of writing, how writing is a form of therapy, and how their unique sound is important as they share their testimonies with others. I assist them in reaching beyond the limits by breaking the chains of writer’s block so they can flow in their healing and leave an impact on others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would first take them to the trails or parks to walk. I love being outdoors and feel it is where I can speak, think, and write creatively with no blockages. Next, we would head out to the Pearl Brewery. We would stop by Bakery Lorraine, have a coffee/tea, and enjoy the nice scenery as we chatted and caught up. Lastly, we would end the evening by heading downtown near the Riverwalk to Fogo de chao and enjoy a nice showcase of meats and desserts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my mother MSG Marchantia Johnson. MSG Johnson is a retired Army veteran who now serves as an: Army JROTC instructor at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, Tx. She is also a drill team coach for the Riderettes, leadership & academic team coach, and mentor for the cyber patriots- a youth cyber defense program.

Website: Maleciagriffin.com

Instagram: @Malecialgriffin

Linkedin: Malecia Griffin

Twitter: @Maleciag

Facebook: @Yearofshe

Youtube: Malecia Griffin

Image Credits
Aaron D Smalls Ken Griffin