Meet Pharryl Merkison | Self Care Coach & Travel Advisor

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

Hi Pharryl, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The funny story is my business actually started from a hashtag I created. #ProjectTakeBackMyLife I started the hashtag on Facebook so that I can keep kind of a journal of positive words, phrases, and videos while I was going through one of the darkest periods in my life depression. It was only after I started feeling better and no longer posting the hashtag that I realized people actually were reading them. A few people hit me up and wanted to know why I had stopped using the hashtag and at the moment I knew that I wasn’t alone in needing a support system that was relatable. Project Take back My Life then became a community to inspire and motivate others to take back control of their life and hard circumstances through self-care and travel.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart most is my take on Self-Care and how I incorporate travel into it. From recent conversations, I am realizing that Self-Care has been painted as one particular image which we have all seen before. Let’s call it the White Robe and Sugar Scrub era. Many people get caught up in feeling pretty, or a bomb bath routine equates to having great self-care but is lacking the main ingredient of doing what truly makes you feel good as a person.

It’s taken me a long time to figure out Self-Care for myself and doesn’t get me wrong it’s still a daily journey as I evolve as a person every day but I know for a fact I’m now on the right path.

My journey was not easy, to say the least as my community and brand have also evolved to what it is today. I myself got sucked into doing comparisons and wanting my self-care to look like what I have seen on t.v or Instagram. The path has been even more difficult because now that I know I want to show others the true meaning of Self-Care through my knowledge and personal journey I must first take the blinders off and redefine what it truly means.

The biggest challenge is staying true to myself regardless of how others feel because this is the only way for other people like myself to see that you can have the utmost love for yourself from beyond the bathroom robe. There is no template for doing what feels right to yourself because only you have that answer. In this era of social media and television, it is easy to get sucked into everything you see that you begin to question your own identity and needs.

I want the world to know that Self-Care is truly what lights you up and feeds your soul. This may not be something that is being advertised as Self-Care right now and that is perfectly fine. If it feels good to you then you are on the right track and that’s what you need to do. Every day doesn’t have to be a face mask if today you feel more energized sitting outside journaling or reading a book.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone was coming into town to visit me in Tampa, Fl I would most likely plan a day trip to Clearwater Beach. We would have a beach day, check out the aquarium, and then have lunch at one of my favorite beach bars Palm Pavillion on the beach so we can catch the amazing sunset views while listening to the live band play. During the week would probably be a little more chill. There are a few parks that host daily events that are by the water like Curtis Hixon Park which is more outside but by the water, Sparkman Wharf where we can visit the bowling alley play oversized checkers, and grab some food, or Armature Works which is like an indoor food court and hop to catch a movie on the lawn.
If we trying to go out then we could slide to Ybor city to people watch grab some one-of-a-kind pizza from Due Amici and bar hop.
We would have to make a stop by Haiku for the vibes, sushi and the drinks of course.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s so many people that I can dedicate this shout-out and I really do mean so many. One thing my journey has taught me is every person, situation, and moment count and add up to the greatness you are stepping in at this very moment. At the end of the day, it’s all about perspective and showing gratitude to everyone but also yourself for continuing to show up and put your best foot forward each day.

I am super grateful to my coaches Tisha Mitchelle and Karina Ramos for pushing me when needed it most. A special shoutout goes to my support system that varies from associates, day 1’s, and my business friends.

Website: ptbmylife.com

Instagram: @ptbmylife @pharryljade