Crossroads + Callings| Sz.1| Ep.9: Fitness As Therapy

In this powerful episode of Crossroads and Callings, host Chimere Brown sits down with Tonyael Miller (Coach T), a certified personal trainer, author, and motivational speaker, to discuss the transformative power of movement. Tonyael shares her deeply personal journey of turning pain into purpose, starting with her 2012 diagnosis of postpartum depression.

Learn how Tonyael bypassed traditional medication in favor of holistic therapy, using running and fitness to regain authority over her mental health. From completing her first 10-mile race to winning second place in a fitness competition while grieving the loss of her grandmother, Tonyael’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the mind-body connection.

In this episode, we explore:
⦁ Overcoming Postpartum Depression: How Tonyael identified key symptoms and why she chose fitness as a form of holistic therapy.
⦁ The Mentally Fit 2.0 Method: An inside look at Tonyael’s "40/40/20" approach—40% mindset, 40% nutrition, and 20% fitness.
⦁ Eliminating "Mom Guilt": Strategies for mothers and caregivers to prioritize self-care without feeling like they are neglecting their families.
⦁ Finding Peace in the Storm: Tonyael’s incredible story of being stuck in Jamaica for 11 days during Hurricane Melissa and how she maintained her mental clarity.
⦁ Building a Supportive Community: The importance of surrounding yourself with people who pour into your purpose.

Whether you are a mother, a caregiver, or anyone navigating a major life transition, this episode provides the "how-to's" for elevating yourself to the 2.0 version of your life.
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Connect with T Miller:
⦁ Instagram: @tonyaelm
⦁ Get Started: DM the word "RECLAIM" to Tonyael for information on her Mentally Fit community and a free 15-minute consultation.

Follow Crossroads and Callings:
⦁ Subscribe on YouTube and all major podcasting platforms to hear more stories of pivotal moments that reveal true purpose.
⦁ Special Thanks: Recorded at the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago.
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YouTube Chapters & Timestamps
•00:00 – Turning Pain Into Purpose: Meet Coach T
o Host Chimere Brown introduces Tonyael Miller, founder of the Mentally Fit community and a specialist in empowering women to reclaim their wellness.
•06:00 – Overcoming Postpartum Depression & The Stigma of "Strength"
o Tonyael discusses her 2012 diagnosis, the pressure on women in the Black community to appear "strong," and her decision to choose holistic fitness over medication.
•10:32 – Beating "Mom Guilt" & Finding Time for Self-Care
o A breakdown of how to prioritize your own "oxygen mask" first and practical tips for balancing childcare with a fitness routine.
•19:40 – The Mindset Muscle: Using Affirmations & Grounding
o Coach T shares the mental tools she uses to stay present, including her 5-senses grounding technique for busy career women.
•24:41 – The Mentally Fit 2.0 Method: Mindset, Nutrition, Fitness
o An explanation of the "40/40/20" approach to health—focusing on 40% mindset, 40% nutrition, and 20% physical fitness.
•44:08 – Peace in the Storm: Lessons from Hurricane Melissa
o Tonyael recounts being stuck in Jamaica for 11 days during a hurricane and how she used mental resilience and "ChatGPT therapy" to find peace in the chaos.