The Care Collective

Crown & Conquer

• St. Hope Healthcare • Season 1 • Episode 5

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In this episode of The Care Collective, we sit down with our new co-host, Dr. Helen Muoneke, a clinical pharmacist devoted to HIV care, to explore how true empowerment comes from presence, boundaries, and intentional rest. From her journey through El Paso and Nigerian roots to nearly a decade in patient-centered pharmacy, Dr. Muoneke shares the daily habits—like morning meditation, breathwork, and unplugged evenings—that keep her grounded. Together, we unpack the pressure women, especially women of color, face to be endlessly available and how saying “no” can be an act of self-respect. Tune in for practical tools, meaningful reflection, and a reminder that power often starts with listening to yourself.

The Care Collective Podcast | @sthopehealthcare

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to the Care Collective, a podcast dedicated to empowering and connecting individuals who are passionate about creating change. Our mission is to share valuable insights and knowledge, foster supportive and inclusive community, and provide engaging and entertaining content that inspires growth and connection. Together, we aim to make caring contagious and amplify the power of collective action.

SPEAKER_03:

Hi everyone, welcome to the Care Collective. This month's episode is Crown and Conquer. I'm really excited about the topic, not just talking about empowerment, but also for our new co-host, Dr. Helen Moneke. It's me. Welcome to the episode. Welcome to the podcast.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_03:

So tell us about yourself.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh, tell us about yourself. The infamous question. Um, so I am from El Paso, Texas, originally from Nigeria. So West Texas in the house. Um, I was there, I grew up there, my whole family is there. Oh, well me immediate family is there. Um, and I graduated and came here to Houston in 2003. So I guess I've been here for quite some time. Definitely. Yeah. So um I love it. I love it here. Houston has been my second home. Um, I got married here, met, you know, some amazing people here, um, and chose my career path here, to be honest with you. Um, I am a pharmacist, clinical pharmacist. I have been working for St. Hilp Healthcare for over nine years now. Wow. Love what I do. Literally love what I do. Everyone who knows me knows I love what I do. Um, I have a passion for HIV. Um, I've taught HIV in the uh university level, so I have students who are now um pharmacists and medical doctors and things like that. So it's amazing to see, you know, their growth and what they've done. Um, but I love what I do. I've you know, just working with patients and seeing their health outcomes go from negative to positive. Um working with my colleagues, going to the different sites. I actually started off at the Sugarland location, which is not too far from here. And, you know, seeing that location grow and build, and you know, it's just it's been an exciting experience, just you know, working with people that also share the same vision and same passion that I have as well.

SPEAKER_03:

So it's been a journey. Definitely. And like I said, pharmacy is always doing big things over there. You guys are the best team.

SPEAKER_02:

We have a very small, tight-niched team, so I love it.

SPEAKER_03:

That's well, with this week being so busy, I'm sure with pharmacy, even with like us in optometry, we're just back to back. I know. Even if it's just the start of the week on Monday, it feels like a whole week's gone by. No, tell me about it. Tell me something you've done this week that's made you feel empowered.

SPEAKER_02:

Made me feel empowered. You know what's funny? I turned my phone off. Oh, wow. For an entire evening. And if you know anything about me, you know that's pretty much impossible to do.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, I can imagine.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. I unplugged myself from the world. So what I did is I lit a candle. I told Alexa to play my favorite Afrobeat playlist. Yes, I love me some Afrobeats. And I sat still. And there's so much peace in s sitting still. Absolutely. You know, I I was able to rest. I was able to reset. You know, sometimes there's some power in not having to be productive all the time. You know, you just just be you and just kind of be grounded and just rest.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, it's kind of like you have to take time to fill your own cup, right? What made you come to that decision?

SPEAKER_02:

I was, you know, I looked at my phone. I was receiving all kinds of messages. My parents failed that they finished a a major passion project, and I was really proud of my father for doing that. And it was just a lot of different things going on. You know, a lot of things from work, personal life, my kids. Everyone needed something from mommy. Oh. You know? All those things were great. But mommy needed a braid. Yes. Right? So I just said, you know what? I'm gonna charge my phone and turn it off.

SPEAKER_03:

Amazing. And so that's what I did. I know, it must be so hard, especially when you feel responsible for so many people.

SPEAKER_04:

So many people.

SPEAKER_03:

And you're always connected, you're always talking, you're always giving, giving, giving, just taking that powerful step to stop and be like, you know what, I'm gonna cut off communication. I'm just gonna be silent, enjoy like your music, light a candle, take that time to recover. That's it, and that's exactly what I did. Sounds incredible. I need to do it too.

SPEAKER_02:

So, what tiny habit makes you feel grounded or feel confident?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, so when I was in college in optometry school, something I was really good at was meditating. I used to do it all the time, every day. Okay. And as time has passed and life has passed, that habit unfortunately kind of dwindled away. Life is life ending. And then the last few months I was thinking about, I was like, that's something I really want to start again. So I start it as soon as I wake up in the morning and meditate.

SPEAKER_04:

Okay.

SPEAKER_03:

But a really big part of it is breathing exercises as well, which I love because it really grounds me. Just taking long, deep inhales and exhales and feeling it as well, you know, like consciously breathing and just slowing down the mind. It starts off my morning beautifully.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh man. That's that's beautiful because people don't realize how medicinal that really is. You know, being intentional with your with your body, with your mind, with your soul, with your spirit. It we have to take those moments for ourselves.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_02:

You know, and just kind of be in the moment.

SPEAKER_03:

And it's like breathing is such a simple thing that we take for granted and it sounds silly. It's like, okay, we're just breathing to get by life. But there's power in deep intentional breathing and slowing down. It's kind of similar to your exercise as well. It's just about slowing down and taking a moment.

SPEAKER_02:

Right.

SPEAKER_03:

So I find doing that in the morning just it really grounds me. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. I agree. I agree. I think if we do that more often, I think we'll find that we'll be a little bit more happier. Um not as you know, sometimes we're we're just we're going too fast. You know? We don't have that time to just really slow down. Just slow down. You know, I I talk to my friends sometimes and they're like, Helen, slow down. Just enjoy the moment. Enjoy the moment. And I'm like, you know what? You're right.

SPEAKER_03:

But it's kind of like we've been trained by society to go, go, go, go, go. Okay, you finished one thing, what's the next? What's the next? What's the next? What's the next? And then it's also kind of frowned upon in a way, like if you tell people, well, I just turned off my phone and just needed time to myself. Are you okay? What's going on? Are you are you having a mental breakdown? What's going on, Alan? It's true, it's true, it's true. Oh my god. So it's also about kind of reframing taking this space, taking this piece, and slowing down, making that into a positive. Positive thing.

unknown:

It's not a negative.

SPEAKER_03:

Why do you think we struggle with guilt when we reinforce boundaries or if we enforce them for the first time, even?

SPEAKER_02:

Well, I feel like it's the way sometimes we're raised. We're raised that uh the way we show our worth is how we how we help others and we're so available and so agreeable. And so when we say no, it's it's unnatural, you know. It's it's like, oh my god, I I can't believe I said no. But it's okay to say no. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay to have that boundary where, you know, I'm not available to do the X, Y, and Z. It's it's it's important for you to be able to honor your time and honor your space. And so I feel like, especially women, women of color, we the way we're raised, we're raised that if you don't act oblige someone's request, then you're you're you're you're you're being selfish.

SPEAKER_03:

I was just about to say that.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, you're being selfish.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes.

SPEAKER_02:

But you're not.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah. It's all it's okay. It's okay to say no. I think that's it's the very challenging part. I mean, in general, just saying no across the board is hard because I think the people around you can very easily put expectations on you that you're always gonna be there, you're always gonna say yes, you're always going to understand them and what their expectations of you are, right? That's one way. And then you took it a little bit further, which I can completely relate to being a woman. Right. That's hard enough. Then take it a step further, being a woman of color. That's I mean, I don't know how Nigerian culture is, but with Indian culture, like as women, we're expected to give and give, just like you're saying. And then when you make boundaries, or if you say no, or if you're saying no, that's not something that I'm really happy with, they're like, Oh my god, how dare she? Did she just? And it's you know, it's funny because that you know you said you grew up here in Texas and you were born here. I also was born in Tennessee and I grew up here, but those expectations and those cultural differences are still very much in place.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03:

And I don't know if you have a lot of women in your family, but for me, there aren't that many women. So I think there was like a lot of boundaries that I had to learn to make myself, and I was the first one to really truly do that, especially in my family. So that was a journey. Yeah, yeah. Say that.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So for me, I'm the Ada of the family, and Ada means the first, the firstborn woman.

SPEAKER_04:

Oh. Right.

SPEAKER_02:

So with that title comes a lot of responsibilities. Yeah, right. So saying no, it's not, that's not something you do.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes.

SPEAKER_02:

You know, it's just it's you just keep giving and giving and doing and doing because there's an expectation for you to do that.

SPEAKER_03:

And you're I'm assuming you're setting they're they're expecting you to set the example.

SPEAKER_02:

Example. Right.

SPEAKER_03:

All the other women that will follow you. Right.

SPEAKER_02:

And not just your siblings. I'm talking about the you know, the whole village. We're talking about people around you. So it's it can be tough. But if you really want to create that boundary, you have to be okay with saying, you know what, I can't, or you know what, no. And and it's it's okay to say those things and and not feel like you're disrespecting someone, or not feel like you know, you're doing the wrong thing.

SPEAKER_03:

And I think for me also is even if the other person will probably feel disrespect. They probably will. Let's just be honest. Yeah, let's lose it. It's a learning experience for them as well, right? It's giving them the opportunity to grow. And like you said, you're an example for all the other women and the people in your family as well. I'm hoping that with time and with younger generations, it'll change. If I start, if I start being the one to make boundaries, if I'm the one who starts saying no, if I'm the one that's like, that's not okay, this is not healthy, this is healthy, this is what I'm okay with, then it'll make it easier for other people of younger generations to be able to do that in our own.

SPEAKER_02:

I want to be that example for my daughter. Oh, you know, I want her to say, Oh, you know what? My mom was able to do that. Yes. So I can do that too. It's so beautiful. You know, and there's so much power in that. Yes. You know, so yeah. How old is your daughter? She's nine. She's turning ten next year, or next year, next month. Oh. And so, but they they they're sponges. Yes. They're sponges. So they see and do and act everything, you know, they do everything. So I it's it's very important for me to basically show her those these behaviors that I want her to, you know, have as a woman when she dies she's growing. And you know, I don't want her to feel that, you know, she can't be her truest self. You know, that she has to conform to what society wants her to be.

SPEAKER_03:

That's really beautiful. It's so special, it's so important to have.

SPEAKER_02:

It really is. So speaking of society and women, you know, what boundary do you think every woman should at least try at least wants?

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, well, it works with you. Um, kind of with you what you were saying, saying no. Just saying no, and also you don't have to justify it. There's also that, right? Like, first off, saying no is such a big deal. And then on top of it, you have to explain yourself, explain yourself. You have to validate the no. You don't need validation. There's no longer a need for validation. Just say no, that does not work for me. End it. That's it.

SPEAKER_02:

Done deal. On to the next. Yes, definitely. I love that. And it's funny you say that because I actually adopted this new theory called the let them theory. I don't know if you've heard of that. Uh-uh, what is it? So it's like, if you it's like I I I don't care what others think. If I'm misunderstood, you know, if you feel a certain type of way about me, or you know, I'm gonna let you think that way. That's fine. It's okay. It's it really is okay. Yeah, it's okay. Because I'm not gonna sit here and try to convince you about who I am or what I stand for or or why I did what I did. I'm just gonna let you think the way you want to think.

SPEAKER_03:

And just say that's okay. I understand. And that's okay. Yeah, agreed, definitely. That's fine. And on to the next. Because there's nothing you can do. No. And it's also not your responsibility. It's again part of making boundaries. It is not your responsibility to convince someone else or you know, encourage someone else to see what your true intentions are, who you truly are. If they want to, they will. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. What do you think is a boundary you wish you would have set sooner?

SPEAKER_02:

Oh man. A boundary that I would have set sooner. I would have availability. Not being so available. You know. Before I would just rush to responding to a text, responding to a call, responding to this, responding to that. You know, because I felt like I had to do it right then and there. But you know, a lot of times these things that appear to be urgent aren't urgent. Aren't urgent. They're not you know, they're not really as urgent as they appear to be. Okay. And so you run yourself ragged, yeah. Trying to get everything done. But you're you're you're drained. You're running on empty. Yes. You know, you're trying to please everyone around you except for yourself. So you have to try to protect your energy.

SPEAKER_03:

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02:

You know, protect your energy, and by doing so, it's not making yourself so available. You know, so that's one thing I I wish I could have done much sooner, is just not being so available. Definitely, you know, no matter what time of the day, 3 a.m., 2 a.m., I'm responding, why?

SPEAKER_03:

That's why, but look, I've I've been there, done that, done that.

SPEAKER_02:

Right? Because so now it's like, you know what? If it's not urgent and it's not within my bandwidth, then it can wait.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes.

SPEAKER_02:

I'm gonna get it done. And it's gonna be done within a timely fashion. But if it's not urgent, and if it's not, it just can't be done right now.

SPEAKER_03:

Absolutely. You and it's just like learning to prioritize yourself, right? And what you need and being okay with that, definitely.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, I I agree. Um, you know, it's funny because we sometimes we we don't value ourselves enough. We we we like to celebrate um other people's wins. So my I have a question for you regarding wins. Um what win did you have recently that you almost forgot to celebrate?

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, you know, I was thinking about this. And I actually haven't even celebrated it. So I need to figure out a way to. Um, I was thinking about just how cohesive my department is. Oh. The optometry department, and we're so like tight-knit for sure, but we're really there for each other. Like I see that. I see that.

SPEAKER_01:

I see that I'm linking it and I'm like, wow, y'all are really like doing it.

SPEAKER_03:

I mean, we talk all the time. It's not normal. There are times where my husband's like, my tech is Tanisha, and my husband's like, I think you care about her more than you care about me. Like, no, it's not true. He's like, why are you talking to Tanisha all the time? We hear each other, we know each other. And even Amanta and you know, Dr. Wood, I just feel like we're all so much there for each other in every single way. Major moments in our lives and small moments, like we all celebrate each other, and that's something that really I value and I'm so proud to be a part of. And I hope that I've contributed in some way to that with creating a really positive workplace environment. So I think that's something to celebrate for sure. And I was like, I really need to celebrate that with the team. We should.

SPEAKER_02:

Now I see you guys, and I'm just like, wow, it's like a it's a small team. Yes, but it's a healthy, happy. You guys do a lot of things outside. I you guys post it. I'm just like, wow, that's kind of cool. That's really, really cool. I love that.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, I would say that's my little small one that we definitely need to celebrate. How about yourself? Have you had any small ones?

SPEAKER_02:

Small ones, well, actually, yeah. It some of the small ones um was just embracing that theory, you know, just just kind of having a new mindset of how I approach things, um, not reacting, just kind of taking a step back and just kind of being more mindful, more observant of things. And so to me, that's a huge one because before, I'm like, you know, what's going on? And I'm just having a whole but a whole explosion in my head, right? Yeah. What's going on? Did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong? Or did they misunderstand me? You know, I'm just I'm going through a whole whirlwind of things. And so now I'm just like, okay, Helen, stop. I think and then, you know, react in a way that aligns with my new self. You know, the woman that I want to be, the woman that I'm becoming. So, you know, it's it's more of just, you know, really embracing that theory, you know, just remaining calm, that inner calmness.

SPEAKER_03:

Very powerful.

SPEAKER_02:

Um just remaining in that space, no matter what is thrown at me. So if someone is coming at me full force, just keeping it calm, cool, and collected.

SPEAKER_03:

I love it. Yeah. That's the best way.

SPEAKER_02:

It really is. And you know, to reduce stress because there's so much going on in the world. You know, so matching their energy. I I don't need to match your energy, you know. So just kind of keeping things cool and just uh being more observant and then reacting in a way that aligns with the best part of who I am.

SPEAKER_03:

I love that. Yeah. What advice would you give your younger self? Oh man.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh, there's so many things in the so many, you know, for sure. Your standards are not too high. Keep them high. Yes. Right? Don't shrink for anyone. Yes. Keep shining. Wear your, you know, wear your crown. Yes. Oh my God. It's endless. You're allowed to change your mind. You know? If you want to change course, change course. It's okay. You know, there's so much I would tell myself. It's okay to make mistakes. Yes. You know, it's okay. Let it go.

unknown:

Let it go.

SPEAKER_02:

Start over. If you have to start over, start over. Just start over. Have fun. Have fun. Rest. What are you rushing for? Rest. Be intentional with everything. Even if it's a bite of food, savor it. Sabor each bite. You know, because I I wasn't, okay, I gotta I gotta get this done, I gotta do that. I want to get this degree and that degree. And after this, I'm gonna do this and this and this and that. It's like I had a checklist of everything I do. You know, I was taking 21 hours in college. I was you know, I was going crazy. For what? For what? Why? Just be intentional, take your time, be at peace, enjoy life, savor it. You know, just enjoy it. Why are we rushing? Be at be at peace.

SPEAKER_03:

Definitely.

SPEAKER_02:

That's what I would tell my younger self is just have fun.

SPEAKER_03:

I think that's so important, definitely. Even now, like it's you grind so hard, you work so hard, and you get into a rhythm, it's hard to break it. And part of empowerment is learning to just embrace peace, calm, and the study as well. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

I agree, I agree. So it's just, you know, it's as you get older, you just you stop and you realize, man, if I if I could, there's certain things I would do different. You know, and that and that's one of the things that I would is just taking my time, embracing any experience that comes, whether it's negative or positive, just embracing that experience and knowing that it happened for a reason. And there's a reason why, again, there's a reason why it happened. So I'm gonna learn from that experience. I'm gonna take from that experience, and I'm gonna use that experience to make a better version of myself. You know, I love it. And and and and also take into account self-love. Self-love is important, right? You know, take care of take care of yourself, not just everybody around you, but take care of yourself, self-love. You know, that's that's what I would have told myself.

SPEAKER_03:

I think self-love is harder, actually, the older you get, in my opinion.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes.

SPEAKER_03:

Because the more busy you get, the more responsibilities you have. Right. And then you have your career, you have your family, you have everything you're juggling, and then it's just like you forget about yourself. You're like, oh wait.

SPEAKER_02:

There's me. So speaking of self-love, what's a recent act of self-love or self-respect that you're proud of?

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, you know, okay, especially with the holidays coming up. And so right before the American holidays are all the Indian holidays. So I feel like it's not just like Thanksgiving and Christmas for me. It's like the month and a half before that. I'm celebrating all the Indian holidays straight into Thanksgiving, then it's Christmas, then it's New Year. So when I say it's like intense, it's intense.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh man.

SPEAKER_03:

And then for some reason, all my friends are bored within these few months. So I feel like it's just a lot of events and a lot of things to go to. And of course, I want to be there for everyone, and I love all of them equally. But it's just actually having to be able to say no to a few of them just because it was I was really getting exhausted and tired, and I needed that time to rest. I'm also a little bit of an introvert, like I am totally that Netflix and chill girl crawled up in bed. So I need that time for me, and I know that about myself, versus like other people. I think they really thrive off of like socializing, and you know, they'll go to an event and be like, oh my gosh, I feel so much amazing. And of course, I have a great time. But I really recharge during my private time.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. Yeah. So actually, I'm both. I'm an introvert and an extrovert. And so depending on the kind of relationship that I have with you, you'll see those sides. So extrovert, well, you know, I'm bubbly, and people really see the extroverted side at work. So I'm, you know, I can talk to anyone, I can make a conversation with literally anyone. But I'm also very much introverted, where I like the Netflix and chill. I need that time by myself to just kind of read a book and, you know, relax and just kind of be in my own little space. Everyone who really knows me knows I love my closet.

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, what?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, I love my closet.

SPEAKER_03:

What are you doing in your closet?

SPEAKER_02:

Girl, sit.

SPEAKER_03:

I sit in.

SPEAKER_02:

I do. It's a room and I I sit in the middle of it. Oh my god. And I close the door and I love it. Is it because it's cold? It's it's not I wish it was cold, but it's not cold. It's quiet. Okay. Just no noise, you know? Because I'm so used to being bubbly and happy and all day, which is that's just that's who I am. Okay. But I also like that time by myself. See, I would have never known that about you.

SPEAKER_03:

You're right, because I didn't get to see the work you.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, the work me. I'm all over the place.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay, so you like your closet.

SPEAKER_02:

But I love, I love my closet.

SPEAKER_03:

You should try your breathing exercise. Try a breathing exercise. In the closet, right? Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

I have no space just to kind of do that. In fact, I'll do that tonight. I love it. So yeah, when I get home from work and all the kids are running, hi mommy, I'll go to my closet. And they know. They know, okay, mom, it's mommy's time, and I go to my closet and I just sit still.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

So it's kind of like my little recharge moment.

SPEAKER_03:

So yeah. Okay. What does the word empowerment mean to you right now?

SPEAKER_02:

So empowerment. Empowerment. That that word has actually changed throughout time for me. It used to be this big word, like this external word where it meant like titles and big round of applause and all these things. But now, um, becoming one with myself. And and sometimes my voice is not right, right? I'm not saying I know it all, right? Sometimes my voice is not right. But when it's not right, I know when to course correct. And I I can learn and I can grow. So empowerment to me is listening to my body when it's saying it's time to rest. Listening to my gut. When my gut is telling when that gut feeling is saying, No, don't do it. Or no, Helen, something's not right. Just listening to that gut feeling. So that's empowerment to me. Just knowing, knowing to listen to your inner voice.

SPEAKER_03:

I think that's huge. And it's also, you know, like you said, your voice not might not always be correct. But that's not the that's not what's important anymore. No. Just you don't always have to be right. No. You don't always have to do the right thing. That's also part of being empowered. Right. Being okay with being wrong and making mistakes. Exactly. And being able to correct and grow and you know, build yourself into who you want to be. I definitely I love it.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, exactly. So I think that that that part is something that I have grown into over time, and it's it's a beautiful thing. It really is. Because it's like I I value myself. I value others, but I also value myself.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes.

SPEAKER_02:

You know. Um, what is a what is a compliment that you've actually received lately, lately that you actually believed?

SPEAKER_03:

You know, I think it's actually one of the best compliments I got. I'm gonna give a shout out to Amanda, who's also on my team. I'm telling you, like I love my team too much. They're amazing. And you know, I feel like when I think of Amanda, she's such a strong, powerful woman. She is. And I was going through something very personal recently that would change everything in my life. When I say everything, it would change absolutely everything, and it wasn't something that I was in control of. It wasn't like a choice I would make, a decision I would make. It was just something that would happen to me. Yeah. So I was like, I don't know how this is gonna work out. Um, but we'll see how it works out. And I just have to wait to see what happens. And when I finally got the results of it, it ended up being like the best possible scenario. So, of course, the first person I call is Amanda. Amanda. I was like, Amanda, I have to tell you, like, this is what happened. And she instantly was just like, you know, even if it didn't work out, I wasn't worried. Like, I love that. She's like, You're one of those people, she's like, You're one of the most resilient women I've met. She's like, no matter what scenario you're in, you're gonna make the best of it. You're gonna work through it. And she's like, I also knew it was gonna work out because you always manifest. I'm a real big manifestor.

SPEAKER_01:

I love that.

SPEAKER_03:

So I'm always like manifesting, manifesting, manifesting. Every time like someone on their team says something, they're like, Oh, I really want this like manifesting. Manifested, yeah, yeah. It's gonna happen. People just don't realize that. Yes, you have to believe it. You have to say it. Yes. So it just for me, for her to say that about me was really, really like special because I knew she meant it too.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh, yeah, and Amanda, Amanda's true to her word. Yes, I agree. I love that. Yes. Oh, goodness. It's just, it's, it's, it's amazing what how what others say about you, or you know, and it's like it it makes you think, you know what? Yeah.

SPEAKER_03:

Because it's true, because I would have never thought that when she's like, you're so resilient. I was like, resilient? I think that's a you know what? I've never thought of that word.

SPEAKER_02:

But yeah, I guess you're you know, give a pat on your back, you know, sometimes. You know, it's it's it's good to do that.

SPEAKER_03:

Give yourself some kiddos. And then I also think, you know, with empowerment, with us just discussing this, it's so nice to be around people who empower you. Yes, right, who lift you up, who build you up who for who you really are. Not that just not this inauthentic, like, oh my gosh, you're so amazing, you're so pretty, you're so smart, you're so great at what you do. Like, no, I'm talking about like the real hard stuff, like, and especially since we're women, to have other women around you who will empower you, I think is the most beautiful thing. And I'm I'm very fortunate to not just have that at work, but also to have that in my personal life. I have such an amazing group of women that I've curated over actually the last year, year and a half. And it's it's something really beautiful. I'm very fortunate to have all these people in my life.

SPEAKER_02:

I will say that um just in this journey that I've had, one of the things that I would empower or encourage everyone to do is especially this week, just one tip this week. Reclaim one hour for you. Just one hour. There's 24 hours in a day, there's seven days in a week. You can give yourself that one hour. I love it. One hour, just one hour, just to do whatever it is that pleases you. Yes, right? That pleases you. You're gonna mute literally apps, people, you know, anything that causes stress, you know, any emotional stressors, anything that triggers you, just mute it all. Yes, just mute it all and just focus on you and whatever makes you happy. I think we all owe that one hour to ourselves. I think we can do that 24 hours in a day, seven days a week. Yeah, you can do that. And so I just encourage everyone to do that because I think it as we continue to do that more often, you'll find that you know your body actually needs that. You need that just to kind of reset and be the best version of yourself. You know, just a recharge, and then you'll you'll find that you're much more happier and more pleasant to be around. You're more pleasant to be around. People want to be around a more pleasant person. Yes. So you are able to recharge and just kind of you know, refill that battery. You'll be surprised the kind of outcomes and the kind of things that you'll do.

SPEAKER_03:

Definitely. And I think if I had a tip, try saying no. Yeah. With no justification needed. You can just say no, no, thank you. Oh, thank you. I can't make it.

SPEAKER_02:

No, I won't be able to do that right now. And it's okay to do that. It really is. And if they have an issue with you by doing that or saying that, then that's where you know.

SPEAKER_03:

That's something to think about as well.

SPEAKER_02:

You know, you'll it just see a lot of different things, you know. It empowers you to know. So, you know, I like that.

SPEAKER_03:

Just say no. Well, I think I feel very empowered leaving this conversation. It was great to talk with you.

SPEAKER_02:

It's been amazing. I'll learn some things from you as well. Thank you so much for tuning in on this episode on the Care Collective. It's been an amazing experience getting to learn and talk more about empowerment. You can contact us at OfferingHope.org or call us at 713-778-1300.

SPEAKER_00:

You've been watching and listening to the Care Collective, a production of St. Hope Healthcare. Join us monthly for new episodes as we explore the latest thoughts and ideas of living your best life.