The trauma from his childhood was supposed to be the hindrance that stopped him.
But for Detroit resident R.J Johns, 29, it was the stepping stone into his destiny — a calling that he brings others along with on their own journey as a life coach at R.J. Johns Life Coaching, based in Detroit.
“The final piece of the puzzle for me was God; it was a spiritual thing. … Along that journey, I needed healing and wholeness. There was a trauma I went through in my childhood and I wasn’t able to be effective in my purpose,” Johns said. “That was done a few years ago through my ministry and personal relationship with God and the leaders in my ministry taking me through the inner healing process.”
Johns said that through his profession he shows people who they are.
“They are talented; they are gifted and they do have a purpose,” Johns said.
During this pandemic with the threat of COVID-19 lurking around the corner and disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities, 2020 wasn’t the easiest year. And now nearly a year into the pandemic, it’s time to continue fighting pandemic fatigue in this new year while keeping mental health top of mind.
R.J. Johns is a life coach who is helping his clients fight pandemic fatigue.
Photo provided by R.J. Johns
Johns said that mental health is important, especially in a pandemic where reports of depression statistics are increasing, along with suicide rates and domestic violence.
“[That] is not often discussed from a mental health perspective in the Black community because it is seen as maybe taboo or something we don’t like to discuss … that’s what other people do but not us,” Johns said, adding that Black men can still handle their situations while seeking therapy. He added that Black women can be strong, too, while getting help.
“It is very important that during this pandemic we keep up mental health and fight pandemic fatigue,” he said, adding that people were created to be relational beings and it is important to consider speaking with someone equipped to help them find the help they need to gain greater success throughout their life. “Only when we go in healed and whole do things start to work better.”
He added for things to get better for us in this pandemic we must stimulate our minds, stimulate our bodies and do meaningful things.
Johns said that with people still spending so much more time at home with themselves they are figuring out what’s next for them as COVID-19 rages on.
“People’s lives changed before their eyes,” Johns said. “They had to figure out as far as their education, their businesses, as far as employment and even hobbies. … When was the last time we had this much time to sit and be with ourselves to think?”
He said seeking mental health resources, a virtual therapist, a virtual life coach, or something similar is crucial. He also said that exercise, like walking, or writing are other tools to use to stay fit mentally and physically.
fight that one has to take steps every single day to get to the next day.
“I always wonder what is going to happen next and we wonder when we are going to see our friends and family, and every day something else is shut down and more people are getting sick and what I say is find peace. Find a center you can always go back to,” he said. “My children [are my center] … I know that at the end of the day that will always be there.”
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