We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Edoabasi (Edo) McGee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Edoabasi (Edo), we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2017, I completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy and then a double mastectomy. After surgery in October of 2017 , I had still moments that allowed me to reflect. I went from disbelief at the start of treatment to depression after surgery. I felt like I was staring into a huge hole of darkness and despair with no end in sight. I was going to be bald, breast-less and without nipples or a belly button. I felt like I would look like a freak forever. I shared this with my oncologist and she suggested I go see a therapist to discuss some of the things I had described to her. My therapist was instrumental in helping me unpack the mental aftermath of the diagnosis. As a high-achieving professional woman, I had to dig deeper to satisfy my personal intricacies. I dug deeper into self development to further improve my mental wellness beyond therapy. That’s where I learned about the role of a certified peer mental health specialist (CPS-MH) in recovery. I became a CPS-MH in my home state of Georgia. The wellness recovery framework used by CPS-MH has been transformational to my mental wellness on my breast cancer recovery journey. Now I help young, high-achieving professionals diagnosed with breast cancer, to transform their lives on their recovery journey by promoting mental health as a critical part of overall wellness. I empower them to recognize that their goals, hopes and dreams are still possible despite breast cancer.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

S.E.W. Mental Wellness Coaching is a virtual cancer mindset coaching practice that serves young (25-45 years) high-achievers diagnosed with breast cancer at any stage of the diagnosis looking to do some self development and deep work to prioritize their mental wellness to ensure they thrive despite cancer. We currently offer a range of services to include virtual group coaching, cancer care packages, and wellness challenges to help promote mental wellness as a critical part of overall wellness for cancer patients.  In addition to this, we do tailored speaking engagements.

Using the wellness recovery framework, S.E.W. coaches clients on how to gain freedom from troubling behavior or patterns that repeatedly get triggered by the cancer diagnosis and treatment. It allows patients to feel empowered in making decisions about life, building a strong support network, and utilizing resources to help reach their goals despite breast cancer. The group coaching model allows for guided support that incorporates community building by way of assigned accountability partners. The coaching is built on the foundation that there are no limits to recovery and wellness and that anyone can get well, stay well, change their situation and do the things they want to do with their lives, all by changing their mindset. Clients discover a simple method to stop just managing symptoms of the mental aftermath of a breast cancer diagnosis and start managing energy.

The unique framework used to coach, alongside my personal experience as a survivor, and my years in the healthcare industry as a pharmacist and an educator sets S.E.W. apart from others. I am most proud of recently completing our third wellness challenge to serve survivors. I am still learning and growing in my business and my love for learning helps me stay focused business wise. Business is never easy, especially in the first few years but the fulfillment I get from coaching and making an impact in young Women’s lives always brings me joy. I overcome challenges by always going back to my “why”.  Additionally, I have my core support group that will tell me what I need to hear, not only what I want to hear to keep me marching forward toward my business goals. I have learned that success in business is not a destination, it’s a journey,  I have to keep on striving and building.

I want the world to know that at S.E.W. Mental Wellness Coaching, our mission is to SUPPORT young professionals through a breast cancer diagnosis and EMPOWER them to self-advocate for the best health outcomes, while providing WELLNESS coaching to help them thrive. We do this by cultivating a recovery wellness mindset for each patient.  Our mission is where S.E.W is derived from: Support, Empower and Wellness (S.E.W.)

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.
Some of my favorite spots I would share with my bestie that is in town for a week would mainly revolve around my favorite eatery and end with a wellness experience. First I would take her to Ike’s Cafe and Grill- for authentic West African food. For lunch on the second day we would go to Mary Mac Tea House because well we in da’ south! Then we would switch it up and grab some amazing Ethiopian food from Desta Ethiopian Kitchen. With all the good eating we are doing, I would have to bring her to ponce city market to stroll around and then head to the roof for a fun adult beverage at skyline park. Of course, we would have to hit the grown and sexy night life a little bit at Josephine Lounge. Then I would make her try the slab of ribs at Fox Bros Bar-B-Q. I truly enjoy a chill vibe with some good food and a nice chill adult beverage, so we would paint the town red but in a grown and sexy kinda of way! The week-long adventure would end with a relaxing experience at Jeju Spa in Duluth….after all I am a self proclaimed Chief Wellness Officer (CWO)!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My therapist that got me through the first four years post cancer deserves a shout out. Her name is Tamela R. McDonald and she is the founder of Matlock Resource Center LLC. She helped me unpack my breast cancer diagnosis and encouraged me to start my business to help other young women experiencing breast cancer. I am forever grateful to her.

Website: https://www.sewmentalwellnesscoaching.com

Instagram: @askSEWcancercoach

Linkedin: Edoabasi McGee

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