Meet Natalie Therese Wilson | Certified Coach Practitioner, Speaker, Talk-Show Host, Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Therese Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie Therese, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After my third breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, I quickly realized that the eight years that had passed since my first diagnosis were all in preparation for what I was brought here to do. I knew I had to share my knowledge and education from my breast cancer journey, how I made my way through the stages of healing, and how I fought my way through adversity to come out on the other side. I was on a mission to help others so that they didn’t have to fight as many battles as I did.

It was important for me to create a business/platform where women could come to me and feel comfortable enough to bear their souls, yet leave feeling empowered to turn around and help somebody else heal. I knew that my business had to be multifaceted and cover everything from body empowerment, women’s rights, medical self-advocacy, motivational speaking, internal/external beauty makeovers, written work, self-healing/self-care/self-love blogs, goal-setting workshops and so much more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
High Heal Diaries is a platform where women who are going through or have gone through their own personal struggles, be it emotional or physical, can share their stories (diaries) with others in a non judgmental, unbiased forum, where understanding through experience is their main crutch, and where they are motivated to listen and support others as others have done for them.

A personal diary includes our experiences, thoughts or feelings. We write these things in our diary because it won’t judge, talk back, and it is unbiased. We as women must be each other’s personal diary; an open book where we share our emotional pain and struggle of whatever knocks we have received in life, without fear of judgment or ridicule.

I believe that by the mere nature of being a woman, we naturally acquire that female struggle, yet have proven time and time again that we can rise above our adversity. Daily, we walk standing tall and with our heads held ‘HIGH’ while taking care of businesses, our families, our homes and our partners. The problem arises when we don’t stop to address and ‘HEAL’ our own personal pain and struggles. Women should be able to have that safe outlet where they can open up our personal ‘DIARIES’ and start speaking so we can begin to heal.

I strive to empower and inspire women to open up through various means under the High Heal Diaries umbrella. I do motivational speaking engagements, offer life coaching sessions for individuals or groups, host goal setting workshops, write uplifting stories and blogs, host a talk show on YouTube, offer inner and outer beauty makeovers, model, and fundraise raise money to support breast cancer patients going through treatment.

What sets High Heal Diaries apart from other businesses is its philanthropic aspect. Truth be told, more money is spent assisting women than what comes into my pocket, and it’s never a thing I shy away from. I feel that God has put me in a financial position to be able to assist and change the lives of others, so why not pay it forward.

When I started High Heal Diaries, I always had a vision of gathering hundreds of women (and men) together and walking a mile in high heels shoes in support of female empowerment, and in order to raise money to help survivors. I am proud to say that I have hosted three of these walks, and each year it grows bigger and bigger, raising thousands of dollars to assist other women. This walk has become very recognized in my city, with the High Heal Diaries flag being raised at the City Hall, and the mayor in attendance.

My business and platform has grown over the last seven years merely by word-of-mouth, and my online presence. People share what I do, and when they know of another person that has been diagnosed with breast cancer, or someone that could benefit from any angle of my business, they are referred to me. I have a working relationship with some of my local hospitals, and female support organizations of which I am an ambassador for. Social media, when used for the right reasons, can definitely be a blessing. A lot of businesses reach out to me on social as they have seen my work. Most of my modelling opportunities, magazine or television interviews, and event hosting opportunities have come from finding me on social media or through my website. Even women that I have interviewed on my talk show have watched the other interviews and reach out to me in order to share their story.

Running this platform has had its ups and downs for sure. A lot of ups, but definitely some downs, because of the nature of the reason this business started in the first place; through my breast cancer journey. Because of that, I am connected to a lot of other cancer survivors, some that have passed on. Without a doubt, this is the hardest part of what I do, because it reopens wounds for me, and brings me back to that place of fear that I used to live in. Also, I form bonds with a lot of these women, so it saddens my heart if they get sick again, or when I hear of their passing. In order for me to continue to be successful at what I do I periodically take mini hiatuses in order to self care and regroup. When I’m feeling too heavy, then I have to put myself first. But true to High Heal Diaries form I always come back better and stronger, and ready to assist and empower again.

I have learned many lessons along the way, no doubt, and continue to learn as we all should. As long as I am alive, I want to continue to learn and grow. I have learned to let go and let God handle what I am unable to, not to sweat the small stuff, to forgive quicker, to apologize easier, to release those people or things that are not serving me in a way that I want to walk, to allow others to play a role in my physical and psychological healing, and to learn how to say no.

What I want the world to know about me and High Heal Diaries is that my mission is not to be the most lucrative business out there, but to touch as many souls as I can. I don’t want to be remembered for dollar signs in my bank account, but for the fact that I used this platform to pay it forward, to educate, and power, and inspire others to be the best and healthiest version of themselves – and that you can’t put a monetary value on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, this is easy as I love to eat, and I love to have a good time. Toronto is one of the best cities in the world to visit and I’m proud to say that I was born and raised here. First off, I would be the one making breakfast as I’m a great Jamaican cook, and learned from the best – my mother! I will then take them down to Kensington Market downtown Toronto, which is a fun artsy fartsy area that has restaurants and stores from different nationalities. That area is a whole vibe, and one not to be missed, with live music, craft markets, and unique treats you won’t find anywhere else. Then we will go to a very popular Jamaican restaurant called Ms. Likklemore’s. We have to go with our bellies empty because we will leave with a “Likkle” more than our bellies can handle. And to end the night, we would end up in one of the many party districts downtown Toronto, and bar hop until we drop.! How does that sound?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to send a shoutout and recognition to all the women who are pushing through their own adversity, and showing their bravery by opening up their very private diaries, and sharing it with the world; leaving themselves open for criticism and ridicule. For every one negative there are ten positives. It was through listening to your stories of vulnerability and success that empowered me to open up and share my journey, and start High Heal Diaries. My business has been nothing but a blessing to others, and to myself.

So let’s continue to overcome the negativity and allow it to empower all to continue to rise above. All things are possible when done in love.

But if I had to be specific, let me send a shout out to my husband and kids for rolling through the punches and riding the waves with me. Thank you, Nigel, Morgan, Paris, and Quinton.!

Website: https://www.highhealdiaries.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highhealdiaries/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-wilson-17275225

Twitter: https://twitter.com/highhealdiaries?lang=en

Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Cause/highhealdiaries/about/

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCq5z-Gt8ivlJkyg73GrI3uA

Other: www.tiktok.com/@laugh_gurl_laugh

Image Credits
Carrie Lee Images (image 7)
Alkan Emin Photography (image 2, 13)
Maria Bokhari (image 4,5,6)
Tash Damjanovic (image 8)
Maria Bokhari (image 10, 11, 12, 15, 16)
Graphic à la Design (image 3)
Irene D Photography (image 9)
All others (self taken)