Meet Trish Ahjel Roberts: Self-Actualization Coach & Happiness Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trish Ahjel Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trish, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
My business is built on the vision of a self-actualized world. It’s a lofty goal, but it offers structure. It’s like when the U.S. was determined to put a man on the moon. Nobody knew if it would really happen, but everyone understood the vision. If our society doesn’t change, we will have generation after generation of lost potential. Many of our most vulnerable citizens are completely thrown away and forgotten. Some of us just feel lost. I used to be one of those people. The crazy thing is you can be viewed as successful and still suffer from imposter syndrome, low self-esteem or lack of passion and fulfillment. I work from the heart and use my voice and my power to empower other people, but especially Black women like me. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner of HoneyButterflyz LLC. We are a service-based, online business offering self-help books, self-actualization coaching and plant-based yoga retreats to inspire women to soar into their most joyful and fulfilled lives. I created the Black Vegan Life™ and Mind-Blowing Happiness™ brands. I wrote three self-help books in 2020, the free downloadable e-book, “Mind-Blowing Happiness Guide to Self-Care,” the self-help memoir, “Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings,” and the inspirational journal, “12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness: A Journal of Insights, Quotes & Questions to Juice Up Your Journey.” I’m super-excited about teaching the 12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness around the world in 2021 and beyond. My path has never been easy, and it’s taken time to learn difficult lessons. I’m grateful for all I’ve learned along the way. It’s actually very difficult to grow and evolve when life is too easy. We become complacent. I’ve always been an optimist, and that’s helped me get through a lot of difficult times. I started practicing yoga in 2000 and studying Buddhist philosophy in 2010. Both paths have been profoundly helpful and are part of what I share in my 12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness. I want the world to know that you can be more joyful and fulfilled even if you’re already happy, and that you shouldn’t take one ounce of your potential to your grave with you. We are all obliged to share our talents with the world.

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.
Atlanta has so many wonderful spots! First, we’d have to go to Dulce Vegan in Kirkwood for a lavender latte and bagel sandwich for breakfast. If they let me I would sit in there with my laptop all day. Lots of plants, light and a welcoming environment make it the perfect cafe. Herban Fix in Downtown is one of my favorite spots for dinner. Tassili’s Raw Reality in the West End is a cultural institution with some of the best kale wraps and annual festivals. Lovin’ It Live in East Point has some of the best raw vegan food with a laid-back vibe. Cafe Sunflower in Buckhead is delicious for lunch or Sunday brunch. I could spend an entire day at Jeju Sauna in Duluth, then slide on over to Vegreen for their vegan carbonara and Thai iced tea. I love to run the 5-mile loop at Stone Mountain and hike to the top to see the sunrise. The Cherokee trails at Stone Mountain are also really beautiful. Kennesaw Mountain is another favorite spot to hike, and they’re dog-friendly so I can bring my canine assistant, Cooper. I love riding my bike on the Silver Comet Trail through Mableton and Smyrna. Yoga is important to me so I have to visit my favorite studios! I love Stellar Power in Smyrna for hot yoga and LiveUrYoga in Roswell for more gentle and restorative yoga. Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs is magical. It’s a great place to find oils, crystals and other goodies. I buy lots of clothes and other imported items from Afrocentric Network in the West End, so we’d definitely have to make that part of a shopping spree. Finally, I would want to take my friend to Kadampa Meditation Center in Inman Park. It’s been my spiritual home for the past ten years and is a true oasis.

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’ve had so much help along the way! I was raised by two kind and loving parents who were committed to each other and to our family. I’ve gotten unbelievable support from my best friend, Tami. Right now she is my consultant gratis. As my business grows she will be the first one to get a real salary. Kadampa Meditation Center in Atlanta has been my spiritual home for the past ten years. I’ve learned more from the beautiful souls there than I can possibly put into words. My Black Vegan Life group on Meetup has truly changed my life and introduced me to wonderful people, many of whom have become trusted friends and members of my Mind-Blowing Happiness™ Advisory Board. I support a number of animal charities, but The Humane League really stands apart from the crowd. I’ve met some amazing, loving and compassionate people and participated in exciting running and hiking events with them all over Atlanta. They’ve helped me stay fit and improve the world simultaneously. I teach 12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness in my books, and one of the foundational steps is community and connection. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we need support and connection in our day-to-day lives. I can’t say thank you enough to all the people who’ve helped me along the way.

Website: mindblowinghappiness.com
Instagram: @mindblowinghappiness / @trishahjelroberts
Linkedin: Trish Ahjel Roberts
Twitter: @trishahjel
Facebook: VeganHoneyButterflyz/ Mindblowinghappiness
Youtube: Trish Ahjel Roberts

Image Credits
Simone Renee Photography