Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashanté Harrell.
Hi Ashanté, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Detroit was quite an experience. So much so that I was very sheltered. I had an uncle lose his life to violence and that was something that truly changed my family forever. As a result, my family became far more cautious with our daily maneuvers. Because of this, I pride myself in staying out of drama, and surrounding myself with like-minded individuals. I’ve seen a lot (even as a sheltered child) and I choose to not resonate with a lot of those things by learning to be better rather than mimicking.
My grandmother grew up on hundreds of acres of farmland in Mississippi. Her green thumb is literally second nature. Just before I was born, my grandfather fell very ill and my grandmother was able to extend his life by a decade with healthy foods and a diet change.
As I navigated through changing my diet, I had so many core memories of my grandmother reading health books, and picking foods that help with certain ailments to give to my grandfather. That green thumb literally saved his life. Not to mention I’m so very picky about always having something fresh and raw on my plate! Lol I don’t do canned or frozen foods. I treat veggies and fruits the old school way- I pick and soak my greens; I snap my green beans!
As I grew older and wiser I realized that I had a few ailments of my own that I wanted to resolve and I did so through changing my diet. No more asthma, no more psoriasis.
I began to document my diet change on social media. My fun recipes, and also my failed recipes. I began to turn classics into healthy vegan alternatives using pure ingredients and that’s when I started to receive the attention of fellow vegan chefs and eventually celebrity clientele.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have most certainly been challenges, but I also say the challenges make for a juicier testimony. When I first began to change my diet I had so many people who doubted me. When I decided I wanted to gain certain people as clients, again, so much doubt around me. That was a very lonely feeling and even today I still feel like people don’t quite understand the depth of why I truly needed to change my diet and lifestyle.
The lifestyle change alone was difficult. Relearning everything you thought you knew about food and health is a huge challenge. Trying to learn how to listen to your body and it needs. The thin line between being healthy and being so thin you almost look sick. Hahaha! I laugh now but back then it was so stressful trying to figure out how to heal and what to heal with. I doubted myself a lot, but the more research I did, the more I realized that this lifestyle was possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of AB HARRELL ENTERPRISES . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My brand is all about overall health and wellness. Mind. Body. Spirit.
Health is literally everything you consume! It’s what you eat, what you watch, what you listen to and even who you surround yourself with. Everything must be balanced in order for one to reach a state of homeostasis. Good food, good tv, good music, good friends and a healthy dose of God and sunlight will get you there. Sounds like a lot, but wellness is about unlearning and relearning. Once you get the basics down, your body will lead you into the rest. Wellness becomes second nature when the proper factors are focused on.
I most known for my fun and inventive vegan recipes using pure ingredients. The ability to use no processed foods and still serve a meal that doesn’t lack in flavor with the proper textures is what sets me apart from most others. My food flavors are balanced, the textures are on point and my meals are cooked to perfection.
I want readers to know that my websites and social media pages are where you will find all things health and wellness. We focus on food, mindset shifting, exercise, meditation and sooo much more. I want people to know that Ashanté is the one stop shop for all things health and wellness. Whether you need a fun healthy recipe, a workout regimen, a healthy restaurant to eat, a meditation guide, or a higher perspective of an issue your experiencing, my brand offers it all.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Just keep going. Have faith in you. And don’t let the thoughts or opinions of others stop you. I’ve been looked at crazy for all of my goals I had in mind; yet, I reached them all. I wanted to heal myself and I did. I wanted to gain certain clientele and I did. I wanted to be on tv and I was. I wanted to be in movies and I am.
I wish I wouldn’t have doubted myself so much. Although I fought through the doubt, the process would’ve felt so much better energetically had I not replayed the words and opinions of others over in my head. I would’ve enjoyed it more because my accomplishments would’ve felt like I did this for me rather than to prove a naysayer wrong. And that’s another thing.. celebrate ALL of your wins. Big and small. Every milestone. Every booking. Every like. Every comment. Every task checked off your todo list.. even if you celebrate alone. Everyone doesn’t have to know everything and you have nothing to prove. Be proud of yourself even when you feel unsupported.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashanteharrell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashanteharrell?igsh=ejM5eGJidzg5a2Nt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashante.harrell/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ashanteharrell
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCTTcerAso9pXNdDzFwhohRg?ra=m
