May is Mental Health Month and I've been meaning to do an episode on mental health for some time. I mainly wanted to talk about what I've experienced personally, and what I've witnessed with other high achievers.

 

As you know, my personal branding and coaching practice is geared towards high achievers and with that comes a unique brand of personality - typically I work with hard-driving, ambitious, super smart people who have been working hard to achieve since childhood.

 

While many of us are simply wired this way, I've increasingly been pondering how achievement can sometimes be more harmful than helpful, and how easily we can straddle the line between performing at the highest levels and burning ourselves out.

 

I have personally struggled for decades with anxiety, depression, and perfectionism; on the one hand, I believe that the unique way my brain is wired makes me a more sensitive thinker, a more eloquent writer and a more connected coach. I am able to relate with a range of emotional and life experiences by the very virtue of my own experiences.

 

But when things are bad, they're real bad, and for many years I paid a high price of my brain chemistry. I  struggled with the shame of trying to hide my depression from new friends and colleagues. It cost me relationships and new experiences I may have otherwise had, had I not been so guarded.

 

Fortunately, in recent years and with the help of gifted therapists I've learned how to take better care of myself and my gift so I don't struggle so much. I've zeroed in on my triggers as well as some of my non-negotiables so I can cultivate personal peace and live in a space of joy.

 

I've  shared how my physical health has come into focus in recent months as I better understand how important it is for me to safeguard my physical vessel if I want to effectively access my gift.

 

 

So for today's episode, I wanted to have a conversation with a young woman who reminds me a lot of myself 10 years ago - ambitious, coming into her own and making a name for herself in the media world while also managing her anxiety and depression. I wanted to bring her on the podcast to shed light on the inner workings of high achievement and to share the lessons she has to teach us because she is wise beyond her years.

 

Our guest today is Dominique B. Fluker. 

 

About Dominique:

 

Dedication, passion, curiosity. 

 

Dominique B. Fluker is a content strategist, writer, and Senior Account Executive at Max Borges Agency specializing in influencer relations and launching effective and impactful social programming for Cricket Wireless and AT&T. Her deep ability to understand analytics and metrics has allowed her to be successful in leveraging audience insights to drive impactful content to specific audiences across digital platforms. Through her work in public relations, social media strategy and content development, Dominique has successfully amplified the online presence of the following brands: TIDAL, Air New Zealand, Microsoft Pulse, Israel Ministry of Tourism, Taylor Morrison, Senseo, WeWork, and more. 

 

In addition to her work as a content and social strategist, Dominique has a budding writing career. In 2018 she embarked on her writing journey with ForbesWomen and ESSENCE Magazine. Within an 11-month time span, Dominique strategized to bring 30 stories to life that are centered in millennial based entrepreneurship, specifically highlighting women of color. In August of 2018, she was elevated to Senior Contributor at Forbes and invited to speak on the “Standing Out From The Pack” panel at Forbes HQ which highlighted her articles and decision to profile millennial women of color entrepreneurs in business and the arts. 

 

Dominique is passionate about telling stories of other dynamic millennial women and helping brands explore the interconnectivity of culture and communication through social media to garner awareness and to create an impact.

 

Dominique received a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, from Sarah Lawrence College in 2014 and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

 

 

Find Dominique Online

You can find Dominique online at werquedominique.com and @werque_dominique on Instagram.

You can check out her Forbes stories and profiles of amazing women at Dominique Fluker x Forbes.

 

 

MY HAND-PICKED MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

 

MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION, TOOLKITS, AND RESOURCES

 

NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness - Learn More

 

MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE THERAPIST

 

Dr. Reisha Moxley is a therapist based in Atlanta, Georgia and a personal friend. Conversations with Dr. Moxley have been life-changing for me. She helped me in so many ways from seeing the depth of my own imposter syndrome to helping me develop a new approach to anxiety by giving me a mantra - "you've already done the work" among other powerful tools. She is an integral part of our Package Your Genius Academy where she hosts sessions for our students as a performance coach. And she also works with patients privately - you can find her on LinkedIn.

 

PYG 37 - How to Push Past Imposter Syndrome and Claim the Full Power of Your Gift

PYG 35 - The Gift and the Curse of the High Achieving Mindset

PYG 26 - How to Move Past Fear and Step into Your Big Dream

 

MENTAL HEALTH GENIUSES TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER

 

Dr. Thema (@DrThema) - I first heard her on Redefining Wealth with Patrice Washington on episode titled Stop Suffering in Silence. Definitely listen to that episode and check out her daily Twitter ministry, which is incredible.

 

Dr. Steven Brownlow (@sgbrownlow) - He's the founder of Adept Psychology also offers bite-sized nuggets of therapy every single day. I found him on episode 18 of Therapy Chat - Can Therapists Really Change the World? Follow him own Twitter to open your mind up to new perspectives.

 

 

MENTAL HEALTH PODCASTS I LOVE

 

Therapy for Black Girls Podcast with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford who also has a directory of therapists if you're looking for an African-American therapist. This priceless directory has over 1,000 therapists listed.

 

Therapy Chat Podcast with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C is one of my favorites as Laura brings on experts from a variety of mental health specialties to share their expertise.

 

 

148 - Effects of Childhood Traumatic Stress on Physical & Mental Health

111 - Relationships and Childhood Emotional Neglect

092 - The Emotionally Absent Mother & The Effects of Childhood Emotional Neglect

 

Mom is in Control Podcast with Heather Chauvin

This is not a mental health podcast per se, but Heather talks about many of the issues that parenting brings up - like anxiety, sense of control, loss of self and how your children can trigger the unhealed parts of yourself.

 

453 - How to Overcome Emotional Triggers

445 - Sustainable Motherhood

443 - How Your Child Triggers You is a Deeper Healing Opportunity