By way of a life filled with compromising challenges, tragic tragedies and hurtful
heartbreak, Dr. LaTonya Powers has divinely developed into her predestined
destiny. One of her greatest teachers was the innate ability to journey through the
life that was set before her. Even though Dr. Powers secretly struggled with
imbalances of human emotions, such as anxiety and depression, her purpose was
revealed, and triumphant victories ensued.
Dr. LaTonya Powers is a mother, pastor, author, entrepreneur, contributing
writer, and community leader who has appeared on countless radio broadcasts
and major network channels, traveled the world unapologetically sharing The Gospel.
FWM: You have secretly struggled with imbalances of human emotions including anxiety and depression, however through your challenges your purpose was revealed, and triumphant victories ensued. Share your background.
I had a parking lot moment after I was told by someone dear to me that it looked as if I had been poisoned. She stated that my glow was gone, and I didn’t have any color. Over the next few minutes, every description of my outward appearance was exactly how I felt on the inside.
I was at the end of my marriage. I felt like a failure. I felt low. I felt lost. How was I supposed to separate my family? How were we going to explain this to our church? How was I to operate in ministry? Could I operate in ministry as a newly divorced ex-First Lady?
I pulled into Ross to self-heal through retail therapy. Well, I thought I was. Standing in the middle of circling, blue buggies, filled with blurred materials that banged and clapped on racks loudly like thunder- I almost had a mental breakdown. I had lost my identity. I did not know what I liked. I did not even know what to wear.
I left the basket. I ran to my car and locked the doors.
In that moment, I decided I was going to have a talk with my Abba. That parking lot moment with God, from noon until 5 PM, is what lead me to my freedom. It did not happen overnight. It was not an easy fix. However, once I developed a strategy, I made it my intentional purpose to help free others.
FWM: You have made wrong decisions, chose wrong relationships, and walked through wrong doors as a result of unhealed pain. Take us through your journey and what you discovered.
Voids create opportunities for a vacant space called loneliness. After being married over 15 years and giving my all to that covenant, I didn’t know who I was. Even though I had the “parking lot moment”, I started searching for a “ship”. Situationships. Friendships. Relationships. Any kinda “ship” would do if it meant I did not hear the echo of loneliness. The sound is defeating and deafening.
I paid for “ships”. There was no reciprocity. Because I had yet recognized my own value, I gave more than I ever received. They wanted more than they gave. I made myself small to fit in. I slipped into religious patterns and circles to ensure I could continue doing what I loved the most. Anything to kill the noise of failures, wounds, molestation, failed marriage(s), and my ignorance. I didn’t even know some of this stuff was wrong until I started walking in places that was right!
I was taught if you take care of God, God will take care of you. It was embedded in my soul that if you presented your marriage before God, it would be safe. My life was topsy-turvy and filled with conundrums. At the end of the day, I had to learn how to be ok with me!
The more I remained in purpose, the more I realized my value. I begin building myself through words whether it was affirmations, poetry, songs, and books. Finally, I reflected on self through multidimensional portals called my dreams instead of through the eyes of others.
This new revelation meant releasing some of the “ships”! The more I found myself in safe places, the more I wanted to remove myself from the unsafe places. I didn’t want to be in circles filled with questions but no solutions. To save my life, I had to go to the area where solutions lived. TFUNOW was born as a solution. Pulse24 started as living room bible study with 4 people, but it was a solution.
“Build relationship with process to get to progress.”- Dr. La Tonya Powers
FWM: Who has been your inspiration and strength?
My inspiration comes from my seeds in the Earth, my three sons. They are my muses and my strength. They are also the reason why my relationship with God has been fire tried over the last two years. I had to do the hardest thing a mother ever has to do. I had to bury my 24-year-old son a few weeks before his 25th birthday. There was a struggle within me if I can be honest. I didn’t understand how I could pray for the lives of others, and God honored the request, but He took my son? I was doing His will and serving others, but I had to bury my son?
I didn’t find God the way most people do. I found my way in the midst of trauma and pain. The treasure in the midst of tragedy! I remember hiding in the corner of my room as a child and telling God, “if you are really real, don’t let him do it again.” He never touched me again.
Most people would wonder how one can still believe. Some days I wonder too! But I am reminded of the unnamed woman who had an issue of blood. She pressed her way until she touched the hem of His garment. Because of her faith, she was made whole. I believe The Father answers our issue! I just keep pressing!
FWM: Tell us about Pulse24 and your slogan, “Build People Not Religion!”
The church is filled with religion but no help. Although the church is filled with rapists, child molesters, thieves, con artists, etc.- we have lost the ability to relate due to the lens of religion. Truth be told, most have a religious mindset and operate in biblical ignorance!
Policies, procedures, terms, and conditions that people have placed on God’s creations makes it almost impossible to have right relationship. Religion is a system filled with monsters who create hellish nightmares right here in the earth. You have uneducated and ill-equipped people racing to the pulpit to preach against someone else in judgement when they have not healed themselves. These types of speakers pick apart failure instead of recognizing strength.
If you build people (character, emotional intelligence, wisdom, compassion, etc…) you build relationships. Godly character equates to Godly relationship. The objective of Pulse24 is love! We are not concerned with systematic religion; we are concerned with being a reflection of love in the earth and being an ever-present help!
FWM: As a Life Strategist, how are you inspiring others?
In the industry, a “life coach” is defined as a person that counsels and encourages clients through personal or career challenges. Coaches should help their clients build and utilize the right tools to reach their goals but don’t (and shouldn’t) offer clinical mental health care.
Various life experiences, trainings, certifications, and degrees such as the Cognitive Behavior Certification, NLP, Behavior Training, Doctorate in Bible Studies (Specialized Spiritual Counseling), and a certification in Mental Health First Response, provide me the opportunity to go a few steps beyond providing tools. I provide tools and strategy. As Master Life Strategist, I am equipped to provide the tools and the plan of action.
The Transform You Empowerment Group offers a wide range of services from spiritual strategy to court appointed anger management sessions. A full list of services can be found on https://www.tfunow.com/book-online.
FWM: Share your upcoming events.
New book release available on Amazon: 12 Minutes to Change: A 30 Day Prayer Journey to the New You! Vol 1
Awaken the Women Experience: Atlanta, GA 4/14-15
Speaking itinerary on Instagram
Instagram @drlatonyapowers
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latonya.powers
Website https://www.tfunow.com
Phone 1-855-2POWERS
