Welcome, Qiana! We’re thrilled to connect with you and learn more about your journey.
Thank you so much for having me. It is truly an honor to share my story. My journey has not been perfect, but it has been purposeful. I believe every chapter of my life has helped shape the woman I am today. If anything I share can bring hope, healing, or encouragement to someone else, then it is all worth it.
If you’re comfortable sharing, your journey is such a powerful testimony. Before arriving at the chapter you’re in now, what challenges did you face in your life?
Before arriving at the chapter of life I am in now, I endured many painful and traumatic experiences. I battled deep feelings of rejection and abandonment that followed me for years. I found myself in toxic and unhealthy relationships and even domestic situations that continued to break my spirit.
There were seasons where the pain became so overwhelming that I attempted to take my own life multiple times. During that time, I truly didn’t love myself or see my worth. I was carrying wounds that I had never learned how to heal from.
But even in my darkest moments, God never gave up on me. What once felt like the end of my story became the very place where my healing began. Today, I can look back and see that every trial I survived helped shape the woman I am becoming—a woman who now walks in faith, purpose, and a desire to help others find hope again.
You’ve been open about your past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. What do you wish people understood about addiction?
I wish people understood that addiction is not simply about weak willpower. Many people struggling with addiction are carrying deep wounds, trauma, or pain they never learned how to heal from.
Addiction is a symptom of something deeper. What people battling addiction need most is compassion, understanding, and support! (not judgment) Recovery becomes possible when someone begins to believe their life still has value and purpose.
Now that you have achieved sobriety, what helped you stay committed to sobriety when things felt difficult?
My faith in God has been the foundation of my sobriety. I had to surrender my life completely and allow God to rebuild me from the inside out. Prayer, accountability, counseling from my spiritual mom, and surrounding myself with people who supported my growth all played a role.
I also stay committed by remembering where I came from. Sobriety gave me my life back, my family, my purpose, and my voice. Today I am proud to say I have been free from addiction for almost four years and every day I choose healing again.
Earning your high school diploma at 37 is an incredible accomplishment. What inspired you to go back and finish your education?
For many years, I believed it was too late for me. But I realized that growth has no expiration date. God placed it on my heart to go back, also I wanted to prove to myself and to others that your past does not disqualify you from your future.
Going back to school was about reclaiming my confidence and walking in the purpose God placed on my life. Now I’ve transitioned from a student to an employee at the same school. I am now a student ambassador for My Job and for Coabe as well. Also pursuing project management and PRSS certification.
We can be so hard on ourselves in the midst of life’s challenges. We tend to not give ourselves grace. What role has forgiveness—whether for yourself or others—played in your healing process?
Forgiveness has been one of the most powerful parts of my healing journey. I had to learn how to forgive others, I’m still working on that today! Most importantly, I had to learn how to forgive myself.
For a long time, I carried guilt and shame from my past. But God reminded me that once He forgives us, we must also release ourselves from that burden. Forgiveness allowed me to move forward without the weight of yesterday holding me back.
I understand that you and your daughter are Amazon best-selling authors and collaborated on a book inspired by a tragedy your family experienced. Can you share more about what the book explores and where readers can purchase it?
Yes, my daughter and I had the opportunity to collaborate on a powerful project called Voices of Women Unleashed in Justice, Volume Two, which was inspired by a tragic experience our family faced. Instead of allowing that pain to silence us, we chose to use our voices to bring awareness, healing, and hope. At just 13 years old, my daughter became a mother after experiencing a traumatic situation involving someone in our family. It was a heartbreaking time for our entire family, and the pain of that experience is something we have had to walk through together.
In our chapter, we speak about breaking the silence surrounding abuse, the strength it takes to tell your truth, and the healing journey that follows. While our family is still healing, we chose to share our story in hopes that it will encourage other families and survivors to know they are not alone and that healing is possible.
The book shares powerful testimonies from women who have overcome hardship and turned their pain into purpose. Being able to share that experience alongside my daughter made it even more meaningful. We are also featured on a podcast as well.
Qiana Moody & Laryiah Grice
Made to Lead Millions Podcast:
https://youtu.be/4N_5DlsKPzM?si=H723_sB8xFcHjBXo
In addition to that project, I am also the author of Prayer Brings Everything to Pass and I Answered the Call. I am also a co-author in several powerful collaborative works including Voices of Women Unleashed in Justice, Volume One, Voices of Women Unleashed in Justice, Volume Two, and When Butterflies Speak, Volume Two.
All of these books are available on Amazon.
After everything you’ve experienced throughout your life, how are you practicing self-care today to protect your peace, your energy, and your overall well-being?
Self-care for me today means protecting my peace and being intentional about my healing. I prioritize my spiritual life through prayer, and surround myself with people who support my growth. My church family, close friends, and a few people that I trust at work.
I also spend time writing, mentoring, public speaking, and focusing on the purpose God has placed on my life. I’ve learned that healing is a journey, and I give myself grace as I continue growing into the woman God created me to be.
Thank you so much, Qiana!
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