Chioma
“Being a woman means that we hold the future. Throughout history, when women have a seat at the table and are respected and valued, communities thrive.”
Chioma is a strategic business woman and former athlete who has successfully merged her passion for sports with her expertise in the realm of nutrition and wellness. Her interest in spanning into this career field stemmed from her own relationship to her body as an athlete, and the desire to help others maintain healthy habits after their athletic career has come to an end. Her program focuses on assisting others in transforming their perspectives on food, mindfulness, and exercise, while assisting them in developing daily routines that can improve their lifestyle and thought patterns. Her drive and focus have helped individuals and communities feel empowered and in control when it comes to their own health journey. Meet Chioma. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
C: Hi, my name is Chioma Atanmo. Chioma, meaning "Good God" or "God is Good." I am first generation Nigerian-American. I am a wellness coach and founder of Mindful Appetite, where I help corporate America and former athletes prioritize their wellness. I also work for a professional soccer team promoting community outreach initiatives that support our youth.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
C: Empathetic, introvert, red wine love, faux chef, and driven.
K: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
C: The ability to see the good in most people. I wasn't always this way, but I believe that if you give people the opportunity to be kind, most people will show you they are. We rob people of that opportunity when we pass quick judgement.
Like I said, I wasn't always like this, but viewing people this way has given me tremendous peace and it reminds you that everyone is going through something.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
C: In 2017 I hit my ceiling working in the soccer industry in Arizona and was looking for a transition. I hit a crossroads with either working in a hospital as a nutritionist or taking my talents to another soccer team. Playing soccer for over a decade and working in the industry for 5 years at the time, I was determined to stay in soccer. Plus I found it more exciting!
In October 2017, I had my final rounds of interviews in New York for a position in Major League Soccer, but ended up not getting the position. This one hurt because I really thought I would get it. So I decided in January 2018 in Arizona, that I would hustle and network my butt off and find myself working for a professional soccer team by the summer.
By March 2018, I had booked 2 trips on my own to visit the professional soccer clubs I wished to work for. In hopes of getting a glimpse of what living in that city would be like. Coincidentally, I applied for a position with one of those soccer clubs, and perfect timing...on my second round of interviews, I suggested I meet them in person, that I was already going out there to visit. That same week I was flying out for my final interview, I received a call from our COO in Arizona that they would like to promote me to a VP role in the organization.
At the time, I was 29, and achieving a VP title would have been goals! It had taken me 7 years to graduate with my bachelors and I already felt like I was behind, and this title would have made me sound like I was no longer behind, but ahead!
But I already knew in my heart that I needed to move out of Arizona to grow. In my final rounds of in person interviews, I told the VP of the department I was trying to be hired for, that I was offered a VP role in Arizona. And over some french fries and BBQ, I told him that I needed to know how serious they were about me so I was not out of a job. And that I was prepared to put in my two weeks. That was a leap of faith I took to trust the VP to not take that as a threat, but I believe he appreciated my honesty and directness. He told me they were serious, and I got my offer letter 3 days later.
Since moving to Kansas City in 2018, I have grown exponentially, not only in my corporate job, but my business Mindful Appetite was born after I moved to KC. Although it was a lateral move in terms of title and people said I was moving backwards, I knew it was a level up for me because of the access to resources. And I know that if I accepted the promotion in Arizona, I would not be the woman I am today. I knew in my heart that moving to Kansas City was the right move for me.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
C: You're not late, you're just getting started! Don't pay attention to other people's timeline and stay on your course.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
C: Being a woman means that we hold the future. Throughout history, when women have a seat at the table and are respected and valued, communities thrive. Being a woman means that we hold the power to create and hold safe spaces for people to discover who they are and how they can contribute to their community. We are nurturers and creators. At the heart of every global movement you can find a woman. We are so uniquely crafted by God, that I hope that we never lose sight of our power.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
C: Michelle Obama is a woman that continues to inspire me. As a Black woman where our moves are constantly criticized, I appreciate the poise, and excellence she continued to show in the face of hate and racism during her time in the White House. She was a rock for Barack, and I admire how she not only kept him grounded, but continued to uplift, and inspire those around her. And as a woman in the wellness space, I appreciate her affinity towards health.
When I meet her ;), I will tell her: “Thank you” and give her a big hug. And let her know that she is inspiring women she has no idea about.
