Meet Mea Allman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mea Allman.

Hi Mea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Michelle “Coach Mea” Allman, born Jamaican, comes from a diverse, mixed cultural heritage – Costa Rican, Jamaican/Arawak Indian, Bangladesh (Indo-Aryan), and Scotts. I left Jamaica at age six, and moved to Toronto, Canada till age 17, and I now resided in Florida. I’m the Founder/Editor-in-chief of Karibbean Under One Magazine (KUOMagazine.com), an online publication founded in April 2008 with my son Michael as co-founder/CFO, a cultural, health & wellness magazine, and provide marketing/media coverage, etc. Under KUOMagazine, I have several brands from; Ribbons of Survivors 365, founded 2014 to raise awareness on various chronic illnesses/conditions, and testimonies of individuals. As a cultural advocate, being bullied and cultural discriminated, I was passionate about creating my Official Women of Kulture, founded in 2016, with the purpose of building a welcoming community of sisterhood from cultural diversity of women who came together to celebrate, educate, inspire, and uplift each other by sharing stories of achievements, overcoming obstacles, self-care tips, and how we embrace our own sense of cultural identity, then Official Men of Kulture 365, created in 2019.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In May 2000, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 – Breast Cancer. When you’ve been faced with a devastating illness like cancer, that strips you down to the core, you tend to lose yourself from within. Your mindset gets consumed with so many thoughts and questions of, “Will I die, will I survive, why did this happen to me, do I have the strength to get through this, questioning your faith and not being able to accept the truth.” After losing my breast, hair, taste buds, and myself, I no longer felt beautiful as a woman. I became depressed, had major insecurities about my body. and became severely depressed to having thoughts of suicide. My survivorship was definitely a hard road of challenges. But, the biggest of all was learning to love myself all over again, coping with mental illness to accept the truth, and able to look at myself in the mirror to see how amazing, and a beautiful woman #queen. I’ve learned over the years to appreciate and recognize the person I was always meant to be, love all my flaws, insecurities, give myself permission to see my self-worth, true-self, self-love, and never question my faith or God. These life lessons have made me become a better version of who I am today, to thrive, strive, and survive to get to the next level on my journey to be the voice for the voiceless and an inspiration to inspire others that we can rise above all our obstacles, challenges, or medical conditions. I am a “Warrior of Hope & Wellness 365.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a Certified Professional Life/Health and Nutrition Coach, I encourage others to make, meet, and exceed goals in both their personal and professional lives by using my success as a 22-year breast cancer survivor and health advocate. As executive produce/writer/host of my monthly TV show called Women of Kulture “G.L.O.W. 365 = Greater Level of Wellness 365” and my “Warriors of Hope and Wellness Documentary Series.” I seek to raises awareness about the latest health and wellness information in America and the Caribbean islands, and feature top experts in their field who share their expertise in how we can find balance and wellness within the Mind, Body, and Soul. Join the conversation monthly every second Tuesday at 7:00 PM (EST), live on YouTube @officialwomenofkulture.

In 2019, I came aboard Kweliworks as a Self-Empowerment Educator, and then as their Technical/Art Director/Promotion Director, as well. Most recently, I have become a broadcast network executive and promotion director for the KweliWorks Empowerment Broadcast Network TV shows. Then in 2021, I became the Director of Media Relations for the Second Annual Orlando International Film Festival. I’m also a On-line Magazine Publisher/Freelance Photographer/Videographer, Broadcast Journalist, and writer.

My proudest moment was when I received the 2019 Community Service Award for years of service as a Breast Cancer Advocate and a Cultural Advocate from the Jamaican American Association of Central Florida, named 2021 International Cultural Ambassador for the Orlando International Film Festival Lions Club (provide a platform to celebrate Caribbean Filmmakers), and in celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, I received a Congressional Community Award from Congressman Darren Soto for Caribbean Heritage Month, as a community leader that’s documented and recorded in the Library of Congress. What sets me apart from others, is all the things I do comes from the heart, and I love to help others. I don’t do things for self, but my faith and wisdom from the blessing from God.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Orlando, like New York City is a crossroads of the world not only attracting entire families from all over the planet at least once. It is also the home of many diverse ethnic communities. It is truly a nexus of global cultures and customs both inside and outside of Disney World. In my line of work, I’ve had the opportunity to meet all walks of people from many diverse cultures, and to learn about their cultural heritage festivals, history, cuisine, and annual events, to how America has inspired them, and how their culture inspired America. Sometimes we have to walk in other people’s shoes in order to understand and not judge. America has become so diverse with all the beautiful cultures, which can be educational for everyone. There’s not much I dislike, other than hurricanes, and sometimes the heat. I’m just grateful to be alive each day no matter where I live.

Pricing:

Image Credits
Coach Mea Allman (Karibbean Under One Magazine)