“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is Roots; the other, Wings.”
- African Proverb
For years, I shared a polished version of why I named my business Wings Wellness. But today, I choose to be vulnerable and transparent—to share the real reason.
I have always cherished my roots—both in the genealogical sense and in the way they connect me to my past and keep me grounded. But growing up, I often felt like my roots were tangled in hardship. I was a child of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. I was told I would never amount to much, that I wasn’t lovable, and that I would never have success—never have wings. From a young age, I learned to rely on and push myself - developing fierce independence out of necessity. But the scars of my past also made me doubt myself whenever I failed.
I named my business Wings as an act of defiance against the harmful words of my past, and as a declaration of my own power to rise. I have always admired winged creatures, especially butterflies, who start out small and vulnerable, crawling at the mercy of the world, only to retreat into darkness and emerge transformed, beautifully soaring higher than ever imagined.
That transformation is something I have lived through, again and again.
Starting Wings Wellness was an act of faith and revolution. It wasn’t just about building a business; it was about proving to myself that I COULD create something meaningful, that I COULD heal myself and help others heal too. It was about reminding myself that I was never truly grounded by my past—because I had wings in my DNA all along.
Now, my wings are strong. They have carried me through doubt, hardship, and uncertainty, and continue to lift me toward dreams I never thought possible. Through wellness services at Wings, I strive to guide others on their path to better health and healing, helping them strengthen their wings so they too can rise, thrive, and take flight.
May you always have the courage to fly, and the freedom to soar.
Tonya Brooks
Founder, Wings Wellness
