Takiya LaShaune

Thanksgiving Day 2023, I had a nervous breakdown. I was triggered at the onset of some debilitating news that my ex-husband, who had been stalking me and gotten arrested for it, was now being released on bond. I mentally spiraled and emotionally broke. I chopped my hair off and I drowned in depression for days.

Why my hair? Mentally, in the moment, it was the thing that made sense to try to detach from the history of what I had silently endured and stressfully carried for the past 2 years. I didn’t want to cut off my hair. I didn’t mean to cut off my hair. I loved my hair, but I took all the “self-harm” out on my hair.

I started dreaming and seeing visions of my taking my own life. I, angrily, told God I would prefer He allow me to die and take me or use me fully for what He wanted from me because I was “tired” and just over it all. Yet, His love showed me that my silence was what was hurting me and that releasing my story regardless of the fear and shame was what would heal me.
And many.

On January 18, 2024, I released the launch of my podcast, “Behind This Smile” a platform that allows me to vulnerably and authentically share my story and that of others. Stories and testimonies of overcoming and triumphing through faith, perseverance and resilience.

Enduring intimate partner stalking by my ex-husband wasn't where my story began, but for years prior, I had been refined by God to embrace a title of warrior, overcomer, survivor, thriver and conqueror.