At 31, Nicole Kenney was on a fast track. She had graduated from Smith, earned a masters in public policy from Johns Hopkins, was an assistant buyer for a division of Ross Stores in New York, and worked for nonprofits including the national NAACP in Washington, D.C.
But her mind, body and spirit were running on empty. Her doctor told her it was stress; she disagreed. “I didn’t know your mental health could impact your physical health.” Her auntie paid a visit and offered some words that landed: “The last place you need to be when you’re in a low place is by yourself.”
