Check Out Ariel Thomas’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Thomas. 

Hi Ariel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was born in Tallahassee, FL and I’m 31 years old I moved to Tampa in 2019 however I moved from my hometown almost 6 years ago.

My journey started in December 2018. I was in a very depressing stage in my life. I remember praying to God one night in the shower asking him to please show me my purpose!! The answer came soon as I asked the question, He replied “tell your story”, there’s girl’s that went through the same thing you did, start an organization to help them!! Yes, his answer was that detailed. To rewind back to the beginning I was placed in foster care twice for child abuse and child molestation. I grew up feeling so misunderstood and hurt because the people that I thought was supposed to help me ended up hurting me too. Throughout life, I made alot of irrational decisions, I even lost my full scholarship. I went through many hardships throughout life. I didn’t want to focus on my childhood trauma. I just wanted to do what I thought will make me happy. I didn’t want to deal with the pain or trauma at all. They say “what you don’t heal in your childhood will affect your adulthood” and I totally agree!! So eventually after doing things my way for so long, I had to face my reality and get help. I became so depressed even suicidal, I felt like nobody loved me or cared about my pain. I was literally just coming home from work sleeping all day. My life was dark. I was tired of all the toxic relationships and toxic surroundings; I even became toxic. It was time for a change! That’s where that conversation in the beginning with God started. I took my friends up on their advice and started seeing a therapist. I created my nonprofit “ArielCares” I started traveling to different cities speaking to young girls in foster care. I even traveled to Atlanta before to speak to the girls in the group home and to deliver care packages along with my sister and friends. That was when I truly realized I was walking into my purpose, a young girl at the group home cried so bad and expressed she didn’t want us to leave. I left her with encouraging words that I know she’ll remember forever and I knew that I impacted her in a positive way and knew I had to continue. My nonprofit is a positive platform created to remind girls in foster care that they’re not forgotten, no matter what they been through, someone cares. I’m transparent with them about the things I had to endure and I encourage them to believe in themselves. I tell them “You have to create the change you want to see”. I also create care packages that includes toiletries and self-care items to teach the importance of self-care, in each package I include journals to also teach down about writing down positive affirmations. I absolutely enjoy doing this, I also get healing from doing this as well. I know how hard it is being in foster care to get very basic items. I also donate gently used clothes and shoes, purses even household items for those whose aging out of foster care. Seeing how their face lights up by receiving these items lets me know I’m fulfilling my purpose as well. I had 5 speaking engagements coming up right before the pandemic unfortunately due to it, I wasn’t able to speak. I have spoken at several high schools, detention centers, and group homes. I’m looking forward to being able to do it again soon. On another note, during the pandemic, I was able to release my first self-help book and journal “Ariel Cares about your healing”. Yaaayy!! It’s available in 53 countries and the USA, Amazon, Target, Books a million and Barnes and Noble, and my website. I’m so proud of myself.

Exactly a day before my 31st birthday I released them both. What a gift? My self-help book and journal is about, my journey to gain emotional healing from physical and emotional abuse. It’s a great guide for those on a healing journey. In addition to that, I also became a certified life coach. My life coaching business is going great and my clients are remarkable. I’m so blessed and grateful. Therapy literally saved my life. I been in therapy for almost three years now and it was so necessary. We should take care of our mental health the same way we take care of our hair, car nails, etc. I want to leave you with a few things… Remember the best revenge is success and you only owe that to yourself! And where man puts a period God puts a comma. Thank you for listening to my story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been easy at all. The hardest part was talking about my trauma in therapy in the beginning because it felt like I was reliving it again. I wasn’t use to expressing my feelings but that’s something I’ve overcame. I now use my voice. I know there’s power and healing in my story.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m most known for being a motivational speaker, life coach, and new published author, and a motivator.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Best is the scenic routes of the lakes, beaches, it’s so peaceful to look at. There’s a-lot Tampa has to offer.

The 5 pm traffic is what I least like.

Contact Info:

• Email: arielcarescoaching@gmail.com
• Website: www.arielcares.com
• Instagram: ariel_theauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariel.thomas.33