Meet Kellie Callaway | Mental Health Advocate and Animal Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kellie Callaway and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kellie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Deciding to life free from drugs and alcohol is, by far, the single most important decision that has contributed to my success. I come from an upbringing within a very toxic family system where mental illness, addictions, suicide, and alcoholism runs rampant. Becoming independently successful by overcoming my addictions and my struggles with mental illness is my biggest motivation. I have never been so happy. And I want to stay happy. To me, that is true success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been a prolific writer and artist since I was very young. My art and writing has given me pockets of joy and pieces of validation that help me feel understood in this crazy world. I got to where I am today through my decision to stop drinking and stop using drugs. It was definitely the hardest challenge of my life, but I was able to overcome the challenges with the help of my therapist, my friends, my animals, my books, and my business. The lessons I have learned along the way: people pleasing brings you no joy; stay away from negative people; you are the only one who can make yourself happy; utilizing affirmations is a powerful practice.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spot in any city, is my home. I like to show my friends my love for them through my cooking. A week long trip would be spent eating homemade dinners in homemade forts, drinking flavored soda water and cinnamon coffee over a conversation of last nights dreams, and taking long walks around the neighborhood with my dog. In my view, some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting places to check out are the unexplored territories of our unconscious.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to the support, love, and encouragement of Daniela, Emma, Amy, and Dana. These girls have been my rock through some of the hardest times in my life. I also want to give a special shoutout to Marcus. He co-founded and helped build Chief’s Chicken Shack. This business would not exist without his hard work and perseverance in its humble beginnings. Self-Help books are a huge part of my success as a human being and a business owner. A few standouts from my collection include: This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, Find Your Happy by Shannon Kaiser, 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do by Amy Morin, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, and all the books that Dr. Susan Forward has written and has helped to write.

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