By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Iyanla Vanzant may be in the business of saving people from themselves and their troubled lives on her show Iyanla, Fix My Life, a show that has become a hit on OWN; but Iyanla’s unique talent of helping people cope with their obstacles in their own lives and become better people actually comes from her own personal experiences. Iyanla herself lived a rough life, and some of the biggest obstacles she had to endure were not only being the victim to verbal, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse; but she also lost her daughter to cancer. All of these events not only made Iyanla the strong person she is today who has a passion to help other people find clarity in their own lives, but these events also taught her how important it is for people to cope with the things threatening to destroy them.
Iyanla’s show is set to premiere in its second season on April 13, and with explosive episodes that will even feature a very angry DMX and even an emotional one with former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield, it’s clear the second season will be a good one. Iyanla also makes an appearance on Dr. Oz which is set to premiere today, April 8, and in the episode, she opens up about coping with her daughter’s loss, and using her adversity to save her own life.
Here’s a quick synopsis of Iyanla’s appearance on Dr. Oz:
America’s Life Coach, Iyanla Vanzant visits The Dr. Oz Show where she opens up about personal hardship, the loss of her daughter and what saved her from it all. Iyanla discusses with Dr. Oz tips to mend “injured” health by getting to the root of emotional pain and how it is tied to physical health. Plus, Iyanla shares the three must do habits for your daily life to de-stress, detox and stay unstuck including starting your day with green, how to drain the toxins and her ‘Five For Five’ method.
Urban Belle has an EXCLUSIVE first look at Iyanla’s appearance on the show, and some highlights of her interview.
On coping with her daughter’s loss, Iyanla says:
“I lost my mind. I was crazy. Totally stork raving mad for six months, literally. And I gave myself permission to be crazy. Very often women think that they have to take care of everyone else except themselves. I went to bed, I got in my bed and we burried her on December 29, and I got in the bed and got out on June 3rd.”
Iyanla also revealed how she managed to overcome her life’s trials and tribulations:
“Two things saved me. Raped at nine and mother at 16, and through all kinds of physical and emotional…for me, the physical abuse was one thing. But it’s the emotional abuse that many of us experience. Verbal abuse, psychological abuse…the thing that saved me Dr. Oz is that I never shut up.”
Check out the clips below (Video Credit: ZoCo Productions, LLC.):
To see Iyanla’s full interview on Dr. Oz, tune in today, April 8.
Wow. I had no idea she went through so much. I love her work.
Love her. I heard about her daughter but I didn’t know she had been abused as a child. Crazy.
I’m just waiting for that episode with DMX on it! I can not wait to see her go in on him! LOL!
Iyanla gives such good advice. She’s one of the best things on OWN.
Agree
If anyone can find it she talked about her life story with Oprah.. about changing her name and how she was young, a mother and living on the streets. She pulled herself up, went to school became a minister got a new outlook on life its really inspiring. When she first came out I discredited her as being just another self-help guru but after seeing her story I realize how she has so much advice to offer…
I really love to hear this woman talk! So inspiring!
Feb 28/14 I lost my husband of 36yrs I don’t know if what i’m feeling is the start of a good journey I am not falling apart I feel free as this is the lst time in 71 yrs I am not looking after anyone but my golden retrievers (2)