Today we’d like to introduce you to Tywanda Williams.
Hi Tywanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My professional journey began in business. I earned my undergraduate degree in Business Management from LeMoyne-Owen College, though I quickly realized that I did not feel a true passion for that path. The turning point came when I enrolled in an elective course while still in my undergraduate coursework at Lemoyne, Life Stages of Development. From the very first lecture, something clicked for me. The material resonated deeply, and I remember feeling envious of the students who were pursuing degrees in social work and mental health because the subject felt so natural and engaging. Even without prior experience, I excelled in the class simply because I enjoyed it so much.
Although I completed my BBA at Lemoyne Owen College, that experience planted a seed. I eventually pursued graduate studies in social work and earned my degree, stepping fully into a field that aligned with both my strengths and my purpose. Interestingly, the business foundation I had built became invaluable when I later established myself as both a licensed clinical therapist and an entrepreneur. Looking back, I see how each step—even those that felt uncertain at the time—was aligning me with the work I was meant to do and preparing me for the career I have today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has certainly had its challenges. I was married and raising two children while attending graduate school, which was not an easy balance. Thankfully, I always had the support of my husband—he jokingly calls me a “serial entrepreneur,” but he has continuously rode the wave with me, and for that I’m grateful. Even with the demands of family and school, because I loved the work so much, the journey never felt burdensome—it was demanding, but it was also rewarding and even fun.
Running a business has brought its own set of challenges. Entrepreneurship can feel lonely at times, especially when others don’t fully understand your vision. It requires a kind of tunnel vision, because it’s easy to become discouraged or second-guess your decisions. Unlike a traditional job where the roadmap is laid out, as an entrepreneur you are constantly creating your own path, knowing that both success and failure ultimately rest on your shoulders.
What reassures me that I am living in my purpose is the way the work continues to draw me back in. I often joke that even when I try to “break up” with my business, it won’t let me. Just when I start to feel uncertain, an opportunity appears, or a client shares how much my work has helped them. Those moments always seem to arrive right on time, reminding me why I do what I do and encouraging me to keep going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Zen Inspired Counseling & Wellness Center?
Zen Inspired Counseling and Wellness Center is a family-owned practice that I co-own with my husband, Chyco. While I serve as a licensed clinical therapist, he brings his expertise as a certified life coach. Life coaching is different from therapy in that it focuses on helping clients clarify goals, overcome obstacles, and create actionable steps toward the future they want, like making a career change, starting a business or working to overcome barriers to achieve their personal or professional goal. Together, we’ve built a team of dedicated clinicians who share a passion for holistic wellness, offering clients a safe and supportive space to heal and grow.
Our center takes a whole-person approach to mental health, blending traditional therapy with integrative practices such as mindfulness, eco-therapy, and other holistic methods. This allows us to address not just mental and emotional concerns, but also the deeper connections between mind, body, and soul.
We are also expanding into specialized services in the area of weight management and eating-related concerns. A major part of our work is supporting individuals who struggle with weight loss by addressing the psychological and emotional barriers that often stand in the way of lasting change. Our services focus on treating concerns such as binge eating disorder, emotional eating, depression, trauma, and other factors that can make it difficult to lose weight. I am Board Certified in Bariatric Counseling and certified in the treatment of binge eating disorders, which gives me specialized training in this area and also allows me to provide bariatric assessments for clients preparing for weight loss surgery. These evaluations ensure that clients receive the psychological support and preparation needed for this important step in their health journey.
To meet the diverse needs of our clients, Zen Inspired offers individual counseling, life coaching, group wellness challenges, and corporate workshops. Whether someone is seeking personal growth, workplace support, or a community approach to wellness, we provide services that empower people to build healthier and more fulfilling lives. Beyond the counseling room, we also host The Zen Life radio show every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. on Memphis’s radio station Bumpin 96.3 and iHeart Radio, where we talk about all aspects of mental health, wellness and how people can bring balance into their daily lives.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Memphis is that it’s home—I was born here, and there’s a deep sense of connection for me. I also enjoy the food, the music, and the culture, all of which give our city so much character and vibrancy.
What I like least is the level of crime we face. That said, I see my role in mental health as one small way to serve the community and contribute to change. By helping people heal and strengthen their well-being, I believe we can make a positive impact that ripples out into families and neighborhoods across the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zeninspiredlife.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeninspiredlife/?hl=en
- Facebook: zeninspiredlife
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZenInspiredCounselingWellnessC
- Other: Tik toc: zeninspiredlife
