Vanessa J. Simmons has built a dynamic career that bridges entertainment, entrepreneurship, and wellness advocacy. Known first to many as a television personality, she has steadily expanded her influence across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors. With a growing presence as a businesswoman and public figure, Simmons continues to shape conversations around health, self-empowerment, and cultural representation. In this exclusive interview, she speaks about her journey, her vision, and the values that continue to drive her work.
Vanessa, welcome, and thank you for taking the time to join us!
Thank you so much for having me!
I try to live wellness daily myself, but I must admit, I don’t talk about it often. That’s a mistake, right, Vanessa? Shouldn’t externalizing wellness be second nature?
I believe everyone’s wellness journey is personal. While it can be a source of inspiration to others to share what you may have learned along the way, doing what works best for you is going to lead to the best mindset for you personally. The reason I started sharing my journey is that I wanted to be a source of inspiration and encouragement for others. I actually remember the moment I saw that my own experience could be helpful to others. A few years ago, while I was filming Growing Up Hip Hop, I shared a particular challenge I was experiencing with losing weight and how it weighed me down mentally and made me feel unworthy. I was totally fine while filming, and then when the episodes were about to air, I got so nervous thinking how others may view it as me being shallow or thought I would be judged for what I perceived to be a challenge, but the reaction was completely different than what I expected. I ended up getting hundreds of messages from other women who shared similar stories of their own and let me know that mine resonated with them or inspired them in some way. I received so much love and support from the most unexpected sources in my life, and from that day on, I vowed to share more things that can inspire others and information that can be used to thrive. I realized we are more alike than we are different, and can help one another when the right community is fostered. That’s one of the reasons I decided to dive into becoming an advocate for wellness and spreading as much support and information as possible through my social media platforms and any opportunity I’m given to speak on certain issues. I love to be a source of light and empowerment for people. I feel it is directly connected to my purpose.
Let’s talk a bit about your journey, Vanessa. You’re a woman of many talents. But was there a pivotal moment or a particular event that pushed you to pay more attention to your mental and physical well-being?
From early on in my career, I learned that in order to do anything with your all, you’re going to have to prioritize your mental and physical well-being, which are directly linked. Ignoring your own needs and not moving your body will eventually have an effect on your mental health. I remember being young and promoting Pastry on tour. There were times we traveled so much, I would forget what city I was in when I woke up. It was exciting but also very taxing on my young body at the time. I came to learn that I had to find small pockets of time while traveling and working to dedicate them to my mental well-being, whether it be a workout, a spa visit, or some form of relaxation for my mind. As I got older, I found more and more ways I could do this, and that’s how my love for wellness began.
You’ve also mentioned that discipline is your word of the year. How does this intentionality influence your wellness practices on a daily basis, and how does it translate into your role as a mother and entrepreneur?
The act of discipline and keeping the word top of mind helps to keep me in alignment, which is all I could ever need to stay motivated. It influences the way I show up, to keep track of my fitness goals, career, and entrepreneurial goals, and most importantly, being a mommy. My daughter watches and mirrors everything I do, and I’m seeing more of it as she continues to grow up, so it’s important for me to stay balanced and be the best possible version of myself. It’s not always the easiest, but the moment I veer away from the act of living a disciplined lifestyle, the fruits of my labor don’t show up as full as they could be. The only person who really affects me is me and my word. For that reason, I chose discipline to keep me on track to be the best version of myself.
As an active woman—some might even say a Wonder Woman—how do you manage to maintain a balance between your personal and professional responsibilities while taking care of yourself?
I am a very active woman and always on the go, whether it be mommy duty, an acting job, or working on a new business venture. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. There’s no true balance. The truth is, I create that “balance” by feeding what needs to be served most in the moment. Sometimes I need to be more of a mom than a businesswoman, or sometimes I need to work more on my acting development, and that’s usually when I lean into my community for help. The key is knowing a team will make you stronger and knowing how to ask for help when you need it. Teamwork makes the dreamwork, and also knowing when to slow down and nurture yourself is where my love for wellness comes in. Being a bit more mindful of my energy and how to recharge it is important. It’s a delicate balance to make it all work, while still making sure my soul is fed. I love my life and I wouldn’t want it any other way I’m blessed to be able to do all that I do and I don’t take it for granted, but it is very important to give yourself the grace you need to make it all work, my prayer life and leaning into my faith helps a lot with that.
You’re also a very creative person, whether through fashion, art, or other forms of expression. How does creative expression contribute to your well-being? Is it a way for you to reconnect with yourself?
Being creative is connected to who I am at the core. My love for fashion and entertainment is rooted in my upbringing. Being around so many creative individuals growing up inspired me to take that same route. Watching my dad perform and other family members put on fashion shows gave me the same hunger to create. I quickly learned I love being on stage. I was always in school plays and even in college. My major was in business and communication, but I still took acting and media classes because that’s what filled me up. To this day, being on set and hearing action brings out a side of me that others don’t often see. Before the camera is rolling, I can be kind of shy at times, but when I’m on a stage and the curtains go up, a whole different Vanessa comes out.
Vanessa, you’ve spoken in the past about procrastination being tied to fear and self-doubt. How did you overcome these obstacles, and how has that enriched your journey of personal growth?
I’m no stranger to procrastination, and in those times, I feel I beat myself up mentally. It gets hard at times as I dive deeper into wellness research. I found that procrastination is directly connected to fear, so when I feel low or overcome with these emotions, I take a beat to take care of myself. Self-care always helps me reclaim my power. I’ve always believed it’s a way to love yourself, and so I do that until I feel better. Being mindful of what your soul needs is so important. You have to fill your own cup in order to adequately show up for others.
What realistic advice would you give to someone who feels overwhelmed or is facing challenges in their life that prevent them from prioritizing their own happiness?
Awareness is key. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s an indicator to slow down and seek help from a trusted friend, family member, or therapist to process what is going on. There’s so much access to therapy now that you don’t necessarily have to even go into an office. There are resources that have online sessions you can book quickly. I also suggest finding ways to soothe the nervous system. Journaling is great, and deep breathing exercises can do wonders for you. There are many different practices – I love box breathing, where you breathe in and hold for four counts before you let it out. You can repeat this exercise as necessary since it helps to calm yourself and your nervous system down. Prioritizing your physical health and getting some movement in your body, even as small as 15 minutes, can make a difference. Motion helps release endorphins in your body, which boosts your mood. That always helps me to shift my POV. I also recommend meditation to slow down a racing mind. All of these mindful practices often help to shift you out of fight or flight, known as survival mode, and put you in a better space mentally to tackle whatever obstacles you may be facing.
You’ve also mentioned using affirmations and visualization as tools in your daily practice. Could you explain these concepts in a simple and effective way?
The mind is very powerful, and the things we feed it often materialize as truth. There are many books I have read that hone in on that and prove this theory scientifically. One I enjoyed and recommend is called You Become What You Think. It touches on leveling up your happiness and how it all starts with what you think. I love recommending books, so people know I’m not just spewing out words! I’ve actually studied and applied it to my own life. Giving yourself affirmations to repeat and visualize helps to cement those ideas in your mind and brings you closer to that reality. To me, this is helping to put faith into action.
How do you personally incorporate rest and moments of slowness into your routine?
I invite moments of slowness in my routine by incorporating meditation, especially on days that may feel overwhelming. Even if I can find a 5-minute meditation to quiet my mind, I find it to be helpful. I will also do deep breathing, and a cup of tea is always relaxing. On the days when you feel overwhelmed, it is important to find a slice of peace throughout your day.
Looking back on your journey, how have your personal experiences—whether they were successes or challenges—influenced your approach to wellness today? Are there specific lessons or moments that stand out as pivotal in defining your philosophy?
Dealing with anxiety and seasons of depression in my life are things that pulled me closer to wanting to find ways I could cope and manage the intense feelings that come along with those things. It pushed me deeper into wanting to find wholeness and feel fulfilled within myself.
I think you’ll agree with me that the concept of wellness itself is a very personal journey that evolves over time. How has your vision of wellness changed throughout the years?
It is ever evolving as I grow and gain more life experiences, it’s not a one stop shop. I’ll forever be looking for ways I can grow and be a better version of myself.
And there you have it, everyone! Vanessa J. Simmons, a true advocate for intentional living and holistic wellness. We hope this interview has sparked new ideas and motivation for your own wellness journey. Stay tuned for more exclusive content here on Urban Magazine! Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other!
Demona Lauren
Photo: Traytorian Magee
