WHY EUSTRESSIN'?: LATISHA DUTCH
Latisha is a dope individual who has been making moves as an entrepreneur. I was able to connect with Latisha after trying out Hysterics to relieve some stress in their destruction trailer. Check out how Latisha adds Eustress to her life while providing opportunities for others to relieve theirs.
HEY LATISHA, WHY EUSTRESSIN’?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING/ HOW LONG?
I am the owner of two small businesses.
The first, TMD Management, LLC, has been in existence for 13 years. TMD manages the full business operations of professional associations as it relates to providing strategic planning, leadership coaching, budget and finance controls, marketing strategies, membership recruitment & retention and meeting planning.
The second business, Hysterics, LLC, I co-own with Melanie Dailey and we have recently entered our 3rd year of operation. Hysterics provides a non-conventional, alternative outlet to relieving stress. We customized our mobile trailer to outfit your vision, suit you up in protective gear, provide a weapon of choice and allow you the opportunity to smash away at everything on the trailer. We specialize in corporate team buildings, adjunct therapy sessions, private groups, divorce parties and college exam relief.
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR PROFESSION?
It would be difficult to not think about mental health as Hysterics was created with exactly that in mind. The business itself was the birth child of a bad day at work where I felt I was one step away from losing all of my sanity. At that moment, the only gratifying outlet to cross my mind was throwing the laptop. However, that would have had so many repercussions. In feeling like people often think about and want to do things like that, Hysterics was created to provide a safe, nonjudgmental outlet to do just that. When it's all over, hopefully you feel relieved and now aren't going to jail, losing a job, losing a significant other or any of the other repercussions that could follow with such behavior.
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO YOU ENCOUNTER SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR JOB THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
With Hysterics being both such a young business and new concept, we never see or anticipate the red flags until they have been played. It's been quite the learning curve that has both mentally and physically drained us at times. We have some stories to tell and laugh about in the future, but I'll save those (it's too early, some of them are still not funny yet)! It's been an emotional roller coaster, and we have certainly had points where we wanted to give up.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TAKING ON DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES?
Unfortunately, I had to hit a really low point of depression and high anxiety to notice that I needed to incorporate "activities of daily sanity." I had to also learn that for me, I need various outlets. Sometimes people have one dedicated stress-reliever, whether that's the gym, vacationing, yoga, etc. I need a combination of those things (+Hysterics), and I need it to be truly "work-free."
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THOSE STRESSORS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
I am an compulsive planner (to a fault). Nonetheless, when composing my schedule for any particular day, I am sure that I incorporate "me time." Whether I use that time to workout, watch TV, meditate, read or engage in some other activity varies from day-to-day. It's really about what's going to be most gratifying to me that day. It's a treat to myself.
HOW DOES BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY HELP IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK OR ON THE JOB?
With TMD, everything that I do is about the details, and my optimal mental health is reflective of high-productive performance. I notice that I am able to focus better and be more innovative. When I get to a point where concentrating is difficult, then I know that I need to step away and de-stress.
WHAT DOES EUSTRESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AT WORK? AT HOME/AWAY FROM WORK?
I am a lover of all types of music thus 90% of my work time I play upbeat, motivating music and it helps me feel at ease no matter the size of the workload in front of me. If no one is around, I may even get up and take a couple of dance breaks!
At home, especially during the work/school week, I find time where Mommy's not working and homework is done to hang out with my son while neither of us is focused on other things. [This is only good for me; he'd rather be on his iPad!]
Between both work and home, I try to incorporate exercise. I'm the person at the gym everyone's wondering why I'm still the same size 10 years later -- the primary function for me is to relieve stress ;-)
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD TELL SOMEONE JUST STARTING IN YOUR PROFESSION OR A YOUNG PERSON WHO ASPIRES TO BE THE PROFESSIONAL THAT YOU ARE?
Plan time for you and stick to it. There will always be distractions; it will never seem like the time is right. However, you need to be more dedicated to taking time for you than you are to work, friends, or whatever else tends to interfere. If your mental well-being is not up to par, it can also impact your physical well-being and we only get one shot at this physical life. Spend it "well."
ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU'RE UP TO?
Someone shared a quote recently that I think sums up a place we've been with Hysterics:
"I finally threw in the towel. But God threw it back and said, "Wipe your face girl. We are almost there."
I don't believe life was meant to be easy, but I do believe we are all meant to persevere and overcome. You can only be your best you by taking care of you first.
HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Website:
tmdmanagement1.com hystericsllc.com
Instagram:
hystericsnc
Twitter:
hystericsnc
Facebook:
hystericsnc
