Read article: Originally published January 9, 2024, at BOLD JOURNEY MAGAZINE

Meet Renea Jones-Hudson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Renea Jones-Hudson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Renea, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Navigating spaces where I’m the only one who looks like me has been both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. My journey as a black woman, an immigrant from Jamaica with a Hispanic heritage and a retired military captain has uniquely positioned me to understand and embrace the power of diversity.

I’ve learned the importance of maintaining a strong sense of self in these situations. My identity, shaped by my humble beginnings and diverse experiences, is a source of strength. I draw from my resilience and tenacity, qualities honed through years of military service, athletics, and personal challenges, to stand firm in my beliefs and values.

Being effective in such environments also requires deep empathy and the ability to listen. I strive to understand different perspectives and find common ground. This approach not only helps in building bridges but also in fostering a more inclusive environment.

Moreover, my role as a retired Army Veteran, a mentor to young girls, and an empowerment coach for military women has taught me the power to lead by example. I aim to be a role model, showing that background or circumstances do not limit success. My success in these roles is a testament to the fact that diversity of thought and experience can significantly enrich any setting.

Being the only one in the room has been an empowering experience. It’s an opportunity for personal and professional growth, education, inspiration, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion. Each time I step into a room where I stand out, I see it as a chance to leave a lasting impact, breaking barriers not just for myself but for those who will follow.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a retired Army Captain, currently serving as an Empowerment Coach dedicated to supporting Military Women Post-service. My passion lies in helping these remarkable women find their purpose as civilians, bridging the gap between their military skills and the challenges of civilian life. I understand the struggle firsthand – the loss of structure, security and identity, a sense of purpose, and difficulty transitioning from a military mindset and finding community that the military once provided can be daunting.

Many military women face these challenges, and for some, it leads to issues like homelessness and a lack of emotional and mental support. I’ve been in their shoes, and that’s why my motto is “your next best self.” My mission is to inspire and empower female veterans to embrace the next chapter of their lives with confidence. I firmly believe that their military-honed skills are assets that will help them thrive in the civilian world.

To achieve this, I’m launching a seven-week course starting on January 17 that i am extremely excited about. This program will provide the necessary resources and connections, offering clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of purpose. My goal is to ensure these remarkable women step into a sea of possibilities, pursue their passions with unwavering confidence, and realize that they have the resilience and strength to accomplish anything they set their minds to do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The first area of acknowledgement was to recognize that i had to shift from a military mindset to a civilian mindset. Military life is inherently challenging, and transitioning to civilian life introduces a fresh set of obstacles. Cultivating resilience was instrumental in gracefully navigating these changes. My advice for those embarking on a similar path is to nurture resilience by embracing change, seeking support, and maintaining a positive mindset. Surround yourself with a supportive community, prioritize self-care, and remember that setbacks are opportunities for personal growth.

Effective communication was another vital aspect of my journey. As an empowerment coach, I discovered that active listening and empathetic communication were indispensable when working with clients but I also needed to practice that outside of my clients, that I also needed to extend those same principles to myself. For those transitioning into this next chapter, I recommend practicing communication skills through active listening, actively seeking feedback, and practicing empathy. These are skills we are already familiar with as leaders in the military but the approach is different as civilians. Keep in mind that effective communication transcends words; it involves connecting with others on a deeper level.

Staying adaptable and informed is important and it’s another trait we soldiers learned well. Committing to continuous learning kept me relevant and equipped to provide valuable insights to my clients.

For those in the early stages of their journey, I advocate embracing a growth mindset, embracing new experiences, investing in education and training, and just becoming more curious. When I first transitioned, I relied heavily on my military knowledge and experiences and it got me as far as I could go until I realized, I needed to expand my knowledge to my current situation. The more you learn, the more you know, this increases your expertise, and empowers you to thrive amidst changing circumstances.

One of the most challenging aspects for me was seeking help. Many women, like me, might find themselves in situations where they recognize they need help but hesitate due to lack of knowledge (in my case, business operations), not really knowing the right questions to ask or how to navigate the marketplace, and there are those of us who sometimes don’t realize we need help and fail to acknowledge our struggles.

When i realize that I didn’t have to go through my experiences alone, it made all the difference. I got the help I needed personally and professionally. Another thing I learned was to be comfortable with accepting help when it was offered.

It became clear after a while that I didn’t always have to “figure things out on my own” or “tough it out” through challenges, because support was always within reach, and having a community of like-minded individuals who share common experiences and goals can be remarkably beneficial.

Furthermore, I learned how invaluable it is to have coaches and mentors to guide you at every stage in your life. It is important to seek out individuals who have walked a similar path and learn from their experiences and not hesitate to ask for assistance when needed, as it can significantly speed up your growth and development.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe that the key is to have a balance between focusing on strengths and addressing weaknesses.

Going all in with your strengths will lead to specialization and excellence, while working on weaknesses promotes versatility and resilience.

For instance, as an empowerment coach for military women, I leveraged my strength in understanding military transitions to build a successful coaching practice. However, I also recognized the importance of working to specific areas in my life, to be a student, so that i can improve on other skills to offer a more holistic coaching experience.

Overall, a balanced approach that harnesses strengths for specialization while working on weaknesses and becoming more flexible and adaptable often proves to be the most effective strategy for success.

Originally published January 9, 2024 at BOLD JOURNEY MAGAZINE

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.reneajoneshudson.com

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachreneajoneshudson/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneajoneshudson

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