Welcome to Living Well — our bi-weekly spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

I love when I meet someone who is great at what they do or does something unique. Both of those things are true about Princess McKinney. She is a postpartum doula whose offerings have evolved to something so specific and then built a team to provide this special care for women in their first weeks after giving birth.  

I was a lucky recipient of Princess’ care after having my boys and it was supportive and healing in a way that nothing else was. She wrapped my stomach when my organs felt like they were untethered to anything inside me, gave my recovering body such needed massage, helped me process my birth story and c-section, as well as provided incredibly useful physical therapy information. She did all this in a such a soft but firm way that helped me to feel so supported in an uncertain time and to protect the time I needed to care for myself in those early days.  

I am excited to learn and share more about Princess and how the intentionality she has in her business shows up in the rest of her life. 

WHAT'S YOUR ENNEAGRAM NUMBER?

I am an evolved, self-aware 3.

If you've done the Values Deck exercise, what are your top five values? Tell us how one of them manifests in your life. What is a decision you’ve made using it to guide you?

My top 5 values are: Authenticity, Persistence, Spirituality, Fun, and Supportiveness. 

With Supportiveness I often find it is in community where I thrive. Whether family, peers or clients, knowing I not only have a tribe of support around me but that I may be able to be of service and help those I care about really brings joy into my life. An example of a life decision that instills this value is my dedication to providing support, physically and emotionally, to birth clients and to my team with my company Bellibind.

What does a life well-lived look like?

To me, a life well lived is one that allows for many opportunities to have quality family time and to be surrounded with love. That includes friendships, art, food, experiences as well as walking on a path aligned with one’s divine purpose. So, being tapped into spirituality is key too.

My version of success is…

Living a life with no regrets. Looking at obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning from each miss take (mistake) as an area to improve or be a better version of myself.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now?

I am currently working on how to better communicate my needs in my marriage and to build upon our intimacy as parents and business owners. I see Vanessa Bryant as someone who was successful in doing this in her marriage.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

Wow, in ten years a lot can happen. I will say my ability to stay true to myself throughout all of the many lives I have lived; not allowing my circumstances to change my heart and to stay steadfast in my most authentic way of being —a Healer and Connector.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

I am a natural born connector and healer. This is where I thrive. I am very self-aware and deeply empathetic. These qualities play a huge factor in the kind of Wife, Mother, Boss, Friend, Sister that I am.

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

Sarah Blakely; she is a self-made woman who believes failure is nothing to be afraid of. Her ability to run an empire and maintain a healthy family life and loyal team are the things I aspire to.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

C’est La Vie.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

EntreLeadershipby Dave Ramsey and the podcastBeyond Bitchy(because boundaries aren't bitchy).

What are you grateful for today?

I am so grateful for my marriage, my spirited beautifully confident children, my tribe of family and friends, and my therapist.

Princess McKinney is the Founder/CEO of Belliband, and Bestselling Author of Belly Binding, a simple postpartum ritual to reclaim your body and heal your spirit. Learn more and stay up to date with Belliband on Instagram.