On Our Radar: In Own Your Glow, Latham Thomas Teaches Us to Put Ourselves First
Mothers ― particularly Black mothers ― are and have always been the foundation blocks of our society. Latham Thomas, maternity lifestyle guru (and CRWN Issue No.01 writer!) has dedicated her career to helping women from all walks of life discover a peaceful transition into motherhood and helping women learn to mother themselves first. From her work as a doula to the stars ― Alicia Keys, Tamera Mowry, DJ Khaled, Victoria's Secret model Doutzen Kroes ― to her practice as a yoga teacher, Thomas believes in a holistic approach to life both before and after pregnancy; that it begins with a mother's healthy body, mind and spirit.
Her first book, 2012's Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy, is a creative guide taking the reader through each trimester. She preaches how healthy living can help one's journey through the sacred passage of childbirth and everything leading up to it.
Central to Thomas' teachings is the idea that everyone has the capacity to glow, on their own, from the inside out. Her job is just to help you optimize it. Whether it be through diet, exercise, or even organizing your office, one must create their own personalized self-care rituals in order to achieve the true radiance inherent in us all.
Her forthcoming book, Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen Within, takes the Mama Glow concepts beyond the parameters of motherhood and is instead "saluting the women of the world." Own Your Glow is about finding balance between spiritual, mental, and physical health, and how prioritizing these qualities is crucial to realizing your full potential.
Designating and decorating a physical space for dreaming, beginning each day with asking what you want and need and even setting aside time to "play," are all ways that Thomas says modern women can better find peace in our fast-paced society.
The book has already garnered praise from a slew of inspiring women and, in Thomas's words, "a few good men," including: India.Arie, Opal Tometi (co-founder of Black Lives Matter), Gabrielle Union, Tamika Mallory (co-chair of the Women’s March), Daphne Oz, Mara Brock Akil, Bozoma St John, Zac Posen and countless others.
In a world in which everyday Black women are usually discouraged from taking time out of the day for ourselves, Own Your Glow provides the tools to make light for ourselves by cultivating space, time and energy to fuel our own happiness. When we tap into our glow power, we can glean grace from even the most challenging situations.
Own Your Glow drops on September 26th — you can pre-order your copy here.
