Tangi Greene

I attribute my success to resilience, faith, and my determination to transform one of the most difficult experiences of my life into something meaningful for others.

In 2023, I began experiencing severe migraines, brain fog, and tingling in my hands and feet. Despite seeking medical help from multiple providers, answers were hard to find, and at one point, my symptoms were even dismissed. By October, my condition had progressed to the point that I became paralyzed from my chest down due to Transverse Myelitis. I had to relearn how to walk, feed myself, and perform many of the everyday tasks most people take for granted. Later, I was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

As a single mother, losing my health and my employment forced me to face challenges I never imagined. However, those experiences taught me the importance of self-advocacy, perseverance, and having a strong support system. They also gave me a deeper understanding of the struggles many people face when living with invisible illnesses and disabilities.

My professional experience working with adults living with disabilities and mental health challenges further strengthened my passion for helping others. Those combined experiences inspired me to become an author and advocate. I wrote The Invisible Fight to raise awareness about invisible chronic illnesses and the emotional battles that often go unseen. I also authored My Big Beautiful Brain, a book that celebrates mental wellness, self-worth, and the unique strengths that make each person valuable. Both books reflect my commitment to helping others see themselves with compassion, hope, and confidence.

I have also created community conversations such as Breaking Point: Things We Don’t Talk About, which provides a safe space for honest discussions about mental health, resilience, healing, and life’s challenges. The overwhelming response from participants confirmed the need for these conversations and encouraged me to continue this work.

Today, I am focused on expanding my nonprofit efforts to support individuals with chronic illnesses as they transition home from hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. My goal is to help people maintain their independence, preserve their dignity, and avoid losing everything they have worked so hard to build during a health crisis.

While achievements and recognition are appreciated, I define success differently. Success, to me, is knowing that my story, my advocacy, my books, or my work have helped even one person feel seen, supported, understood, or hopeful. If I can make a positive difference in someone’s life, then I consider that a success.

The best career advice I have ever received was to never underestimate the power of my voice and the impact it can have on others. I was encouraged to recognize that my experiences, challenges, and perspective could be used to educate, inspire, and advocate for people who may not always feel seen or heard.

That advice changed the way I viewed my purpose. It helped me realize that my journey through chronic illness, disability, mental health challenges, and personal adversity was not just something I survived—it was something that could help others. By sharing my story openly and authentically, I have been able to raise awareness about invisible illnesses, mental wellness, self-advocacy, and resilience.

This guidance gave me the confidence to become an author, speaker, and community advocate. It inspired me to write The Invisible Fight and My Big Beautiful Brain, create conversations such as Breaking Point: Things We Don’t Talk About, and work toward building programs that support individuals living with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Today, I use my voice to educate, encourage, and empower others. Whether through writing, speaking, advocacy, or community outreach, my goal is to help people understand that their experiences matter, their stories have value, and they have the power to create positive change in their own lives and in the lives of others.

My advice to young women entering this field is to recognize the value of your voice, trust your abilities, and never be afraid to take up space. Your experiences, perspectives, and ideas matter, and they have the power to create meaningful change in the lives of others.

I also believe strongly in the importance of supporting and uplifting one another. We accomplish far more when we collaborate rather than compete. Building genuine relationships, sharing knowledge, and celebrating each other’s successes helps create stronger communities and opens doors for future opportunities.

Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and others. There may be times when your voice is challenged or your experiences are misunderstood, but perseverance, confidence, and authenticity will carry you forward. Continue learning, remain open to growth, and stay committed to your purpose.

Most importantly, remember that success is not measured solely by titles, recognition, or financial gain. True success comes from the impact you make, the lives you touch, and the legacy of encouragement, service, and empowerment you leave behind. When women support women, we create opportunities not only for ourselves but for future generations to thrive.

One of the biggest challenges I face right now is navigating my own health journey while continuing to pursue purpose-driven work, advocacy, and community impact. Living with Transverse Myelitis and Multiple Sclerosis has required me to adapt to significant life changes, and the process of waiting for disability approval has brought both emotional and practical uncertainty. It has tested my patience, resilience, and faith while challenging me to redefine success and find new ways to continue serving others.

At the same time, this experience has created one of the greatest opportunities of my life. It has given me a deeper understanding of the realities faced by individuals living with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and invisible conditions. Because I am walking this journey myself, I am able to connect with others from a place of authenticity, empathy, and lived experience.

This perspective has strengthened my work as an author, speaker, and advocate. Through my books, The Invisible Fight and My Big Beautiful Brain, community conversations such as Breaking Point: Things We Don’t Talk About, and my efforts to expand support services for individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities, I have the opportunity to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and encourage meaningful conversations about health, healing, and resilience.

I believe one of the greatest opportunities in this field is helping people feel seen, heard, and supported. By sharing our stories and creating spaces for honest dialogue, we can reduce stigma, increase understanding, and empower individuals to advocate for themselves and seek the resources they need. My goal is to continue using my voice and experiences to inspire hope and remind others that even in the face of life’s most difficult challenges, resilience and purpose can still thrive.

The values that are most important to me are compassion, service, resilience, faith, and family. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to help others and make a meaningful difference in their lives. For me, success is not measured by financial gain but by the impact I have on others. If I can help even one person feel seen, supported, or inspired, then I consider my work worthwhile.

My experience working in a residential group home supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges reinforced the importance of compassion, dignity, and consistent support. It taught me that small acts of kindness and understanding can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.

Today, those same values drive my work as an author, speaker, and advocate. Through my books, The Invisible Fight and My Big Beautiful Brain, as well as community conversations such as Breaking Point: Things We Don’t Talk About, I strive to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and create safe spaces for honest discussions about chronic illness, mental health, healing, and resilience.

Giving back to my community is also a core value. Whether through sock drives, meal outreach programs, donations to shelters and nursing homes, or other acts of service, I believe we all have a responsibility to support those who may be struggling and remind them that they are not alone.

Above all, family is one of my greatest priorities. As a single mother of two daughters, I have worked hard to support their growth, encourage open conversations about mental health, and help them develop confidence and resilience. At the same time, my own health journey has taught me the importance of extending grace to myself, prioritizing self-care, and embracing personal healing.

These values continue to guide both my personal life and professional mission: to serve others with compassion, advocate for those whose voices may go unheard, and create opportunities for healing, hope, and empowerment.

“Those values are also reflected in my work developing Freedom Haven Adaptive Living & Resource Center and Freedom Haven Housing LLC, where my goal is to create resources and supportive environments for individuals facing chronic illness, disability, and other significant life challenges.”