Life has it many ups and downs, twists and turns but if you allow yourself to reap the lessons, you will always come out better for the journey. I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing woman in 2019. We were both competing for Mrs. American Beauties Plus. It was my very first time competing, and Dr. Annette encouraged me, prayed for me and loved on me so much even though I was her competition. I have never forgotten her kindness and even though we have gone our separate ways, she is never far from my heart and her support in my life’s journey has been truly a blessing. It is my honor to highlight Dr. Annette Jimenez.
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Dr Annette Jimenez. I was born and raised in New York City of Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. I am a mother of two amazing sons ages, 25 and 18 both in college. I am married to a great husband, that is my number one cheerleader, Reverend/Bishop for twenty-three years now by the glory of God.
I am highly decorated amongst my peers and the recipient of not one, but two academic PhDs in Psychology and psychiatry with four honorary PhDs in mental health, hospitality, real estate and business management. I am a therapist and life coach. I consider myself to be an extremely humble person especially with all the recognitions I possess. I am nothing without God and I give him all the
glory for all that I am. I understand that if I paid a ton of money for my education it wasn’t for me to keep it all to myself, it was for me to share it. I make my resources available to people that may not have the same possibilities that I had to pay for my education. I offer master classes free of charge. I offer life coaching free of charge to certain people, and so much more. A lot of people ask me why I do this when I have the possibilities of making a lot of money with the accolades that I have.
The reason I do what I do each and every day is because I don’t want, not one person that I come in contact with to feel the way that I felt. I had no love, no guidance, no one to believe in me. My drive is solely focused on at least changing one person’s perspective about themselves per day. I have been a community leader for over 25 years, fighting for the civil and human rights of the people
not only in my community but also in my city. I have sat at table with amazing leaders to restore homes, fighting against predatory lending, confronting slumlords and making sure that people have the decent living wage. A lot of people don’t know that I’ve traveled the country while fighting to maintain many affordable housing buildings open, many shelters, senior centers, daycares Etc. I understand my assignment from above, and that is to be of service to those in need. I have seen the glory of the Most High, and I don’t ever want to stand idly by while I see someone struggling and I didn’t help.
I am the owner of a very productive business, that houses several entities from a model Management, pageant, cleaning services, event planning, catering and so on, all the way back to my private practice where I do therapy. In 2019 I joined a multi-level marketing company. The sales allowed me through the pandemic to be able to make the money that I needed to pay the government for my education. I owe nothing for the degrees that I received. It is with great pleasure that I say, I continue being a part of this company but not for personal gain at this point. I have adopted eight families that live off of those proceeds.
Over the years I have done very successful back to school events, Christmas toy drives, and so much more. Amongst everything that I have accomplished throughout my years in public service, it is the smiles on people’s faces that does it for me. When someone can come back and tell me, my life changed because of you that is pay enough. I know how to be a cheerleader for everyone around me, because my blessings have my name on it.
How long have you been doing what you do?
I have been a community leader for over 25 years, a business owner since 2008 but a therapist only since 2021, Immediately after my graduation I opened up my own practice. At the start of the pandemic, my local Governor opened a program, he said “Do not stay home and do nothing, make it your business to make this time useful.” Federal funding was placed into this program, so I took great advantage of it. I became certified/licensed in 187 labor areas plus 47 mental health areas. That allowed me to take my MCAT quickly.
What have been your challenges?
My challenges have been many, from financial, criticism, etc. In 2016 while competing in a pageant on board a cruise I was bitten by a mosquito and was diagnosed with the zika virus which left me partially paralyzed and bed bound. A year and a half later I was diagnosed with heart cancer. At that point the doctors did not guarantee my life, but I refused to die.
I was able to see the hand of the Lord in my life like I have never seen it before. I trusted God above everything and had open heart surgery to remove the tumor. A surgery that was allocated to take 6 hours only took two. The doctor had said that if I would survive, I would live in a vegetative state. I didn’t even go to ICU I went straight to recovery and in 4 days I was home. The day of my surgery I went in an hour early because I had a paper to turn into school a final and I didn’t want to miss it so why they were preparing me for surgery I was writing a paper on my phone so that I can submit it before I will get operated on.
Even if that was my last day on Earth, I didn’t want to not have completed what I was working on in school. Upon my arrival to my home, I made a decision that if cancer didn’t kill me neither would obesity. Being bed bound made me gain so much weight, so I put myself on a weight loss regimen that allowed me to lose 200 pounds mainstream. With the same equipment that I was given to mobilize
myself I started utilizing them to give myself therapy and I started to walk again. And in 2021 I graduated with high honors from that one with two universities. This is the reason why I give God the glory everywhere I Go, I am here because of him.
What are your greatest accomplishments?
My greatest accomplishment in life is to see both my sons following my lead in wanting to be in the mental health industry. Knowing that I have been an example for them fills my heart with joy. Also knowing that many people that I have encountered live a much better life because of the help that I’ve
offered makes me feel accomplished.
What are your plans for the future?
I have many great plans for the future, but one of them is getting a building to create a multi-service center to help people from all walks of life. I want to offer services that they may not otherwise be able to reach on their own for whatever the reason.
How can people contact you?
www.Facebook.com/DrAnnetteJ
www.Link Tr.ee/RisingFromTheAshesCoaching
(917)406-1091 – Buss. Cell
Any other information you would like to share?
I’d like to say thank you to those people who believed me unconditionally. Thank you to those who didn’t, I love you anyway you were just my drive to push harder. To those people striving, don’t you ever give up, hard work pays off eventually. Just keep showing up and if you need me, I’m here to help and
believe in you.