CHEETAH Movement

CHEETAH Movement

Being "FAT" is the new wave





For months, I've had this obsession with the word "fat" but in a bad way. I've looked in the mirror constantly analyzing myself from my waist to my cheek bone structure. I've also taken more pictures in the mirror than I usually do as a way to reassure myself that I'm not fat. I recall a few weeks ago about to take a picture, then staring at myself crying minutes upon minutes. I literally put myself down for about an hour and I felt like crap even more after doing so, like it was some sort of validation. I even had a troll call me fat recently and it added to the stress of already considering myself fat. Weight has always been a thing I've struggled with for so long. Either I would eat too much because I didn't wanna look "sick" or anorexic" or eat too little in fear of being called "fat" or "overweight."


Admittedly, growing up, fat has always been used as a bad word and seen as a bad thing and people who were considered fat at my school or in my life would go through hell. Too many times, we associate being fat with being unhealthy and that's not always the case. Studies from BBC news show that looking at data from over 43,000 US people, they found that being overweight did not pose a health threat. Also, a study from Daily Mail provides us with information on why skinnier people can be unhealthier than fat people. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6304471/Why-skinny-people-die-fat-diseases-fat-people-healthier-think.html)


Today, after realizing that it's what you put inside of your body and your inner health that really matters - I, indeed, have a newfound outlook on the word "fat." If I'm fat, I'd rather be fat and kind than fat and mean-spirited. The only kind of fat that is bad for you is if you're fat and unkind. Being fat isn't a crime, you aren't a disgrace or waste. You're just a human with an extra set of curves and that's okay. See being fat isn't bad after all, right? The next time someone calls you fat, tell them to "come along and ride the wave!"

Me embracing my "fat"


A Moving Interview w/ actor Russell Andrews

Russell Andrews of Insecure, Michael Jackson: This is it, Runaway Island, Straight Out Of Compton, and more. Russell, I believe, has changed the game in the acting world. In some ways, he is given less credit than he should be given. His drive for his craft, children, and life in general is beyond moving. He, too, suffer from depression where he would go days reflecting and just staring while on his sofa. Let me honest - I've never saw a man so honest about his struggles or even admitting to suffering from depression until I met Russell. Him and I got a minute to catch up and chat:

At what age did you start acting?

"I started acting professionally at 24, though I'd done some things in high school including 1st place city of Houston pantomime."


When did you realize you dealt with depression?

"I knew I needed help but was clinically diagnosed as severely depressed 3 years ago. I asked for references and was given 3 business cards by my regular doctor. 2 had photos and different artwork. 1 was a plain white card with name and PhD, address and number. I took that one and took myself to the office. I was embarrassed to do it but my life and that of my children depended on it."



Do you think being an actor gives you that outlet to express yourself? What does it do for you?

"Being an actor is difficult in a sense that sometimes art imitates life and sometimes our experiences good and bad show up in the process."


Do you think you could ever share your story about depression someday?

"I’d like to share my battle with depression.  I’m reluctant because I fear people will think I’m doing it for publicity. On the other hand, it may help someone... like you."


During a scene, i.e in Runaway Island, do emotions become too intense sometimes? Do you feel like your authentic self in that moment or do you despise being vulnerable?

"Runaway Island was a lifetime experience. I was so emotionally and spiritually empty as a man even before the audition. My marriage was essentially over. Lots of details there. I don’t hate her and I’m not angry anymore, but I’m not very forgiving. I was in the middle of a career slump. When I auditioned I was the last person on the last day of weeks of casting. The director saw me in a short film she was helping her friend edit on her computer. Ironically, I lost my daughter in that film, also. She asked her friend do my info. What happened in that scene happened in the audition. The lines were easy but I had no idea all of that emotion was coming. I (Russell) was already hurt and tired and life just took over. I’m not afraid to be vulnerable. My fear is not being believed. Honestly, in our business, if we’re concerned about being believed were no “present” in the scene. Always something to work on."

Who is the driving force or forces in your life?

"My moms presence and the desire to give my children the best opportunities I can are my driving forces. They are my breath."


How important is mental health to you? Why? Were you afraid at one point to acknowledge your depression?

"Mental, physical and spiritual health work in tandem. Neither works completely without the other. Poor mental health can show up physically and vice verse. Spiritual health balances us and our faith allows to deal with whatever happens. Acknowledging depression felt like failure. I’m 56 yrs old, a child of the 60’s. I’m from the south (Huntsville and Houston, TX) and as a young black man, with a very old school, little educated father, I unfortunately wasn’t raised to expose vulnerability. That’s not at all a good thing, but it’s the way it was."

Has any posts by CHEETAH Movement ever inspired you?

"Many of your Cheetah Movement posts have inspired me. I wont attempt to read your mind or assume I know what’s best for you... just know that you have strong and you are the midst of a tremendous success story. But you cannot give up. Even your worst days can inspire someone."


What  would you say to others that deal with depression?

"For others suffering or think they’re suffering with depression... talk, humble yourself and ask for help."

"A Heart Of Hope" Book Release



"Amidst a time when resources are diminishing for families, and the focus of the world is shifting, one young woman shows us all the true meaning of the word "survivor".  Her journey (documented via a series of photos) takes us from innocence, through trauma, to redemption, and shows us the true light of the human spirit."






"A Heart of Hope" is a book about a young girl who's life was in so much turmoil. Depression, self-harm, and self doubts had taken her over. She was simply dark. She had hope but no belief in herself during that time in her life. Her self-esteem was crushed - she had little to no love for herself. She had spent most of her dark days in the psych, where she felt she didn't belong. When she wasn't in the ward, she'd usually be at home isolated cutting herself and just feeling dark. One day, she had planned an attempt and she was sure to give off no signs. She was happy because she knew how everything would go. During that attempt, as she was bleeding out from her legs, sitting in her blood - something registered with her. The love of her family. Something filled with much light had overcome her. In that moment, at that moment - she realized she didn't want to die, she had to find another way. Slowly but surely, her hope had been restored. She, indeed, had a heart of hope.


Table full of books and CHEETAH Movement cards


Standing at the table signing books 

Telling the journey 

Showing the journey

Fighter 

My lovely

Big Sis got her a copy & rocking her CHEETAH accent




Grandma came to support. Cherish them!

This book and release is all I could hope for and more. You can find "A Heart of Hope" on Amazon but I strongly encourage mailing them directly to you and personalizing them. To obtain a personalize, signed copy - please email me at cheetahmovement5@gmail.com your mailing address, from there you will recieve another email for invoice. Looking forward to mailing them out to you all. Thank you guys for your support. Cheetahs! Yeah, Y'all Rock!!! Stay authentic and be true to YOU! -K, xo

SCARS poem by Jada Carrington (Dedicated to Kenidra Woods)


A TRIBUTE TO JADA


Jada has not only been such an inspiration in my life but many others around here. Her spirit and her heart is oh so genuine. Her poetry comes from a place of pain, they are so heartfelt. She goes through depression and days where she feels that she's less than but each day she fights, she fights not only for herself but for others. Poetry gets her through, it's her outlet. They have helped me ways unexplainable. Her poetry is like no other, she's truly touched by God. Jada, you are a very special asset to this world. You're one of a kind. I could go on and on about you but I just want to wish you a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Let's show the world what you're made of! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this dedication to me and just for everything. I pray that God continues to enlarge your platform and bless you in EVERYTHING you do! Much love beautiful! 🙏❤️🎈

Here I present SCARS by Jada Carrington, a dedication to me :
Scars (Dedication to Kenidra Woods)

By: Jada Carrington

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the strongest of them all?
I used to think I was invincible, limitless and all knowing and no one could tell me otherwise,
I was young and naive, but I was so innocent,
hand made by God, sweet and valuable much like the fruit in the garden of Eden.
See I was special, my essence held all the secrets to the world, I was forbidden fruit,
beautiful but not meant for consumption.
God said the harvest was plentiful and that you could eat from any other tree,
and yet you still managed to let your serpent deceive you.
You ate from my tree of knowledge,
You made me conscious of my body before it even had a chance to develop.
Now I'm cursed with sinful thoughts and I don't know how to get rid of them.
You brought hell into my life and now even my angels have pitchforks,
I guess that's why bad things always felt so good. I miss being an angel.
I wish I could go back to when playing with dolls was my life,
everything was pretend and no one had any ulterior motives,
but sadly I can't, this is reality and my life is not a game.
Why didn't anyone tell me that grown men aren't supposed to play with little girls that way?
I thought everybody played like that. I trusted you.
You were supposed to protect me from all the big bad wolves like the ones we used to read
about, not become one. Little girls are not meant to be prey,
and I keep praying for my happy ever after ending but I'm getting tired,
my mouth has already been going a thousand miles per hour,
and I've ran out of words.
Written in scars are the stories I could never explain.
Every scar had a novel on its tongue and it was razor blade sharp,
just like the blades I became very familiar with.
Is it wrong that I have more slashes on my body than years I have on this earth?
Am I wrong for thinking that the only way to ease my pain is to enhance it?
They say the truth cuts deep, well I must be the most honest person on this planet.
Some days I don't even want to be on this planet
but I know that there's people depending on me so I stay,
but isn't it crazy, the same rope I use to help pull you out of your hell
is the same rope I want to wrap around my neck to end mine.
Depression is so two faced, helped me to find my purpose
but keeps trying to stop me from living in it.
It took over my life, so I tried to take my own, a few times.
What's the point of staying alive when you're already spiritually dead?
I swear having a mental illness sucks.
Some days it feels like there's a fire inside my mind and there's nobody to come to my rescue,
other days it feels like I'm drowning in water and there's no one to pull me out,
and then there's those days where the fire and the water inside of my head just cancels each
other out and I feel nothing at all.
I guess I have to play with the cards I was dealt even if it's the game of solitary.
I may be alone but at least I hold all the cards
and even though I've taken so many loses, I'm not going to stop playing until I win.
I am a winner, God made me that way.
So yeah I may get sad sometimes but that does not define me.
I may feel alone sometimes but that does not define me.
I may have a mental illness but that does not define me either.
What defines me is that I am still here even though the odds are against me,
what defines me is that I refuse to give up
and everything that I have overcome in my life is what makes me a warrior
and so when I look in the mirror and look at all my scars both mental and physical
where I once saw shame and defeat,
I now see power, I see accomplishment and I see a story that is worth sharing to the whole entire world.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the strongest of them all?

....I AM

UPDATE ON MY DIVINE JOURNEY!!!


*Update* I am Kenidra Woods, 16 years old. I am based in St.Louis, MO. Founder of CHEETAH Movement advocating for mental health and the prevention of self harm and suicide. C.H.E.E.T.A.H Movement stands for Confidence, Harmony, Enlightenment, Encouragement, Tranquility, Awareness, and Hope. Through my struggles and hardships I discovered my divine purpose - to inspire, save, and change lives. On this divine mission, I've had the opportunity of making several appearances and doing speaking engagements first for the Jumpoff Radio with Mesh Neal - "Winning The Battle"  ( http://www.blogtalkradio.com/meshneal/2016/03/15/winning-the-battle-with-kenidra-woods ) 




                         

Not after I spoke in Tucson, AZ covering the importance of forgiveness, speaking out, healing, and simply letting them know that they're not alone with KVOANEWS4 (http://www.kvoa.com/clip/12396105/from-self-harm-to-self-awareness)

Live with Kgun9 Morning Blend
( http://www.kgun9.com/morning-blend/kenidra-woods-cheetah-movement)

                       


I was also featured in the L.A sentinel newspaper for CHEETAH Movement twice. The first time being for the great achievements on saving lives that I've made -- ( https://lasentinel.net/teenage-self-harm-activist-kenidra-woods-taking-world-by-storm.html ) and the other being for my short film, "A HEART OF HOPE" that I've just released ( https://lasentinel.net/16-year-old-mental-health-advocate-keindra-woods-creates-inspirational-short-film.html ) Not long after I released "A HEART OF HOPE" - the ARTWITHIMPACT organization did a suprising feature on it!! ( http://www.artwithimpact.org/teen-mental-health-advocate-releases-short-film-depression/ ) link to short film ----> https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1122817727800345&id=100002163863966 <----


Along the way on this journey I've set up a blog for CHEETAH Movement, my blog ( cheetahmvmt.blogspot.com ) is where different individuals around the country or world even can share their stories and it's a way for them to express themselves in a way only they can submit their
poetry, music, fiction, art, video, photography, etc. to me. This is not only my story but this is OURstory, I'm speaking out for the ones remains silent because they are afraid to speak out. I'm letting them know that it's okay to speak out and that it doesn't show weakness but a tremendous amount of strength.



 I've just did the first Teen Talk interview Tele-Seminar of the year of 2017 with host, teen therapist, and founder of dearteenself, Jaynay Johnson. I talked about how I overcame the deep depression that I was in and most importantly how did I turn that struggle into strength! I encourage everyone to listen. This is where I'm so real and open about my journey. ( https://fccdl.in/xTZWBY8bG )


Despite, all that I've been through - I stand, speaking my truth and feeling unashamed while doing so.
*Just an update catching you all up on all that has happened* I love you CHEETAHS. You guys rock 🤘🏽❤️

-Kenidra

FEATURE IN THE L.A. SENTINEL!!!

In life, we just never know what it may bring. I thought I'd always be the girl that never went through anything, that life would always be easy. Well, I certainly was wrong! From time to time, life leaves us in for a 'rude awakening'. Today, I can say that I was grateful for that wake up call because I was clearly ignorant to what this thing called "LIFE" really was, it was far from simple for sure. Safe to safe - my struggles made me strong, they gave me strength to carry on. They give me the ability and privilege to inspire through my my story and my testimony. If I can save even one life, I know my living isn't in vain. We find our purpose through our hurt, our pain, our triumphs, our troughs, and most of all our strength!!

Through all that I went through, the unimaginable pain and suffering, sexual abuse, doubts, self harm, suicide attempts, staying in psych wards and residentials, feeling alone and in a such dark dark place, one where I thought I was very near to death. I can truly say that all of it carved me into I am ought to be. Safe to say I wouldn't go back and change a thing, even though it was so very painful mentally, physically, and emotionally it has made me stronger, wiser, and most of all spread a message to KEEP. HOPE. ALIVE!!! I am a testimony of a hopeful heart. No matter what I've through I kept that HOPE of things getting better and I am glad I did because I am here today to inspire through my story, my message, and C.H.E.E.T.A.H Movement.

Before I spoke out, I wasn't happy because I wasn't being real with myself. I was hiding, I covered up with long clothing even in the summer. I didn't want to hide anymore. So, I made a decision to 'free myself' - I didn't need nor did I want anyone to validate me. Well, today, I walk so proudly with my battle wounds - these are scars of pain being turned into power and a struggle being turned into strength. It is so overwhelming to know how many people I am inspiring, how many lives I've saved, and how many lives I'm changing daily! I would not have imagined myself in a million years speaking out about something such as mental health or even self harm. But then again we just never know what life's journey will give to you again the way. Sometimes it's not even for us, it's for someone else. I believe in giving to others what God has placed on me. Someone may need this and I have hope in my heart that it will resonate!
BTW! My short film on mental health entitled 'A HEART OF HOPE' that will be officially released December 20! ❤️🙏
(A little sneak peek of article!!)

Here's link to full article - enjoy! ✨🙏 https://lasentinel.net/16-year-old-mental-health-advocate-keindra-woods-creates-inspirational-short-film.html

Self-harm: A "SILENT EPIDEMIC"

   
    There's no such thing as a particular person who'd self harm. It can place an affect on anyone of any age, background, or race. This epidemic has no boundary of which it cross or no limits to who it reaches. However, girls and young women are more at risk(although boys are self harming more so frequently than ever before. People who are dependent on drugs and alcohol are at a much higher risk as well. Also, the LGBT COMMUNITY because this group is faced with more adversity, some sprouting from religious beliefs and morals, others vary from each individual personal beliefs. Regardless of who the person is self harming, this is something that needs to be taken seriously, it has literally become a "silent epidemic." 

Self harm can be triggered from a number of things, a few could be from low self-esteem, poor body image, racial difficulties, feelings of rejections from loved ones, stress, bullying, etc. Not knowing how to deal with pressure and stress is often replaced with cutting, burning, biting, or other self injurious behaviors. Self harm is a way of releasing that tension and acts as a safety valve. It is a way of communicating without communicating and acknowledging the need for help. It sometimes is used as a punishment for oneself from feelings of shame or guilt. While some people only use self harm as a coping mechanism, others intent are to possibly end their life. 



For me, self harm was an attempt to feel something other than emotions. Once I began to feel empty, self harm became more frequent just to fight that feeling. I'd be lying if I said everyday was great and that I haven't attempted or even thought of self harm. Self harm is something that most people don't understand and think that it's something that is abolished overnight. Self harm certainly is an addiction, any addiction is hard to break. If I relapse a million times in my life, I make up in my mind to take 2 steps forward each time. It is something truly hard to deal with without feeling judged. All people want, if anything, is to feel important and that they matter regardless of their addiction. If I knew that self harm of any kind was addictive, I would've found another way, another outlet.. that's for sure. 
Everyday I strive to progress on my journey to eventually quitting with the thoughts or actions. Then again, my scars will always remind me of where I've come from and how it happened, so I don't think I'll ever completely get that thought out of my memory. I do believe that life gets better and that anything in life is certain if you believe, possibilities are endless! Every single day, regardless of how I feel, I aspire to inspire, save, and change lives. I can say, I've been more happier than I was almost a year ago. I'll continue to move forward in faith for you as you move forward for me. We can do this. I promise. Xo, Kenidra 😘❤️

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 as soon as possible. There are people that actually care for you. You matter!!