An Interview with Life Coach Sandra Kelley

I met Sandra Kelley about 3 years ago at a local ministry where she was Director of the Children's Ministry. At the time I had no idea who she was because I was asked to lead praise and worship at the summer bible school. I noticed on the sidelines this woman really worshipping and praising God. It was a little surprising because I am so used to the children and young people getting into worship and not so much the parents.

Not long after that time, I found out that Sandra Kelley was the mother of one of my students. I was introduced to Sandra and immediately felt a warmth and genuine comfort around Sandra. I have been in ministry for some time now and it's a rare find to meet someone that has a genuine heart. Typically you meet so many people that want to make a name for them selves or push their vision on others, so it was nice to see someone that was sincere and operated in the fear of the Lord.

In 2006, when I was asked to lead the 5 a.m. prayer for the young people, I would see Sandra almost every Sunday morning and she was always there in the main sanctuary covering and interceding for the Bishop, the Church and the Vision of the Ministry. When I would watch Sandra, her actions made me think of something that Pastor Lance Watson made a comment about once during one of his dynamic sermons. Pastor Watson was talking about commitment and he compared the sacrifice of a chicken and the sacrifice of a pig during breakfast. He said the difference was that the chicken just makes a contribution to the breakfast, where the pig laid down his life for the breakfast.

I believe Sandra has laid down her life for the call that is on her life and I wanted the world to know who she is and what her journey has been. I caught up with Sandra recently and we talked about her journey and the birth of her ministry.

A.C.: Hi Sandra! I first want to think you so much for taking time out of your hectic schedule to share your heart with our audience.

S.K.: I am honored to. The ministry God has given me will truly help save many lives through giving my testimony so it is my pleasure.

A.C. Sandra can you first tell us how your journey and struggle with being overweight began?

S.K.: It was summer and I was ready for a fun filled summer like always. My sister and I did our usual for the summer, we went to Six Flags. I was prepared for a day of fun and excitement. We stood in the long line waiting our turn on the mind binder. Finally, it was our turn and we sat down in the second row of seats. I reached to pull the bars down over my head and the fear that was in my heart made me almost explode. My worst fear had come to light. I couldn't snap the bar into place. As the workers went to check each harness to ensure they were locked. One worker came to me and began with all of his might to push the bar down. Because of my weight it wouldn't snap. At that moment all of the harnesses had to be unlocked so that I could get off the ride and step back onto the platform. At age 11, I was once again disgusted and humiliated with myself.

This was just one example of how I was living a dual life. On the outside I was happy, fun loving and always ready for a challenge. Yet, the true side was a young girl who was completely out of control.

A.C.: How did this challenge affect your everyday life?

S.K.: All my life I have been overweight. The words big, chubby, plus size, and you have such a pretty face were always words others used to describe me.

I grew up unsure of myself and always had poor self-esteem. I did everything I could to make friends and have relationships at any cost. In turn, I suffered the greatest cost; I lost the true essence of who I really was.

I remember in school I suffered from great anxiety. My worries were vastly different than my friends. My concerns were did we have to dress out that day for P.E., could I make it through the entire school day, even though the pain of my legs pressed against the school desk caused horrible bruises on my legs. And would I be able to control the severe urge to eat throughout the day.

A.C.: How did you deal with the constant pain and anxiety?

S.K.: To deal with this anxiety I ate even more to ease my pain. I took my pain out
on myself and began to surround every thought and emotion around food. It became my best friend and my worst enemy. Because my friend could be seen, everyone knew I was an addict and lacked self-control. Recently, I became a huge fan of face book. I reached out to my friends from high school as well as college. I was surprised at the remarks they all stated about me. The comments were you were always so happy in school or you always had a smile on your face. I thought it amazing they had these comments because it was far from the way I truly felt. Very early, I learned how to go through the motions and create an illusion. I wasn't happy or satisfied with life, I just merely existed.

I went on to college Jackson State University and I did very well. I lived in the Honors Dorm and joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. I was determined to cover up the way I looked by forcing my achievements on others. I made sure everything I did was done with excellence. I controlled every aspect of my life. Everything from my dorm room, to my class work, the way the clothes were organized in the dresser drawers, all expressed complete order. Yet when it came to food there was no order or consistency.

A.C.: Do you think society views obese and morbidly obese people in a certain light?

S.K.: Wherever I went I would see the expressions from those who looked at me in disgust. They assumed I was lazy, unintelligent and not human. Jokes were made about me in my face, and I would even laugh at them, but I would be hurting
on the inside.

A.C.: When did you first really face the fact that you needed to get healthy for your life?

S.K.: In my 20's, I wanted to try a weight lost center that was popular and worked for many people. I went in with full confidence that I could do it this time. I went in and after answering some questions I was told they needed my weight. I hadn't weighed myself in years so I was a bit worried about the outcome. I got on the scale and to my amazement it went completely to the end. The young lady stated the center had another scale that we could use. I followed her to a room, and as she opened the door I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was a mail scale. It went up to 1,000 pounds. I got on it and I was devastated to learn my weight was 450 pounds. My mind went blank and I could barely move. I retrieved my belongings and left. I knew that if I didn't do something quickly the fat on my body would completely consume me. At this point in my life I had sleep apnea. I would go nights and not sleep, my breast size was a 54H, so when I laid on my back my breast would fall back on my neck and I would have the feeling of being suffocated. The area between my legs would bleed because when I walked the meat would rub so badly that at night I would pull off the damage skin. And my knees began to give out on me as I walked.

After years of abusing my body, it was time to be true to myself. In 1996, I decided enough was enough. I began doing research on gastric bypass surgery. In 1997, I had the surgery lost 190 pounds and my life changed instantly. I went through a major change in my attitude, behavior and motivation. I was happier than I have ever been in my life. I got married in 1999 and endured emotional abuse. I eventually gained the 190 pounds back. I couldn't believe it was happening to me all over again. I worked so hard to achieve my dream of being normal and once again I was suffering.

A.C.: When did you begin to see God change things in your life?

S.K.: In 2006 after becoming single once again, I decided that I needed to refocus my thought patterns and speak freedom to myself. I sat down one day on the couch and said Lord I can no longer handle this burden. Instantly, everything about my motivation and forethought about weight changed. Since that time, I have lost the weight and I am able to help others loose theirs. Through my company T.O.U.C.H. 52:11 (Taking Over Unwanted Character Hurts), God has given me a mantle of educating the world about the addiction that causes obesity. Through my company I assist my clients that are labeled morbidly and super obese through the steps of surgery or with loosing the weight on their own.

My clothes went from a 34 top to a size 16; my shoe size went from a size 11 to a size 9. And my bra size went from a 54H to a 38DD. By giving up the strongholds on my life, and allowing God to completely lead and form my thoughts towards goodness, I have lost the weight and I have entered into the new me. A person with purpose and peace.

A.C.: What advice would you give others that have been battling weight issues all their lives?

S.K. Knowing yourself and having the ability to seek out the root of the strongholds on your life is the key to the freedom that is waiting for you!!!!!!!! Come join me and we can T.O.U.C.H. the world together!!!!!

A.C.: How can people get in contact with you Sandra?

S.K.: If you would like to find out how you can go from 450 pounds to freedom, please contact T.O.U.C.H. 52:11

Face book Sandra Kelley Atlanta Georgia
My Space/touch52eleven
www.touch52eleven.ning.com
Email: touch52eleven@gmail.com
Office # 678.545.0621

Camp:
Obesity No More!! camp targeting those children with weight issues. Can come and
feel safe and comfortable doing camp activites.

Ages: 8-17
Gender: boys and girls

Location:
Power of Faith Christian Center
3052 Miller Road
Lithonia Georgia 30013
Can contact my office at 678.545.0621 or email me at touch52eleven@Gmail.com

A.C.: Sandra, I want to think you for being transparent and sharing your heart and your passion with us. I pray that God do a complete work inside and outside with you, so that you'll KNOW who you are in Christ and what He has brought you here to do in this season. You see it was predestined before the foundations of the Earth. Sometimes we don't know why, but God always knows when and why. I love you my sister and wish you all the wonderful blessing that God has in store for you and your family, that they would spring forth so much that they will overtake you!

S.K.: I thank you for giving me this opportunity. I want to speak to those who are reading this article and you feel stuck and hopeless because of your weight. Know that I am here to help and assist you with the pain your feeling. Don't give up, contact me and allow m to show you HOW TO LIVE AGAIN!!!