Angel Middleton: businesswoman overcomes obstacles

Name
Angel Middleton

Age
43

How long have you lived in Baytown?
11 years

Most interesting fact about you
I’m almost embarrassed to say it. I’m 43 years old, and I’ve never learned to roller skate.

Background
I’m originally from Miami, Florida. My family and I relocated to Houston in 2004. In 2008 we found ourselves in Baytown, and we’ve been here ever since. It’s kind of reminiscent of Florida, with all the palm trees and water.

I’m the mother of four (ages 27, 23, 21 and 15), and I have two beautiful grandchildren. My family are my biggest fans. I’m also blessed to have the support and encouragement of the best friend in the world, who happens to be their dad.

I own GNE Massage and Wellness Spa, as well as a non-profit organization, Grace Never Ends Inc. I admit to being a workaholic, maybe because I grew up seeing the women around me work much harder than most. I have a do-it-yourself work ethic. If I don’t have work to do, I think something is wrong and create work for myself. At 43, I’m just learning how to relax. I’ll have it mastered soon.

I’m the oldest of four, and I come from a really large, loud and colorful family. We are definitely some larger-than-life characters. Family is extremely important to me. Women, like the ones in my family, are often the glue that holds it together. I learned at an early age that women can do everything. Oftentimes, we pour ourselves into caring for the ones we love and put caring for ourselves on the back burner. We burn ourselves out.

I saw it and swore I wouldn’t do it when I grew up. Yet, I found myself recreating that same scene. I was trying to do it all and succeeding, just like the women before me. I didn’t know how to accept help, take a break or say no, even when it was desperately needed. Call it a pride thing. I was overwhelmed, overworked, overly stressed, financially strained, and I felt under-appreciated. It was a recipe for disaster.

I hated my job. It paid well, but it was just that — a job; no passion behind it. I did the work-from-home, stay-at-home mom thing, too. But I was still just as, if not more, stressed and tired. I had no time for myself. I was juggling life, work and my son’s illnesses, and recovering from my second car accident and major surgery. I was in the darkest place of my life. I struggled with my weight from stress, overeating and lack of energy. It was a killer combo. I developed body image and self-esteem issues. I found myself irritable and isolated all the time. I didn’t want to be bothered with anyone or anything. I just wasn’t me. I battled depression and stress-induced anxiety for a long time.

Through therapy, prayer, support of friends and family, and learning to make myself a priority, I’m in an amazing place in my life now, and it’s only getting better. I finally found my passion. It’s helping people feel like their best selves, especially encouraging women to take care of themselves — mind, body and spirit. And in giving back to say, ‘Thank you. I appreciate you.’ That message can mean the world to someone who desperately needs to hear it.

Goals
Early in my massage career I focused more on the medical aspect, the physical benefits. I worked primarily with the special needs population and active seniors. In building a relationship with my clients, I also got a chance to bond with their families. I started developing a new appreciation for the caretakers of the world. It reminded me of myself and the caretakers that I grew up emulating.

The concept of GNE Massage and Wellness Spa, and Grace Never Ends Inc., was born. I began catering packages to help people relax, de-stress and receive relief through therapeutic touch to aid in recovery from stress, trauma, injury, training, etc. — total wellness. That, in addition to gifting massage, event planning and other services to those who couldn’t afford it, has become my passion.

I hope to obtain a space just as unique as the community of people I serve to accommodate the combined efforts of GNE Inc. and GNE Premier Services LLC. I want to continue to grow, provide better service and give back to the community on a larger scale. I have a huge vision. Things are slowly beginning to manifest, and I couldn’t be happier.

Challenges
I almost shut it all down after three crucial blows dealt to me by life. First time was a few years ago due to physical setbacks. I was in four car accidents during the course of a year. One was an almost fatal rollover accident on Christmas Day 2016. Lesson: tomorrow isn’t promised. The second was when my son, who had finally gotten his kidney transplant after over a decade of fighting kidney failure, began to reject the kidney for the second time. Lesson: take care of yourself. The third was when God called my beautiful grandson home to be with him. That almost took me out. Lesson: appreciate life.

From it all I realized that there is something greater than us. It’s the power that lives within us that causes us to grow stronger with adversity, overcome any obstacle, dig deep and stand firm when we feel like we are going to fall apart. To keep progressing and pursuing our dreams despite the circumstances. Pain produces passion, becomes purpose.

Happiest or saddest moment
The saddest moment in my life was when I questioned my existence. I didn’t know who I was, why I was here and what I was supposed to be doing with my life. The happiest moment was realizing my purpose, relentlessly pursuing my vision, and watching it manifest now.

Advice
Collaboration — working together — is key. Just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you have to. It’s OK to take a break or say no sometimes. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a necessity. Put pride aside and learn to better give and receive help when needed. Lastly, give each other grace.

Reading/watching
Favorite reads right now are “Fervent,” “Becoming,” “The Worn Out Woman” and “Girl, Wash Your Face.” I’m not much of a TV person, but I do watch a lot of educational videos regarding my field on YouTube.

Favorite thing to do in Baytown
I love to visit Baytown Nature Center and sit by the water or relax in the butterfly garden under the gazebo. It’s beautiful.

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