5 badass women I can’t help but love for their inspiration

I’m not ashamed of the number of crushes I have on the women in my life. I am constantly surrounded by these forces and powerhouses, and learn so much from each of them. If you’re in the market for some inspirational people, check out these women and, at the very least, live vicariously through some of their Instagram accounts.

Jessie Wimmer

If you don’t know Jessie from toting around homemade caramel at Not Just Coffee or from her amazing company, The Cookie Cult, or even her art therapy position with Novant Health, do yourself a favor and watch her live her life on the internet. A single mom of two kids and a vivacious puppy named Pickle, she always lends a helping hand for healing and hangouts and lives intentionally in a way we should all aspire to. Jessie and I bonded over divorce and parenthood, each needing a hand to hold and a warm cup of coffee.

Kenzie Monette

Been thinking a lot lately about what femininity means to me. I think it can mostly be summed up by finding a place within me that doesn’t hold back from trying to be very loud, very quiet, tender, powerful, humble, and true. And sometimes all at the same time.

A post shared by Makenzie Monette (@coolgurlkenzie) on Oct 28, 2017 at 5:12am PDT

This lady has love written all over her. If you read my date night article, she is the one who held my kids (for free, I might add). I have never met someone in their early twenties with as much confidence as this lady. The curator of Hill Valley Vintage (and let’s get this out of the way—this is a “Back to the Future” reference apparently no one gets), Monette runs her own business, waits tables and is a badass babysitter. If you want some real, honest, Insta-inspiration, this is your girl.

Beckah Coggins

“The Solstice is a time of quietude, of firelight, and dreaming, when seeds germinate in the cold earth, and the cold notes of church bells mingle with the chimes of icicles. Rivers are stilled and the land lies waiting beneath a coverlet of snow. We watch the cold sunlight and the bright stars, maybe go for walks in the quiet land. . . . All around us the season seems to reach a standstill — a point of repose.” – John Matthews ___________________________ #HappySolstice #WinterSolstice2017 #YogaForLife #YogaLove #PlazaMidwood #Charlotte #CLT #NorthCarolina #CLTYoga#YogaStudio #GoodVibesOnly #HighVibes#GoodVibrations #YogaTribe #YourVibeAttractsYourTribe #Namaste #YogaInCharlotte

A post shared by Okra Charlotte (@okracharlotte) on Dec 21, 2017 at 2:54pm PST

Do you see or hear about those people whose energy you just want to bask in? Coggins is that person. When she brings her two incredible daughters to play, she also brings pots of soup, ready to nourish our bodies as much as she does our souls.

She is a yoga instructor and massage therapist at Okra in Plaza Midwood and, unlike most of these badasses, you won’t find her on social media (but if you knew her you wouldn’t be surprised). However, she does appear every now and then on Okra Charlotte’s Instagram account. She’s funny and wise and always willing to lend a listening, empathetic ear. If you don’t know her, you should. We all deserve someone powerful like this in our lives.

Kate McFadden

19 years and what else would I ever be? Honored to mother these beautiful women . . . . . . . . #slowliving #mamabear #loveandlight #homebody #womanhood #uniteinmotherhood #lovingkindness #gentleparenting #homeschoolers #wildlings #greenwitch #kitchenwitch #moonchildren #solidarityinsisterhood #thepureroots

A post shared by Kate (@thepureroots) on May 14, 2017 at 5:07pm PDT

I ran into Kate a lot during my last pregnancy. Each time, she’d encourage me for my upcoming home-birth and suggest essential oils and mediation practices to get me ready for the big day. If you are in need of some true feminine magic in your life (and let’s be honest, who isn’t? then Kate is your lady.

The curator of Pure Roots and co-owner of Custom Jewelry in NoDa, everything she does screams divine feminine. From encouraging women to embrace their monthly cycle to embracing the art of slow living, her grasp on life is inspiring.

Meliea Black

I first met Meliea when our kids were in school together when I made her get coffee with me and talk about religion and divorce. She spends her life using the peace that she has found to encourage other women through tons of life experience, both good and bad. She’s also about the best birth doula anyone could ask for.

Her company, Intention Seekers,  encourages women through intention setting, coaching, yoga and subscription boxes, that include journal prompts and full moon rituals to get the most out of what womanhood has to offer. An advocate of all women everywhere, her words of wisdom are inspiring, helpful and never judgmental, which is something we can all respect.

Photos: Courtesy of featured sources

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 9:00 PM with the headline "5 badass women I can’t help but love for their inspiration."