Wellness With Her Club

Our latest edition of The Wellness Live brought us into a deep and insightful conversation with Akello Agatha Christie—mental health activist, creator of The Popcorn Thoughts podcast, and a dedicated advocate for mental fitness. Her approach to mental well-being goes beyond crisis intervention; she champions a lifestyle that integrates mindfulness, self-awareness, and intentional living. Here are the highlights:

Living a Life That Feels Like a Warm Hug

One of the most striking moments of our conversation was when Akello shared:

“What influences and drives me is I don’t want to die never having lived a healthy and enjoyable, fulfilling life. Like, when I look back, I want my life to feel like a really nice movie, to watch it feel like a warm hug.”

This sentiment set the tone for a discussion that encouraged us to rethink how we engage with life. Too often, we move through our days passively, waiting for happiness instead of actively cultivating it. Akello challenged us to be intentional about shaping a life that we are proud to reflect on.

Rethinking Mental Health: It’s Not Just About Illness

Mental health is often discussed in the context of illness, but Akello reminded us that it is much more than that:

“Conversations around mental health still elicit stigma. The heavy focus on mental illness overshadows what mental health actually is—which is your behavioural, social, and emotional well-being. Your mental health is who you are, every day.”

Rather than waiting or looking at things until we reach a crisis point, we should approach mental fitness proactively, integrating practices that support our well-being daily.

Eliminating Low-Tier Experiences

Another powerful takeaway was Akello’s perspective on the quality of experiences we allow in our lives:

“You can’t afford to leave room for low-tier experiences in your life. It’s your life. Allow for the good things to bloom for you.”

This means setting boundaries, being selective about the environments we engage with, and recognising that we are worthy of joy and abundance.

Mental Fitness: A Tool for Intentional Living

Akello’s philosophy on mental fitness reshapes how we think about our minds:

“My approach to mental health acknowledges the mind as a tool, and how we use it is what shapes our lifestyle. That’s mental fitness. Mental health is not something we only have to look at or understand when we’re ill.”

This approach challenges us to see mental well-being as an ongoing process, not just a reactive one. Just as we take care of our physical health consistently, we should also nurture our mental and emotional resilience.

Creating Space for Understanding in Relationships

When it comes to friendships and personal relationships, Akello emphasised the importance of open, honest communication:

“Practicing mental fitness with our friendships specifically would include not allowing every weird feeling to stew. We may let little things grow, but they compound and are sometimes blown out of proportion. Allow room for understanding in conflicts.”

Instead of harbouring resentment or making assumptions, we should strive to create space for clarity and dialogue.

Building a Personal Value System

“Sitting with everything you experience allows you to build a personal value system. How do we practice dealing with situations differently? With a value system, we set resolutions that still work for us.”

This was a powerful reminder that self-awareness is the foundation of a well-balanced life. When we take time to reflect on our experiences, we develop a framework that guides our decisions and aligns us with our personal truths.

Key Takeaways & How to Engage Further

For those who missed the conversation, here are some key takeaways:

• Mental health is an everyday experience, not just something to focus on in times of distress.
• We have the power to shape our lives with intention and fulfillment.
• Mental fitness is about actively using our minds as tools for growth.
• Our relationships thrive when we communicate openly and avoid letting small conflicts fester.
• Building a strong value system allows us to navigate life with clarity and confidence.

Explore more of Akello’s World and follow the Popcorn Thoughts for more curated conversations around mental fitness and self compassion.

Join the Conversation! We encourage you to reflect on these insights and share your thoughts with us! What resonated with you the most? How do you practice mental fitness in your daily life?

Tag us on social media @WellnessWithHer and let’s keep this conversation going!