From Army Veteran to Wellness Warrior: Chimere Brooks, L.C.S.W
- deshaywilliams3
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Tuesday, February 3
7:00 a.m.
Spark Thomasville Executive Director
Thomasville truth: mental wellness shouldn’t require a 6-month waitlist. 🌿
Meet Chimere Brooks—licensed therapist (L.C.S.W.) founder of Sage and Cinnamon Wellness Iniatives AND third-place winner at Spark Tank 2025 who’s proving that healing happens when ancient wisdom meets modern accessibility.
When underestimated entrepreneurs turn their own healing journey into a community resource, entire families break cycles of struggle.
The Mission Behind the Name ✨
Ever wonder why some business names just feel right?
For Chimere, every detail matters:
Sage = ancient wisdom and sacred healing
Cinnamon = vitality and cultural healing traditions spanning centuries
Wellness = commitment to the whole person
Initiatives = represents action
“Sage embodies a certain sacredness. It embodies ancient wisdom,” Chimere explains. “And cinnamon has been used in healing modalities for centuries.”
This isn’t just branding—it’s a generous invitation to healing that honors diverse traditions while serving modern needs.
The Problem She’s Solving 💫
Here’s what keeps Chimere up at night: One in five Georgians has a mental health diagnosis, but licensed therapists are scarce—especially in rural areas.
But where do they turn when waitlists stretch for months?
Enter Sage and Cinnamon Wellness.
Chimere offers:
✅ Virtual therapy (HIPAA-compliant, accessible from anywhere)
✅ In-person sessions within the community
✅ Wellness workshops for agencies and organizations
✅ Conversational approach (not just clinical diagnosis)
“I like to make it more conversational than clinical, especially for those who are open and inquisitive about using therapy services for wellbeing,” she shares.
The Journey That Made the Healer
What qualifies someone to guide others through mental wellness?
For Chimere, it’s lived experience combined with professional expertise.
As an Army veteran, she witnessed the struggles of transition among her “battle buddies.”
She saw them reach out for help. She saw what therapy and “putting in the work” could accomplish.
And she walked her own path:
Racing thoughts and extreme fatigue
Sleep disturbances (going to bed energized, waking up exhausted)
The desire to isolate—even from beloved grandchildren
The challenge of balancing caregiving with self-care
“Living with a mental health diagnosis and going through certain processes—it’s taught me a lot about how to get well, how to stay well,” Chimere reflects. “I want to help people find their own personal path to healing.
The help she received is the help she gives away<<<
From Business Owner to Entrepreneur 🚀
Chimere started her LLC in 2024, but Spark Thomasville helped her see the difference between owning a business and being an entrepreneur.
“I knew I wanted a business,” she admits. “But Spark helped me realize the difference between being a business owner and an entrepreneur.”
What changed?
She stopped just imagining treating clients. She started envisioning:
Impacting the entire community
Building her own brand and voice
Empowering the next generation of licensed therapists (she’s supervised interns for 5+ years)
Multiplying her impact through training and mentorship
“One day I started imagining: what if I put that energy into Sage and Cinnamon?”
The Spark That Ignited the Vision 🔥
Chimere discovered Spark through The Diverse Pour, owner, Jasmine Calhoun, a Spark alumna whose community presence inspired her.
“I see how she moves within the community—so focused on wellness and fellowship,” Chimere shares. “I went to an informational session about Spark Thomasville at the Chamber of Commerce just to support her. Getting involved wasn’t something I expected!”
But she did. And the robust curriculum surprised her:
Formulas for calculating return on investment
Strategies for weighing business purchase decisions
Education she “was not expecting at that level”
The result? Third place at Spark Tank 2025—validation that her vision for accessible, conversational mental health support resonates with the community.
Why This Matters for Thomasville ❤️
When hardworking entrepreneurs like Chimere build wellness businesses:
Mental health access expands beyond clinical settings
Cultural healing traditions get honored and integrated
Veterans and caregivers find support from someone who understands
Future therapists gain mentorship and supervision
The entire community benefits from accessible, conversational healing
Connect with Chimere 🌟
Ready to explore your own path to wellness?
Free 15-minute consultations.
What’s one small step you could take today toward your own mental wellness? Comment below—and if you know someone who needs Chimere’s support, share this post with them. 💚
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