Meet Sonya Jacobs, MABC | Public Speaker, Marriage Coach, Christian Counselor,

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonya Jacobs, Mabc and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonya, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by intentional living. To wake up each day with an opportunity to be intentional with life inspires me. I want to be intentional with how I love others, as well as how I personally grow and help others grow. I want to be a learner and help others learn. I want to experience adventure, true rest and peace and I love teaching others how to experience those qualities of life as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a woman called to serve my community as a counselor and a minister. As a woman, that is a unique calling. I went to college for music and dropped out because that was definitely not the right fit. I got married, worked, traveled and did odd jobs while I searched for my career. I finally found a good academic fit for myself at a seminary. I completed my bachelor’s in part because of an amazing mentor. Her name was Dr. Marjorie Williamson. She was a professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Williamson believed in me and she changed my life. She was my first mentor. I became the first person in my ENTIRE family pf origin to get a bachelor’s degree. I was working while I was in school and I was also married and mothering my first two children, I got to where I am today professionally because of the difficult things I went through in life. Those hard moments transformed me and inspired me to help others when they went through difficulties of their own. It was challenging to finish my BA as a wife and mom, but it was worth it. It was challenging to get my Masters degree in my forties while raising a family during a pandemic but it was worth it. It has been challenging to be the co-founder of a non profit to help marriages and to counsel people but it is worth it! The biggest challenge was when my own marriage went through a difficult season and my husband and I went through counseling for a year during the 10th year of our marriage. We are entering our 30th year of marriage this year, so that year of counseling was definitely worth it! Some of the lessons I have learned is that integrity is always the right choice, loving people well is important, be generous, have work ethic and manners, those qualities matters and truly – treat others the way you want to be treated. What I want the world to know about me and my story is that, if you challenge yourself to learn, seek wisdom and persevere you can accomplish your goals and make life changing differences in this world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband, children and myself left Atlanta and moved to the Frisco/McKinney area 18 years ago and we fell in love! Great food, fantastic shopping, relaxing parks, and so much more – you could staycation here for years have the best time and never do anything twice! The first place to check out is McKinney’s downtown square. Coffee from Filtered, some shopping, looking for a vintage vinyl at Red Zeppelin Records, a lunch stop for a blue burger and onion straws at Square Burger, then more shopping, then a cocktail at the Yard. I’d most likely end the day listening to live music and enjoying some great Irish food and vibes at the Celt. There is so much to do around the square it’s worth spending 2 day taking it in! Chestnut square is a lovely way to take in McKinney’s rich history and if you’re lucky, you can hit it when the Farmer’s Market is open. Another fun day in our area would be to drive north about 45 minutes to hike at Eisenhower state park along the rim of lake Texoma, eat a meal overlooking Highport Marina at the Island Grill, and cap the day off with a sunset boat ride on the lake. If paddle boarding is on the itinerary (which for me it would be 100%) I would add another lake day but head to to Lake Lewisville to Little Elm park and paddle board my heart out! That day would not be complete without a stuffed deep fried avocado at the Hula Hut. If I am feeling a little bougie, Legacy West would be on the itinerary starting with a blow out at the Dry Bar, lunch at North Italia, shopping and people watching then finishing up the day with a fun drink and very Texas meal at Haywire.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I get to wake up every day with opportunities to serve others. I am a full time counselor at Preston Trail Community Church. As a counselor, I walk with people through their unique and often difficult challenges. I feel privileged to have an opportunity to be a voice in people’s lives as they seek healing, wisdom, coaching, and restoration. The senior pastors, Paul Basden and Jim Johnson believe in what I do and their encouragement and support are why I am in the role that I am in today. I also work at the non-profit, Enjoy Your Marriage. Enjoy Your Marriage exists to help married couples enjoy their marriages with retreats, marriage adventures, speaking at conferences, marriage counseling, organizing date nights and more. My co-founder at Enjoy Your Marriage, Warren, is my best friend, biggest supporter and my husband of thirty years. Whether it is behind the scenes or by my side he has always been my biggest encourager and I am eternally grateful for his partnership!

Website: https://enjoyyourmarriage.org

Instagram: enjoy_your_marriage

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sonya-jacobs-mabc-191614158

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warrenandsonya

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@enjoyyourmarriage2046