Wellness in Pride Month: The Importance of Inclusivity in Wellness

As Pride Month unfolds, it's a time for celebration, reflection, and an opportunity to emphasize the importance of wellness within the LGBTQ+ community. For me, this journey is deeply personal. My name is Tyler Beakley, founder of Relyt, a wellness brand that embodies the principles of inclusivity and self-care. Today, I want to share my story, my journey into herbalism, and why inclusivity in wellness is so essential.

Choosing Love and Myself

Coming out and choosing to be with my now-wife was one of the most revolutionary and brave decisions I’ve ever made. As a recovering people-pleaser, I had always prioritized the comfort and expectations of others over my own happiness. This decision marked a turning point where I chose love and myself, knowing it would upset some people and disrupt their preconceived notions of who I was. It felt like the first true step towards authenticity and self-acceptance.

At 35,  I’m still learning that people-pleasing and seeking external validation lead to an unfulfilled life. My journey into the LGBTQ+ community was about embracing my true self and prioritizing my happiness over others' expectations. It was a bold step, but one that brought me closer to my authentic self.

Discovering Herbalism: A Path to Healing

My journey into herbalism began while I was living and working in Long Beach, California. As a flight attendant based out of LAX, I traveled extensively, but my health was suffering. I dealt with various health issues, and modern medicine wasn’t providing the solutions I needed. My body was crying out for better care, and that’s when I stumbled upon herbalism, guided by an herbalist named Julie James.

Julie’s approach to herbalism felt like common sense and resonated deeply with me. I immersed myself in the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Western herbalism, and Native American practices. Traveling as a flight attendant, I carried textbooks on these subjects, constantly seeking knowledge and ways to heal myself. The lifestyle of a flight attendant exposed me to diverse healing modalities and underscored the importance of adaptogenic herbs and nutrient-rich, native plants.

Herbalism became a way for me to take control of my health, and the results were astounding. What began as a personal journey to wellness evolved into a passion for sharing these benefits with others. I realized that many teas and herbal products on the market were either not up to my standards or contained unnecessary additives. I wanted something high-quality and pure, made with ingredients I could trust. This desire led me to start formulating my own products, first for myself and my family, and eventually for a broader audience.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I used the time at home to build a website, work on branding, and transform my hobby into what would become Relyt. I wanted to inspire others to take an interest in herbalism, to be informed about what they’re consuming, and to embrace self-care practices rooted in ancient traditions. My goal was to offer products that empowered people to make informed choices about their wellness.

Inclusivity in Wellness: Empowerment and Curiosity

Inclusivity in wellness means empowering people, sparking curiosity, and making individuals feel seen and heard. At Relyt, we don’t view people as ailments to be fixed but as whole beings deserving of respect and understanding. Wellness shouldn’t be about highlighting flaws and selling quick fixes; it should be about exploring how we want to feel, what we want to put into our bodies, and making empowered choices.

We incorporate a lot of education into our offerings because knowledge is power. By understanding the ingredients and their benefits, our customers can make informed decisions. Beautiful packaging is important, but the real value lies in the quality of what’s inside and the trust our customers place in us. We aim to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to ask questions and engage with our products without intimidation or judgment.

Pride Month: Celebrating Wellness and Acceptance

Pride Month is an essential time to focus on wellness in the LGBTQ+ community because true wellness can only be achieved when we feel safe, accepted, and loved for who we are. Many in our community face daily challenges that make it difficult to prioritize their health. When you’re worried about bullying, harmful thoughts, or even holding your partner’s hand in public, wellness can feel like a distant luxury.

I’ve been fortunate to experience relative safety as a white female who is straight-passing, but not everyone in our community has that privilege. Until we create a society where trans kids are valued, LGBTQ+ individuals are embraced, and no one is turned away by their families, we can’t fully achieve wellness. At Relyt, we proudly state that we are a lesbian-owned and operated company. We know that being open about our identity may lose us some followers, but it’s crucial to stand by our values and continue to show up as our true, authentic selves.

A Message of Unity and Love

The message I want to convey during Pride Month is that we are not well until we are all well. If being yourself makes you unsafe, that’s not your problem—it’s society’s problem. We need to practice what we preach and love each other unconditionally. Only then can we hope to achieve true wellness.

Self-care and wellness are vital, but they’re not on the top of everyone’s mind when they’re struggling just to feel safe. We must work towards a world where everyone can prioritize their health and well-being without fear. This Pride Month, let’s commit to loving and supporting each other, embracing inclusivity, and recognizing that we are all in this together.

At Relyt, we celebrate Pride Month by continuing to advocate for inclusivity, acceptance, and love. We believe in the power of community and the importance of wellness for all. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Happy Pride Month, from all of us at Relyt.