CONVERSATIONS WITH MY DOUBLE DISTINCTION BESTIE, CHIBUAMAM ILECHUKWU ABOUT ACHIEVING PERSONAL SUCCESS

CB has been my friend for the last 15 years. In my blog post about how I become a B student after years of being dubbed "not very bright", I mentioned someone who made me study for my finals amidst having a tummy bug and a high-grade fever. CB was that person. Thanks to her, I passed my  Bachelor of Pharmacy finals in the first sitting. So, In this interview, CB shares some of her tips for academic and personal success as well as the great work she's been doing with hypertensive patients across Nigeria.  

Tobi: Hi CB...How are you doing?

Cb: I'm doing very well. Thank you

Tobi: Thank you for joining this series. So let's get on the subject of achieving personal and academic success. I know you had a distinction in both your undergraduate degree and your postgrad degree. However, take us back to your childhood. Were you always shining academically?

Cb: I'd say yes. I've always been a straight-A student. (laughs). Throughout primary school, I bagged tons and tons of prizes. They used to give us books as prizes and our bookshelf at my parent's home is still filled with many of those books. And in Secondary school, I came first place from JSS1 to SS3; all three terms and I had the best results in the board exams (WAEC, I mean) for my set. So it really has always been like that for me. 

Tobi:  What influenced your study habit growing up?

CB: To be honest, I don't even know for sure, but one thing my parents always did was correct us whenever we got our tenses or pronunciations wrong.  Then my Dad always taught us maths and somehow it became ingrained in all of us (my siblings and I)  to work hard at school. 

Tobi: So your parents pushed you academically? 

No, my parents didn't push me. We didn't even have strict study times. However, I'd say they encouraged us to study.  

Tobi: You were my study partner for my first year of Uni and we had a rigorous study regimen that year. Studying after lectures till about 10.30 pm on most days.  What inspired you to have that lifestyle?

CB: Hahaha...I remember those days like yesterday. In fact (ehn) I was just telling my husband how we found virtually every reading spot back in UI {University of Ibadan};  from Chemistry Room C5 to Physics to FLT to CBN to KDL.

Tobi: We found every reading spot back then!

CB: Yes we did. I even had designated reading corners in Queen's Hall reading room and then at St. Anne's hostel when I moved there. I guess I just had a burning desire to excel at my studies. 

Tobi: You had a vibrant social life back then. Tell us about that. I don't think I recall you being a book worm. 

Cb: Actually, I was a bookworm. (Laughs). Well, a bookworm that still wanted to "experience" the university. You know, that line "do not just pass through the university, allow the university to pass through you?"

 Tobi: Yeah...

CB:  So my belief was that even though pharmacy school was quite rigorous, I had to find a way to still have fun and create memories. I remember convincing  10 to 15 of us in year two, to travel for an entire week to the PANS Convention in OAU. That experience was one of the highlights of my undergrad. 

Interestingly, I was always on the excursion committee. In fact, in our final year, I was the excursion committee chairperson and we organized the biggest faculty excursion ever. We spent a night at the LA Campagne Tropicana Resort in Lagos. From participating in Inter-Faculty debates to becoming a Superbowl finalist (the largest public speaking event in Ibadan), 

Tobi: Ahh...I remember that one; where you gave that speech rendition by Chimamanda; The Danger of a Single Story. That was lit. 

CB: (Laughs) Thanks. From all that to state association events and fellowship leadership roles. I really wanted to be an all-rounder; at least, as much as Pharmacy school and my ambition for good grades could allow. 

Tobi: But how did you balance your social life with your academics?

CB: I knew I wanted A's in school so I paid close attention to that. I played more beginning of the semester and only when I was confident, I was ready for exams. Also, with time, I understood the strategy for each course and prepared accordingly for the exams. 

Tobi: With both your parents being academics; as an undergrad, did you ever feel like you needed to prove yourself to them?

CB: No, I never felt any undue pressure at all.

Tobi: I doubt there is anyone who has not failed at something before? Tell us about your experience at something you failed at or did not do well?

CB: Year 2. Physiology 205. I failed that one course! 

Tobi: We both failed that course (laughs)

CB: First time ever all my life! I scored 44 and I was devastated and shocked. It was the experience of my lifetime. I cried and I prayed for a miracle. The shame and pain were out of this world.

Tobi: I can't even remember my score but I already told my parents that I could repeat year 2 if I didn't pass the resit exams. 

CB: But interestingly, my parents didn't even take it that bad. They encouraged me. Plus it turned out that more than half of the class failed the course anyway, so it wasn't like I, all of a sudden, became a dullard (laughs). I gradually moved from being in denial to taking ownership of what had happened 

That experience was very humbling for me. It taught me that anybody could fail. It also taught me to pick myself up in spite of failure. I read for the re-sit with vexation in my spirit. I mean, who wouldn't be vexed if failing one course means repeating an entire academic year? Long story short, I gave them the "marking-scheme" on exam day and I got an A when the resit result came out. 

Tobi: That was a good story, CB. Now, there is a quote I always think about, "remember to play after every storm". Can you describe the feeling of achieving a goal you set your mind to? Take us through that experience.

CB: Hmm...Let me just share one from down memory lane, So for Final year, I set my heart to bag a distinction in Veterinary Pharmacy and although it was tough, I was so glad I able to achieve it.

These days,  I work marathon. Because of the nature of my business, there are always activities to do, emails, and requests to respond to. But I make a conscious note to relax more especially after intense periods of work. 

Tobi: You decided to become a health transformation coach. How rewarding has this experience been?

CB: Being a health transformation coach as well as being a pharmacist has been one of the most rewarding experiences and decisions of my life. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve clients at a deeper level. Over the years,  my work has evolved into working with middle-aged businesswomen and entrepreneurs who struggle with managing their high blood pressure. I work with them to lower their BP naturally so that they swallow fewer or no drugs daily. With time, the adverse effects of those drugs disappear, their blood pressure is well controlled and they can enjoy their best lives in super health.

Tobi: So you find fulfillment being a health coach? 

CB: Of course Tobi. I find utmost fulfillment, excitement, and vigor in being able to create outstanding results for our clients, especially when they've basically lost hope and become overwhelmed with swallowing different pills every single day. We help their bodies self-heal, stop the progression, and reverse the high blood pressure using our unique SAM strategy. And the beauty of this holistic approach to health is that they may come to us with just hypertension, but their healing transcends every aspect of their lives from better weight control to increased energy levels and better sleep. 

Can you imagine the kind of joy and fulfillment you feel knowing you helped someone break free from the burden they thought they had no power over? For me, that joy is what wakes me up every morning and gives me the drive to share more videos, write blog articles, and promote our work on social media. 

Tobi: Yeah,  I watched one of your videos on Youtube about your morning routine. Tell us about that and my question is, do those things really work? 

CB: Absolutely. As a 'personal development junkie', almost every book I've read highlights the power of organizing and taking charge of your mornings. That particular video was based on adopting the recommendations from the Miracle Morning book by Hal Erod. The big idea is that if you're in control of your mind, thoughts, and energy every morning,  you'd be less stressed throughout the day and more focused. The routine I shared is actually part of our "mind detox" training for our clients.  I think you and your readers should try it for the next 30 days. 

Tobi: Ok Ma (laughs). Yeah. I'll put up the link to the video so people can watch it. 

CB: Thanks. 

Tobi: No problem, Ok so, next question. People talk about the God factor when it comes to academics or our personal lives. Do you believe that we can achieve more if we are more spiritual?

Yes, I believe we achieve more when we are more spiritual because some things in life are spiritually discerned. And God can save you a lot of heartaches, and errors, if you pay attention to His promptings. 

Tobi: How do you stay motivated?

Cb: I stay motivated by always improving my art and craft.  I always sign up for one challenge or coaching Programme. So that constant interaction, push, and motivation from people ahead of me keeps me on my toes and motivates me to do more.

Tobi: What tip do you think every young person should know about achieving academic success?

Cb: My top tip for academic success would be: understand yourself, your strengths, your reading and learning patterns, and work with that in mind. Also, always aim for excellence. 

Tobi: Finally, if you could pick a word to two that sums your life experience so far, what would those words be?

Cb: One word, actually: Phenomenal.

Tobi: Wow. I love that. CB, thank you for your time and it was a pleasure talking to you. 

Cb:  Thanks, It was great walking memory lane. Thanks for having me too. 

Pharm Chibuamam Ilechukwu is a Health Transformation Coach, Amazon-published author and blogger. She works with people with high blood pressure looking for natural ways to control it,using her unique "SAM" Strategy.

Learn more about her at www.chibuamamilechukwu.com