Pensacola “Moms to Know”
Sponsored by: KIA AUTOSPORT OF PENSACOLA
We are grateful to our sponsor, KIA AutoSport of Pensacola, for supporting our mission of educating, encouraging, and empowering local moms through the lifelong journey of parenthood.
If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured in our Moms to Know series, contact us through the form below.
Meet Angel Bradley
Tell us about your family. How many kids do you have? What are their ages?
I have been married to my loving husband, Clifford, for eight years. We have one son, Davy. He is 14 years old, in the 8th grade, and attends Brown Barge Middle School.
What do you do for a living?
I am a Health Education Program Manager/Wellness Specialist at the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County.
What do you like about raising a family in Pensacola? What is challenging about raising a family here?
Pensacola gives that “hometown” feel. It offers southern hospitality with a touch of city life. It’s laidback, which is what describes my family.
Because it is “home,” there’s always the urge to want to escape. Although there are many things to it, the list becomes slim with a growing young man who loves to travel and see the world outside of where he lives.
What do you consider to be the greatest joy of motherhood? The greatest challenge?
The greatest joy in motherhood is that my son gave me and helped me find my purpose in life. If it were not for him, I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today. Motherhood has provided me with rewards every second, minute, and hour of each day with all the love, care, and warmth that only your child can provide.
MOM in our house means “My Other Mom.”
See, Davy is my step-son, but to him and myself alike, he is my son. We remove the word “step” because it’s just simply a title, but in the essence of it all, he is my son, and our bond is unbreakable. Unconditional love is such a joy and experiencing the small moments that can’t be characterized or explained.
The greatest challenge? I always worry if I am making the “right” decision. As a mother, you want what is best for your child, so one of the greatest challenges is worrying if I am doing a good job.
What do you do to recharge? How do you practice self-care?
It took me a very long time to learn the word recharge. Within the last year, I’ve embraced it. I’ve learned that I am my best self after a recharge and a mental health break.
There’s a variation of things that I do to recharge. I’ve taken my health more seriously within the past year. Exercise is one of the things I do to recharge. I feel like a completely new human afterward. I also meditate, pray, and spend time with close friends and family. Because I am a true introvert, the best recharge for me is to take a break from people and things and spend time alone.
Self-care doesn’t happen much, but the word “No” has become quite powerful and gratifying. Saying “yes” to myself more and “no” to others has been my self-care. There is no hurt or harm intended, but one can’t keep pouring from an empty cup, and my cup has been empty more times than I would have liked.
To be the best version of myself, I have to take care of myself.
What is your favorite local thing to do/place to go?
I’m a sports gal, so locally, I love attending the Blue Wahoo baseball games or University of West Florida football home games (Go Argos!). My favorite local place to go is anywhere in Downtown Pensacola.
What book are you reading (or listening to) right now? Do you have a favorite podcast?
Right now, I am reading “The Body Keeps Score.” It’s about the brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. My motto for the year “Mental Health is Wealth,” so this is my book of choice for the moment. I do not have a favorite podcast, but searching for recommendations.
What is your favorite local business in Pensacola?
My favorite local business in Pensacola is Mosoco, formerly known as Prime Lash and Brow. Of course, beautification is important to a woman. As busy mothers, we often throw our hair in a messy bun and look mediocre because of our active lifestyles. My girl, Ashton Wilson, is not only the owner and founder of Mosoco, but she’s my brow specialist, my therapist (whether she realizes it or not), friend, and sister. Talk about self-care and beautification in one! I’ve laughed and cried in her chair all while she’s listened and provided me with sound advice.
What is your best advice for a new mom or a mom in a difficult season?
For a mom in a difficult season, my advice is to just keep swimming! It’s my daily reminder every single morning when I rise. Continue pushing towards whatever goal you’ve set, finish strong and persevere through the hard times.
What is the one thing you wish you could tell ALL moms about raising kids?
My mother passed down to me that what makes a great parent isn’t only defined by action but also by intent. No mother is perfect, and no child is perfect either. Love is a verb! Walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk.
Find your balance, and just keep swimming. Okay, that was more than one thing. I couldn’t resist!
Anything else you would like us to know about yourself that makes you uniquely you?
What makes me uniquely me is that I love, love, love my community and serve with a fervent heart:
- I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
- Serve as the Unit Board Vice-President of Lamplighters, Inc.
- Serve on the Board of PensaPrenuer, Inc.
- Serve on the Board of Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
- Community Vice-President with Junior League of Pensacola
- Quality of Life Coordinator with Pensacola Young Professionals
- Health Equity Ambassador with American Psychological Association
- Student of the Year Chair with Escambia County Council of PTAs
- Ambassador with Gulf Coast Kids House
- Ambassador with United Way of West Florida
All while being a wife and mother to a son that plays travel baseball, basketball, is a Kidpreneur, a published author, the 2019 Camp Fire USA National Incredible Kid Honoree, and the 2020 President’s Volunteer Service Award Honoree.
To all of the mothers out there…
Just Keep Swimming!
