Author bio, formally
Leanna Mae, nonfiction author of 5 books thus far, writes workbooks and educational guides on a variety of topics. Her bookography includes Happily Frugal, The Subject of Salvation, Lactation Lessons From Leanna, The Book Coach's Secrets, & Lessons on the Author Life. Her ideal reader is the driven individual seeking knowledge to improve their life through reading, taking classes, and striving to elevate their journey. Education is empowerment. Leanna loves to connect with people who love to learn and grow. You can learn more about her books at www.LeannaMae.org Connect with her on social media through the links given on her website.
Her degree is in health sciences. She has a passion for patient education, particularly within women's health. Leanna is a maternal-infant wellness educator, a doula (birth and bereavement), and lactation specialist. She also holds an interest for mental health, particularly mood disorders and substance abuse. She enjoys supporting people, meeting individuals where they are at, nurturing their growth, and watching people grow on their own unique journeys in life.
Leanna is an INTJ (so close to INFJ). She has an unquenchable passion for writing as well as organizing information and presenting knowledge in an easily applicable manner. Leanna also loves to teach. When she’s not busy writing, she’s probably thinking about what to write next. Creating images for social media and doing photography are some of her favorite ways to unwind. A camera in her hands feels like a natural extension of her.
She’s a devout Christian, Apostolic Pentecostal. Ohio is home. Leanna is a night owl who lives off sweet tea and iced coffee. Burritos are a food group. She’s vegetarian, a bit crunchy, and likes to be green. Purple and brown are her colors (maybe glitter too). She’s captivated by the stars on a clear night and every picture of the Milky Way. An animal lover, she adores bunnies and dogs. She collects mason jars and loves the smell of a campfire. Semi-obsessed with the autumn season, she keeps pumpkin decorations out all year long. String lights make her smile. She’s country rustic with a collection of antiques, and is a firm believer that all porches should have rocking chairs to sit in during the rain.
Writing. Teaching.
Health sciences. Health care. Patient education.
Supporting people. Nurturing growth.
Empowering women. Improving outcomes.
Love, Leanna Mae.
Her degree is in health sciences. She has a passion for patient education, particularly within women's health. Leanna is a maternal-infant wellness educator, a doula (birth and bereavement), and lactation specialist. She also holds an interest for mental health, particularly mood disorders and substance abuse. She enjoys supporting people, meeting individuals where they are at, nurturing their growth, and watching people grow on their own unique journeys in life.
Leanna is an INTJ (so close to INFJ). She has an unquenchable passion for writing as well as organizing information and presenting knowledge in an easily applicable manner. Leanna also loves to teach. When she’s not busy writing, she’s probably thinking about what to write next. Creating images for social media and doing photography are some of her favorite ways to unwind. A camera in her hands feels like a natural extension of her.
She’s a devout Christian, Apostolic Pentecostal. Ohio is home. Leanna is a night owl who lives off sweet tea and iced coffee. Burritos are a food group. She’s vegetarian, a bit crunchy, and likes to be green. Purple and brown are her colors (maybe glitter too). She’s captivated by the stars on a clear night and every picture of the Milky Way. An animal lover, she adores bunnies and dogs. She collects mason jars and loves the smell of a campfire. Semi-obsessed with the autumn season, she keeps pumpkin decorations out all year long. String lights make her smile. She’s country rustic with a collection of antiques, and is a firm believer that all porches should have rocking chairs to sit in during the rain.
Writing. Teaching.
Health sciences. Health care. Patient education.
Supporting people. Nurturing growth.
Empowering women. Improving outcomes.
Love, Leanna Mae.
About me, casually
"Tell me about yourself"
Don't we all go blank for a minute when someone asks us to tell them who we are? I'm Christian, Apostolic Pentecostal. That's the core of my identity and lifestyle. I'm an author. That's who I am. It's my purpose. It's my passion. It's the reason I breathe. I'm an indie teacher. I teach classes on women's health (mainly birth prep) and I love it! I work in women's health as a birth doula and breastfeeding specialist. My degree is in health sciences. Here is my best ramble at introducing myself.
Hello! I'm Leanna Mae. I'm Apostolic Pentecostal. I'm a nonfiction writer who indie publishes books and writes blogs to the world. I find deep joy in a mason jar glass of basic vanilla iced coffee. I love the sound of rain. It soothes me. I could eat burritos every day and never get tired of it. I published my first book in 2012 at 24 years old. I love love love writing. It's the reason I breathe. I also teach classes on women's health and I love that too. Teaching makes my heart smile. I'm a birth doula which I think is the one of the coolest jobs in the world. My degree is in health sciences. String lights make me happy. I get overly excited about flowers every year. Pink dahlias are my favorite. So are mums. Purple and brown are my favorite colors. I like the calmness of neutrals. I'm an autumn lover through and through. I love a crisp 50 degrees with a gentle breeze. Ohio is home. I belong in the country, but live in a small town. I'm at peace when I'm surrounded by farms. I've always wanted to build my own house. I dream of having a barn that I can convert to a giant library, but I want to be over-the-top about it and have glass doors on all my bookcases because dust is my enemy (I'm allergic to dust). I love the smell of a wood-burning stove. Jesus, writing, books, women's health, and patient education are my passions. I'm a night owl who is always captivated looking at the stars (and doesn't want to be awake before 11am). I'm an extreme introvert who wants to be at home 90% of the time (INTJ but so close to INFJ). I only want to travel if there is somewhere I want to take pictures of. I love taking pictures! Having a camera in my hand feels like a natural extension of me. You can probably find me wandering off to take pictures of flowers anywhere I go. If I want to go out, I want to go for a country drive or go to a park. Parks that have lakes with a lot of pebbles and the water gently lapping the shore always feels like a piece of vacation. Country rustic is my permanent style. I have fun shopping at thrift stores and antique shops. I'm definitely not a minimalist. I want the heirlooms and the knick-knacks and the little things that make me smile. I like to have walls full of decoration, canvases, and pictures. Billy Jacobs is my favorite painter. My Mom and I both collect his work. I'm a tee shirt, jean skirt, barefoot, natural living type who wants to buy the goat milk soap but doesn't feel guilty that my favorite place to eat is Taco Bell. I think every porch needs a rocking chair to drink coffee in the rain. I would love to move out to the country and have a homestead where I can be all crunchy and grow a big garden and watch the fireflies dance in the field on summer nights. I collect Hullware and fully believe you can never have too many mason jars. I totally want to be that homemaker/homesteading woman who sews and crochets and makes all her own things and has a garden to be envious of who also cans countless jars in her homemade apron, but I give all my spare time to writing. It is a goal of mine to get better at those domestic skills. I'm quieter than a cricket in a crowd, but can talk for hours one on one or in small groups. I'm addicted to sweet tea and name the decorative chickens in my kitchen. Organization makes me content. I am that person with multiple planners who keeps post-its in her giant purse and finds it satisfying to tidy. I also love candles and my favorite scents are toasted hazelnut, caramel, apple pie, banana bread, and candles that smell like coffee. I want to spend the rest of my life writing books + blogs and reaching the world through my website.
Hello! I'm Leanna Mae. I'm Apostolic Pentecostal. I'm a nonfiction writer who indie publishes books and writes blogs to the world. I find deep joy in a mason jar glass of basic vanilla iced coffee. I love the sound of rain. It soothes me. I could eat burritos every day and never get tired of it. I published my first book in 2012 at 24 years old. I love love love writing. It's the reason I breathe. I also teach classes on women's health and I love that too. Teaching makes my heart smile. I'm a birth doula which I think is the one of the coolest jobs in the world. My degree is in health sciences. String lights make me happy. I get overly excited about flowers every year. Pink dahlias are my favorite. So are mums. Purple and brown are my favorite colors. I like the calmness of neutrals. I'm an autumn lover through and through. I love a crisp 50 degrees with a gentle breeze. Ohio is home. I belong in the country, but live in a small town. I'm at peace when I'm surrounded by farms. I've always wanted to build my own house. I dream of having a barn that I can convert to a giant library, but I want to be over-the-top about it and have glass doors on all my bookcases because dust is my enemy (I'm allergic to dust). I love the smell of a wood-burning stove. Jesus, writing, books, women's health, and patient education are my passions. I'm a night owl who is always captivated looking at the stars (and doesn't want to be awake before 11am). I'm an extreme introvert who wants to be at home 90% of the time (INTJ but so close to INFJ). I only want to travel if there is somewhere I want to take pictures of. I love taking pictures! Having a camera in my hand feels like a natural extension of me. You can probably find me wandering off to take pictures of flowers anywhere I go. If I want to go out, I want to go for a country drive or go to a park. Parks that have lakes with a lot of pebbles and the water gently lapping the shore always feels like a piece of vacation. Country rustic is my permanent style. I have fun shopping at thrift stores and antique shops. I'm definitely not a minimalist. I want the heirlooms and the knick-knacks and the little things that make me smile. I like to have walls full of decoration, canvases, and pictures. Billy Jacobs is my favorite painter. My Mom and I both collect his work. I'm a tee shirt, jean skirt, barefoot, natural living type who wants to buy the goat milk soap but doesn't feel guilty that my favorite place to eat is Taco Bell. I think every porch needs a rocking chair to drink coffee in the rain. I would love to move out to the country and have a homestead where I can be all crunchy and grow a big garden and watch the fireflies dance in the field on summer nights. I collect Hullware and fully believe you can never have too many mason jars. I totally want to be that homemaker/homesteading woman who sews and crochets and makes all her own things and has a garden to be envious of who also cans countless jars in her homemade apron, but I give all my spare time to writing. It is a goal of mine to get better at those domestic skills. I'm quieter than a cricket in a crowd, but can talk for hours one on one or in small groups. I'm addicted to sweet tea and name the decorative chickens in my kitchen. Organization makes me content. I am that person with multiple planners who keeps post-its in her giant purse and finds it satisfying to tidy. I also love candles and my favorite scents are toasted hazelnut, caramel, apple pie, banana bread, and candles that smell like coffee. I want to spend the rest of my life writing books + blogs and reaching the world through my website.
Where home is
Ohio is home. I'm a small town girl living not too far from Dayton, Ohio. My heart is in the rolling hills of Appalachia. I'd love to live in the mountains, but I'll stay close to family. Ohio is such a beautiful state. We have rolling hills in the south, miles of peaceful farmland, beautiful nature and country roads. While I'm not a city person (I despise traffic), Dayton does have a lot to offer and many great people. This is a wonderful place to be. Ohio will always be home.
My grandparents came from Kentucky (except for my Nana who was from England). My family line is deeply rooted in Appalachia tracing back to colonial America. I enjoy genealogy research. Prior to many generations in Kentucky, most of my ancestors settled in Virginia or North Carolina and had come over from England and Ireland (a few from Germany). America is such a beautiful nation with much to love, but I'll never leave Appalachia.
I would love to move out a little more to the country and have a homestead someday.
My grandparents came from Kentucky (except for my Nana who was from England). My family line is deeply rooted in Appalachia tracing back to colonial America. I enjoy genealogy research. Prior to many generations in Kentucky, most of my ancestors settled in Virginia or North Carolina and had come over from England and Ireland (a few from Germany). America is such a beautiful nation with much to love, but I'll never leave Appalachia.
I would love to move out a little more to the country and have a homestead someday.
Faith
I'm Christian. I’m Apostolic Pentecostal. I was formerly atheist. Deciding to follow Jesus was a life-changing decision that I am forever grateful I made. I became a Christian in November 2005 at 17 years old. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit in spring of 2011. I attend an amazing church that happens to be WPF. I’m not affiliated with a denomination. I do my best to follow the bible as I grow in my understanding of his word. My faith is a big part of my lifestyle and daily walk. Check out my blog series on my faith journey to learn more.
Personality
- Myers-Briggs type: I’m an INTJ. I’m very close to INFJ though.
- I am an introvert to the core.
- Quiet but sassy, I like to laugh
- I covet peace and quietness. I’m definitely a “Let’s look at the stars” or go to a park kind of person. I’m not a “Let’s go somewhere crowded” kind of person.
- I’m quiet in crowds, but I can talk your ears off one-on-one or in small groups. I love connecting with people as individuals. Crowds not so much.
- I’m a very passionate person. I love talking about meaningful things and exploring deep topics.
- Organization makes me happy. I am that person who organizes everything, makes diagrams, categorizes, sub-categorizes, and color-coordinates. I like planners, post-its, notes, and dry erase boards. I am a planner! I’ve been known to tackle organization projects for other people too. If you joke that you want me to come over and organize your pantry, it might actually happen. It’s satisfying to organize things!
Education
Degrees
My associate's degree is in health sciences (May 2018). I went to Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. Sinclair is actually a really good school for that program. Being one of the biggest community college campuses in the nation, they have a large academic division for health care training. There are over 50 health related programs. My favorite thing about my degree program is about half of it was all electives. I was able to choose from a wide variety of health related classes to customize my education to my interests. I love health sciences. It's the perfect degree for me. The topic has fascinated me my whole life. I had started out a nursing major with the intention to become a RN CNM IBCLC, but switched to health sciences because the main thing I want to do in healthcare is patient education.
Future plans:
If I ever go back for another degree, I'm very interested in a bachelor's of integrated healthcare studies from Ohio University. I really like that program! I don't currently see myself spending the money for another degree. If I do, I've considered grad school. I've thought about med school, PA school, public health, and nurse-midwifery of course. None of it was the right path for me. Then I discovered Texas A&M's master's degree in education for healthcare professionals. If I went the grad school route, I have no doubt that would be my degree of choice. Most likely, I am done with my college years though I would enjoy taking classes out of personal interest.
Certifications
- I stay current on first aid and basic lifesaver support (American Heart Association or Red Cross).
- I've taken multiple birth doula trainings. I do hold certification in that. My initial birth doula training was in November 2008.
- I'm trained and certified as a bereavement doula through Stillbirthday University (2019).
- In 2014 I gained certification as a breastfeeding specialist through Lactation Education Resources. That certificate lasts for 5 years. I started the program again in 2020 and renewed certification in 2021.
Trainings
I was formerly certified as a chemical dependency counselor assistant. I took a lot of mental health classes in college. I'm particularly interested in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and recovery. At one time, I considered double-majoring to also get a degree in substance abuse counseling.
Personal interest
I'd like to always pursue education on things that interest me. I firmly believe that an adult's self-led education produces the deepest roots. Read books. Take classes. Attend workshops. Sit in on seminars and take notes. Watch documentaries. Seek and you will find. Receive knowledge. Apply it to your life. Experience growth.
My associate's degree is in health sciences (May 2018). I went to Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. Sinclair is actually a really good school for that program. Being one of the biggest community college campuses in the nation, they have a large academic division for health care training. There are over 50 health related programs. My favorite thing about my degree program is about half of it was all electives. I was able to choose from a wide variety of health related classes to customize my education to my interests. I love health sciences. It's the perfect degree for me. The topic has fascinated me my whole life. I had started out a nursing major with the intention to become a RN CNM IBCLC, but switched to health sciences because the main thing I want to do in healthcare is patient education.
Future plans:
If I ever go back for another degree, I'm very interested in a bachelor's of integrated healthcare studies from Ohio University. I really like that program! I don't currently see myself spending the money for another degree. If I do, I've considered grad school. I've thought about med school, PA school, public health, and nurse-midwifery of course. None of it was the right path for me. Then I discovered Texas A&M's master's degree in education for healthcare professionals. If I went the grad school route, I have no doubt that would be my degree of choice. Most likely, I am done with my college years though I would enjoy taking classes out of personal interest.
Certifications
- I stay current on first aid and basic lifesaver support (American Heart Association or Red Cross).
- I've taken multiple birth doula trainings. I do hold certification in that. My initial birth doula training was in November 2008.
- I'm trained and certified as a bereavement doula through Stillbirthday University (2019).
- In 2014 I gained certification as a breastfeeding specialist through Lactation Education Resources. That certificate lasts for 5 years. I started the program again in 2020 and renewed certification in 2021.
Trainings
I was formerly certified as a chemical dependency counselor assistant. I took a lot of mental health classes in college. I'm particularly interested in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and recovery. At one time, I considered double-majoring to also get a degree in substance abuse counseling.
Personal interest
I'd like to always pursue education on things that interest me. I firmly believe that an adult's self-led education produces the deepest roots. Read books. Take classes. Attend workshops. Sit in on seminars and take notes. Watch documentaries. Seek and you will find. Receive knowledge. Apply it to your life. Experience growth.
Career
People talk about having a purpose in life. They speak of that purpose as if there is only one thing they are meant to be or do. I believe people can have multiple callings. You have more than one purpose. You are more dynamic than that. I firmly believe I was created and am on this earth to be a writer, a teacher, and a birth-worker. Here is what I do.
- I am an author. Above all other things, writing is my passion. I write nonfiction books. I write blogs. I make patient handouts. Writing is the reason I breathe.
- I am an educator. I love to teach. It is one of my greatest joys. For many years (before social media was even a thing), my dream was to teach online and be able to have students all over the world. My goal is to reach women who otherwise would not have access to education. I prefer to teach one-on-one or in small groups rather than a traditional classroom. I enjoy connecting with people, meeting them where they are at, and journeying with them in their growth. I teach through my writing & through graphics & through workshops and classes.
- I am a birth doula. I became a doula in November of 2008.
- I also feel led to offer bereavement support for perinatal and infant loss.
- I am a breastfeeding specialist. I remember taking my first doula training back in 2008. I was only 20 years old. When I found out that doulas are supposed to help with breastfeeding, I had a freak out moment because I knew nothing. I read books. I learned the basics. I decided in my early 20s that I wanted to also become a lactation consultant (on the side of being a midwife). In 2014 I started the path to become an IBCLC. I did my lactation specific education through Lactation Education Resources, and much to my surprise I completely fell in love with it. I love the science behind it all. It’s such a dynamic field because it’s a sub-specialty of women’s health. It’s science. It’s healthcare. It’s bedside care. It’s mental health. It’s culture. It’s social work sometimes. There’s so much that goes into it. My favorite part is the way it’s like a puzzle to figure out what’s wrong, how to fix it, and then carry out the solution. I ended up falling in love with lactation care. After a few years of helping people informally, I began offering lactation consultant services. I really enjoy tackling lactation issues and helping families give their infants the best nutrition possible.
- Someday I will formally add photography to my services. I was about 12 years old when I started saying I wanted to be a photographer. At that age, I specifically remember wanting to be a lightning photographer. I’ve always loved taking pictures. Candid is my style. I feel at peace with a camera in my hand. It feels like an extension of me. I look forward to getting a real camera someday and being able to capture memories for people.
- In the future, I am interested in becoming a midwife.
Goals
- I want to reach the world with my faith blogs.
- One of my top goals is always finishing whatever book I’m currently working on. Write. Publish. Hold my creation in my hands.
- One of my biggest goals in life is to write a book series on women's health and infant care.
- Teach classes online and have students all over the world.
- Improve outcomes in maternity care and infant health.
- I want to see the Milky Way.
- I want to see the northern lights.
- I’d like to touch the ocean for the first time.
- I need to get out more and experience the world. I'm always telling myself I should socialize more (I'm going to introvert).
Interests and things I'm passionate about
- Jesus
- Writing
- Books
- Women’s health, especially in maternity and lactation
- Supporting mental health, particularly mood disorders and substance abuse and the recovery
- I have a thirst for learning about things I’m interested in.
- I like to be aware of environmental toxins and how we can reduce toxins and make healthier choices.
- Bit by bit, I am learning more domestic skills. I’ve always been interested in the old-fashioned ways: gardening, home canning and food preservation, sewing, crocheting, making soap, making candles, etc… I generally spend all my spare time writing, but I try to make time to learn new domestic skills every now and again.
- I’m always interested in having deep, meaningful conversations with people that can stimulate my mind.
- I grow by growing others. I enjoy watching people on their own unique journeys of discovery and growth. I enjoy helping people improve their lives. I like to meet people where they are at in life and watch the beauty of their path in this world unfold. Seeing people create what they want out of their days is deeply satisfying.
Hobbies
- Introverting
- Writing
- Making graphics: I love making promotional images for my books and business as well as taking quotes and turning them into images
- Reading
- Researching whatever interests me
- Planning out my big dreams
- Making lists
- Organizing
- Designing houses
- Star gazing
- Spending too much time on Facebook and Pinterest
Other things that I love (besides writing and books)
- Bunnies and dogs! I am an animal lover.
- I love autumn. I am a huge autumn lover, pumpkin décor, smiles at leaves, owns countless cardigans, the whole 9 yards
- Wood burning stoves and classic brick fireplaces
- The crackling of a campfire
- Being a night owl
- Pajamas – comfort clothes for the win
- I might have an excessive amount of flannels.
- Country rustic home décor – Country rustic has always been my style. I also like antiques. You can never have too many mason jars. I cherish family heirlooms, especially silver (utensils and serverware).
- I have a Hullware collection with the brown drip glaze dishes and pottery. It was my Nana’s collection passed down to my Mom and given to me. I use it daily.
- Coffee mugs
- Burritos. I should definitely put that on the list. I eat a lot of burritos! It is my favorite food. I’m vegetarian – well, halfway at least. I do not eat meat (mammals), but I still eat chicken, turkey, and fish. Honorary mention of something I love: vegetarian potato tacos.
- I’m a sweet tea addict. I sweeten it with Stevia. I make my tea 2 gallons at a time in the biggest stockpot I have.
- Iced coffee makes me happy. My homemade iced coffee fix is decaf Folgers, almond milk, and vanilla creamer. My Dunkin Donuts happy treat is a large vanilla iced coffee with almond milk, creamer, no sweetener.
- The stars - I could stare at the stars every night for the rest of my life, and I hope we can still see them in heaven.
I’m generally an open book. If there’s anything else you want to know about me, feel welcome to ask.