Check Out Tammy Duke-Feltz’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Duke-Feltz.

Hi Tammy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career in the mental health field working as a drug and alcohol counselor in an intensive outpatient setting. Supporting individuals through recovery taught me the power of resilience, empathy and meet-people-where-they’re-at care. Over time, I transitioned into school-based mental health, where I now work directly with students and families to provide early intervention, emotional support, and behavioral health resources. Helping young people navigate their mental health within their daily learning environment has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.

Alongside my clinical work, my passion for bringing people together naturally led me into event planning. Whether organizing professional conferences, community gatherings or local events, I’ve always loved designing spaces where people feel connected, celebrated, and supported. That same desire to connect authentic stories with a broader audience eventually drew me into content creation and social media.
What began as a creative outlet evolved into partnering with brands on Instagram and TikTok, sharing everyday moments, family experiences, local travel, and lifestyle recommendations.

Today, my work sits at the intersection of these three worlds: supporting mental wellness, creating memorable experiences for others, and using digital platforms to share authentic, relatable content with a growing community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the bumps along the way are what shaped my focus. Early in my career, working in intensive addiction counseling, I was constantly responding to crises at the bottom of the hill. The hardest part was realizing how much trauma and struggle could have been mitigated if support had started years earlier. Making the leap into school-based mental health was a major transition, it meant shifting my entire approach from crisis reaction to early intervention and prevention.

Navigating that shift and building trust with young people in a school setting took time and deep patience, but learning to build those preventative railings at the top of the hill made every single struggle worth it. Not at all, but the struggles are where the real growth happened.

I was diagnosed with MS in 2013, I had to learn how to manage a chronic condition while navigating the daily demands of motherhood with my two kids Ava and Rylan. Balancing health challenges with raising a family and pivoting my career toward school-based mental health was a heavy lift. But I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a School Based Mental Health Provider. (K-12) I also own an Event/Design company since 2009. along with being an Influencer

What sets my approach apart is the unique bridge between intensive outpatient addiction recovery background and school-based prevention and intervention. Having treated complex trauma and addiction at an outpatient level, I bring a deep understanding of crisis management, systemic family dynamics, and long-term recovery strategies into the school context. I’m known for creating approachable, stigma-free spaces where students feel truly seen, validated and empowered, while actively equipping educators and parents with practical tools for mental wellness.

I am most proud of being an advocate for early intervention and school-wide mental health equity. Being able to meet kids where they are, demystify mental health care and intervene before challenges become overwhelming crises is the most rewarding part of my career. Watching a student gain resilience, build self-awareness and thrive academically and personally because they felt supported is what drives everything I do.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is that vulnerability is not a weakness, it is the foundation of true strength and connection.

When you live with Multiple Sclerosis, it is easy to feel as though you have to hide the hard days, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and put on a brave face for everyone around you. But trying to appear invincible doesn’t make you a role model. Real leadership happens when you choose to be open about your struggles, your triumphs and everything in between.
Being an advocate for the MS community taught me that showing up authentically gives others permission to do the same.

When I share my real, unfiltered story the daily adjustments, the resilience it takes, and the hope that keeps me going. I’m not just speaking for myself; I’m helping build a space where no one facing this disease feels isolated or unseen.

Ultimately, being a role model isn’t about having a perfect journey. It’s about showing that even when life throws unexpected challenges your way, you can still lead with purpose, inspire change, and build a meaningful, impactful life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkbyfaith901
• Facebook: Tammy Duke-Feltz