In the book, Mandisa described how she turned to food in her struggles, gaining weight and then isolating herself out of shame. At one point, she even considered taking her own life, according to People. She ultimately credited an intervention from her friends and loved ones for helping her.
“During my life I’ve been drawn into friendships with all types of people—some very different from me,” she wrote, according to People. “My tribe has included men, women, single people, married people with kids, millennials, more ‘seasoned’ folks, and every age in between. You learn so much and become a richer person by surrounding yourself with people who are different from you.”
She continued, “As I’ve walked through hard things in my life, I’ve sometimes been surprised by the people God has used to comfort and help me. At times I get to be there for them too. That’s what it’s all about.”
