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Stroke survivor living her 'best life' after getting a wake-up call about her health

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Posted at 12:19 PM, Feb 23, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-23 12:19:51-05

INDIANAPOLIS — These days, mornings look different for Sharvonne Williams.

She now doesn't start her day without working out in the morning. She's consistent and dedicated, but her journey to the fit lifestyle started with a scary wake-up call.

“I took a solo trip. I said to myself, 'I need a vacation in 2019.' I booked the trip to go and live my best life, and the trip was filled with relaxation, until the day before I was supposed to leave,” said Williams.

“I just collapsed. They thought it was heatstroke because I was out in the sun,” said Williams.

Williams begged locals on Turks and Caicos island not to call an ambulance, assuring them she'd be fine. In hindsight she's glad someone called for help.

“I'm trying to say no because actually, I couldn't talk, so I was waving, 'no, I don't need an ambulance, I just need to go to my room,'” said Williams.

She was taken to Florida where she found out she’d experienced a mini-stroke. She also learned it could happen again if she didn't make some changes, especially after learning that what she experienced may have been hereditary since her mother is also a stroke survivor.

"I found a group, 'Go Fit, Go Red' and I said, 'I’ll start posting my workouts and get encouragement from other women and learn from other women who have suffered a stroke or have had heart disease.'"

Since having that mini-stroke she's lost 60 pounds. She's apart of workout programs at church and is even a Beach Body influencer. She takes every chance she gets to raise awareness about heart health.