Wellness entrepreneur improves her health with humor and hard work

ShantaQuilette Develle is a busy entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and wellness advocate. After facing multiple health challenges, she now believes one of her most important jobs is being CEO of her own body.

“My life didn’t stop after my heart attack and stroke,” she said. “When you are in the face of death, it pulls you up by your lapels. It’s really important not to take no for an answer when it concerns your health, and it starts by being in tune with your body.”

Develle spent most of her life as an athlete. She exercised and ate a nutritious diet. But she had a family history of high cholesterol, which is linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

In 2012, she started experiencing heart problems. Doctors told her the heart palpitations and chest pains were strain from exercising, so she transitioned to limited workouts as they instructed. They also said her symptoms were caused by stress and anxiety from her high-pressure job at the IRS.

“Yeah, I was stressed, but I knew something was going on with me that wasn’t right,” she said. “Being overlooked and overtalked by doctors was only adding to that stress.”

She sought medical care many times but continued to be sent home misdiagnosed. There was never any discussion about cholesterol or testing for it, she said.

In 2018, she had multiple symptoms she assumed were the flu for about two weeks. She was extremely tired, had light chest pains and right-side arm pain. She didn’t worry about the arm pain because heart problems are usually linked to left-side pain, she said. In actuality, pain in either arm can be a sign of heart problems and should be taken seriously.

When the symptoms didn’t improve, her daughter drove her to the hospital. In the waiting room, Develle said it felt like “someone was stepping on my chest trying to keep me from breathing.” When a nurse heard that description, she immediately put Develle in bed and started testing. A doctor later confirmed she was having a heart attack.

Develle devoted herself to recovering and she closely monitored her health. Nine months later, things were looking so good that she returned in person to her job at the IRS.

On her first day back in the office, she talked with her boss and entered her cubicle. Moments later, she collapsed and was unresponsive. A neurologist determined she had a stroke.

After the stroke, she battled stress and depression. She also coped with weight gain, which she knew was putting her at risk for type 2 diabetes. She was informed she had an 80% chance of experiencing another heart attack or stroke with a 90% chance of mortality.

That’s when she made a commitment to beat the odds. She became more proactive with doctors, kept written records of her medical care and sought second opinions about her health care when necessary.

“I had to learn how to do things better than I did before,” she said.

She also started researching and learned that her LDL cholesterol had been excessively high. LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol because it can cause fatty buildup called plaque in the arteries. Having high LDL can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

She improved her eating habits and controlled her portions. With medication and hard work, she lost more than 100 pounds and improved her blood pressure.

Develle is grateful for her support system, which includes a health care team that welcomes her assertiveness. She also credits the role family and friends played in her health journey.

“My husband advocated for me as much as I advocated for myself,” she said.

Now, Develle makes self-care a priority. She gets physical activity, rests and meditates. She also minimizes stress and arguments. Her healing also includes finding humor in every situation.

“That is what soothed my soul,” she said. “The more I laughed, the more I got my strength back. Laughter and joy have opened so many doors for me.”

She shares that positivity with others as a comedian, coach, social-media content creator and owner of a business that sells wellness products. She also is founder of a breast cancer nonprofit called Pink Peppermint Project in honor of an aunt and friends who died from the disease.

“The clock is ticking, and I don’t want to look back and wish I would have done this or that,” she said. “I’m living my life to the beat of my own drum. I want to make sure the second act of my life is going to be the best act of my life.”

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.

For more information on this health topic, visit heart.org/LDL.

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