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Dr. Karla Hylton is a multiple award-winning author, distinguished educator, keynote speaker, and passionate mental health advocate. With a PhD in Biotechnology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and certification in Mental Health Studies, she uniquely bridges the gap between science, education, and mental wellness.
As the founder of Your Empowerment Solutions (YES) Institute, Dr. Hylton has made significant strides in both academic and personal development, specializing in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry tutoring. Her deep understanding of the body's cellular memory and ancestral DNA informs her holistic approach to mental health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of body and mind. This scientific foundation supports her life coaching practice, where she empowers individuals to overcome challenges, break free from limiting beliefs, and achieve lasting transformation.
In addition to her educational contributions, Dr. Hylton is a respected voice in the Jamaica Observer's Career & Education section and a former Chairman of the Friends of the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Jamaica. She currently sits on the Board of the Jamaica Museum and Cultural Centre in Atlanta. Her literary works, including The Unvarnished Truth: Purpose in the Pain and its companion workbook Vanquishing Monsters, offers practical tools and insights for those on mental health journeys.
Dr. Hylton’s mission is to inspire others to embrace their authentic selves and pursue their passions with resilience. In her leisure time, she enjoys interior design, reading, and movies, always seeking balance and harmony in both her personal and professional life.
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Dr. Karla Hylton recounts her challenging upbringing and subsequent struggles, including a tumultuous marriage marked by financial strain and infidelity in her memoir, The Unvarnished Truth: Purpose in the Pain. Hylton discusses childhood trauma and experiences, speaking on the importance of addressing past wounds for healthy relationships. Her endurance of emotional abuse and marital issues fuel a drive to balance motherhood with career aspirations, even as she faces setbacks, like a home invasion and depression. Following her divorce, Hylton is overwhelmed by the impact of estrangement from her children but finds support in a new relationship, and musters strength in legal battles against her ex-husband. Despair leads to horrific consequences, but she ultimately finds resilience through faith, self-love, forgiveness, and solace in teaching, writing, and reconciling with her children.
The Unvarnished Truth by Dr. Karla Hylton is a very candid reflection of seemingly insurmountable adversity that is shared with raw honesty. The scars of domestic violence, family alcoholism, and a notably difficult upbringing are laid bare without reservation. Hylton's story is brave, and in telling it she prompts readers to confront issues such as the fragility of trust and the wreckage of betrayal, something that touched me deeply when she shared a story of her husband's unconscionable actions while she was in the hospital. The writing is well done and blends personal anecdotes with straightforward, conversational musings. She is at her best when offering her multi-layered insight into resilience and the human spirit, which she accomplishes via moments of vulnerability that are juxtaposed with displays of unwavering strength. It is not an easy read but it is a good one, and I applaud the courage required to share it.
