Before You Were Everything isn’t a manual. It isn’t a memoir. It’s a mirror. Through raw, hilarious, and soul-stretching stories, Mya Fort–Marshall invites you into the in-between—the messy, sacred, stretch-marked places where real transformation lives. From childhood nicknames and her grandmother’s butter rolls to breast cancer, motherhood, heartbreak, and rebirth, this book reads like a late-night phone call with the friend who always keeps it real. The one who’ll let you cry, laugh, spiral a little—and then remind you who the hell you are. Blending personal narrative with recipes, playlists, and breadcrumbs of wisdom, Before You Were Everything is both deeply personal and widely relatable. It is a love letter to resilience, a protest against perfection, and an invitation to come home to yourself. “ Before You Were Everything is a staunch reminder that the journey we take is a path to our everything.” —WALT ROBINSON SR., owner, Expressive Moments Mobile LLC “Refreshing, honest, and delicious. Mya crafts a wonderful story about legacy and a truthful interpretation of family, love, and loss.” —Q. S. ALEXANDER, policy practitioner “What I received during this read was familiarity, a sense of calmness, and appreciation for the way life moves like the ocean. Sometimes steady and always unpredictable.” —NATASHA CURREY, MBA, senior manager, Rutgers University Mya Fort–Marshall is a writer, speaker, and truth-teller who believes in the power of stories to heal and connect. A mom, cancer survivor, and sometimes pirate, she has built her career leading marketing and revenue growth for global tech companies—shaping strategies, building high-performing teams, and proving that resilience and authenticity belong both in the boardroom and at the kitchen table. Her work blends memoir, philosophy, and culture with humor as sharp as her survival skills. Mya is the founder of SoulDope, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap through education and access to technology. She is also the creator of Wonder Purpose Soul, a platform for wonder, reflection, and truth-telling. When she’s not writing or speaking, you can find her laughing too loudly with her family, experimenting with recipes, or planning her next adventure. Before You Were Everything is her first book.