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July marks International Women with Alopecia Month—a time to raise awareness and celebrate the resilience of women living with alopecia. Few understand this journey better than Taneka Walker, a nurse practitioner, retired veteran, and founder of Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic in Houston. Inspired by her own experiences with alopecia, Taneka blends medical expertise with compassionate care, helping women reclaim confidence and wellness.

What first inspired you to pursue nursing—was it a person, a moment, or something else?

Taneka: For me, nursing was always something that just felt natural. I’m the oldest of six, so stepping into the role of a caregiver happened early on. When you’re the oldest, you naturally become the go-to person—the helper, the fixer, the one who makes sure everyone’s okay. So it didn’t surprise anyone when I said I wanted to be a nurse. As a kid, I saw nurses as real-life superheroes. I wanted to be just like them. I wanted to be someone who made a difference in people’s lives.

What inspired you to create Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic?

Taneka: My passion for aesthetics and wellness comes from my own journey. At 18, I survived a car accident that left me with facial scarring, which deeply affected my self-image. Later, while serving in the military, I faced strict appearance standards and the challenges of postpartum recovery, all while dealing with alopecia caused by military grooming regulations. These experiences taught me how much physical changes can impact our confidence.

Instead of letting these challenges break me, I used them as motivation to create Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic—a compassionate, empowering, and judgment-free space where medicine and aesthetics come together. My mission is to help others reclaim their confidence and feel truly supported, because I’ve been there myself.

What does work-life balance look like for you?

Taneka: As women, especially moms, we’re often told that taking time for ourselves is selfish—but that’s simply not true. You can’t pour from an empty cup. For me, work-life balance means intentionally making time for myself, whether it’s a solo lunch, a bit of shopping, or a relaxing massage. These moments help me recharge and reconnect with who I am beyond work and parenting.

When I feel good, everything else benefits—my energy, my patience, and my ability to show up for others. Balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about giving myself permission to prioritize my own well-being. That’s not selfish—it’s essential self-care.

What negative effects can stress have on the body? 

Taneka: When we’re stressed, especially over long periods of time, our bodies release higher levels of cortisol (aka the stress hormone). This hormonal shift affects everything—from our immune system to digestion, sleep, and yes, even hair growth.

Hair is not considered a vital function in the body. So when your nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode, your body starts to conserve energy by pausing things like hair production to focus on what it sees as survival.

 

How can readers connect online?   

Taneka: https://www.instagram.com/wwaclinic?igsh=aTAwNmk0aGduc3U5