I'm Hollis
... a chef and three-time winner of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. As a culinary explorer with bipolar disorder, I’m reshaping the mental health landscape by harnessing the therapeutic power of creativity and nourishment. Through Battered Brilliance, I share proven strategies to turn yesterday's trauma into tomorrow's triumph.
"We're all battered, but that's what makes us brilliant."
– Hollis Wilder
The Origin
of bB
10 years ago, a devastating bipolar diagnosis and subsequent institutionalizations toppled my reign as the “Cupcake Queen.” The solace I once found in the kitchen to escape early hardships crumbled under the weight of newfound pressures I faced as an entrepreneur, wife, and mother. Saved by the same curious and cultivating mind that garnered my salmon-inspired launch on Cupcake Wars, I devised my boldest recipe yet: a brilliantly battered approach to self-improvement.
Create to Heal
As a child, my boundless imagination delivered me from trauma. This creativity catapulted me to the height of my culinary career, where I made a splash blending savory ingredients into sweet batter. Through creating, I found a transformative and healing power that provided an outlet for daring self-realization. Later, I harnessed these innovative instincts to restore my mental health.
Nourish to Thrive
I recognized the destructive nature of substances early on and have maintained sobriety ever since. As the "Cupcake Queen" for years, I didn’t realize that sugar, doubt, flour, and fear could similarly threaten my well-being. Now, I mindfully avoid harmful ingredients and negative thoughts. As a chef and mental health survivor, I use my unique perspective on holistic consumption to thrive.
Rise to Inspire
Like a finely baked cupcake, I rise; I don't crumble. I achieved this by merging my philosophies of creation and consumption to heal and nourish my life. Through creative explorations, I found personal wellness. Your journey may unfold differently, but your output and input are deeply interconnected and profoundly integral to the delicate balance of who you are and who you're meant to be.