We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessenia Galvan-lloyd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessenia, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I would not be where I am today without developing a morning routine. Creating the consistency and space to give back to myself before I served others was crucial!

I was one of those people who, in my younger days, would constantly say “I have no self control”. I didn’t realize how damaging that was and how much I was creating my own reality.

Before, my mornings consisted of consuming things on the internet and rushing to get ready for work. But about 7 years ago I knew that something had to change because my anxiety and depression were out of hand. So I enrolled in a transcendental meditation training. My teacher taught me how to sit in silence and repeat a mantra for 20 minutes every day. This was extremely difficult for me! My mind and ego were running wild trying to do anything to disrupt the silence. But I persisted. I sat for 20 minutes every morning and I meditated. Slowly through the years I have added things to this morning routine. Now I also do yoga, journaling, tapping and prayer. Not to mention, go outside to get some vitamin d!

Developing the discipline and consistency of waking up and taking care of myself has been truly life-changing! It allows me to get grounded every morning and connect to myself. It’s from that place that I can show up and serve my community!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are two projects that I am extremely excited about right now! The first is my podcast, One Wild Ride – the podcast, on Spotify. This has been a space for me to take all of my life lessons and put them into short but powerful episodes. I’ve always wanted this podcast to feel like a voice memo from a bestie, but one that dropped some serious gems of wisdom. I’m so proud that the podcast is 2 weeks away from being a year old! That is a huge accomplishment for me, the person who used to say “I have no self control” was now able to show up for 52 consecutive weeks and post an episode every Friday. Despite all of the obstacles that have been thrown my way this year, I showed up! I’m super proud of that project.

The other project I am so excited about is my upcoming debut book, Bloom Babygirl! This has been 5 years in the making and is all about my healing journey. I’m taking my story, my healing from trauma and bringing hope and optimism at the same time. I hope that this book is a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and how we can go through and overcome so much! It’s been quite the experience to be working on a project for this long but I can see it coming to life more and more. I am so proud of what this book is becoming and I cannot wait for it to be published!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love working with my L.A. and Long Beach Community but for the last year my home has been the California Low Desert. Here some things you should check out if you’re ever in the area:

Sushi at Otori Sushi in Cathedral City – yes, great sushi does exist in the middle of the desert!

Dinner and a movie at Luchador Brewing Company and Mary Pickford movie theater in Cathedral City. Start with tacos and beer and then check out one of the anniversary re-releases at Mary Pickford. Such a good time!

The Thursday Night Market in Downtown Palm Springs – there are so many food, art, clothing and sticker vendors!

The Palm Springs Museum of Art – check their website because some days you can get in free!

Giuseppe’s in Palm Springs for gluten-free and dairy-free Italian food options!

Monsoon Indian Cuisine in Palm Springs for delicious Indian food – check out their lunch buffet!

The Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells. The decor is such a dream and most of the entrees are gluten free and delicious!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shout out to the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book truly set my creativity free and changed my life. I read it 5 years ago and still reference it constantly.

Before reading this book I was tormented by my desire to create but I constantly questioned and belittled my creativity. I was so hard on myself and thought that I should have been further along in my creative career. So I constantly limited my creativity and my soul, my happiness and mental health suffered because of it.

After reading that book I realized that there was no other option but to live creatively. I realized how much creativity was just about self-expression. Some things that I create are not meant to ever be shown to another soul but the act of that creativity is what gives me joy, pleasure and release! Big Magic set me free in so many ways and I am so grateful for Elizabeth Gilbert!

Website: https://JNGLSOUL.com

Instagram: @jnglsoul @jnglbaby

Youtube: @JNGLSOUL

Other: One Wild Ride – the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zQ35mFmKQRgnxzxLWDsM0?si=d0f2f721f4a147b6

Image Credits
Sheri Sue

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