Meet Mia X RockNRolla | Herbalist, Reiki Master & RockNRolla

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia X RockNRolla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia, how do you think about risk?
The definition of risk is being exposed to danger, harm, or loss. Some may find the idea of risk scary or intimidating and I’m guessing it’s because they are not comfortable with the idea of danger, harm, or loss. People feel comfortable with what they know. Growing up with a lot of trauma in the household made me well versed in the definition of risk. Trauma makes a sink or swim scenario. I realized early on that for me to reach any goals, I needed to set myself on a journey to find tools to gain inner strength and coping mechanisms for times of great hardships.

When we are building something new, whether physically or mentally, it’s a challenge and the greater the idea, the more overwhelming the feat becomes. If you have never fallen, then the idea of the pain from hitting the floor may create a block for you. The anticipation of what that feels like can be staggering. This is why I encourage people to fail as much as possible. If you don’t get over the idea of failure, how can you grow? We need to start somewhere. I have never met anyone that just knew how to do something succinctly and in perfection on the first try.

The trauma I received as a young person growing up felt like a curse but what it did was remove the block of no action out of fear. The blessing from my experience with risk as a young person is knowing that as an adult, I am in control of the type and level of risk I am willing to take and I’m not afraid.

The best way to work with risk is to gather as much information as you can to create an informed decision on what you are getting yourself into. Is it worth it? Sometimes it’s not right now and that’s ok. When that happens, I ask myself why. What do I need to do to reduce the risk? It usually comes down to education or experience. There are things I am doing now that was too risky for me to do before because I needed more time and experience to take risks that I’m willing to take today. Before I think about a risk, I think about how much I have invested in myself to bring me to the place of asking if I can take a risk.

My business has several avenues. I am an herbalist, teach others about herbs in a medicinal and magical way, create herbal tea blends and provide intuitive Reiki sessions. It took years for me to create what I’m doing now because it’s important to know the legalities of each area, have enough education behind what I’m doing and the experience to have the confidence and understanding to become a source of value. Risks can be about the monetary investment that you put in yourself. If you found your passion, then I don’t ever see investing in yourself a risk not worth taking. Also, you can’t be intimidated by time. Whenever you start your journey, there will always be people behind you and in front of you. Your business can always help someone along the way. I see business and life as organic. I’m in a constant state of assessing and reassessing to find what’s in alignment for me. I want to continue to learn and grow until I am no longer on this earth and my business is an extension of that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am always working on something because I love to be creative. I just created a new music project with a couple of good friends and my favorite drummer, who is my husband. Looking forward to see what comes of it. I also like to do small runs of artistic magical wares. Right now I’m doing offering bowls that I hand paint and sell at Crooked Path.

I am working on new classes that merge the magical and medicinal elements of herbs. This is important to me because people that use herbs for magical use can get into a lot of trouble if they don’t know how it affects them. I worked with herbs magically before I knew what their properties could physically do to me and there were a lot of mishaps, to say the least. I wanted to make a tea line and realized that I couldn’t be responsible doing that without learning more about how herbs can affect the body. I didn’t know how much enjoyment I would get from learning the medicinal side of plants and am so glad that I broadened my knowledge for myself and others.

I think what sets me apart from others is that I have a strong sense of who I am and what I want to give to others. I believe that is what sets us all apart. I can always tell when someone believes in what they do and puts their essence into their work, whether it’s artistically or business-wise. It sometimes is a challenge to fully be ourselves when there are so many eyes on us and so many opinions. We are in the era of trolls and I commend anyone that can get past them to embrace who they are.

What I want to fill my life with is music, art, creativity, knowledge and community. I try to plant those seeds and water them every day. I want to be a part of the greater good and feel supported. I donate my time and part of my profits to causes I believe in. I have succeeded in creating a business that I’m proud of, my next goal is to have my business be able to expand to a place where I can support others and create jobs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m not originally from LA so I frequently have friends and family from out of town that come visit me looking for a good time. There are a few points that I make sure to hit.
1. Griffith Park to hike and to check out the Observatory
2. Olvera Street especially during Dia de los Muertos
3. Swingers Diner in West Hollywood
4. Larchmont Village south of Melrose. I love all the shops, eateries, bakeries, coffee shops, etc. Groundwork is one of my favorite coffee places and Erin McKenna’s Bakery that is vegan and gluten free. Kreation Juice Bar, Cafe Gratitude, Jeni’s Ice Cream.
5. Vermont Blvd South of Franklin Ave in Los Feliz and check out all the shops there. Skylight Books and Figaro Bistrot are two of my favorites.
6. Magnolia Blvd in Burbank. I love Halloween Town, Romancing the Bean and The Crooked Path.
7. Sunset Blvd in Silverlake and Echo Park area to visit the always interesting WACKO and La Luz de Jesus Gallery and the most unique gift shop RAVEN Things Collected.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am where I am in my life from my own blood, sweat and tears and the solid foundation my grandparents gave me, Raymond J. and Madeline Flores.

My sanity comes from my expression through music, and my biggest support was Bianca Halstead from Betty Blowtorch. I now play for her in that band.

I am blessed to have an amazing and talented drummer for a husband that supports all my endeavors, Chase Manhattan.

Education that was an integral part of creating value for me and my business:

Meditation with Mary Stancavage and Noah Levine – Against The Stream Buddhist Meditation
Heart Energy Work with Vanessa Clayton – Heart Evolver Program
Master Reiki Certification with Jayson Rivest – Phoenix Flame & Brigit’s Well
Magical Wisdom with Renée Starr – Goddess Priest Witch
Herbalist Apprenticeship Program with Julie James – Green Wisdom Herbal Studies
Herbalist Apprenticeship with Howie Brounstein – Columbines School of Botanical Studies
Deity studies with Scarlett Amaris and Witchcraft with Sal Santoro – The Crooked Path

Website: www.miaxmarksthespot.com

Instagram: miaxmarksthespot

Facebook: miaxmarksthespot

Other: My band, Betty Blowtorch, can be found on social media platforms and a documentary on the band can be found on Amazon Prime, Betty Blowtorch and Her Amazing True Life Adventures.

Image Credits
All photos are taken by me except for the band photos Kate Snow Cocuzza took the group photo and the shot of just me and the bass is by Pilgrim Imagery