We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Alegria and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My organization We Just Breathe Foundation is helping youth have a better understanding about the importance of Mental Health maintenance. Growing up in a traditional Mexican household, mental health took a backseat to other priorities due to cultural stigma and the lack of education about the importance of mental health. My organization is making an impact by introducing tools to help regulate our nervous system so that we can shift from stress response to rest response. We need to prioritize wellness and find time to slow down & connect with our breath.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have worked as a television journalist for over two decades. My career as a Emmy Award winning TV personality has allowed me to find my voice and discover my passion in the wellness space. My personal life challenges and the unexpected loss of the Father of my 3 children inspired me to pivot and do more meaningful work. My role as a television journalist has always been to deliver information to the masses and my intention now is to share information about ways to improve mental health and live a happier/healthier life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live on the west side, so I am blessed with having the ocean and hiking trails at my doorstep. If I were to show off the best of what this town has to offer, I would definitely start off the day with a long magical hike on los Leones Canyon, which is just south of Malibu. I would make sure to hit Juicy Ladies on Sunset/PCH for some hydration and a yummy grain bowl. The açaí is also the best in town.

I would most definitely take a ride through Topenga and stop at my favorite crystal shop “Topenga Rocks” where you can relax and reset by the waterfall. The drive through Topenga is truly beautiful and you feel like you’ve been transported to a mountaintop in Italy. Our evening would end at the beach watching the sunset. I love the sights and sounds at Roy Rogers Beach in Santa Monica.

If we’re lucky, we might even see some dolphins as we watch sundown against the cotton candy sky. I would close the evening having dinner at Gjusta in Venice, the food there is farm-to-table and just plain delicious.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is often said, “Through pain you find your purpose.” I created the We Just Breath Foundation after our family tragedy. My three children and I needed coping tools to deal with our grief, loss and heartache. Mindfulness techniques like Breathwork, Yoga & Meditation helped us heal and calm our chaos. During the Covid shut down, I felt compelled to share the coping tools with youth and underserved communities. Our organization is now introducing mindfulness to schools in Chicago and Los Angeles. We have worked with medical professionals and patients at Laurie Children’s Hospital. My hope is to break down the barriers of mental health and help those who are suffering in silence to suffer less.

Thanks to my my incredible team Sandy Babin, Diane Cordon, Courtney Collins, Robert Teitel and Tina Meckaroski We Just Breathe Foundation is serving communities in Los Angeles & Chicago. We are working with school districts in both cities to incorporate Mindfulness and Social -Emotional Learning to the curriculum. We know the tools we are sharing with students will help improve focus, academic performance while at the same time reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Website: www.wejustbreathefoundation.org

Instagram: IG- Michellealegria_me IG-Wejustbreathefoundation

Linkedin: Michelle Alegria

Image Credits
Michelle Alegria

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