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

Hi Rebecca, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balanced has completely shifted over the past couple months. For the past few years I fell into the concept of “hustle culture,” which is so widely promoted, especially in LA. I thought that I had to wake up at 5am, be working all day, constantly stress my body out in the gym – and do all of this in the name of being “productive.” If I did not have my entire calendar booked out from the morning until night, I did not go to bed feeling accomplished, feeling “good enough” for myself. It came to a point where my entire sense of identity was based on how accomplished I was, how much I got done during the day, and always constantly needing to feel productive and motivated. It was as if I became addicted to that stressed, hyper-productive feeling. After months and months of constant mental strain, trying to achieve more without even being able to catch up with myself, I realized I needed to SLOW DOWN. I needed to practice balance, practice gratitude, and most importantly, presence.

I embarked on this spiritual journey over the past few months learning to listen and connect with my own body and enjoy life outside of my own accomplishments. I wanted to take a more holistic approach to entrepreneurship. I realized that just because Alex Hormozi, for example, loved getting four hours of sleep a night and working all day, does not mean that it was meant for me.

I started to learn how to stay present with people and conversations, keeping my mind away from thinking of the never ending “to-do lists” I used to keep in my brain. The biggest shift I noticed was my body steering away from feeling addicted to stress and tightly attached to the constant need to be self improving. Now I enjoy my mornings, I stay present in conversations, and let opportunities that are meant for me flow with more ease. It was as if the second I surrendered to life, trusted my own process and pace, and slowed down, so many opportunities I could have never imagined entered my life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve always been driven and entrepreneurial—from as early as I can remember, I’ve been creating, selling, and trying new things. At six, I had my own ice cream business. By ten, I was selling bookmarks and crafts door to door. In middle school, I was constantly finding things to sell. By twelve, I published my first book. At 14, I landed an internship with my now mentor, Sean Knecht, which introduced me to the world of business. By 15, I started my own lip gloss business. I later worked in real estate, constantly exploring different industries, always searching for what I truly loved. At 16, I got my first job at Starbucks, but within six months, I knew that a 9-5 wasn’t for me. Earning $13 an hour and realizing it took me an entire hour of work just to afford a burger felt limiting—I wanted financial independence and control over my future.

So, I pivoted into influencer management, securing over $15,000 in brand deals for my roster of 15 influencers. From there, I moved into influencer marketing and social media management, spending three years learning the industry. I was able to build up an extremely well rounded perspective on social media having worked as both an influencer myself, an influencer manager & marketer, and a social media manager. This experience led me to launch my own agency, Asennda, a social media management company that helps entrepreneurs, coaches, and CEOs build their personal brands. Having built my own personal brand and seeing the impact it had, I realized how many entrepreneurs were missing out by not building their own.

At 18, I moved to Spain to pursue a degree in Digital Media & Communications—a decision that completely changed my life. It was the hardest, but best decision I ever made. For years, I chased different opportunities but felt frustrated at 17 because I couldn’t figure out what I truly liked. But looking back, I was so young. At 20, I’ve finally accepted that my true passion is content creation. I love building an audience, sharing my story, and creating videos—and I’ve grown a combined audience of over 70,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram. Recently, I stopped investing so much in hustle culture, and as a result, my entire entrepreneurial world opened up. Since shifting my mindset, I’ve been: Invited on podcasts to share my journey, published in El País, one of the biggest newspapers in Madrid. I am getting flown out to Saudi Arabia for work and content creation. I have then watched my event company, Lync Events, completely blow up, helping women make friends in new cities.

One of my biggest challenges has been focus—I’ve always had so many passions that I struggled to commit to one thing. But recently, I’ve learned to tune into myself and ask: What actually excites me? What do I enjoy doing every day?

For a long time, I was chasing money, but now, I focus on chasing joy and purpose—and that has made all the difference.

I think what makes me unique is my story and resilience. When I was 10, my mom passed away from cancer, and for a while, I used that as an excuse—to get away with things or to justify certain struggles. But by 16, I realized I was destined for more. I knew I had to make an impact—not just for my mom and dad, but for myself. I never lost my drive or ambition—if anything, I feel like I’m just now beginning to fully understand it. I’ve always been the hardest worker, the one striving for more, pushing myself beyond limits. But the biggest thing I’ve learned? If one opportunity passes, there will always be a better one. What’s meant for me will always find me.

Through all the pivots, the wins, and the failures, I’ve never given up on myself. That’s the message I want to share with the world: No matter where you come from or what obstacles you’ve faced, if you keep showing up and betting on yourself, you can build the life you want. Everything you could ever want and imagine is possible if you just put in the work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I actually have the perfect answer for this because one of my good friends just visited me in LA.

If my best friend was visiting LA, I’d want them to experience the best of what makes this city feel like home to me—the ocean, the mountains, the food, and the freedom of just being outside in the sun. Since I live by the beach, every morning we’d start the day with a sunrise walk or run along the shore, feeling the cool breeze and watching the waves roll in. Afterward, we’d go for a quick dip in the ocean, one of my favorite ways to wake up and reset for the day. Back home, we’d make a homemade breakfast with fresh ingredients and have some really good coffee, taking our time to enjoy slow mornings before heading out for adventure.

On the first day, we’d kick things off with surfing in Santa Monica with my surf coach, Juan—he’s one of the most fun and high-energy people I know, and there’s no better way to start the trip than riding waves. After working up an appetite, we’d have brunch at Figtree in Venice, where we can sit by the beach and enjoy a fresh, locally sourced meal. After that, we’d spend the afternoon exploring Venice Boardwalk, watching skaters at the skatepark, and stopping by the Santa Monica Pier for a classic LA moment. As the sun starts to set, we’d head to Temescal Canyon for a hike with unreal ocean views before ending the night with a chill evening at home.

The next day, we’d take a scenic drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, blasting music and stopping at viewpoints along the way. Our first stop would be El Matador Beach in Malibu, one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in California. After soaking in the sun and taking in the cliffs and caves, we’d grab lunch at Malibu Farm, an oceanfront spot with fresh, organic food. Since I love cooking at home, for dinner, I’d make steaks myself, because nothing beats a perfectly cooked steak and a relaxed meal at home.

Another day would be all about hiking and swimming. We’d start with an early morning hike in Topanga Canyon, escaping into the mountains for fresh air and panoramic views. To cool off, we’d drive to Malibu Creek State Park and swim in the rock pools, which feel like a secret hidden oasis. In the afternoon, we’d head to Point Dume to watch the waves crash against the cliffs and maybe even spot some dolphins in the distance. For dinner, we’d go to MATU, where we’d have an incredible steak dinner—because as someone who follows an animal-based diet, I appreciate a really good steak.

One of the highlights of the trip would be a day trip to Laguna Beach. We’d take a long drive down the coast, spending the day swimming in the hidden coves, snorkeling, and lying in the sun. I love how peaceful and beautiful Laguna is, with its clear waters and scenic cliffs. We’d also explore Crystal Cove State Park or go paddleboarding before having dinner at The Deck on Laguna Beach, a restaurant right by the water with incredible seafood.

Throughout the week, we’d balance adventure with slower moments—cooking at home some nights, watching the sunset from the beach, and simply enjoying the freedom of being outside, feeling the sun on our skin, and appreciating everything LA has to offer. To top off the trip, I’d make sure they try In-N-Out at least once because it’s simply the best burger they’ll ever have. This week would be all about nature, good food, movement, and making the most of every moment—exactly how I love to live my life in LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am deeply grateful for my spiritual coach, Angela McNeill, whose guidance has been truly life-changing. She has taught me how to connect with myself, my body, and my energy—helping me create space for the incredible entrepreneurial opportunities that have come into my life. Angela has opened her heart to me and has been by my side, “holding my hand” through these past few months, teaching me the power of gratitude, patience, and slowing down.

I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to my dad, Robert Nolan, who has been my biggest supporter through every step of this journey. Through all of life’s ups and downs, he has stood by my side, cheering me on and shaping me into the woman I am proud to be today.

To my best friend, Trinity Wildenstein—you are such a bright light in my life. Your encouragement, unwavering support, and the way you’ve walked this journey with me mean more than words can express.

And lastly, to every close person who has been part of this journey—thank you. Your presence, love, and support have made all the difference, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.

Website: https://asennda.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/rebeccannolan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccannolan/

Other: tiktok.com/@rebeccannolan

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