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

Hi Tenaya, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe in risk taking, because its a win win situation there’s no losing in risk taking. At the end of the day you learned something new. Its okay to fail, it just means you are one step closer to succeeding.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart from other filmmakers is my passion to be different. I love for my art to have a story with emotion and meaning behind it. I suffer with severe anxiety daily so to help me cope, when I start thinking of the worse possible scenario I write my thoughts down and use it for my next story or film to kind of release those thoughts and tell my self “its just a made up scenario its not real” instead of stressing about it and putting my self into a scared/worried/anxious state of mind. Filmmaking is my therapy.

It was not easy to get where I am today. I grew up in a small town in Utah, When I was about 21 I moved to California on my own with my husband. I had no family no friends, so that alone was hard itself. Then I became a mother all while trying to make it in the film industry and going to school. I have my days but the struggle is what keeps me motivated! I’ve learned to never give up on yourself, and to manifest what you want in life and in the right time it will come to you. Have patience! In the end all you have is yourself and if you don’t believe in yourself who will?

What I want the world to know is its okay to be different, be yourself and love yourself you deserve it! My brand is all about self love and overcoming your fears, anxieties, etc.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
You can always count on me to take you to the beach, especially during sunset or late hours. The moon and waves call my soul. The beach is my getaway. My friends and I can go anywhere in the world as long as there’s a beach around!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I have to give a big thanks to my mom for always believing in me and supporting my decisions. She never fails to be proud of me. Also my husband Samuel (Grap3z) thank you for always loving me. You have changed my life for the better, I’ve learned so much from you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you!

Instagram: Shotbytenrocz

Image Credits
Phot credit: Grap3z, 1nciteoutmedia, and https://www.nadirahbee.com/

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