Meet Tessie Herrasti: Actor, Writer, Philanthropist & Coach

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

Hi Tessie, what makes you happy? Why?
Telling stories makes me happy! Life is so much better with them, I also love how stories have an impact on people’s life. If you think about it, we are all shaped by stories, we are the stories we listen to, the ones we hear from our elders or families, the ones we read, the ones we see in movies or television.

I believe in the power of stories and I also understand the responsibility that comes with them. Stories should also serve for shifting ideas that no longer serve us as human beings. Stories about racism, intolerance, rape, inequality, war, etc, should only help us understand, be aware and take action in creating change for those dynamics, everyday action matters- little acts of kindness, listening more than speaking, helping each other, having empathy and compassion for one another and ourselves.

Telling stories of the world to all and teaching children how to relate to these new stories and embrace diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a working actor, writer, and coach. I have always loved storytelling in every shape and form and I’ve always wanted to focus my attention in using my art for the benefit of others, either as an advocate for mental health, justice, belonging, poverty and hunger, inequality, etc, all good causes!

I started a very long time ago, in Mexico City, I have walked many paths and many places, and all of them have encountered a common theme: that of storytelling. Throughout my work and life experiences, I have understood that is not really about me individually, but about the responsibility I have as an artist towards everything else, I have the need to tell stories that otherwise would never be told and would be unfortunately lost, and I also feel the need to shift the stories that no longer serve us.

It hasn’t been easy, no, but I’ve had a ‘hella’ of a ride so far, hehe, not only once but multiple times, I have fallen headfirst into the traps of external validation and sometimes I have stopped believing in myself after being discouraged, however, I have also encountered the most amazing artists and people fighting for the sake of making this world better.

It is so true when other people say that artistic careers are a whole journey, they are a marathon and not a sprint, they take discipline, courage, perseverance, and a lot of support. It takes a village!

I’ve had a long journey into my own authenticity, what I would say to other people would be to trust their unique selves and aim to drop the stigmas we all carry, everything that has become a belief system that no longer serves us in our paths but above all, to keep clear and healthy boundaries, self-respect, awareness, and kindness to ourselves and others.
It is important not to forget that being oneself does not mean we can make others feel less or crush them because they’re different, that would nullify the whole point, isn’t it? We fight to be heard and seen, to belong as our unapologetic selves but the minute others do the same, we want to crush them down because of fear, treat others as you would love to be treated, always remember that.

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.
Living in LA gifted me with the most amazing natural landscape experiences, you wouldn’t believe it since it’s a big city, right?

If you have the possibility of taking a ride with someone or using a car, take yourself to a wonderful spot called “Hidden Waterfall” in the Rustic Canyon Trail, at the Pacific Palisades, it is a little far from LA center but in Los Angeles, everything is spread out anyway so you might as well find the time to explore. I couldn’t believe this place existed so close to the city and that it had so much forest eerie magic! I’m a big Fantasy nerd and druidism practitioner so you can imagine that natural places are my biggest crush.
Another wonderful spot to go to is Zuma Beach in Malibu, a beautiful spot to surf and see dolphins. You will need to arrive early for surfing but if you just simply want to sit at the beach and enjoy the sun, the water, and later, the sunset, this is an amazing place to be!

If you are taking a tour of celebrity houses in Beverly Hills, make sure to go to Franklin Canyon Park, you won’t believe you’re still in Beverly Hills at all!

The Kenneth Hahn Park is also magnificent and great to walk and picnic.
Make sure to walk around Culver City and see the entrance of The Culver Studios where the movie Gone with the Wind was shot, you can also go to the Culver steps and have a killer workout and a view of the city.

More inside the city? Abbot Kinney Boulevard is great for shopping and walking and even if you are not looking to buy anything, the little shops there are truly magical to explore.

For food: two of my favorites spots are: Vegan Glory at 8393 Beverly Blvd, this small but great Thai food restaurant is so good you won’t believe is all plant based!
Also in the West area, there is a small Indian restaurant named Masala Grill at 5607 San Vicente Blvd, the staff is really kind and the food is spectacular, their gobi Manchurian is a combination between Chinese and Indian and its amazing if you like spicy food!
If you are craving some paella and Spanish food, go to La Paella at 476 S San Vicente Blvd, it is so good and their Sangria is one of the best I’ve had!
Mexican food in LA is amazing and easy to find! There are so many places to go to. Pick your favorite and let me know! 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?
Who doesn’t deserve credit for my own success and story? Everyone who has crossed my path! Not only to show me something that I needed to know but to guide me through the journey of becoming who I am. I see life as this metaphor of a train that never stops until it reaches the final destination: the end of our life in this plane of existence. Some people are already inside the train when we start our journey, some people get on it and stay, some others get on and they leave but everyone was meant to show us something, even the smallest things.

Big shout out to my parents, my brothers, my cousins, nieces, and nephews, to my elders and ancestors, my childhood teachers, my Literature teacher Jorge, to my dear Mexico, to France and my adoptive family there, to Pierrick and Matthiew, to Karen Golden and Laurie Mannette, to Ginevra and Lele, to my Jady, to my new family and friends in the US, to Australia, thanks to my ex-partner, to Martha-moby, to my beloved friends from CEDART and ENAT, to the KOALAKO Company, to Andi Yuma, to Rune Månsson and his giant heart, to Rubén, Jim Lovaglio, to Barry Cohen and Ping Ho who have shaped me into the coach and advocate that I am, for their teachings and their unconditional love, to April and the UCLArts and Healing, to Expressive Media, to Marianela Medrano, Martha Sherman, Perie Longo, Steve S., Alex Pacheco y Ale U. To all the authors that have shaped me, to Sharon Blackie for her books and everyone who has believed in Jewels of Light, to Kyra Peralte, Liliane Klein and Katie Beckvold. Thanks to each and every person not mentioned here that has crossed my path even with a hello or a smile that I was needing, thanks to everyone who taught me about resilience and hope, about hate and dismay, thank you Shoutout LA for giving me the space to be heard.

Website: www.tessieherrasti.com

Instagram: @tessieherrasti

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessherrasti

Youtube: Tessie Herrasti