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

Hi Tisha, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have always been non-stop, checking off the to do-list, wondering if I accomplished enough things by the end of the day. I would often base my success off of how much I got done. I am recently awakening to how corporate and systematic this is, and an actually a very unhealthy way to live. My list of things to do now include naps, taking breaks to color and mandatory meditation. I am no good to myself if I am pushing myself to the brink of burnout. When we rest, is when answers and great ideas can present themselves. When we apply self-care to the top of the to do list, everything else falls in to place from there. We must break the paradigm of “no pain, no gain”. Life isn’t meant to be lived that way.

Audre Lorde sums this up beautifully, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am on a mission to decolonize and deconstruct the stigma of what mental health is. We live in a society that deliberately creates a system that does not support mental and emotional well-being, then puts labels on individuals as a result of this system, and has created a money making empire to “fix” people. This cycle must be stopped. As a someone who walks through life with my own mental health challenges, I have learned what is needed to not only survive but to thrive, and it a personal responsibility to bring this restoration to as many as possible. This must be done through a holistic approach and taking all aspects of life and the person into consideration when applying a treatment for well-being and transformation.

I bring forth this decolonization and transformation through many modalities such as:

Holistic spiritual coaching, energy healing, and delivering medicine and healing from traditional Indigenous ways.

I offer these transformative modalities to both youth and adults.

I am also an international speaker, Peace Ambassador and social justice activist. I have worked with thousands of students, schools and communities facilitating Bully Prevention trainings, Restorative Practices and trauma informed counseling circles. I am the founder of I Choose Peace, whose educational mission is to empower young leaders with the courage, compassion, and leadership skills to create peace within themselves and their peers.

I find my own inner peace through hoop dance and Danza of the Aztec/Mexica traditions

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?
So fun to dream about going places again! First we would head to Venice Beach to check out the local artists and performers. From there we would take a nice drive up the PCH, ocean breeze floating in the windows to Temescal Canyon for a day hike and picnic. For dinner we would head to East LA for the best taco and food trucks. The night would end with some salsa dancing!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I acknowledge the Creator, my ancestors, and spirit guides. Without their love and guidance, I wouldn’t be here. I acknowledge nature, Pachamama, the four legged, the winged ones, star nations, mama moon and the water who sustains our life. I acknowledge the darkness and shadows of life that make the light that much brighter. Much love and respect to all friends and family that love me unconditionally and walk this walk of life with me, even through my unconventional ways. I see you!

And a big shout out to my sistar in love and bubbles, Heather Parker, for the nomination and the blessing to be a part of the The Shoutout series.

Website: www.tishamarina.com

Instagram: @tisha_choosingpeace

Linkedin: Tisha Marina

Facebook: Tisha Marina Bernard

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.