We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaime Elkayam a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jaime, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have been a guiding force in my life, shaping both my values and character. One of my favorite examples of this is that before every family dinner, my dad would pose the question ‘What did you learn today?’, instilling in me an enduring love for learning and curiosity. As a kid, I often resisted answering “I didn’t learning anything today” – this question forced me to dig deep and reflect on the way I had spent my time. My mom taught me the beauty of nature – our backyard garden being a testament to the deep connection we can foster with the earth. I spent many afternoons after school barefoot in the dirt with her, tending to our beautiful plants & still hold that intimate relationship with nature dear. The marriage of my father’s intellect and my mother’s heartfelt compassion has become the center of the compass by which I navigate my life.

They’ve also given me the gift of unconditional love and support. Their unwavering support has always been underscored by two vital questions — ‘Does it make you happy?’ and ‘Are you being kind?’ — these questions have been my anchor, especially as I’ve made a few significant shifts in my career. First, from interior design to health and fitness and then into the wellness and healing arena. Their support has allowed me to be brave and take steps that I may not have otherwise.

Jaime, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Jaime Elkayam, originally from the Bay Area, I’m now rooted in West Hollywood. In three words, I would describe myself passionate, dynamic, and loving. My journey into the wellness space stems from a deeply personal experience. As a teenager, a severe back injury abruptly halted my athletic pursuits. At 16, I was offered a grim prognosis, a prescription for pain killers and the possibility of surgery…everything about that moment felt wrong. Fortunately, my youthful determined heart guided me to seek alternative healing paths. Diving into the complex interplay between nutrition, movement, emotional well-being, trauma, and spiritual health, I unearthed a profound realization: beneath the physical pain lay unfelt emotions, connected to my parents’ turbulent divorce. A decade of introspection and hard work not only healed my back but also ignited my passion for holistic health.

Originally driven by personal healing, my mission quickly evolved. After integrating Reiki and energy healing into my practice, I found an approach that truly resonated with me. Today, together with my husband, we offer a unique coaching program aimed at those seeking holistic remedies for chronic pain or simply wishing to reignite their lost spark. Merging physical, mental, and spiritual modalities, we guide our clients back to their authentic selves.

What sets our approach apart in the saturated wellness market is our trifecta focus on the mind, body, and spirit. While many emphasize one aspect, we believe in harmonizing all three. Clients often come to us, feeling a void in their once-vibrant lives, and we take immense pride in guiding them through their transformative journey, helping them rediscover their radiance.

Perhaps what fills me with the most pride is partnering with my husband in this endeavor. In a world teeming with fleeting ‘quick fixes,’ (and quick relationships) we’re dedicated to delivering genuine, lasting change underpinned by integrity, compassion, and genuine connection.

In essence, our message is simple: Mind, body, spirit… harmonized. Our goal is for every client to emerge from our sessions inspired, empowered, and confident, ready to embrace the world with their authentic brilliance.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In my late teens, a severe back injury abruptly changed the course of my life. From an active, athletic individual, I found myself grappling with near-complete immobility. The imagery from my MRIs painted a grim picture, leading my doctor to label it as one of the worst cases he had encountered (in his words, I had the spine of a 65 year old). He recommended a potent regimen of painkillers and hinted at an impending surgery. While many would have accepted this diagnosis, something deep within me refused to believe it.

Rather than surrendering to the prognosis, I embarked on a mission to understand the root cause of chronic pain and injury, I dove deep into areas like nutrition, movement, emotional well-being, trauma’s impact on the body, and spiritual health. Over time, a powerful realization emerged: beneath my physical pain lay buried emotions connected to my parents’ tumultuous divorce. This epiphany spurred an intensive journey of self-discovery and healing.

Despite the daunting odds, I committed to addressing and processing these unfelt emotions and learning to move my body with greater care and respect. After a decade of relentless dedication and introspection, not only did I heal my back, but I also managed to remain pain-free for over five years, without resorting to medications or surgeries. This profound personal experience not only exemplifies my resilience but also fuels my passion for holistic healing, empowering others to reclaim their health and vibrancy by addressing the mind, body, and spirit.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the early days of my career, I was deeply immersed in the luxury fitness world, leading the personal training department at Equinox. I took pride in coaching, hiring, and educating some of the top trainers. However, the advent of the pandemic drastically altered this trajectory. From packed 50-hour weeks, I suddenly found myself navigating an unfamiliar landscape of reduced work and increased introspection. This pause, though unexpected, became a pivotal moment of opportunity.

My husband and I, driven by a shared vision and passion, began brainstorming on how our combined skills could cater to a broader human experience, particularly during such trying times. The fear of the unknown loomed large. Could we venture out of our comfort zones and succeed? Would our community resonate with our vision? Would the financial uncertainties deter our spirit?

Despite these apprehensions, we forged ahead, blending our expertise in Reiki and fitness with his background as a creative and Pilates expert to design a holistic coaching program that dives deeper into the human psyche. The support we received from our community was overwhelming. What started as a purely online endeavor eventually evolved into a tangible space in West Hollywood, where we now host group healing events, Pilates sessions, and personal coaching, infusing every offering with warmth and compassion.

This pivot, born out of necessity and fueled by passion, has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Not only did it challenge and stretch my professional capacities, but it also allowed me to craft a meaningful venture alongside my life partner

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wordofmouth.love
• Instagram: @wordofmouth.love @westhollywoodpilates
• Youtube: @wordofmouth-love