We were lucky to catch up with Catalina Mejia recently and have shared our conversation below.
Catalina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
In 2020 I should have been full of joy after my Dad was finally declared cancer free. I had moved to the US to help pay for his treatments back in Colombia and God had finally given us the greatest gift. I got married, we adopted a dog and lived in a nice house but the reality was that I didn’t feel good. I was lonely and was suffering terribly from anxiety, eczema, and fatigue. I was struggling to find my purpose and I was fighting with my new life. This would lead me on long journey – a journey that I’m honestly still on – to a plastic surgeon who by a total miracle would be the first doctor (after seeing many) to tell me to remove my breast implants which I later would. This opened my eyes to both the physical sickness that breast implants can and have caused in so many women, including me, as well as the emotional and spiritual toll they can have on women. While explanting my breast implants felt like a huge weight was lifted from me and resolved my eczema, I was still struggling with my Hashimotos which I had recently been diagnosed with. I felt like I had tried every diet and supplement out there but I was still not feeling good and was still fighting with life. It all begin to change when one day my husband came home with 30 lbs of ice and said he was going to try and ice bath. I thought he was crazy but I gave it a try. It was painful, it was uncomfortable but when I got out, I had this craving to get back in – I loved it. While I didn’t know it at the time, this is when Surrender was born. I began to slowly grow my ice bath practice and began to learn its power – The ice taught me to stop fighting the things in life that we can’t control. It taught me how to face my fears. It helped me through some really dark moments and it led me to start Surrender where I can share this practice with others.
Catalina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As mentioned in the previous section – I got into cold exposure through my own needs. I was struggling physically and mentally and I discovered the amazing power of the cold. I have always been drawn to helping others and have always had a calling to serve. When I realized the power that the cold had in my own life, I knew that I wanted to help others to find the same. I currently offer one on one ice bath coaching sessions, group ice bath sessions, and I facilitate personalized women circle events. All of my events and sessions are highly personalized based on my client’s needs and desires. Facilitating womens circles is one of my favorite services that I offer – I create a beautiful circle of flowers and candles and walk your group through a number of activities all aimed at healing. These can include but not limited to sound healing, ice baths, journaling, self-reflection, singing, and dancing – each one is different and is customized based on your group and what you are looking to get out of it. I love connecting with people and helping them to find their path to healing.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If I could go back, I would have started my business even earlier. I believe that following my heart and my dreams transformed my life but it took me some time to gain the courage to start it. It is hard to get out of your comfort zone and to turn away from the 9-5 jobs, especially when your business is not generating the money initially that you want. Theres something beautiful and meaningful though about dedicating your time to your passion and to helping others. There is magic when you dont follow what is expected or what you have been told is the right path and instead you create, explore and transit your own.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
passion, purpose and dedication.
Cold therapy is relatively new and it has been a challenge to share with people what it is and how it can help them but no doubt that doing things with love, purpose and remaining dedicated has been what keeps me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.surrenderhtx.com
- Instagram: surrenderhtx_
- Youtube: Surrender HTX
Image Credits
@sacredsoulshtx