We recently connected with Arikah Nash and have shared our conversation below.

Arikah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I think the biggest risk is believing that others will believe they can be healed and be empowered in the medical field, and that a performing mermaid can be magical, proactive, dedicated, unconventional enough to help along the way. I drive around in a wrapped Subaru that says Heal by 3, in a predominantly allopathic and affluent area, where clout in the medical practice and pharmaceuticals industry is the judge and the people who subscribe to it and finance it, as well as die by it, are the jury. In this world, successful holistic/naturopaths/alternative health healers end up as outcasts, fined, called charlatans, have licenses revoked or threatened, or mysteriously have had their lives taken from them.

Many people have asked me, who do I think I am?!

I am a beautiful spiritual creature, not of this world, who inspires, challenges, and teaches others. I am a student of this world. The human psyche and human condition fascinates me. I believe we have power, most of which is untapped. I believe in energy, vibration, and frequency. I believe we are creation from the Creator. I believe in order and aquatic healing and therapy. I present this as a mermaid. I collaborate with other “alternative” health healers and light workers, the ones that threaten the medical industry by empowering the mass about their own bodies and how the body seeks balance, and that by thought, we can provide the body with what it needs for nourishment.
Wouldn’t you say this is pretty risky?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Shakira “Arikah Nash” Baly, is the owner of Heal by 3 and Mer-cademy, and “Arikah Nash” performance

Heal by 3 is the holistic healing company that fosters research, therapy, education, and certification. Though this company focuses on soft tissue pain management, it is diligently researching and collaborating with other scientists, holistic physicians and naturopaths to help those who suffer pain caused by dis-orders and dis-ease complications. However, doing this requires empowering the patient/client with self-awareness of their own body and lifestyle choices and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own health. We do this by intentional words spoken during each session, guided meditation, vibration and frequency therapy, grief recovery therapy, therapeutic massage, and integrated healthcare practices performed live, digitally, and electronically and by special retail catered just for them. They are informed of what to say to their doctors to provide their optimal health, and not just the localized area the physician focuses on, such as nephrologist, cardiologist, or even a surgeon. This challenges some doctors and encourages others to learn more about the body as a whole! (Isn’t that the goal?) I am most proud at the results of each client/patient that are excited to take responsibility for their health and change for the better, for themselves. The 5 star reviews are nice, but not where my focus is on. And knowing that more and more doctors and healthcare practitioners are joining together to raise the awareness of conscious is absolutely thrilling to me. Heal by 3 used to mean mostly working with the Divine Creator, and that it usually took three visits for most soft tissue chronic pain to be alleviated, but now adding to that, it means within the functioning of the human condition to truly treat the body (biochemistry, biomechanical, and bioelectrical) we specialize in the biomechanical, but assists in connecting the client/patient to the others.

Mer-cademy is a recreational business to teach children and adults how to experience and swim with a mermaid tail and monofin, provide aquatic therapy, coaching and wellness, and provide entertainment and training with multi-cultural aerial and aquatic performers for media, corporate and private parties. This was inspired first by wanting to book a mermaid of color for my own bi-racial daughter for her birthday but finding none in land-locked TN, but later catapulted by the upcoming Disney movie of the live action remake of the classic movie, The Little Mermaid, which has a black actress to play the fictional cartoon character. The racial uproar and tension was incredulous, yet after operating the company for two years now, opening during the quarantine, I discovered there were deep rooted fears across the board. Many white adults were traumatized by the swim lesson tactics from lifeguards and well-intention family members whoo simply threw them into the deep end of the pool reasoning that survival will teach them to swim. Adult blacks experienced segregated pools that later were vandalized and doused with acid by racists, and their parents never taught their children to swim. Though both sides have varying levels of deep, rooted trauma, fear is the culprit to be faced. These classes empower its students to find their courage and voice, and know that if they ever dreamed of becoming a finned sea creature, they can accomplish it. My most proud moment is when adults, though we teach children as well, but the adults, come up and wrap their arms around me crying because they saw they accomplished their dream – and looked beautiful while doing so! My saying is, it’s my job to make sure you look good! For the children, this encourages basic swim classes ands water safety, especially since there is an uptick in well-meaning family members and friends purchasing mermaid tails for the little girls in the life, without considering that many of those girls are unable to properly maneuver in the water. (Prevent drownings!!) Imagine having to maneuver int he water with your ankles and legs taped together. That, is what needs to go through adults minds as they purchase these fins and tails without thought of actual lessons. These instructors will be nationwide and accessible, to promote more swim classes throughout various ethnic communities, while promoting inclusivity. Isn’t it true that things are an issue until they’re not?

Notice the common thread between both of my companies is empowering others – if they choose – to boldly and courageously elevate to their personal higher selves.

As Arikah Nash, I sing, act, perform circus aerial, mermaid performer, and am a student pilot working on my private pilot license so to fly you there! Looking at my social media, my method in posting is to reinforce the mindset of step by step learning, that every skill requires learning, and yes, it can be done without yielding excuses. That is the legacy I am intentionally displaying to all those who scroll through my pages. (With some opinions on current events with an emphasis of a different perspective encouraging people to think for themselves!)

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Do not put your mind in the consumer wallet because they will spend on what they want.” Also,

“You cannot build a business built on low prices you think the public can afford. People will save up to spend on what has value”

Those were actually the lesson because I was thinking and operating the opposite. I wanted to make both companies affordable and accessible to everyone, but treating consumers as charity cases devalued my companies and ended up costing me. No one discounted my products or services I needed to purchase in order for my business to operate, and by relying on marketing services such as Groupon and other discounted platforms, I could not escape being the red in my finances. I simply could not do both operation and discounts. I had to release the mindset of giving the customer/client/student the benefit if the doubt and think of their budgets. I had to set my price and provide the valued services I prided myself on.

That has been the hardest lesson most rewarding lesson I am currently going through.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I’m still in the process of developing as a empath in business. Do you know how difficult that is – caring enough to give away extra energy to heal those who may not be able to reciprocate? Regarding success however, takes balance of compassion, priorities, while having the entrepreneurial mindset.

While I am strong in the compassion side of humanity to be a 5-star testimonial success, doing self audits on my financial well-being as a caretaker always brought my energy down. Being open to learn here are a few
things I’ve learned so far, that is serving me well to have that balance:

1.) Do not hold on so tightly to the end result, that’ll come and may be in ways that are unsuspected. but hold on to the why it needs to be done.

2.) Money is currency, which is energy. It is attracted to confidence, order, grounding projection sounds, and planning, not chasing, anxiety, or chaos.

3.) It’s easier to trust someone who took the time to build their reputation based on a foundation of integrity – which may feel like the long way around when it comes to building wealth, but at least it lasts for generations.

4.) People will stalk you, steal your ideas, and claim them as their own. It’s imperative to know when to keep your mouth shut and move in silence – which is often when you are building the Trojan horse.

5.) Always stay in balance, because extreme of anything is detrimental to establishing the empire and Karma isn’t really a b*tch, she just always keep her appointments and based on how we handled ourselves, that appointment can be either beneficial or not good…. and there is no grey lines when she comes…

6.) Meditation on a Higher Presence, can ground one into calmness.

7.) For the most part, people are predictable because their habits will speak on what they truly believe about themselves and how they view life. When this observation happens, the choice to increase or decrease the circle of influence happens, And must be clear before moving on to the next level of success. That’s the main reason it’s “lonely at the top.”

8.) You’re probably still not as hydrated as you think, so drink some water… And detox your colon.
9.) Some things need to be kept secret. Believe me, when it’s time to learn, the lesson will present itself. The real questions are, are you in tune enough to recognize it, humble enough to learn, and dedicated enough to do the action required to make it happen.
10.) Fast money has consequences. Easy money has processes.

My long term vision is to provide an aquatic-themed sanctuary rehab center for those who need to connect to their personal superpower. You know this is going to be abshellutely mer-mazing right? I’ll make sure to have fins and tails waiting for you all, too, or just and watch a show!! Either way, those who experience this will never be the same again.
And that’ll be a guarantee.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @arikahnash ; @mer_cademy
• Facebook: @arikah.nash.5 ; @arikahnash; @mercademytn
• Linkedin: @shakirabaly
• Other: Email me at arikahnash@gmail.com
  For Healing therapy: Text 615.422.5079 or Google “Heal by 3”

Image Credits
First photo – Mystical Inspirations Photography Underwater photo, betta black tail – Benjamin Biehl Underwater pink tail – Aquanglin photography