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

Alright, Alexis thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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.

From a young age, I remember, as I’m sure most do, having to answer the daunting question of “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I remember unlike most kids, I never had that one thing. In fact, I think I changed my answer every time. Sometimes it was a singer, sometimes it was a painter, sometimes it was a teacher, but no matter what I chose, I had this sense that it was something that would make the world more beautiful, more peaceful. It had to be something that made me feel like I was contributing to the world through my own unique expression, without limiting myself to any expectations or pre-established standards.

With each answer shifting, I also remember feeling my parents’ uncomfortable curiosity and disapproval with my truth. They wanted to hear that I was ready to become the first generational pioneer of having a PhD in my Asian-American (half Chinese and half Filipino) family. This was the pressure and the question mark that I carried with me all throughout my educational career. I felt like I was suffocating trying to pull the weight of fulfilling somebody else’s, matter of fact, TWO somebody else’s vision for my life.

My main keepers of peace and joy, home really, were found in my practices of yoga, meditation, breathwork and reading about the stories of yogis, shamans and healers, who always had a greater understanding of their place in the world and walked in it, wholeheartedly. It wasn’t until the lockdown hit Sacramento State, while I was in my Junior year of college, that the weight started to break me down. I could no longer ignore the deep lack of fulfillment I was experiencing. I had to make a decision. And that decision meant turning my back on everything I had known, everything I had prepared for, everything even my family had prepared for. It meant going in a completely direction, without a solid plan or knowing of where it would take me. But my happiness, my peace of mind and the voice of my heart and soul’s truth were on the line, and that was enough to give me a green light.

I didn’t have a plan so I worked multiple jobs- mostly restaurants and nannying. On the side, I spent a lot of my time learning about healing, energy work and spiritual philosophies. And really, the only guidance I could follow was that of my heart, this quiet voice that gently nudged me towards certain teachers, classes and books. By following that voice, I started experiencing what felt like flow, miracles and synchronicity.

It’s been 3 years since deciding to leave my perfectly packaged plan of graduating college, getting my masters and having a PhD in psychology or nursing. And sure, it comes with it’s challenges of keeping myself disciplined, accountable and courageous, but more importantly, it has strengthened my connection to myself and my Higher purpose in this lifetime.

Now I get to contribute my piece of peace to the world. I get to work with other beautiful human beings and empower and support their journeys through energy healing. It’s through this energetic work that I know my experiences of fear, disempowerment and disconnection were all purposeful, because I can now inspire that same authenticity and liberation for others.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a first generation, Chinese and Filipino woman, currently living in Sacramento, CA / Nisenan land.

I grew up as an extremely sensitive, curious and passionate child, yet I was also very sheltered. I vividly remember feeling restricted by the rules and expectations of my family, school, society, etc.

Being highly sensitive, I was always keen to the emotions and energy of my environment. Because of the common lack of knowledge or awareness around these experiences, I was without any guidance or empowerment, which led to my sensitivity to manifest as anxiety, overstimulation and a desire to isolate myself from the world. I went through the motions of life without tending to this very natural part of myself, at the cost of my self- expression.

It was out of the unbearable discomfort and loneliness, that I inevitably had to take action to reconnect with parts of myself that were longing to be acknowledged and heard. I turned my habit of introspection and isolating into a learning opportunity to discover the truth about myself. I discovered that my sensitivity was actually a gift, a gateway to experiencing life in a much more intuitive, informed and enriching way.

My parents, though both immigrants from other countries were pretty disconnected from their roots, besides speaking their native tongues. It was through deep study and meditation, that I was able to discover my ancestral wisdom rooted in ancient herbalism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Animism.

Through my discoveries, I recognized the power of being truly, deeply and authentically connected to our selves, in body and in spirit. And from this, I was able to return to myself and my calling as an intuitive channel, energy healer, space- holder and guide.

I believe that in the grand play of life, we are all here to fulfill a unique role and purpose, to unlock a higher expression of truth from within us.

Using the wisdom of my ancestors, astrology/cosmology, energetic healing and intuitive channeling, I empower and guide others to return to their deepest capacity of self- connection, self- knowledge and self- mastery, from which this truth can be fully expressed and realized.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

“Think of your work life, therefore, not as separate from your spiritual life, but as central to your spiritual life. Whatever your business, it is your ministry.” – Marianne Williamson, from “The Law of Divine Compensation”

“When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending.” – Brene Brown’s “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.”

Often times, we see work as a job, the means to an end or a way to earn a paycheck or reach some form of status or acceptance in the world.
What if instead, we saw work as the fulfillment of our calling and a higher Purpose. Then it could be the vehicle through which we achieve being in service to something larger than ourselves, by being devoted to meeting the unique expression of truth within each of us. In this perceptual shift, work is less about specific tasks and more about the intention through which we choose to live our lives. A job is only the glove, while a calling is the hand, the skin and bones.

Fulfilling our deepest calling is an opportunity to become an instrument of creative change in the world, to plant seeds from the greater universal intelligence within each of us. In this sense, work, career and business are ways for us to experience reclamation of our power and the rewriting of collective narratives, in whatever field we land in.

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

Unwavering trust, patience and humility.

When it comes to doing something that feels like you’re riding up against the collective wave, it requires trust, and lots of it. You have to be unshakable, deeply rooted and affirmed in your sense of self and in your mission, so that nothing outside of you can take you off track. I find that this is especially important when facing other people’s opinions and doubts. Because there will be doubts, from friends, family, colleagues, and even from our logical minds. It’s in these moments that we have to remember to trust our intentions, the bigger picture at play, and our heart/ intuition. And that also requires patience. It means choosing to be in it for the long haul. The journey of fulfilling the calling isn’t about gaining instant fame or money or material items. The cause is much greater than our worldly and carnal desires. It asks us to get out of our own way, by really committing to the timing, structure and miracle of a grander picture that we may not even be able to see or understand.

Ultimately, moving from this inner reservoir of trust, patience and humility is a surrender to living from our hearts, rather than our minds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/thesensitivemami
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesensitivemami/

Image Credits
1 & 2 : Shot by Alyssa Chavez Sunset portraits: Shot by Kyle Taylor Last photo: Aldous Massie art