We recently connected with Ayanna “Nae” Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayanna “Nae”, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

The most defining moment in my life is when I decided to take back my power and choosing to forgive those whom I felt mistreated me. Back in 2018, I made a conscious decision to confront everything I felt was a hindrance to me reaching my greatest potential. Not only did I confront my offenders, but I confronted myself in regard to the way I would think and/or perceive situations. After confronting my triggers and my childhood trauma, I began to see this life is truly what we make it. We have the choice to let our adverse experiences keep us in bondage or we can choose to take those same adverse experiences and turn them into something positive. Something that will help someone else. I chose to take my experiences and make the best of them. Although I went through a period of brokenness, I quickly found out that God broke me so that I may be a blessing to others. Changing the way I perceived myself and my life was the most redefining moment in my life, and it is what drives me to help others become the best possible version of themselves. If I can do it, I believe I have been given the power to help others do the same. The goal is to love God, love people, and make a difference.

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?

First and foremost, I must acknowledge my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everything I have been blessed to do at this point in my life has nothing to do with me and everything to do with my belief in our Heavenly Father.

My name is Ayanna Jones, but most people know me as Nae Jones. I am a 29 year old entrepreneur, who has a crazy vision that we are capable of living peacefully, productively, and effectively as a society. In 2020, during the middle of the COVID-19 epidemic, I decided it was time to start my journey as a nonprofit organizer.

The name of the organization is Breaking Cycles Incorporated, where our mission is, “breaking generational curses and creating generational wealth.” I know, I know when most people hear or read the word “wealth,” they may think of financial stability and freedom. But, have you ever thought about wealth being a part of how we manage our mental health? I believe everything start in the mind first. For example, someone may be the wealthiest person you know, but they lack the discipline to properly manage their finances, so they have to file bankruptcy. In order to effectively fix the problem, the person would need to self reflect and think about what they can do differently to change their situation. Similarly, I think the same thing applies when we are trying to become better as individuals. Taking a step back or a pause to reevaluate our lives and the way we perceive adversity is detrimental to reaching one’s full potential.

Breaking Cycles Incorporated is dedicated to creating a safe space where adolescents and young adults can grow and thrive together in a way that promotes positive relationships, healthy boundaries, mental wellness, and healing.

As a mindset life coach, my job is to help my clients sort through the things they may feel are hindering them from achieving their goals. Most times, when a person feels stuck, there is a mental blockage. I have no greater passion than to help others unpack whatever problems they are facing and shift their perspectives around the situation for their greatest good. The goal is to become solution oriented.

Adversity is something we all face at some point in our lives. My goal is to help others overcome moments of suffering and sadness, so they might see the true beauty within themselves and begin living meaningful and purposeful lives.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a grassroots organization, it has been challenging to find support and funding. Despite these challenges, I have managed to host several events including hygiene events for the homeless, vision board events for children and adults, paint therapy sessions, host a weekly after school program called “wellness Wednesday,” and a host of other small speaking engagements. Although I don’t receive government grants or funding, I still find a way to keep the organization running. I am prayerful that as the years go, Breaking Cycles Incorporated will continue to grow. So far, we have been featured in Voyage Magazine and the local news in Indianapolis 3 times. This vision is so much bigger than me, so I have to give it the best I’ve got.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn everything I believed about myself growing up. When I was a young girl, others often told me I had an attitude problem or I was mean. So, of course as any other child would, I took those words to heart and it became my identity. Throughout middle school and high school I lived my life in a problematic way because I truly believed I was the problem. As I got older and began taking time to learn and understand myself, I found I was not mean or attitudinal, I was misunderstood. I was misunderstood because so much had happened as a child that I never spoke of and it made me an angry child. The more I began unpacking my trauma and it’s responses, the more I began seeing myself in a brighter light. Today, I refuse to let others speak negatively over my character because despite what others may think or say, I’ve gotten to know myself, and I must say I’m a pretty cool
person.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nae.g.jones?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@atj08241