We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandon Dawson-Jarvis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandon below.
Brandon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Is there a historical figure you look up to? Who are they and what lessons or values have you learned from them?
The historical figure I look up to, my hero, the one person I wish I could break bread with and the way I came up with the name Grove Campus is in homage to Mr. Huey Percy Newton. It shocks me how many people do not know who this individual was but everyone is well aware of the impact and legacy he left on the world.
There are so many greats that have been inspired by Newton, from Dr King, Malcolm X, Ali, Obama, Tupac and the list continues. He refused to settle for less than equality and refused to live in a country where the government took advantage and failed to protect the people.
I often say that if I can attain a fracture of what this man did, it would be a good life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ater struggling with PTSD and depression for over a year, I was at an all time low. With very few options to resort to, I tried yoga. I was reluctant at first because I did not identify with the practice but decided to give it a try.
Yoga emerged as a practice that was eye-opening and counteracted my mental health issues. I realized that yoga moves much deeper than our physical bodies and has the ability to transmute a wide variety of issues, including mental health.
I felt the need to share this practice and its benefits with others, and created what I felt was lacking: a space for all. I began leading karma sessions and using the contributions to have an impact in the community, thus Grove Campus was born.
Today, we have a line of yoga products and host yoga festivals.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I was abused by my parents and developed a heavy victim mentality, always finding myself in trouble, landing myself in prison. I decided I deserved a better quality of life and decided to reflect on why and how I was in the situations that I was in. After much reflection time, I realized that I was putting off responsibility. After accepting that I was creating this reality, I rewrote the narrative I was feeding myself and decided to change my life.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
That a criminal record is something that holds you back.
I have a record but I found a way to use it to my advantage and got ahead of the story and narrative that was always being discussed and added my version and had people understand things from my perspective which has proved to be very beneficial.
Contact Info:
- Website: grovecampus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grovecampus/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/groveampus/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grove-campus/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSklazAW1sNWEj7FKtTh3w
Image Credits
Jason Dam