We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Celena Monique. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Celena below.
Celena, 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.
Taking a risk, sheesh…where to start?!
If I had to describe the past 5 years of my life the title “Taking a risk” describes it to a tee. So let’s go back to around 2018, my journey may be similar to probably so many others in trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and then actually figuring the steps. At one point in time I wanted to pursue acting, so I was looking up the best route to take, I even got an extra role in the hit FX comedy drama series “Atlanta”. Then I pursued modeling but in my own way by creating my own concepts and capturing myself through social media platforms, all while trying new jobs, quitting jobs, and trying to fulfill this entreprenurial desire, but I noticed how I was going about it in the wrong way. I didn’t have a strong financial foundation, I was emotionally stunted, and becoming drained/depressed. I’m taking all these risks but they were not calculated at all, I was not balanced, and I was just trying to do it all, but on a small level with no team/support. I know that pursuing different roles/jobs I loved or was truly interested in was not the problem, the problem is when I’m solely moved by blind faith without proper preparation and compromising my well-being. Faith is such a beautiful attribute but it means nothing if we are not wise with our choices.
Throughout that time while I was spiraling down it taught me that I had so much deep inner-work to do, but it was going to be so WELL worth it. So now moving forward present day of 2023 I’m on a new path where I’m more so focused on my wellness and health but showing the world how it’s personable to me by incorporating my authenticity, sensuality, and philanthropy. I have my brand Sensual by Celena where I express the importance of health, wellness, and sensuality for black women. I teach yoga, movement, and mobility and just have fun with it, that’s the important part! I also model and create content but on my time while properly balancing a new career that I obtained and started in January. I will say one thing having a career at a company that truly values its employees well-being, a positive working environment (even while working from home) and having good pay with opportunity of growth is so important, so I’m definitely a happier girl these days but far from perfect.
However I can’t act like I just became this happier/balanced person over these years without crediting people in my life, so to my love Antonio Rogers thank you for your love + support even in those hard moments, Brooke Chalk thank you for being a friend with so much motivation you don’t know how much you inviting me to come to yoga saved me, thank you to my mom, dad, grandma for loving me even though I was more distant in my times of stress. I appreciate anyone I came across/met/networked with that gave me light and encouragement, y’all are the gems. I just hope I can be a gem to y’all now as I progress and still learn on this new journey…and it continues.
Celena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Celena, I’m a 200 RYT and my brand name is Sensual by Celena where I focus on health, wellness, and sensuality for black women. I teach yoga/mobility and hold classes/events from time to time, so be on the lookout on when I start back actively teaching on my IG: @sensualbycelena. I also create discussions/videos around wellness/emotional wellness/sensuality/sexuality/healthy eating and more.
My purpose is to show that you can be true to you while being a better you and I’m a firm believer in that and I just want to show us in a different light. I’m proud that I’m inspiring other black women to just feel good in their body, feel good in your sensuality, and to take care of themselves in every aspect, not just physically.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society can support creatives more by showing up, promoting who you see is out here doing there thing (don’t be a playa hater now lol) but seriously promote those who are putting their good energy to create beautiful things for the betterment of society. Support your local yogi, support your local artist, support your local health advocate, support communities that don’t really get the lime light. You can shift the media if you shed light and put more focus on those that are doing good.
Let the support be genuine as well, don’t just support thinking you’re going to get some gain out of it, because best believe people can see through the BS.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the fact that it’s your rules and nobody else’s rules that you have to abide by, you create what you want whether it be art on a yoga mat creating beautiful shapes or painting a beautiful portrait. The ball is in your court and you can do whatever you want and that’s a true freedom I wish for anyone.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sensual by Celena
- Youtube: Sensual by Celena
- Other: Tik Tok: Sensual by Celena