We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jackie Hyman Jessica David. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jackie Hyman below.

Jackie Hyman, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

From a young age, I knew deep down that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others. As a child, I found joy in playing “school” with my stuffed animals, assuming the role of a teacher. But as I grew, I realized that my true calling was in forming intimate relationships that went beyond mere formalities. I thrived in conversations that were raw and real, embracing vulnerability, trust, and connection. Counseling naturally presented itself as the perfect path for me.

As I neared the end of my graduate program, the realization hit that I’d soon be stepping into the world of job applications. It was daunting, to say the least, but fate had something special in store for me. I hadn’t really considered working in private practice before, but a friend’s casual suggestion to explore this path dramatically shifted my perspective. Eager for an opportunity, I accepted his offer to connect me with a colleague of his.

What followed was an unexpected surprise. The conversation with his colleague flowed effortlessly, as though I was catching up with an old friend. It was only later that I realized I had been in an interview—and before I knew it, I was offered a position. Securing a job in such a natural and intuitive way, even before many of my peers, felt like a gift from the universe.

This unexpected opportunity in private practice turned out to be the best professional decision I’ve ever made. Instead of navigating the often dreaded terrain of interviews and contract negotiations, I found myself with the autonomy and freedom that came with being largely my own boss. This experience not only stood out because of how seamless it was but also because of the profound lesson it taught me.

I’ve learned that no relationship exists in a vacuum. Acting with integrity and authenticity allows others to see the real you. It invites them to connect with you deeply, rallying in your support without hesitation. The connections we cultivate are powerful—they can indeed change the course of our lives when we least expect it. By remaining open to possibilities, I was led right where I didn’t know I needed to be.

I hold dear every relationship, cherishing the potential each one holds to transform my journey and those I encounter along the way.

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?

We are both licensed psychologists who have a passion for helping our communities rediscover their voice and harness their power. After many years of clinical training and experience, we began asking ourselves, how can we expand our reach and share the knowledge that we’ve learned on a larger scale? How can we use our educational backgrounds and research to uplift our communities and create sustainable change? Based on our own personal experiences, and the experiences of those around us (loved ones, friends, and clients), we realized how we could best serve our community with the gifts that we had been given.

We founded Bmore Rooted with the mission to help women of color become more rooted in their personhood. We work alongside women to help them get back in touch with their inner selves, embrace their joy, and reclaim center stage in their lives. We emphasize radical self-authorship and self-compassion on the journey to balance, and our services focus on deepening self-awareness, challenging embedded narratives, and redefining one’s joy. Through our courses and our membership, we provide women with the necessary tools, resources, and unwavering support to confidently prioritize their personal needs, fostering a sense of self-empowerment. We aim to spark a cultural transformation where self-care, self-love, and self-fulfillment for women of color are celebrated and actively cultivated. Our vision is to create a world where women are unapologetically pursuing holistic well-being, and reshaping societal norms for a more equitable future.

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

One major lesson that we had to collectively unlearn, and, quite frankly, are still unlearning, is to do less and be more.

Throughout our life, we’d both been applauded for doing all the “right” things. We were the ones that people turned to when they needed something done and something done “right”. If we were being asked to take on more responsibility, that must mean that we were respected as colleagues, right? We couldn’t very well let them down–they trusted us! And we all know that hard work gets rewarded with…well, more work. We would pride ourselves on our work ethic to the point that it became a core part of our identities growing up. Everything hinged on our ability to deliver. Despite the physical and psychological toll it began to take on us, we would continue to push hard to meet deadlines, expectations, standards–we strove for excellence every time and rarely fell short. You might see where this is heading… Especially as graduate students, our lives were not only about “doing” and producing, but it was about doing and producing for everyone other than ourselves! For both of us, our physical and mental health were suffering in an attempt to exceed the expectations of others on a consistent basis. Now, certainly, we weren’t going to admit this to ourselves. Instead, we rationalized our work ethic as a staunch dedication to our future success. We were working hard for the long-term benefits, and investing in delayed gratification. Aren’t hard-work and grit good things?!

Life has a funny (and oftentimes painful) way of slowing us down. Instead of doing, here are the new lessons we have begun to integrate into our worldview (and our work):
-Your worth is not contingent on what you produce or how much you produce.
-You are inherently worthy of love, acceptance, and community–you don’t have to earn them.
-To say “no” is one of the bravest things that you can do for yourself, and one of the best ways you can stay committed to the success of your future self.
-If you’re going to strive for excellence, do it in service of what is true and right for you.
-There are an infinite number of responsibilities, but there’s only one you
-Don’t hoard all of your joy and love for your future self–your present self needs just as much, if not more.

So, how do we “be?” We allow ourselves to slow down; that’s all. We take stock of ourselves, our environment, the people around us, we notice. We’ve come to realize that when we are “being,” we are more present, patient, creative, and compassionate. We smile, laugh, give, hug, sing, and dance. Honestly, it’s kind of great! Our “doing” is still a really important part of who we are, but now, we just know and embrace that our “doing” isn’t all of who we are and, most importantly, our “doing” doesn’t define us.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been leveraging social media and online platforms. In a digital space where countless voices are competing for attention, I realized the importance of staying true to my own story, voice, and personality. Understanding that my authenticity is my unique strength, I trusted that those who resonated with my humor and style would find me and remain engaged.

Navigating social media’s landscape wasn’t without its challenges. It often felt tempting to emulate others’ presentation styles, to conform to what seemed popular or successful. However, I remained committed to authenticity, believing in the strength of genuine connection over superficial reach. Resisting the external pressures to mold myself into something I wasn’t was difficult but essential.

By sharing content that genuinely reflected who I am and what I stand for, I’ve been able to cultivate a community that appreciates and values our shared connection. This strategic approach not only grew my audience but established a loyal clientele that resonates with my message and services, reinforcing the power of staying true to oneself in business growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bmorerootedllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmorerootedllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088262567605

Image Credits

Chris Newhard