We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Janie Terrazas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Janie below.
Janie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career, primarily through their unwavering support and encouragement. Growing up, I was a child brimming with diverse interests, eager to dip my toes into various activities. Whether it was dance, tennis, or violin, my parents were always there, not just as spectators, but as my most enthusiastic cheerleaders. This positive loving support inadvertently nurtured a mindset within me that fostered self-belief and confidence. Their upbringing was instrumental in making me comfortable with taking significant risks in my professional, creative, and financial endeavors later in life.
One aspect of their parenting I cherish deeply is their approach to my decisions, especially those they personally disagreed with due to their own fears or apprehensions. They still offered their support and understanding, a stance not very common in traditional parenting. Importantly, when I faced setbacks or didn’t achieve the expected success in some endeavors, they never resorted to shaming or pressuring me. They allowed me the freedom to make my own choices, a rare and invaluable gift in a world where parental expectations often weigh heavily on children.
In my coaching practice, I meet many young teens who express a common grievance about not feeling unconditionally supported by their parents. This lack of support can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem and decision-making skills. My parents’ approach has not only impacted my journey positively but also continuously informs and inspires my coaching philosophy. I strive to impart the essence of unconditional support to the families I work with, emphasizing the profound influence it can have on a young individual’s development and future choices.
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?
The Essence of My Being
I’m an inspiration igniter and a humanitarian at heart. My journey into personal growth and wellness sprang from a rich tapestry of experiences, both challenging and enlightening. Before 2011, my career was rooted in the media and entertainment industry in Los Angeles, CA, until I had an unexpected spiritual awakening that redirected my career path. That was the year I began asking deeper questions like what is the purpose of life, why am I here and is there really a universal creator behind creation?
Little did I know it would be the beginning of an “Alice in Wonderland” experience that would unveil those answers and so much more. What I discovered lit something in me that propelled me toward helping others nurture their well-being and relationships. This fire also drove me to create RiseAboveTV.com, a passion project that allows me to bridge my broadcasting/producing experience with my coaching endeavors.
The Essence of My Mission
To inspire and guide those seeking a life marked by balance, mindfulness, love, peace, joy, vitality, and prosperity. This mission is deeply intertwined with my philosophy, “Know Thyself. Love Thyself. Stay Curious.” It encapsulates the essence of my teachings and programs, which are anchored in the principles of unconditional love. Through this journey of self-awareness, I aim to initiate transformative ripples extending beyond the individual to the broader community.
Specializations and Certifications
My specialties lie in addressing heartache, grief, mind-body stress regulation, relationship and communication challenges, and overcoming childhood traumas. My toolkit is diverse, reflecting my extensive certifications: I am a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Instructor, a Twogether in Texas Certified Relationship Coach, a Life Optimization Coach, a Master Reiki Practitioner, a Meditation Guide, and an EFT Instructor. Each of these roles allows me to address the multifaceted nature of pain and healing.
A Personal Odyssey
My own transformation began in earnest in the Spring of 2016, a period I refer to as my Dark Night of the Soul. It followed the unraveling of my marriage, revealing deep-seated traumas and prompting intense self-reflection and healing. This period was a crucible, forging a deeper understanding of life, love, and the self. It was during this time that I fully embraced the transformative power of unconditional love, which became a cornerstone of my practice.
Rising from the Ashes
The journey through my own traumas was not just about healing; it was about discovering my true self and purpose. It involved dissecting limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging/self-protective patterns, particularly in the realms of relationships and professional life. This path led to an in-depth understanding of the divine power of unconditional love, sharpening my intuition, instincts, clarity, and vitality.
The Birth of PazMesa
My experiences, insights, and studies culminated in the creation of PazMesa, a concept that symbolizes peace within. “Paz” is Spanish for peace, and “Mesa” is Greek for within. PazMesa represents the inner tranquility and harmony one can achieve. It’s about fostering a healthy, authentic relationship with oneself, which in turn enriches connections with others and the world. I’m looking forward to launching my PazMesa Self-Mastery program in 2024 and reviving the PazMesa Playhouse podcast on RiseAboveTV.com.
My Vision for Others
My ultimate goal is to empower others to discover and ignite their unique spark, so they can create the extraordinary life and love they deserve. I believe everyone has the responsibility and capability to tap into their PazMesa, embodying the peace and care they wish to see in the world. Through my guidance, I aspire to help others free themselves from the pain and suffering that binds them, thus enabling them to create a more authentic, meaningful life full of joy, vitality, and fulfillment.
Embracing the PazMesa ethos doesn’t equate to a life devoid of turbulence, but rather, it’s about cultivating an inner sanctuary of mindfulness, confidence, and resilience. It’s about shaping a self that’s not only prepared to face life’s adversities but also adept at navigating through them with grace. The PazMesa way encourages an understanding that life’s trials, akin to lemons, are inevitable, yet it’s our perception and actions—our ability to make lemonade (and other desserts) from these lemons—that truly define our experience and our essence.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My reputation within my market has been significantly bolstered by the generosity of my clients who have shared their experiences through reviews on my Google page and by referring others. I am deeply grateful and humbled by their support for my work, which I believe stems from the genuine energy exchange that occurs between us. From the initial interaction with potential clients, I approach them as I would a friend, rather than a prospective sale. Recognizing the bravery it takes to seek out a coach or therapist, I express my deep respect for their decision to pursue betterment right from the start.
I strive to assure them that they are not alone in their journey, affirming their innate strength to transcend their challenges. This genuine care and my passion for educating and empowering others to embrace a mindful way of living resonates deeply with people. I believe this sincerity is what motivates them to share their positive experiences with others. This organic word-of-mouth has been instrumental in elevating my visibility, placing me at the forefront of search results, and thus eliminating the need for paid advertising.
I am deeply grateful to have been named the 2023 Best Life Coach in San Antonio by the Quality Business Awards, an honor greatly shaped by the heartfelt testimonials from my clients. Coaches and therapists frequently undervalue their impact, perhaps not fully recognizing their societal contributions. So being granted this accolade stands as an affirmation, both validating my approach and shining a light on the significant transformations I’ve witnessed in the lives of those I am genuinely honored to guide and support.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One significant lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the deeply ingrained habit of people-pleasing, a behavior often rooted in trauma protection that permeates not just romantic relationships but professional ones as well. Earlier in my career, I found myself automatically saying ‘yes’ to all potential clients seeking long-term coaching, and to every collaboration request from peers, without carefully evaluating if these opportunities were truly a good fit.
Additionally, I struggled with turning away individuals who couldn’t afford my services, often allowing them to pay whatever they could. Initially, this felt like an act of kindness and generosity. However, I learned the hard way that without setting boundaries and limiting these special circumstance cases, this approach could lead to burnout. This behavior was also a reflection of my own subconscious battles with low self-worth and a scarcity mindset, issues I’ve since worked diligently to heal and overcome.
To help rectify these tendencies and alleviate associated guilt, I’ve found these two mindful acronyms particularly useful, which I received during meditation.
The first is T.E.A., standing for Time, Energy, Attention. It reminds us that our time, energy, and attention are precious, and we should be conscious of whom and what we’re dedicating these resources to, and more importantly, why.
The second is T.E.D., representing Time, Energy, Desire. This is a tool to help discern when to say ‘no’ and when to say ‘yes’. It involves asking oneself: Do I have the Time? Do I have the Energy? Do I have the Desire? If the answer is predominantly ‘no’, it’s a clear indicator to decline; if it’s ‘yes’, then it’s a green light.
However, these rules aren’t absolute. For instance, if a friend offers a last-minute ticket to a concert by an artist you adore, and while you may have low energy and need to rearrange your schedule, your high desire might make it worthwhile to go and enjoy the experience. Such exceptions remind us of the importance of balance and the joy of spontaneous moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.janieterrazas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janiethemindfulnesscoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janieterrazas
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/janiethemindfulnesscoach
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/janieterrazas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@janiethemindfulnesscoach
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/janie-terrazas-the-mindfulness-coach-san-antonio
- Other: www.RiseAboveTV.com
Image Credits
All of the images are mine so no credit needed.