Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Stewart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jenna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I launched my company “Canyon Adventure Vans” in February 2020, just before COVID without a business plan or business-school training — only grit, a vision, and the urgency to create something real. Running a company while learning on the fly soon turned into a pressure cooker: constant people-pleasing, sleepless nights, and an unrelenting need to keep the business afloat. That stress showed up physically. I cycled through epidurals, nerve ablations, two carpal-tunnel surgeries, and months of medicating and drinking to push through the pain. Burnout became my baseline. I stopped taking care of myself and, at my lowest point, I could not imagine waking up.

That desperation forced a choice: continue down the path of silent collapse, or radically change how I related to my body and nervous system. I chose to learn how to release the trauma my body was carrying. That work—somatic awareness, breath, movement, and learning to say “no”—not only saved my life, it reshaped my professional purpose. Today I teach others how to release chronic emotional and physical pain so they don’t have to go as far as I did to find healing. We are all compounding so much stress, tension and anxiety in today’s world and talk therapy isn’t enough to reset the nervous system, we need movement, we need breath work, we need coaching.

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?

I started my career as a professional dancer at just 16, working in film and television. On the outside it looked glamorous, but behind the scenes I learned very quickly about injury, rejection, competition, and the kind of emotional and physical pain that sticks with you long after. By 25, I was searching for answers — not just for my back pain and overthinking, but also for the people-pleasing and the constant pressure to be “enough.”

Later, I found myself building Canyon Adventure Vans. It was exciting in some ways, but during COVID I realized I was pouring my life into supporting someone else’s dream instead of my own. That wake-up call, combined with the toll of stress and pain on my body, forced me to shift. I knew I had to start living differently — and that led me to create JENNA STEWART COACHING.

Now, I help my clients release the trauma, stress, and chronic pain stored in their bodies through somatic practices, breath work, movement, and nervous system regulation. The work is deep and life-changing — and the thing I am most proud of isn’t my own transformation, it’s watching my clients radically change their lives when they show up and do the work. Seeing them move from burnout and pain into joy, vitality, and freedom is why I do what I do.

My coaching practice isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions because no two people carry pain the same way. Every session is curated to the individual, meeting you exactly where you are. Together we get to the root of the stress, trauma, or chronic pain held in your body — and from there we create real, lasting transformation that goes far beyond surface-level change.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, the most helpful skill I bring to my field is the ability to be empathetic and truly listen. When I work with someone, I don’t just hear their words — I pay attention to their body language, their energy, and the patterns underneath their story. That depth of listening allows me to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment, and create a path/plan that feels doable and aligned for them. From there, we work together to gently interrupt trauma loops, rewire old patterns, and shift habits that have kept them stuck. It’s not about forcing quick fixes — it’s about building a lifestyle that feels healthy, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. We all have the tools to reset and heal, we just need to be taught how to use them.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe what helped me build my reputation — as co-owner of Canyon Adventure Vans and now with JENNA STEWART Coaching — is my commitment to connection. I’ve learned that for any meaningful relationship, whether with customers or clients, it starts with being grounded in your own body and maintaining a regulated nervous system. When you’re present and embodied, you communicate on a much higher level. That kind of authentic communication builds trust, deepens relationships, and opens doors to BIG opportunities!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jennastewartcoaching.com
• Instagram: @jennastewartcoaching
• Facebook: @jennastewartcoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-stewart-204b06363/
• Youtube: @jennastewartcoaching

Image Credits

Joanne Distaso Photography