Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jocelyn Padilla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jocelyn , appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Without a doubt, I’m happiest when creating—whether it’s through acting, working as an intimacy coordinator, or coaching someone on reconnecting with their sensuality and joy. I’ve wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl. I still remember being completely enchanted by Tim Burton movies—there was something about his characters’ whimsy, weirdness, and emotional depth that made me feel like there was space for me in that world. That magic pulled me in and I never let it go.
That said, I know what it’s like to wonder what it would feel like to just surrender to the idea of working a “regular job.” The kind where you clock in, do what’s expected, and clock out without the emotional rollercoaster of auditions, contracts, and creative and financial uncertainty.
I had one of those moments not long ago during one of my brand ambassador gigs—standing at a liquor store, offering samples, trying to keep my energy up while my feet were screaming in my boots. For a brief second, I thought, What would life be like if I just worked here full-time without calling it a day? No chasing, no pitching, no prepping, no rejection. But then I caught myself—because the truth is, even in that space, I was building community. I was engaging people, making them laugh, connecting with strangers, and being present. That’s something I carry with me whether I’m on stage, on set, in a coaching session, or even at a brand event. It’s all part of the same through-line: I love people, and I love creating meaningful moments.
Over time, I’ve shifted my mindset. Any job I take outside of my creative work isn’t a failure—it’s fuel. It’s a stepping stone that helps fund and support the bigger vision I have for myself. I’m not “less than” because I still work a 9-5 or a side gig. If anything, I’m proud of the way I show up for myself, my dreams, and my community in every space I’m in.
So no, I don’t think I’m wired for the regular path—but I respect it and I am working towards being a full-time artist and coach. And I’ve learned that everything I do is part of the larger story I’m telling, both as an artist and as a human being. That’s where true magic lives.
Being an artist is a calling, not a choice. I have to tell stories. I have to help people reconnect with their bodies and their pleasure. I have to be on a stage or a set or a space where truth lives. So yeah, I’ve flirted with the idea of a “normal” job—but creativity and passion always win out.
Besides, where’s the fun in being regular?
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi there! I’m Jocelyn Padilla—a multi-passionate creative with roots in Massachusetts, and a heart that beats for storytelling, human connection, and helping people reconnect to themselves. I’m an actress, intimacy coordinator, and sensual wellness coach who believes in the power of vulnerability, community, and a well-timed deep belly laugh.
I’ve been obsessed with acting since I was a kid—thank you, Tim Burton! His films gave me permission to be weird, emotional, and big-hearted all at once, and I knew early on that I wanted to live in that magical, expressive world. I studied at Emerson College in Boston and went on to perform in a number of stage productions, including Steel Magnolias, and indie films like The Ouija Possession, filmed in Fall River, MA—right in my home state.
But like many artists, burnout hit hard. I took a long hiatus from performing and creating—sometimes life just demands you pause, recalibrate, and refill the creative well. And that’s exactly what I needed.
When I eventually moved to St. Louis to be with my partner, I felt that tug again—that creative call to return to myself. So, I dove back in.
Over the past two years, I’ve been rebuilding and reimagining what it means to be an artist—and this time, I’m doing it my way. I’ve become a proud ensemble member of Chorus of Fools, a new theatre company founded by Eric Satterfield. I’ve performed in deeply moving works like Go Before I Do and
My Story, and I’ve served as intimacy coordinator for shows like The Bigfoot Diaries, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and most recently Meet Me At Dawn at Upstream Theater—a hauntingly beautiful two-woman piece about love and loss.
As an intimacy coordinator, I advocate for consent, safety, and emotional integrity in scenes involving closeness or vulnerability. I help actors feel respected and empowered, and I love being part of work that tells the truth—messy, raw, and real. That same passion for truth and healing runs through my work as a certified sensual wellness coach. I guide clients—individuals and couples of all identities—through reconnection with their bodies, their joy, and their desires. Whether it’s reigniting pleasure, navigating trauma, or rediscovering self-love, my sessions are tailored, intuitive, and deeply heart-led.
What sets me apart? It’s my level of “give a sh*t.” Honestly. My empathy, my intuition, my energy—it’s my secret sauce and my superpower. People feel it. Whether they’ve known me for five minutes or five years, they feel safe to be themselves around me. That magnetism, that ability to create spaces of trust and transformation, is something I’ve learned to embrace fully—and I bring it into everything I do, from my coaching to my performance work to even my brand ambassador gigs and cannabis industries.
And while I do still work “jobs” to help fund my dreams, I no longer see that as a setback. Every role I take on is fueling my greater vision. I’m building a community here in St. Louis—from the theater world to the wellness world to everyday encounters with fellow dreamers. I’m connecting with other artists, lifting others up as I rise, and let me tell you—I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
At the heart of it all is my brand. Whether I’m onstage, in a rehearsal room, in a coaching session, or creating space for others to heal—I’m here to spark something real. Something freeing. Something bold and beautiful. That’s who I am, and that’s the kind of work I’m proud to keep showing up for.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is witnessing transformation—whether it’s in the audience, a client, or a fellow performer. There’s something incredibly powerful about using your voice, your body, your energy to spark a shift in someone else. Maybe they feel seen for the first time, maybe they reconnect to a forgotten part of themselves, or maybe they just breathe a little deeper. That’s the magic of it all—art that heals, moves, and brings people back to themselves. That’s why I do it.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One thing I really wish non-creatives understood about artists is how much *focus* and discipline this path actually requires. It’s not just play or pretending—it’s late nights, early mornings, studying scripts, prepping self-tapes, rehearsing, researching, and constantly evolving in a career that has no clear roadmap. There’s this misconception that we’re flaky or spontaneous, when in reality, most of us are incredibly driven and laser-focused.
So when we say we can’t make it to the bar or brunch because we’re filming, at rehearsal, memorizing lines, or prepping for a gig—it’s not personal, it’s purpose. This is our passion, our calling, and no, we don’t just want to quit and “get a regular job.”
We’re building something real, even if it looks different than the norm. Respecting that commitment goes a long way in understanding the creative life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @actress_intimacy_director
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jocelynpadilla0525
Image Credits
IMAGE ONE: (GREEN STAGE PHOTO) Bread And Roses and Three Comma Creative: Riq Dilly
IMAGE TWO: (PUPPETS) Chorus of Fools: David Nonemaker
IMAGE THREE: (SITTING AT TABLE) Prison To Performing Arts: Rachel Bailey
IMAGE FOUR (PURPLE SHIRT) Images Agency
IMAGE FIVE (SEPIA PHOTO) Jonah Lives/The Ouija Possession: Luis Carvalho
IMAGE SIX (LIFE STYLE PHOTO) Ali Robins
IMAGE SEVEN (HEADSHOT) Three Comma Creative: Riq Dilly