We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melanie Alexandria a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Melanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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.
The risk I’ve been taking throughout my life is the constant bet on myself. Born into a challenging environment, to a sixteen-year-old mother and a twenty-one-year-old father, who would separate and divorce by the time I was three years old. The odds were stacked against me from the beginning. The unexpected arrival of my younger brother merely ten and a half months after my birth added to the complexities of my early childhood household, shaped by the young ages and some of the harsh experiences of my own parents’ upbringing. Today, after studying the effects of systemic abuse, I recognize that many of my family’s symptoms were intricately linked to multi-generations of enduring sexism, racism, classism, and colonization—realities that persist in the present, not historical echoes from centuries ago. Despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, I’ve come to understand that my parents were doing their best given their limited knowledge and experience at the time. The home environment, marred by substance abuse, domestic violence, and emotional immaturity, was far from conducive to nurturing a highly sensitive child. Yet, within the challenges, I found a way to gain an unexpected gift—an unparalleled resilience forged by the reality of my upbringing.
I can still remember identifying my father’s high sensitivity, much like my own, even though it was often suppressed due to societal expectations as a man in a paramilitary career, highlighting his struggle to nurture and care for these inner traits. In contrast, I, as a child, could feel and see the sensitivity in him, even perceiving it in the glow of his aura. Unfortunately, my ability to visually see energetic fields diminished with time, leaving me with a more challenging sense of feeling them, only, today.
While my mother displayed sensitivity differently—possessing a profound intuition for character development, skill-building, and cultivating interests—the activities she guided me into as a kid proved vital for my sensitive survival in later years.
This narrative forms the foundation of my life and my professional story—a journey of self-leadership, the gradual reintegration of my truest self, and the resilience to overcome family conditioning, systemic trauma, workplace bullying, and narcissistic abuse. My career journey played a pivotal role in this transformation. And now, after over 20 years of intentional spiritual work, I have found my way home—back to myself and to a profound calling that defines the essence of who I am today. My chronological life and career story tells of the risks I continued to take, betting on myself, amidst the odds, and how it has led me to a triumphant return, revealing the greatest professional calling in my life yet.
Amidst the challenges of a single-parent, motherless household, the pressure to navigate life independently led me to contemplate financial self-sufficiency by the age of thirteen. However, my journey took a tumultuous turn at fifteen when a fellow high school student and her mother sought to isolate me from my peers, exploiting a minor bus riding introduction incident on my part. Coming from a different background I didn’t know that not all children rode the bus, as one of the few brown children in an affluent predominantly white school, I became an easy target. Seeking help from my father proved futile, as his response was what some might call “hard knock” parenting, emphasizing my perceived difference rather than addressing the bullying.
The culmination of classism, racism, and an acute awareness of my differences marked a turning point, stealing my innocence and prompting me to abandon traditional high school. Opting for an arts high school I had already auditioned for and had been accepted into, I continued to nurture my passion for dance and fashion. Balancing school and a retail job, I aspired to move to Los Angeles, viewing it as the gateway to realizing my career dreams. A job at Nordstrom further propelled me, becoming a top sales performer, and a pacesetter, culminating in the opportunity to transfer to Los Angeles at eighteen years old.
In Los Angeles, the challenges persisted, with competitive colleagues and betrayal complicating my professional journey there. Despite excelling as a top salesperson, internal strife of peers stealing my sales at the cash register led me to quit, even after the manager offered me an assistant position. I had lost respect for her and the team, I left trusting in universal law and karma to handle the injustices. Financial struggles ensued, prompting multiple moves and a juggling act of jobs to sustain my dreams. Recognizing my commitment, my father and stepmother stepped in, alleviating financial burdens, and allowing me to focus on my studies and career-building jobs.
Transferring to a new community college, I faced a daunting obstacle in the form of testing at high school-level math. Determined to enter a design institute that spring, I confronted my struggle with math, challenging conventional teaching methods after failing a mid-term and being told by the professor to “drop the class.” As a continuously excelling reader and writer, since I entered the education institutions, I knew I had smarts, so I chose to teach myself, it was a condensed winter term, normally three months of work taught in a six-week intensive, by deciding to turn math problems into stories, I immersed myself in an intensive three-week self-study for the remaining of the class, and started from the beginning of the book forward. The perseverance paid off, and I not only passed the final but aced it, overcoming the odds and disproving skeptics.
Reflecting on this journey, I realize the magnitude of betting on myself, defying authority, risking failure on official transcripts, and emerging victorious against the odds. The resilience and determination exhibited during that challenging period shaped the woman I am today, fostering a profound sense of pride in my younger self.
With some financial support in place, I embarked on the next chapter of my journey by entering fashion design school. Landing a position at a high-profile textile design company as a design assistant seemed like a dream come true. However, the experience took an unexpected turn when I encountered a dismissive senior textile designer who not only undermined my abilities but subjected me to unwarranted yelling. Taking a stand for myself, I reported the abuse to my boss, only to discover that personal marriage issues were at play, her husband was cheating on her with a younger woman and now I was the younger woman at work, also a threat, in the fantasy of her mind. The revelation about the senior designer’s struggles led to a coerced agreement to let her treat me however she pleased because she was suffering, prompting me to resign from the position immediately.
Undeterred, I transitioned to Trina Turk’s outlet store, positioning myself one step closer to my dream. Despite facing challenges from a less-than-pleasant manager (go figure), my dedication caught the attention of Trina Turk herself. My designs became best-sellers, earning a place in her in-line collection, and years later in her 25th anniversary collection and marking a significant milestone in my career. Yet, persistent negativity from my immediate manager about my pay worth and grade, fueled my determination to overcome stereotypes and prove my worth.
As I navigated the intricacies of the fashion industry, a pivotal moment occurred during a life-altering car accident. The whisper that warned me to fasten my seatbelt seconds before impact left an indelible mark on my perspective. With a newfound appreciation for life’s preciousness, I reevaluated my career goals and the impact of my work. The stark disparities in treatment within the fashion industry, particularly towards brown-bodied immigrants, led me to question the ethical dimensions of my chosen path.
Taking a hiatus to heal, I reflected on my aspirations and decided to reconnect with where fashion started for me, and it was my eight-year-old self. A girl who, despite facing bullying for her differences, exuded confidence, and authenticity. Channeling that spirit, I ventured into creating a brand that celebrated diversity and individuality. Joining the Bratz dolls at their startup phase, I bet on my innate sense of self and played a crucial role in transforming the brand into a global phenomenon, generating billions in revenue. This journey, marked by challenges and triumphs, reaffirmed my commitment to championing inclusivity and empowering those who felt marginalized.
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?
Greetings to those discovering my story for the first time. My journey into my current path is a testament to the profound impact of life’s unexpected turns. Originally aspiring to be a fashion designer, fate intervened in the form of a life-altering car accident in Palm Springs on Indian Canyon Way. This incident, situated on sacred land, became a calling that I couldn’t ignore. It demanded my attention and led me on a transformational spiritual journey, steering me away from my initial career path.
Having faced numerous challenges with leadership in the traditional working world, I willingly embraced the role of a follower on this spiritual journey. It felt like a calling to something greater, and I walked forward in complete faith, allowing it to guide and heal me. During this time, I delved into the study of various religions, entering temples in devotion, going to foreign lands to learn and all the while always remaining disciplined to the calling. Witnessing the teachings in sacred sciences and mystical arts, I became a devoted student of the great mystery.
For decades, I sought permission to practice, receiving a firm “no” until about two years ago when a prophetic dream preceded the reclaiming of sacred land in Presidio, Texas, as part of the landback movement. Discovering a cemetery that confirmed my matrilineal Apache Indian heritage, I was given the green light to practice as an ancient wisdom practitioner. Since then, my offerings have been multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary, specializing in re-indigenizing, ancestral healing, and land alchemy through sacred sciences, mystical arts, and studies in the great mystery.
What sets me apart is the unique blend of my journey, ancestral connection, and the commitment to re-indigenizing practices. My services go beyond conventional boundaries, addressing the deep spiritual and ancestral aspects of healing and transformation. I solve the profound problem of disconnection from ancestral roots by offering practices that bridge the gap between individuals and their heritage.
I am most proud of the journey I’ve undertaken and the ability to bring forth ancient wisdom to guide individuals toward healing and self-discovery. The reclaiming of sacred land and the acknowledgment of my Apache heritage have been pivotal moments, and I am honored to now practice.
For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that my work is rooted in authenticity, guided by ancestral wisdom, and dedicated to fostering personal and collective healing. I invite you to explore the depth of ancestral connection and spiritual growth through my many offerings. Embrace the journey of re-indigenizing, ancestral healing, and land alchemy, and join me in discovering the mysteries that lie within.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If given the chance to go back, I would unquestionably choose the same profession. My journey began with a foundational start in textiles, a field that holds immense significance in my newfound cultural heritage. Having the privilege of learning the sacred sciences and mystical arts of my own Dine heritage from the medicine man of my tribe has added a profound layer to my expertise.
Now, as I continue to delve into the realms of the sacred and mystical, I am eager to combine my deep knowledge of textiles with my re-indigenizing practices. This combination is not only exciting but also holds immense potential. My vision extends to creating an apothecary, home goods, and leisure apparel line, offering supportive products for both my clients and fellow followers of the great mystery. It’s a harmonious blend that reflects my commitment to honoring cultural heritage while providing meaningful and supportive goods to those on their own journeys of exploration and transformation.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Certainly! Beyond training and knowledge, I believe that faith is the most crucial element for succeeding in my field. If I were to go back and make the same choice in my profession, it is the unwavering faith in my journey and the calling that has been the driving force behind my success. This faith has not only guided me through a transformative spiritual journey but has also empowered me to embrace new cultural heritage and delve into the sacred sciences and mystical arts of many lineages and traditions.
In a field where cultural heritage, spirituality, and craftsmanship converge, faith becomes the foundation upon which every endeavor is built. It is the trust in the sacred journey, the mysteries unraveling, and the connection to ancestral wisdom that propels the work I do. Faith, in this context, is not just a personal conviction but a vital force that brings authenticity, depth, and purpose to the products and services offered. It is the intangible yet potent factor that contributes significantly to success in my field, shaping the narrative of my journey and the meaningful impact on those who engage
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melaniealexandria.com
- Instagram: @melaniealexandrialiving
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieahernandez
- Twitter: @ancntwsdmprctnr
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/melanie-alexandria-portland
Image Credits
melaniealexandria