We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Phoenix and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance has changed drastically over time. If this interview was 7 years ago, it would be a very different story. Earlier in my career, I had no sense and no care for what a healthy work life balance could be. Earlier in my career training in Atlanta, performing on a national tour, living and working in New York City… I had been taught that ‘paying your dues’ was necessary, that ‘the struggle is real’ and that Artists and Creative talents must ‘Sacrifice’. I had come to understand that the ‘Sacrifice’ being asked of me was way more Work than Play, and don’t even think about Rest or your Wellbeing. This was something that I could never sit comfortably with. This early experience carried through later in my career and showed up many times. I’ve experienced many burnouts and unhealthy work patterns. After experiencing the last and most extreme burnout, I finally made the decision to commit a Wellness way of Life. Through much inner work and some revamped business practices, I have now come to understand that my Wellness is deeply connected to the success of anything I do. Now in my career as a Curator, Coach and Teacher, many of my clients speak about similar experiences and express their own desire to rebalance their lives. Now it’s more important than ever to Walk my Talk, and to love and care for myself so I can show up whole and well for others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am Jessica Phoenix, your Body Temple Love Coach and I help rising Empresses become Empowered Phoenix Women through Body Mind Spirit & Soul Wellness. Also known as Phoenix of FIYAH® Culture & Wellness programs. I host Events, Retreats, Workshops and offer Classes and Coaching in Dance, Fitness, Arts, & Wellness. I have trained professionally for over 15+ years and it has been far from easy. Early on I made the decision to open my mind and heart to diverse experiences so that later in my career I could really grow. I spent years traveling on tour with UniverSoul Circus, King Michael tribute show, and iLuminate from America’s Got Talent. And several years after, teaching Master workshops and choreographing stage productions. The early training and professional experience positioned me well to evolve my career in the big Apple. And New York truly taught me lessons on business structure and balancing life. There I was able to curate larger events, create community, and put on the first of its kind independent black owned Dancehall Theater production. Despite, the imbalance of work and challenging stress, I am so proud of what I created and learned in New York. After getting Fitness certified, some of the most unique and impactful opportunities was teaching Fitness and Movement Healing classes for NYC employees at their business and for participants at Drug, Rehab, & Mental Wellness Centers. This truly began to solidify my mission in Holistic Health, Healing and Wellness for all people. I still experience challenges as a Black Woman creative and simply as just being an entrepreneur. ….and yet I still rise. And I want everyone to recognize and reignite their fire within. ‘Phoenix FIYAH’ was rebirthed in 2006 when surviving a severe car accident, broken jaw, shattered pelvis, and traumatic relationship. From 2007 on I move fearlessly through life and death, always shedding the old and rebirthing along my journey. My brand F.I.Y.A.H. stands for ‘Fully Immersing Yourself Amongst Heat’ … ‘Highly Acknowledging Your Inner Flame. I encourage all to empower their inner Phoenix, shed the old, and recreate your new Thriving Flourishing Life. I cannot wait for this year’s release of my E-Book ‘Becoming a Phoenix Woman’ and the debut of the FIYAH® Culture & Wellness Channel on JAROtv Media platform!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Truth be told, it’s the beach for me LOL! Beach daily brings so much Peace, Joy, and Healing. Definitely some of the parks in Ft Lauderdale and Broward are beautiful, and I love to bring guests into Nature and natural settings. Virginia Key Beach Park, Wynwood.. Im a HUGE foodie and live music fan as well…Tarks, GingerBay Cafe, Lallos, Jazz Festival, Miami Carnival, downtown Hollywood, Sistrunk…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Such a great question! It’s so important to honor and recognize who or what has had a part in our story. I get the name ‘Phoenix’ from my early mentors in Washington, D.C. who recognized a fire and empowerment within me. The symbol of the rising Phoenix bird has traveled with me since. And the concept of igniting the fire within and rising to greatness is the very foundation of my brand, FIYAH® My Mother who put me in dance when I was 6 and was my earliest example of a Black Female Fitness entrepreneur were huge in what I now do for a living. And my father’s knowledge and support in Business, trademarks, and contracts is unmatched. I also want to thank ALL my dance, fitness, & wellness teachers, coaches, and mentors over the years. And huge gratitude for my support base developed since the start and those who have stayed with me to support my online and virtual programming. Lastly I want to shoutout the most High, giving gratitude for Life, Love, Blessings continuously.

Website: www.igniteyourfiyah.love

Instagram: @phoenix_fiyah

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FIYAHDiasporaCultureandWellness

Youtube: www.youtube.com/JessicaPhoenixFIYAH

Other: Visit https://igniteyourfiyah.as.me to -Book a Consultation -Schedule a Private Session -Join a Virtual or In Person Class

Image Credits
FIYAH® productions – performance – workshops – classes – retreats

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