This week we are featuring Jenna Reiss, founder of Breathe Accented Life. We recently had the pleasure of Jenna visiting our office to teach us some of her breathwork and meditation practice. We were so inspired by Jenna, so you can imagine how excited we were that she agreed to be interviewed about her journey, company, and lifestyle for this week’s FoxTale!
NAME: Jenna Michelle Reiss
HOMETOWN: Manhattan Beach CA
CURRENT LOCATION: Playa del Rey CA
TITLE: Founder of Breathe Accented Life
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I've had a variety of jobs including Assistant Teacher at Pre-school, a Behavioral Therapist, and then worked in Creative Marketing for 9 years. I met some amazing people, made some great work, and one day realized that I wasn't being completely honest with myself or my true passions. I had spent years working with Meditation, starting from the age of 5 years old when my mom taught me my first Meditation, and came to realize I could connect my passion for creativity, working with and helping people, and teaching by introducing Breathwork Meditation Coaching to others.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Journalism Major from University of Oregon
FAVORITE QUOTE: "I will never, ever believe in the words 'too late' because it is never too late to be exactly who you wish, do exactly what you should, say exactly what needs to be heard, and live the exact life you should be living." by: Tyler Knott Gregson in Chasers of the Light
Why is breathwork important?
Breathwork helps us feel like, or reconnect with, our own true nature. There is so much perceived outer and internal chaos in our world, and if we let it, which many of us do unconsciously, it can be absorbed by our bodies. With breathwork, you can declutter yourself from all that is not yours, from all the stories that we let define us, so you are your natural, authentic self. When you make decisions from your YOU, from this place of love, you're bringing your light into the world and there is no better feeling. I always say I believe breathwork has the power to change the world, we just have to be willing to do the work.
Where did you get the idea to start Breathe Accented Life?
About 8 years ago I had started a blog called Accented Life. As the blog evolved I noticed it focused on the 20-something phase of life and the topics I felt as a then 20-something, weren't talked about. Once I felt my souls purpose of becoming a Breathwork Meditation Coach, it felt so right for my practice to be Breathe Accented Life because that's exactly what this is. We emotionally detox ourselves and when we're feeling the benefits of that, the trees are greener, the sky is bluer and the birds chirp a little louder and we're literally breathing in a life that is accented.
What is your happy place?
Sitting next to any body of water. Whether that be listening to the ocean speak, watching it dance, or sitting with a river, or waterfall in the forest. The water gets me.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Oh boy, where to begin...well definitely these two things: chocolate chips and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. It can be together or separate, but both have an extremely comforting element to me and I use them on my down days, and as a treat/reward on my high days. Does that count as a guilty pleasure...?
What inspires you?
Art, artists, truth speakers and light bringers. Beautiful words, and strong women willing to show their vulnerability. Nature. Nature in all its form inspires me.
Who has influenced you the most to get you where you are today?
My mother. She's the most loving, strongest, yet vulnerably open woman I know. She's taught me how to be courageous, how to fight through my own self-limiting beliefs and how to face myself through the scariest of stories I've given myself, and all by leading with example.
What is your life motto right now?
Be YOU. Life is too short to be anyone else or live anyone else's story. Wake up each day and be You, however you can be, in whatever way feels right, be YOU.
What about Breathe Accented Life are you most proud of?
I'm the most proud to be living my life's purpose. Every single day feels amazing, even the hard days and it's because I'm living the life I want to live, doing what I want to do, and helping people on their own healing journeys. I can think of no life more fulfilling than what I've created, and for that I'm not only extremely proud, I'm exceptionally grateful.
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Want to learn more about Jenna and Breathe Accented Life? Check out Jenna’s beautiful website!
