My intimate interview with CANVAS REBEL. JUICY READ!

Below is the link to my very intimate interview with CANVAS REBEL, a peek into my souls work and journey on how I got here. I have also transcribed for your reading pleasure.

Thank you for taking time to read this piece, lots of love to you and yours.

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-johana-quesada/

Johana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Two themes in my life I’ve persisted since I was a little girl: creativity, and the desire to serve. I spent many years like most people in the hustle and grind mentality, thinking that what I wanted was money and success but 2020 was a rude awakening. Actually, it was more of a spiritual awakening. I was making a lot of money as an exotic dancer, I had all the materialistic things that I wanted, but suddenly developed crippling, anxiety and hypochondriac syndrome. I had tried everything under the sun to cope with this impending doom I felt 24/7 to no avail. After all the traditional methods failed, me humbly turned, inward and found the solution was in me all along. My breath. During a spiritual retreat in Mexico, I found out about this ancient technique that we now call breath work. All of the experiences that led me to this moment, made sense. They were all divinely place for me to end up here as a breath work practitioner. Some people spent seven years in therapy some take a trip to Peru, and sit with ayahuasca but these methods aren’t sustainable for everybody, and this is true for myself, and for those who come to me to heal through their breath. Who would’ve thought that the answer was within me, within all of us, the entire time. some I may say “ I know how to breathe. I’ve been doing it since I was born!” Yet struggle to deal with stress or unresolved stored traumas, and to those I say “come breath and create with me”

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always said “ everything happens for a reason” I still feel this is true despite the abuse I endured as a child or the HIV diagnosis I received as a young single mother, and for who I stand as in this moment in time. I was always destined to serve humanity and to express my innermost thoughts through my creativity. Through my life experiences, and my ability to harness the lessons hidden within them, I have created a business doing what I love most, helping people, and making art. As a breath work facilitator, I help guide people through their problems with just their breath and integrate their session with therapeutic art techniques. You’ll find tons of art therapy courses online or breathing practices at your local yoga studio, but my method involves going deep into the subconscious mind through the breath and spilling out what has been birth onto a canvas. I know from personal experience that hardship can break somebody down especially when conventional therapies don’t work and I’m proud to offer an alternative, but ancient solution. At the core that is why I created Quesada empowerment solutions. My ultimate goal is to help people feel whole and even have some beautiful art to remind them of their process. As Ram Das one said. “ we’re all just walking each other home.”

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

When I was diagnosed with HIV in 2018, I was a single mother in college, struggling to find a way to cope with this news. I felt that the only way I would truly he’ll is if I shared my story in hopes to help others in situations is just like me. The first time I tested this out was in my speech class and boy, was that embarrassing. Through quivering lips and tearful eyes, I managed to push through the fear of judgment and speak my truth. I was met with uncomfortable stares and awkward silence but I felt a weight lifted off my chest. While I received a passing grade, my professor felt it was important to tell me that I should keep details like that about my life private, to avoid being judged or outcasted. Since that day, I’ve done the opposite. I know my story is unconventional, and HIV positive stripper turned holistic, breathwork coach, visual artist and stay at home mom of four. Yet, by mastering the art of letting go of fear of judgment, I have turned my mess into medicine.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your firm or practice?

When I decided to be a stripper many years ago, I did it for the same reason that most do: I wanted quick spending cash. I didn’t have an inspirational story that brought me to the pole like you see in movies, but the knowledge, wisdom and of course the cash, I gained from that experience will stand out as one of the most inspirational periods of my life. There is a preconceived notion of the people who visit and work at these establishments. Disrespectful, dirty, horn dogs and gold digging bimbos. As far as my interactions are concerned, this is a farthest thing from the truth. I found that these men and women were wounded from the trials and tribulations of life and came here to access, deeper connection and opportunity for growth. When I came to this realization, work became sort of a paid psychotherapy internship. I learned so much about the human condition and was able to shift my work from finessing to deeply connecting. In turned, paid me more than the fore-mentioned. This insight coupled with all of the money I was accumulating paved the way for my business, which at its core is to serve and heal humanity.