Meet Renée Santos

Hi Renée , so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
The hustle and spontaneity of my Acting/Writing/Stand-Up Comedy professions require a re-centering and important routine of self-care. I am a Vedic meditator, so I start my day with a 20-minute meditation and return to a second 20-minute meditation at midday. I do this every day. Exercise is also a huge part of my self-care routine but so is one of my deepest values of being of service. I’ve chosen to merge those essentials by coaching for the 501(C)3 Strides in Recovery, an incredible Non-profit that trains recovering addicts in residential treatment centers to train for their first 5K/10K Mondays and Thursdays at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena at 6 am. I am a Triathlete so I don’t just hit the pavement, I cycle and swim in a regime that I disperse within my week. I truly believe self-care also requires a pause, so I will zen out watching baseball after a long day. It’s my happy place. Taking time for myself gives me a reset button, it provides me the perspective that I am not just a cog in a wheel and that my value is not only determined by my profession, but my legacy will also come from how I showed up for others. We only can be of benefit to others if we center in our own work first. My self-care routine is how I plug myself back into source. With a full spiritual battery, I float through the world, if I don’t prioritize self-care I find myself frustrated often, impatient, or accidentally taking inventory of other people’s behavior.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I wear the artistic hat all day every day. Some say I “chose” to be an artist, but I account it differently, I believe it chose me and I just surrendered to it. I believe performing is my ministry and most of my creative work feels like my way of giving back to the world. Here’s my weird list so far…I have been acting for 20 years and I love bringing another artist’s vision to life, I have done it on Stage, TV, and in Film. I have created and written my own Stand-Up Comedy content many times, culminating in a 1 Hour TV Special. I am in Pre-Production now for my Sophomore special. I have also written a full-length dramatic Screenplay called “In the Absence of You” that has competed in Screenwriting Film festivals. My newest endeavor entailed writing and performing my very first Dramatic Solo Show CROSSROADS which hit the world in June of this year. I am eclectic and strange and find a spiritual pull to do it all.

I think what separates me from others, is the fact that I don’t need to categorize or easily reference what it is I do definitively. I wake up each morning and say to my higher power…”Use me, so I may know the joy of being used by you.” Then I get out of my own way and allow the universe to inspire me into action.

The One Woman Show I mentioned above is my journey through the foster system and I aspire to tour with my show and give a portion of the proceeds from my production to United Way NYC, a Foster care organization, I have volunteered for for many years. Recently I performed as their Headlining Comedian at the Foster Parent Appreciation Luncheon and would love to be of further service to this life-saving organization.  My volunteer work is also ongoing through the LGBTQ Center where I have served as a mentor. As an out Lesbian Comic and Journalist, I am a tangible representation and resource for this increasingly marginalized population. I would also like to further my work with my present venture of being on the board of the Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Foundation “Laughter Heals” I believe my contribution to this foundation could potentially open doors, hearts, and businesses with the healing conduit of this establishment. We bring 1-on-1 coaching programs, speaking engagements, and workshops to utilize laughter to get out of the most difficult times. Learning actionable techniques to relieve stress, boost your mood, and to have an upbeat happier life.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Number 1 for me: Most things aren’t an emergency.

I’ve learned to save the stress response for an actual emergency. One of my favorite centering thoughts is ‘there is no urgency in nature and yet everything is done.’ I don’t remember the origin of that quote but I do remember when I heard it how it immediately released a lot of anxiety and allowed me to be still and surrender. I became a better listener to my call and purpose. I became available to hear what was the next right indicated action.