Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natasha Teresa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Natasha , great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
My ability to take risks came from a place rooted in becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Growing up amidst constant instability within my family and environment, circumstances beyond my control repeatedly deprived me of the safety net a family should provide. Adapting to ever-changing surroundings due to my parents’ choices fostered a childhood marked by a perpetual fight-or-flight response.
Until the age of 18, my life was defined by survival, leaving no space for personal growth or fulfillment. Faced with clinical depression triggered by uncontrollable factors, I found solace in spending most of my days in bed, working part-time at the local gym, and feeling adrift. I became a lost soul. By the time my friends were off to college, I wrestled with the lingering effects of my tumultuous history, feeling devoid of purpose and motivation to pursue education or even have a desire to live.
When I was 22, I faced a crucial turning point, struggling with multiple suicide attempts. However, a significant moment during my hospitalization changed my outlook. The fear of death became a catalyst, sparking a newfound desire to embrace life. This awakening completely altered my path forward.
Since then, I’ve embraced a series of daring ventures that catapulted me toward remarkable success. From starting my physiotherapy business while dealing with housing instability and managing a demanding college workload, to selling that practice in Sacramento and establishing a new one in Los Angeles, my path has been marked by thoughtfully assessed risks. Especially noteworthy among my recent ventures in risk-taking is the decision to leave UCLA’s Master of Nursing Program, prioritizing the expansion of my business—a choice rooted in my quest for personal happiness. Having confronted rock bottom multiple times, fear no longer shackles me. I’ve cultivated comfort in the unknown, wielding emotional intelligence to tame fear as a controllable emotion, refusing to let it govern me.
Today, anchored by a stable career, I’ve independently secured financial stability, empowering me to explore bold challenges. Embracing a life of curiosity and fearlessness toward the unknown defines my ethos. True resilience lies not in reacting to discomfort but in navigating it, channeling that strength into our everyday experiences.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My profession intertwines science and art, where I take on the role of the artist, and the human body becomes my canvas. When I’m tending to patients, I immerse myself in a ‘flow’ state akin to a creative mindset. Each day, I eagerly anticipate my work, which encapsulates the Japanese concept of ‘Ikigai’—the reason I wake up every morning. Ikigai is defined by four principles: doing what you love, doing what you’re good at, doing what the world needs, and doing what you can be paid for. Some spend a lifetime seeking their Ikigai, but I’ve been fortunate to discover mine early on, feeling as though I never work a single day.
Over the past decade working as a manual therapist, I’ve come to identify my purpose as that of a healer. My role extends beyond identifying musculoskeletal pain sources and applying hands-on bodywork; it involves fostering empathy and creating a safe space for patients to share their life’s vulnerabilities. I take pride in creating an environment for individuals to share the vulnerabilities of their lives and how pain has affected their lives physically and emotionally, providing the validation often absent in Western medical approaches to chronic conditions. What sets me apart isn’t just my robust education in Human Biology from the University of Southern California; it’s also my unwavering commitment to self-care, ensuring I’m consistently present for those I serve. My passion for comprehending the human body ignited my involvement in biomechanical and chronic pain research during my full-ride tenure at USC. While my time at UCLA’s Master of Nursing Program broadened my understanding of advanced pathophysiology and allopathic hospital settings, it ultimately guided me toward a different therapeutic path, propelling my evolution within this profession.
In my bodywork sessions, I aim for more than just tissue manipulation; it’s about nurturing a holistic mind-body experience where I guide each patient toward hope and a plan for graceful aging with a life free of pain.
Currently, I’m on the path of building a creative wellness center in DTLA. Diverging from the typical modern and boring persona allopathic medicine has become, I want to create a safe space for individuals who have felt fear or shame in asking for help in pain management from medical professionals. My educational background at USC and UCLA has taught me how the medical system works, and I am not a fan. This is why individuals are in constant pain: due to lack of information, masking with opioids, & a judgemental environment that shames individuals instead of treating the entire person AS A PERSON. My goal is to empower individuals to take control of their pain and life. I envision a nurturing space where people can explore and balance their mind-body connection through a blend of science, psychedelics, wellness workshops, group field trips, mobility classes, and ecstatic dance. My journey has shown me the power of these practices in healing both physical and psychological pain. I aspire to impart this knowledge with credible research and hands-on techniques, empowering others to build a healthier relationship with their bodies and proactively address their pain rather than waiting for it to become unbearable.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My biggest advice to early entrepreneurs is to practice these skills:
Embrace strategic planning. Become more analytical and practice organized goal setting. Daily, I challenge myself to align my greatest aspirations with realistic plans and achievable goals. Utilizing my phone’s notes app, I curate both short and long-term lists, each designed to propel me toward my ultimate vision. Consistently executing these tasks brings me closer to my goals.
Maintain a flexible mindset and be comfortable in constant change. In our dynamic world, embracing a ‘go-with-the-flow’ mentality is crucial. Instead of fixating on setbacks, I navigate through adversity by asking, ‘How can I overcome this obstacle and stay on course toward my dreams?’ Finding comfort within chaos through diverse life experiences empowers a similar approach in professional endeavors.
Practice emotional detachment from present realities while pursuing visionary dreams. Capturing the essence of big aspirations without being swayed by emotional uncertainties is crucial. I avoid dwelling on ‘what-ifs’ and rather, take decisive action before doubts cloud my judgment. If mistakes occur, I view them as learning opportunities, ensuring I progress regardless.
Exclude ‘pick-me’ energy, and embrace ‘chooser’ energy. Throughout my life, I’ve battled depression and doubts when I allowed others to dictate my path. Instead of seeking external validation or opinions on matters close to my heart, I’ve learned to prioritize my happiness. This shift has not only attracted like-minded individuals into my circle but has also steered my professional endeavors in a more fulfilling direction. I’ve realized that replicating someone else’s version of happiness often leads to a sense of purposelessness. It’s easy to lose sight of our true aspirations when we live solely by someone else’s standards. Ultimately, the reins of our lives are in our hands, and prioritizing our happiness over pleasing others is pivotal for personal fulfillment.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
As 2023 draws close, it stands out as a year of profound personal growth. The journey from balancing a graduate program alongside a thriving business to making the bold decision to depart UCLA and expand my already successful practice has been transformative. Challenges I encountered this year, while formidable, served as guiding lights, leading me toward a path that resonates with genuine happiness—a privilege not afforded to many. The most significant stride in my growth journey has been seizing complete control over my life’s direction. Departing graduate school led to a period of introspection and adjustment. After being immersed in academia for nine years, it was a moment of struggle with a sense of loss and uncertainty about the future. After hours spent in contemplation, I was revealed that my true happiness lies in the work I do. The joy of forging connections, delving into each client’s story to uncover the root of their pain, and the physical rigor of hands-on work became my compass, guiding me steadfastly forward.
However, a significant challenge lies in rebranding my business entirely on my own. Lacking investors, familial support, or a business background poses a considerable hurdle. Balancing a schedule of attending to 30 patients a week while striving to manifest my envisioned dream tests my time and energy. To navigate this, I’ve meticulously planned my 2024 strategy—adopting shorter work weeks with more extended hours to create space for building my dream. Undertaking this venture single-handedly can be taxing, yet the academic discipline ingrained in me has seamlessly transitioned into entrepreneurial success. I eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters of growth and achievement in 2024 and my rebranded practice to be fully operational by the year’s end.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natashateresa.com/
- Instagram: @natashafascia
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/natasha-teresa-cmt-los-angeles-3
Image Credits
Spencer Starnes Aaron Hatch
