We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tenny Minassian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tenny below.
Tenny, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for many years. I started getting help by going to weekly therapy. This was a game-changer for me! Once I found the right therapist, we began working on the root issues which eventually lead to many positive choices in my life. I finally left an emotionally abusive relationship which started a new chapter on my healing journey. Most importantly, I adopted my emotional support animal (ESA) Lucy. She’s a poodle-mix and rescue from a local organization here in LA. Lucy has been my best friend for nearly 9 years now, and she brought me out of a very dark place. She keeps me going everyday and I’m lucky to be her dog-mom. I still continue with therapy and self-care but have been able to scale back to monthly sessions which has been perfect for me. Life is all about balance and checking in with yourself. Some days I know my body needs rest so I allow myself to do that. I also know it can be a privilege just to have that option. I find joy in the little things and allow myself to feel my emotions when they come up.
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?
After earning my B.A. in Journalism and M.A. in Communications, I spent over a decade working in different roles within communications, focusing on social media and digital marketing. I gained experience in all sectors, working for non-profit organizations, private companies, and the government.
I decided to leave my government job after five years to start my coaching business and help people. I provide clients with one-on-one vegan lifestyle coaching and also offer a Vegan 101 course for those who want to learn on their own time. The other side of my business focuses on speaking engagements, presentations, and one-on-one coaching sessions for business owners. I create customized presentations for the audience which can range from non-profits wanting to learn about plant-based nutrition to businesses wanting to provide information on veganism to their employees.
I’m also an author and recently published my first children’s book, Lucy Goes to The Gentle Barn, based on the true story of my companion animal Lucy and I visiting a local animal sanctuary.
I love having the opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and help them as they walk their own path toward veganism or adopting a plant-based diet. I’m an immigrant myself and especially love talking to people about keeping their culture when going vegan. There is a misconception that we will lose our cultural food and traditions if we choose this lifestyle. Everyday there are vegans out there dispelling this myth by recreating their favorite meals with plants. The most special part is helping people who are turning toward veganism hoping to improve their health. We have all either struggled with health issues or seen loved ones in that situation. We know how difficult it can be on a family. Giving people hope keeps me going.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I feel that having a good work ethic will take you far. Being consistent and not giving up is also really important. When you commit to something, you know that it will work out eventually. You just have to be flexible and make adjustments as necessary. Things may not look the way you expected them to and that’s okay! Be humble enough to see where the journey takes you. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and like to have control over situations, so I had to learn to become more open to a different process and outcome.
My advice would be to make sure you set up a solid routine and schedule but leave some wiggle room for the unexpected. If something is important to you, try to work on it on a daily or weekly basis and the project will eventually come to fruition.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Since I work with individuals as well as businesses and organizations, there are a few different examples. I want to emphasize that my coaching is based on a compassionate approach. This is a judgment-free zone.
For individuals, anyone who is looking to make a positive impact on their life by switching to a plant-based diet. Usually these are people who have some health concerns or want to prevent any issues in the future. Also, anyone who wants to follow their heart or mind when it comes to adopting a vegan lifestyle – often times these are people who are compassionate and care about animals and the planet.
For businesses and organizations, it can really vary. If you are a non-profit, including member organizations, a personalized presentation on plant-based nutrition or veganism could be right for you. For businesses, training and presentations are available for your staff and there is also individual consulting available if you want to expand your reach by adding vegan options.
And of course parents, libraries, schools, and anyone who loves children’s books can grab a copy of our book. I’ve even seen people buy a copy and donate it to a little library in their neighborhood. Lucy and I would also love to speak to kids at schools and local community events as well!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vegancoachtenny.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegancoachtenny/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tennym/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/VeganCoachTenny
- Other: Here is the specific link to my book: https://www.vegancoachtenny.com/books
