We recently connected with Jennifer Hercules and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My grandmother is my model of generosity, showing me that life is about time, consistency, and emotional support rather than financial means. She came to this country alone, without knowing the language and a second-grade education, yet she built a life filled with care. She taught me that true generosity lies in deep love, nurturing, and unconditional support. Her open door and open-heart welcomes everyone, treating my friends like her own grandchildren.
Through her journey, she taught me that true wealth lies in the precious moments we share and the care we extend to one another. It’s because of her that I became a therapist. She instilled in me the importance of empathy, love, and understanding, guiding me to create safe spaces for us by us. Her generous spirit will forever live in my work, reminding me that time and loving words are the most precious gifts we can offer.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated my career to clinical social work, with a focus on trauma-informed therapy. From my own experience with generational trauma, this healing seed was planted well before my career even started. I come from two generations of domestic violence survivors, and I have always been aware of the burdens it creates. I’ve felt the weight of this history in my bones, hearing my grandmother’s stories and seeing my mother’s pain. As I witnessed and heard these stories, all I ever wanted for us was to break these patterns.
When I started my journey, trauma-informed therapy was just beginning to gain recognition. For me, it was never just a theoretical framework; it represented a shift toward being seen and held. It highlighted how trauma and PTSD are often minimized in our society, and it ignited me to change that narrative.
As I processed my own trauma, I realized that traditional talk therapy often overlooks the physiological aspects of healing. The anxiety that often flooded my body was something I couldn’t simply talk my way through. My healing journey eventually led me to Breathwork, unexpectedly and during a time when I was seeking to get in touch with my body. The relief and clarity I found through Breathwork felt like shedding a heavy weight, giving me a sense of freedom that was more powerful than any alcohol or substance I had ever experienced.
My healing journey inspired me to create my business, Hasta La Raiz (LCSW), or “Down to the Root,” established after suddenly losing my cousin in an accident. With grief and trauma now present, the mission to help our communities confront hardships and find growth through healing became my purpose. I’ve witnessed how often traumas linger in our families, affecting how we live and love. When we get to the root of our addictions, behaviors, and relationships, we often see how trauma affects our very core. I’ve seen how post-traumatic growth can emerge from acknowledging and mending what was broken.
Hasta La Raiz embraces holistic practices, creating safe and inclusive spaces for people seeking healthy healing communities and ultimately relief. I facilitate Breathwork and Sound Bath sessions that foster communal healing, allowing participants to connect with their bodies and emotions without the pressure of conversation. In these sessions, we use music that resonates with our culture, making the healing process relatable and profound.
I’m passionate about creating a space where people can feel, reflect, and release the burdens they carry. While I value talk therapy, I also understand the importance of integrating somatic practices that are deeply needed within our communities. Our bodies often lay somewhere between numbness and being overwhelmed by our histories with trauma; a Breathwork practice can help bridge those extremes. My goal is to cultivate an environment where collective healing is safe, authentic, and transformative—inside and out. The Hasta La Raiz mantra is always, “Leave Better Than You Came,” and it has become the DNA of everything I do.
I’m excited to continue expanding Hasta La Raiz, offering new retreats and workshops that focus on holistic communal practices. Together, we can foster healing and growth, nurturing a healthier future for ourselves and our communities. You can find all our upcoming retreats and class offerings on Instagram (@Jennie.Jen.Jen). Our Ecuador Spring 2025 retreat will be a beautiful experience for anyone curious about exploring or expanding their wellness journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. **Sobriety**: Alcohol and drugs seem to be the fast track to escape and blissful numbing across all cultures. I could do anything with a little liquid courage, but it eventually became debilitating to be sober as an adult. It started with a sober weekend, then two, and then adding days when I felt strong enough. Nothing happens miraculously overnight; it takes millions of small moments and plenty of discomfort to finally become sober. Sometimes it starts with a day, a weekend, a week, a month, and eventually a year; the key is to get curious about the WHY. Why do we ingest these substances? Can we engage our family, friends, and partners sober? Can we talk about our feelings or show love sober? I was unable to do any of the above; I could barely socialize sober. Embracing sobriety for the last five years has been the most difficult and rewarding goal I’ve ever accomplished. My journey started rocky, with plenty of relapsing before I began my own trauma therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), originally created for combat veterans with PTSD. I truly don’t think sobriety would have been possible without processing what was triggering my alcohol use. With every week in therapy, my cravings gradually subsided, and my feelings rose to the surface. The beginning was most painful and excruciatingly raw, like I had never known or truly felt life. *Cue a baby deer learning how to walk.* With time, sobriety gifted me the power to feel deeply, love abundantly, and truly see myself—imperfectly and whole. This sober clarity has been pivotal in understanding myself and my relationships. For those early in their journey, my advice is to not be afraid of who you truly are. Seek deep curiosity, insight, and support, whether through therapy, community groups, AA, workshops, new hobbies, or any space that fosters a healthy lifestyle. Whatever you do, take it one uncomfortable moment at a time.
2.**Community**: Building a strong support network has been essential on this journey of healing and growth. Surrounding myself with people who share strong morals and values provides a beautiful balance between a sense of belonging and accountability. For anyone seeking their tribe, actively seek out communities that resonate with your journey or where you want to be. Attend workshops, join support groups, engage in local events, and explore hobbies; usually, the people we need are right in front of us. Initiating conversations is often where we fall short. Shoot your shot, fam! These friendships all stem from getting to know people, and we can’t know them without talking to them. All these random efforts to meet people have provided me with a tribe full of encouragement and shared wisdom. Every new step, decision, and stride toward change will bring the people you are meant to be with. I always say, if we feel like a bunch of cousins hanging out, then you’re my people. We are not meant to do this work alone; people have never thrived in a solitary life. We thrive in community, building tribes that support one another.
3.**Honesty**: The truth is: “You can’t heal what you don’t reveal.” —Jay-Z
Honesty is the most underrated and necessary habit in our society. When I started telling the truth about how I felt, what I thought, and what I had experienced, I finally felt a sense of relief. I gradually learned deeper self-awareness and developed healthier relationships with everyone around me. Honesty is vulnerability; vulnerability in a safe space is the catalyst for growth and healing. Honesty can create depth in shallow waters. With honesty comes increased understanding, communication, self-reflection, and honest feedback from people who matter. Being open and honest, instead of nice and pleasant, has been the most liberating experience. Honesty prevents us from becoming resentful, petty, and stressed. It brings dialogue, understanding, and compassion into the room. It’s a quality that is probably the most feared and holds the most power.
Ultimately, these three qualities require **consistency** and an **ever-evolving practice**. Embrace the journey, knowing that growth is never linear. Celebrate your progress, especially the small, tiny steps, and remain open to learning from each experience, including the missteps.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My biggest area of growth has been learning to **believe in myself**. Despite 15 years in social work, I found myself grappling with imposter syndrome, especially as I ventured into public holistic practices. This new path requires a different level of learning and integration, pulling me out of my comfort zone as a quiet “behind the scenes” therapist.
Hosting holistic care spaces has demanded a level of communal engagement that I’ve never experienced but desperately needed on my journey. I’ve had to confront the vulnerability of being public (both in-person and online), something I worked through by repetition. Each session requires me to stand tall, not just for myself but for everyone before me who wasn’t able to in their lifetime.
The greatest gift of this journey has been the act of doing—taking risks and learning through experience. I’ve realized that no amount of experience can quiet that inner voice of doubt; the only way to overcome it is to move through it. **Action and repetition** have become my allies in embracing fear and doubt.
For anyone feeling the pull of curiosity or interest in something new, I encourage you to take a small step toward it. Whether it’s signing up for a class, practicing a new skill, seeking therapy, or reaching out when you need help—every small action brings you closer to your goal. Embrace fear or stand still; you decide.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennie.jen.jen/profilecard
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hercules-lcsw-a458272b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: Email: [email protected]
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