Meet Bella J. Rockman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bella J. Rockman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Bella J., so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I keep my creativity alive in a myriad of ways, including spending time in nature, keeping a solid spiritual practice, which includes meditation and prayer.
I also frequently enroll in continuing education courses to keep my mind sharp and curious. Also, surrounding myself with other creative people further ignites creativity within me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I run a Clinical Private Practice called Jrocktherapy PLLC. In my private practice, I focus on a brain-based approach to therapy called Neuropsychotherapy. I work with patients on techniques to help reset their nervous system, retrain and rewire their brain.
The educational part of my work is through Jrock Academy LLC. Through the academy, I do public speaking at live events, coaching, and consulting for corporations, executives and other c-suite, leaders. As well
as providing psychoeducational resources for schools and community agencies.

A few times a month, I go on air to do media mental health commentary on radio or television, providing a behavioral health lens on current events. I love the spaces that I work in because they keep life and work very interesting and the diversity of my work helps prevent boredom and burnout.

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?

Looking back, the three qualities or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey are learning to trust my gut and act accordingly. I add the “act accordingly” piece because that is essential. For a long time, I would sense things, but override what I was sensing and not make the corresponding action, boundary or pursuit of the opportunity. I now act more quickly.

The second and third areas of knowledge that were important for me in my journey were learning more about neuropsychology and neuroscience. It took me from being a generalist, treating general mental health challenges to specialist. Being a specialty gave me an opportunity to hold my expertise towards more mastery.Whatever industry you’re in, move towards specialization as opposed to being a generalist, it organically helps grow your business, makes you stand out and gives you more confidence in what you’re doing because you have specialized knowledge.
Finally, I would say learn something new every day and build upon that knowledge like “Legos”. Even in formal education, like undergrad or graduate programs, you don’t learn everything you need to know in the real world, so make a commitment to learn something new and build up upon that knowledge and you’ll have a more firm foundation.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, the biggest area of growth and improvement for me has been getting out of my introverted comfort zone. Shonda Rimes has a book called, “The Year of Yes”. The basic premise of the book is to give yourself a year to say “yes”, when you’re asked to do things especially things that you would on auto pilot typically say “no” to.. Well, I’ve given that a try.
A few years ago, I was asked to do a beauty pageant and I ended up not competing in it. I just never saw myself as a “” Beauty pageant girl”. Well, this Spring, just a few months ago, I was called by the same pageant organization, and invited to compete for the state competition. My first thought was “no”. But after a few hours that same night, I called back and said “yes I’ll do it”.

I was so nervous. I only had a few weeks to prepare. I had never done a pageant before in my life. Alot of my day-to-day work is behind a desk rather it be doing commentary on the radio or seeing patients. In my work, you kinda get to hide yourself. Being in a pageant, put myself fully out there on display for the whole world to see so to speak.

I was nervous. I wasn’t sure how to “pageant walk”. I wasn’t sure how to do my pageant speech and a lot of the rules of etiquette and the pageant rules are completely different from standard modeling or every day life.But I just kind of went for it
and gave it my best shot. Carp diem!

I started to think of it like a cool bucket list item. “When else am I going to give something like this to try?” It ended up being an exhilarating experience, and I won Ms Texas Regency International! It took a lot of courage and my confidence is definitely bolstered. Doing things like this out of my comfort zone keeps me feeling creative and internally pushing myself to do things that push me out of my comfort zone. Not to mention truly great memories!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

First photo taken by: Kim Strachan of Kimberly Hughes Photography

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