We recently connected with Jamie Colón-Orelüp and have shared our conversation below.
Jamie , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
How DO I overcome feelings that cause me to doubt my professional skills?
I do my best not to be triggered by capitalistic ideas or models of traditional medicine. More so in these times where it feels like my life’s work is trending. I do my best not to be triggered by people with egotistical attachments to credentials yet fail to acknowledge their teachers, professors, instructors; their lineage. When these feelings of doubt creep to the surface of my consciousness, I get deep and will continue to do so. I dig down deep to the roots. Deep into the history of Curanderismo, Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine. The stories of these practices are grounded in strength and persevere despite the harsh realities of history. Stories like my grandmother practicing curanderismo in secret because she was scared of persecution and judgment. I stand tall with pride in this line of work remembering. This helps me dissolve feelings of self doubt or imposter syndrome. Folks who attach prestige to their egos teach me differently. No longer triggered, I was intrigued and started asking myself questions.
Where are these feelings rooted?
What is my relationship to myself?
These questions led to more questions.
What is a healing circle?
What is community?
What does leadership rooted in the feminine look like?
Sitting with these questions brought me tremendous insight. Specifically in the direction my practice was headed. I was no longer carrying the weight of an imposter and now recognizing my potential. The answers to those questions helped me to focus. Expanding my practice. Inspired by my personal and professional background in curanderismo, the teachings of Layne Redmond, Joseph Rael and more. I now work in groups as well as one to one. I focus on repair with the feminine, community and creative expression. A practice rooted in tradition, trusting our intuition, and nurturing our spirit.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My career in healthcare expands over three decades. Saying that sounds so wild. My professional career began in the mid-90’s when I worked in nursing for Planned Parenthood. I like to say it began with my birth place as I come from a long line of medicine people. Working for Planned Parenthood gave me diverse experiences that strengthened my professional foundation. My duties ranged from appointment scheduling and patient check-in to managing records, assisting with reproductive health procedures and recovery care, check-out and follow-ups. I also contributed to community outreach efforts, visiting high schools, festivals and shelters to support reproductive health education and advocacy. Everything changed in 1999 when I married a soldier and then again in 2000 when my daughter was born. Giving care is in my lineage so I keep learning to adapt.
My mom said “having a baby is like running a marathon”. Her words echoed in my mind. I needed to train for labor but gently. That realization led me to yoga. I began studying breathwork, meditation and the balance between strength and flexibility. I was leaning towards natural ways to take care of myself before, during and after having a baby. Ways of the indigenous. This study shifted my career path towards traditional medicine. Beginning with yoga then massage therapy ultimately, to the practice of curanderismo.
During my husband’s 1st deployment to Iraq after 9/11, I returned to school and enrolled into a massage therapy program. The program director was a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and our coursework included subjects in psychology of the body, ayurveda, along with manual therapeutics. I discovered the versatility of the practice. Meaning the multitude of ways massage can support a community and the individual practicing. Spanning from working in corporate offices, sporting or music events, nursing homes to working with the laws or teaching. The profession is massively adaptable. Continuing education is a requirement for licensure therefore lifelong learning is a must. I adore that .
After graduation I took a 200 hour Chrysalis yoga teachers training.
For several years, I pursued continuing education in areas ranging from sports massage, pregnancy massage, business, deep tissue, Post-operative massage to herbology, hydrotherapy, reiki, sound and color therapy. My aim was to increase my versatility as a therapist. I volunteered in the community with my massage chair. I worked in day spas and chair massages at farmers markets. I worked at gyms. Being in a military family I moved a lot. I’m always thinking of innovative ways to practice/work.
Then another career shift happened in 2008 when I moved to Tennessee and was hired to teach at a massage school.
From 2008 to 2019 I worked as a massage studio owner and massage therapy instructor. Encompassing all things massage. Continuing to work on my therapeutic skill set and leaning towards concepts of working smarter not harder. I was also learning valuable soft skills. Refining how I communicate, managing my boundaries and how I share information. Just when it felt like my workload was burning me from all ends. Our family moved overseas, to Northern England. I had space to focus on self-care. I indulged in continuing education in chi gong, ayurveda, hydrotherapy and herbology, learning celtic and druid philosophies of care. Practicing self care rooted in ceremony and ritual became my routine, a well needed reprieve. Returning to the states, I continued to teach massage. I also enrolled in a curanderismo traditional medicine without borders program at the university of New Mexico, Albuquerque. I continued to practice this style of self-care rooted in ceremony. I regularly sat with a community of elders, counselors, and therapists of all disciplines. All things coming to a halt 2020.
The post pandemic shift pushed my career to what it looks like today. I now work one to one as well as in groups. A traveling medicine woman/curandera whose focus is to nurture and the restoration of our spirit. I believe that the body is a garden and earth based modalities provide tools needed for cleansing, balance, or recovery. My integrative practice incorporates a blend of bodywork, movement, breath work, ritual and ceremony, intention setting, affirmation, laughter, herbology, hydrotherapy, reiki, sound and color therapy. I see myself as a steward of these practices and a bridge between contemporary and traditional. My approach is a testament to the empowerment of the receivers inner spirit, the cultivation of their inner wisdom, and the restoration of self. This highlights work that is one to one.
Working with groups I facilitate women’s voice and Frame drum circles. We focused on repair with the feminine, community and creative expression in these circles. A practice rooted in tradition, trusting our intuition, and nurturing our spirit. Inspired by my personal and professional background in curanderismo, the teachings of Layne Redmond, Joseph Rael and more.
My home base is south central Wyoming. I travel from the Western slope to the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Collectively utilizing and integrating how and what I’ve learned practicing traditional medicine with integrity over the past 30 years
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My journey in life and work continues as knowledge turns to wisdom. I’m continuously fine tuning to improve my soft skills. Talents like communication, adaptability, and empathy shape the way I carry myself. Attributes that enable me to interact effectively with others. The ability to communicate clearly. Learning practical, precise ways to ask for my needs, wants, or desires. For me to listen to others as they do the same. Communication opens doors, mends relationships, and makes space for understanding. Another soft skill asset is adaptation. I’m constantly learning to adapt or adjust to new conditions, locations or people. Adaptability helps me go with a flow rather than resist it. Last but not least, is the gift of empathy. Empathy helps me recognize another person’s perspective. Helps me connect with their experience and understand them deeper. Helps me become a vessel, holding space where others feel safe, seen, heard and whole. In essence, soft skills like communication, adaptability and empathy need time to develop. The time it takes to transform life’s work into wisdom. What an honor to witness, walking alongside folks as we journey together.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, yes and Yes I am open to collaborations focusing on nurturing, cleansing and restoring the spirit, the mind and the body.
I am looking for people, spaces and places that are interested in working together. If you would like to talk about how we can collaborate and create an event, a retreat or community experiences, reach out. If you have ideas about community healing circles, markets, or festivals I am open to begin that conversation. I travel Northern Colorado spanning the front range to the western slope. it’s imperative that we work together shining light.
Thank you in advance for your willingness to connect.
Ways to contact me are by email me @ jcolonorelup@gmail.com or find me on Facebook@ Jamie Colon-Orelup or on Instagram@ jcolonorelup. Reach out and I’ll reach back, let’s co-create.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcolonorelup?igsh=aWxheDFhOWNqbmtn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16sNWGdT9M/
Image Credits
Jamie Colón-Orelüp
AMANI DARK
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
