Meet Janie Terrazas

We recently connected with Janie Terrazas and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Janie, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

From deciding to dance and lip-sync to Michael Jackson at the age of 7 in a school talent show to scaling 70-foot rock walls in my 20’s, my journey to self-confidence and esteem has been a crazy dance of embracing challenges and facing mental and physical fears head-on.

As a child, stepping onto the theater arts stage or the softball field, I was fueled by a mix of creative curiosity and competitive spirit. The thrill of entertaining and competing was intrinsic to who I was – it was like something within was guiding me through any fears or nerves that fluttered in my stomach. When I was young it seemed like concerns about what others thought of me were distant whispers, drowned out by the adrenaline rush of performance and the fun of it all.

This early exposure to the spotlight was more than just child’s play; it was unknowingly training my brain to thrive under pressure as an adult and adapt swiftly to unexpected challenges and internal/external judgments.

The mix of being a dreamer, an overachiever, and a curious adventurer set against a backdrop of auditions, athletic fields, and the high-stakes world of corporate sales, prepared me for the variety of fears that come along with being an entrepreneur and content creator.

I recall instances when technology failed me during presentations, leaving me without my trusty PowerPoint. Yet, each time, I found a way to pivot, to adjust, to deliver. Just like those moments when my audio would go out in the middle of a dance performance and I kept dancing. Getting through those cringe-worthy moments in life and bouncing back from them helped reaffirm my resilience.

My journey wasn’t just confined to stages and sports fields. The cutthroat world of telecom corporate sales was another arena where I honed my confidence skills, thriving amidst the relentless cycle of losses and wins, rejections and successes.

I further tested my grit when I quit my corporate job and made a bold move from Texas to Los Angeles. I leaped into the unknown to pursue my dreams of TV/Radio broadcasting and fitness modeling. There, in the city of stars, I faced the relentless tide of auditions, each rejection forging a little more of the inner strength I possess today.

On the downside, it heightened the perfectionist’s voice regarding self-image standards. So, learning how to mindfully regulate the two sides of that coin has been a journey in itself.

Karaoke nights filled with trying new tunes have long been a playground for keeping perfectionism syndrome at bay and courage muscles strong. These moments, big and small, taught me a crucial lesson: the goal isn’t to eliminate the fear, but to cultivate an inner strength so potent that fear becomes a welcomed feeling, a spice that adds flavor to the adventure of life.

My self-confidence and esteem are one of continual evolution, of facing fears and embracing new challenges, both external and internal, personal and professional. It’s about understanding that confidence isn’t the absence of fear but the ability to dance with it. It’s a dance I invite everyone to join, for in its steps, we find the true rhythm and resilience of our heart and soul, accessing our wholeness and willpower to be our most authentic courageous selves.

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

As a Mindfulness Coach, I’m here to guide those who seek to live a balanced, mindful, love-filled life so they can experience more joy, vitality and prosperity in all ways. At the heart of my mindful mission is my PazMesa self-mastery program rooted in discovering and nurturing the power of peace that resides within each of us.

The philosophy of the program is designed to foster a safe, intimate, authentic, REALationship with oneself and others. It’s an invitation to heal all that blocks you from embracing mindful living and unconditional loving. Experiencing this state of being leads to restoring an intrinsic wholeness and a sense of inner tranquility.

I also started RiseAboveTV, an online platform providing inspirational content that encourages viewers to live mindfully, authentically, and optimally. The goal is to create a mindfulness movement, one that supports the PazMesa peace endeavors on both a personal and collective level.

These initiatives are all geared towards enhancing the wellness of people in a comprehensive, integrative way. Through PazMesa and RiseAboveTV, I aim to create safe spaces and experiences where individuals can explore, grow, and connect. It’s about building a community where mindfulness is not just a practice, but a way of life.

I believe that by nurturing peace within ourselves, we can ripple out that peace into the world – one heart, one mind, one soul at a time. So, to all of you on your own bold journeys, I invite you to join me in this mindfulness movement. Together, let’s rise above the old limiting narratives, embrace our authentic selves, and do our part to contribute to a more united world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my path, I’ve discerned three essential qualities pivotal to growth: fostering authentic connections through safe communication, nurturing a spirit of compassionate curiosity and mindful listening, and committing to the discipline of mindfulness and meditation.

  1. Nurturing Authentic Safe Connections:

The art of communication transcends mere words. It’s about presence, and building genuine connections that forge intimacy and cultivate mindful love. It’s a practice of vulnerability, humility, integrity, and authenticity. My S.A.F.E. Communication Method offers a structured approach to engaging with others meaningfully and respectfully.

  1. Cultivating Compassionate Curiosity and Mindful Listening:

Mindful listening is a transformative tool, especially when it comes to self-care. It involves tuning in not just to the words and non-verbals of others, but to the messages from your own heart and body. Begin with self-inquiry, identifying your needs and emotions, and acknowledging them with the same discernment and attentiveness you’d offer a dear friend. Establish self-care practices as sacred appointments. Know what your non-negotiables are in your daily life.

  1. Embracing Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness is an ethos, where the practice of meditation serves as a gateway to the power of presence. It’s a journey towards embracing stillness and finding contentment in simply being. I encourage starting with the basics—breathing exercises and allowing oneself to be still, fostering a space where insights can surface and inner clarity can be recharged.

While only three qualities were requested, I must highlight the significance of playing and having fun. Playfulness, often overlooked, is a vital form of active meditation that nourishes the spirit of joy and sparks creativity.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

In my exploration of mindfulness and the journey toward inner peace, there has been one book that profoundly shaped my path: “A Course in Miracles.” This remarkable text, which delves deep into the realms of spirituality, consciousness, and the essence of our existence, was a pivotal guide in teaching me the art of living mindfully and purposefully.

“A Course in Miracles” is more than just a book; it’s a transformative journey. It offered me insights into the nature of life, the intricacies of consciousness, and the nuances of free will. The most striking lesson I learned from this course was about living non-judgmentally. This principle became the cornerstone of my practice and teachings, emphasizing the importance of embracing each moment as it is, a non-resistance without the filters of judgment and prejudice.

The concept of unconditional love, as presented in the book, was revelatory. It peeled back layers of superficial understanding to reveal what unconditional love truly entails. It’s rooted in virtues and principles that transcend our worldly perceptions of love.

This book taught me that to love unconditionally is to love both oneself and others without constraints, to see beyond our perceived separations, and to understand that at a fundamental level, we are all interconnected. I’d like to add that loving someone without constraints, doesn’t mean loving them without healthy boundaries

“A Course in Miracles” also opened my eyes to the true purpose of our existence – to restore our natural, organic essence and become embodiments of unconditional love here on Earth. It speaks to the power of peace that lies within each of us and how, by tapping into this power, we can create lives brimming with joy, vitality, and prosperity.

One of the most empowering teachings of the book is the concept of mindfully mastering our thoughts and emotions. It addresses the illusion of separation, reminding us that, although we may seem divided, at a quantum level, we are all one, extensions of a universal maker. Aligning with this philosophy, as the book teaches, unlocks a world filled with wonder and abundance.

Furthermore, “A Course in Miracles” advocates for taking accountability and responsibility for the quality of our lives and our relationships. It’s about undergoing an alchemical process of self-transformation, healing the barriers that prevent us from experiencing peace in the here and now.

In essence, this book has been a beacon, guiding me toward a more in-depth understanding of my own existence and my role in the greater tapestry of life. It’s a journey of learning to live each day with intention and a sense of reverent connection to all that is. For anyone seeking to embark on a path of self-discovery and transformation, “A Course in Miracles” is a powerful companion, illuminating the way to a life of mindfulness, peace, and fulfillment.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
I have the rights

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that