Meet Jonathan Heit

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonathan Heit. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonathan below.

Jonathan, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

If you take this supplement and wave this wand in front of your face for 30 minutes and buy this 120 dollar cream and let us drain you of your blood and stand on this vibrating plate and buy this 40 dollar smoothie we swear to GOD and on our LIVES you will feel and look like a hotter younger version of your decrepit current self. I read and hear shit like this every time I leave the house or open my phone. The term self care has become monetized. It’s shoved down our throat that self care is something that involves a product or a service. One pill, two pill, red light blue light. The do’s and don’ts of self care etched in blood on the paper placards under 100 dollar plastic bags filled with mystery powder and sea moss.

Now this next part may seem like a paradox, but self care is more than important. It’s really the only thing that matters. Caring for yourself is what leads to a good healthy, success in business, meaningful long lasting relationships, and a low stress work life balance. It’s about prioritizing yourself.

I am often someone who runs at full speed at all times. I was born that way and luckily my career encouraged it. If I was the only 4 year old that could work late nights days in a row, well, that meant I got the job. That high speed full throttle attitude did however have its consequences. By 23 I have had: both my ankles broken and sprained countless times, both my elbows, a rib, all my fingers, a couple of toes, my shoulder dislocated, one knee surgery and two hip surgeries. It wasn’t until my most recent hip surgery that my perspective on self care really changed.

Those two hip surgeries really took a toll. Physically I was confined to bed and machine that moved my leg for me well I slept, but mentally I felt even more trapped. At the time I thought recovery meant I would be better than I was before the pain started. I am now technically recovered and can confirm that is not the case. My stitches have long since healed, my muscles have grown stronger and I physically am in the best shape I have ever been in.

The pain is however, constant: the aching and groaning, the stiffness and pinches. I have become used to it and I try my best to never complain, but the frustration has come with trying everything. I try this Chiro, and this acupuncturist, and this light machine. All to no avail. The only machine that did seem to help was the hyperbaric chamber, but the cost is astronomical. The cost of all of these products are astronomical.

I don’t like to ramble so here is what I have found self care to mean and how it as greatly increased my quality of life. As much as I can, I disconnect and reconnect. I disconnect from the screens and hoopla of our modern society and I listen to the trees. I disconnect from being reachable at all times and find a body of water and jump in it. We can’t all live in the woods, but we can all give ourselves a second to breathe real air not clouded by our own pollutants. Pollutants that just as much include our own self doubt and hateful thoughts, as the smog that blankets our cities. Self care is sitting in the sun thinking about what you are grateful for. Once I really began doing that and making an effort to do it often the pain of my hips and all my other ailments seemed less dire. My path became clearer because I wasn’t so worried about where it would take me. I may never be able to run a mile pain free, but I sure as hell can hike up a hill at my own pace and see a beautiful valley or catch a sunset.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I get to work IN art. I get to physically be a part of it. I am on screen and behind the camera and captured on film printed on paper that lasts thousands of years. I love my job, but what I actually do is often a joke amongst friends. At times I’m an actor, most other times I am an art dealer. My biggest artist is Tyler Shields. Often considered the Warhol of his generation, Shields takes a story telling approach to photography by creating fantastical scenes that leave viewers shocked and amazed. He is the only living photographer ever to do a solo show with Sotheby’s

Some exciting updates: I am hiring. Have a knack for sales and a creative mind? Shoot me a message. I am looking for more sales agents to help track down buyers.

As for the movie business: I have some things that I have to be hush hush about coming soon to theaters near you. Keep your eyes peeled:)

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

The three qualities that are most important to me and my journey are:

Passion: Love what you do. This one is simple and I can’t stress this enough. If you don’t love what you do… don’t do it. Find a way to do the thing you love.

Lead with kindness: Morality isn’t always considered a business tactic, but good people do good things and feel good about it.

Protect Yours: Protect your people and protect your kindness. Don’t put yourself in a position where either of things are in jeopardy.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am constantly looking for new places to display art whether that be hotel, restaurant, home, or gallery. I am also always looking for dedicated sales agents to help me identify collectors. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] to inquire about a piece or job opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heitgallery.com
• Instagram: jonathanheit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heitgalleryinc/