We asked some of the most productive entrepreneurs and creatives out there to open up to us about the role self-care plays in boosting their effectiveness.
Michael Tennant
Massage therapy is a profession that requires endurance. In addition to the physical demands of the job, I strive to provide my clients with the best healing experience possible. It is also my hope that my clients see me as a living example of what it looks like to be peaceful, joyful and stress free. In order to do that, taking care of my body, mind and energy are paramount to my success. Read more>>
Jojo White
Being a comedian, traveling a lot, and going out in front of crowds I’ve learned that I need self care. I found myself getting burnt out mentally and just sleeping for hours on hours in the day. I started to lose myself. The kind of self care I’ve really focused on is making sure I get enough rest, not putting pressure on myself performing wise and that means having more confidence in my abilities. Also, not eating like a raccoon and eating trash all the time! It’s hard cause being on the road it’s easy to just eat fast food, but I’m really being mindful of where I eat. The most important thing is leaning in on my faith. Knowing God put me in these positions with a gift to bring happiness to everyone. Read more>>
Jamie Yacksyzn
I make my health a priority. I start my day with working out and also do 2 yoga sessions a week. I do not plan anything else during the times of my yoga classes and I make sure to be consistent with both. If you do not take care of your health, then you cannot show up as your best self. Photography and business ownership can take a mental and physical toll on your body. Read more>>
Victor Ramos
I believe this came from the realization that it’s impossible to pour from an empty cup. It’s innate in some people to put others before themselves, but I’ve found that this leads to burning out, and a lack of direction for ones own personal journey. You become so focused on others that your goals and aspirations lose their necessary attention. Taking the time to be fully engulfed with your work is what I believe to be the best way you can give to others. They begin to see that the life you’re creating for yourself is coming from an internal place, and so therefore you become an example/blueprint for how they can precede with their own lives. Read more>>
Dr. Gabby Carey-johnson
I prioritize self-care by embracing practices that nurture my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I find peace and renewal through mindfulness, yoga, and spending time by the beach, which provide me with moments of stillness in my busy life. I also treasure the support of my ‘village’—my family and friends—who uplift and ground me. These self-care practices help me maintain balance and enhance my effectiveness as a mental health professional. By modeling self-compassion and resilience, I create a safe and empathetic space for my clients. Taking time to recharge ensures that I remain present, focused, and emotionally available, empowering me to guide others on their healing journeys. Read more>>
Lynn Emam
Self-care for me is about balance and staying grounded, especially in a career as dynamic and fast-paced as real estate. I make it a priority to carve out time for solitude and reflection—something I learned to appreciate during the pandemic when I transitioned from being an extrovert to more of an introvert. Spending quiet time allows me to recharge and connect with my inner self, which helps me approach my work and relationships with a calm and open mindset. Read more>>
Sherief Elkatsha
I am a swimmer, and have been for my entire life. I began as a competitive swimmer in speedos, and quickly segued that into my daily life ritual…now in swim trunks. Swimming is my therapy, my meditation, and my exercise. Upon entering the pool, my brain is filled with daily frustrations, work stress, and life fatigue. As I begin to swim, I can feel the tension leaving my brain and body. After a mile of swimming laps, my mind is quiet and my body feels centered. I was never good at team sports. With swimming I could be under the illusion of being on a team, while competing alone. Read more>>
Dr. Phyllis Pobee
My self-care focuses on three key areas:
Movement: Whether it’s walking or strength training, exercise is my therapy. It boosts my energy and gives me mental clarity.
Mindfulness: Daily prayer and journaling help me stay grounded and connected to my mission.
Moments of Joy: I indulge in small luxuries like skincare routines or savoring a quiet cup of tea. These moments remind me that I deserve care, too.
This self-care has made me more effective by improving my focus and helping me show up fully for my clients, family, and team. Read more>>
Shehryar Mir
In the experience I’ve had up until now in this industry, film or entertainment in general, it can get extremely stressful and anxiety inducing at times. I’ve learned to pause and take a step back from everything from time to time. Whenever I’m involved in creative tasks, which is often, it can become all consuming because its hard to shut off from work, even when not physically in an office space or on set, because my brain is still marinating in ideas. So at times, I take a break by primarily turning my phone on airplane mode and allowing myself to be out in the world, even if it’s as little as going out for a stroll. I also rely heavily on the personal relationships I’ve invested in, friends, family etc. to help me be able to unwind and keep my priorities in check. Read more>>
Alaina Wodarek
You can’t have a healthy work ethic without balancing your grind with self-care. Self-care to me is both physical and mental. I do yoga regularly to clear my mind and stay flexible. It is both a meditative and physical practice for me. I also enjoy other workouts like boxing and pilates. I started journaling throughout college and found it incredibly helpful for my mental health and daily practices. It became such a transformative tool for me that I recently created my own digital journal to help other students and recent grads build healthy habits and find balance. Read more>>
Edith Nazarian
As an attorney who owns her own firm, I’ve found that self-care is essential to maintaining my mental, physical, and emotional equilibrium. This is why every morning I take time to center myself and collect my thoughts by asking myself, “What do I need today?” Sometimes that means journaling; other times that means meditating or doing a breathing exercise. Lately, though, it almost always means stretching—if I don’t stretch, sometimes I just don’t feel human! Read more>>
Reto Sterchi
You know the saying mind over matter? It goes the other way, too. A good workout always gets my head right. May that be a gym visit or a run or a yoga session at home. Any physical activity affects my mental wellbeing tremendously. Reading, disappearing into a good book, is a wonderful way to train the mind to focus and fix the ADD that we all have developed due to our addiction to smartphones. My favorite way to relax though, is working on a home improvement project. I love fixing things. Read more>>
Natalie Day
I would not be able to be successful in the work I do if I had not developed a good self-care routine. It’s important to take care of both your physical and mental health. For me, I need the endorphin boost from exercise to maintain a healthy mental state. I love to lean into my hobbies like cooking, thrifting, and reading to ensure I have a good balance outside of my work life. Maintaining these self care rituals in my routine has been incredibly important to remain effective in my work. Read more>>
Lillian Nikki” Hurley-Hines
As a mental health therapist, self-care is essential for me – it’s the foundation of my work. To help my clients, I need to take care of myself first. Over the last year and a half, meditation has been my main form of self-care. As someone who experiences anxiety, it’s allowed me to slow my racing thoughts and be present. I also enjoy reading, and I find art to be a wonderful creative outlet. These practices help me stay grounded and keep my energy aligned so I can show up fully for myself and my clients. Read more>>
Seema Patel
As many physicians, I was demoralized and burned out working for a large health care facility. There were too many patients, too many messages, increasing departmental projects and other work that left my inbox in a perpetual state of being full. I was going home frustrated, disgruntled and angry which affected my sons and my husband. I was becoming everything I never wanted to be. When my department told me that I had to see more patients because I had a long waiting list, I lost it. I turned in my resignation letter with a 90-day notice. Seeing more patients I felt would be the end of me. I knew I had to open my own practice but first I had to heal. Read more>>
