Secret To Life

I don’t post much on social media these days—mostly because life has been full, intense, and transformative. It’s easy to share the sunshine and rainbows, but the truth is, these past few years have taken me to the depths of my soul. They broke me open, stripped me down, and in the process, revolutionized not only who I am but also the work I do.

Truth be told, I’ve died and come back to life more times than I can count—both literally and metaphorically. But this last time was different. It was final.

Four years ago, I leapt into the unknown, uprooting my entire life to move to a foreign country. At the time, I told myself I was chasing adventure, a fresh start. But the truth? I was running. Running from myself, from choices that shattered everything I thought I knew. I wasn’t blind to it—I saw it all unfolding—but I had no idea how to hold it, how to make sense of it. So, I jumped. Headfirst into the void.

What followed was the darkest night of the soul I could have ever imagined. I had never known true depression before. Sure, I had struggled, faced hardships, but this? This was different. Living in Panamá, I lost myself. The land was foreign, the language a barrier, the isolation unbearable. I longed for what I had left behind, but even if I returned, I wasn’t sure who I would be. The weight of it all crushed me—so much so that my body manifested the pain. "Broken heart syndrome," they called it, along with POTS, another autoimmune condition that left me barely able to function. It was as if my very cells were grieving.

The irony? I had run to escape, yet there was nowhere left to go. No more distractions, no more escape routes. I was forced to sit with my wounds, to face my deepest fears, to descend into the heartbreak and let it crack me open. It was brutal, but somewhere in the wreckage, a quiet knowing remained: this is happening for me, not to me.

I begged for it to end, to be released, but I also knew—deep in my bones—that I wouldn’t leave until I had met every shadow, turned over every stone, and allowed the pain to do what it came to do: transform me.

And then, one day, in a moment of complete surrender, it happened. The release. The door opened, and life began to move again. My inner child let go, and for the first time in years, I allowed myself to receive the healing I had given so freely to others.

Now, as we prepare to return to California, to our new home in San Luis Obispo, I look back at these past years and see them for what they were: an initiation. I was taken to the brink of every emotion, to depths of consciousness I never knew existed. And somehow, I made it through.

I return to my country a different person. I no longer recognize the one who left. I don’t know exactly what I’ll be stepping into—because I have changed, and so has the place I’m returning to.

But I do know this: I am ready for it all.

And I step forward with love. Love for the journey, for the lessons, for the people who stood by me and the ones who didn’t. I forgive it all—the pain, the betrayals, the misunderstandings—because I see now that it was never about them. It was always about me. About what I needed to learn, to feel, to release.

So, I move forward with gratitude. Grateful for the suffering that shaped me, for the healing that rebuilt me, and for the love that now leads me home 🫶

My heart aches as I witness these fires burning in California from afar. If you know anything about me, it's my deep, unwavering love for California. Since the day we moved to Panama, I’ve missed it more than words can express and have longed to return. I originally envisioned moving to Central America as an opportunity to explore new places and create new memories, yet all my travels over these years have been spent flying back to California, as I've missed it so much.

California holds my heart. It’s where I met the love of my life, had our fairytale wedding, built our first home, welcomed our son, shared life with three incredible fur babies, became a published author, connected with spirituality, and found myself—only to lose and rediscover myself more times than I can count to set me on a path towards my true calling.

To me, California is more than just a state; it’s a magical, sacred place. She’s powerful and wise... She’s home.

She holds ancient wisdom and resilience, and I know she will get through this. To the brave souls of Los Angeles facing this devastation right now, our hearts are with you. We pray to our sacred land to help us uncover the miracles hidden in this tragedy. She will help us uncover the wisdom in it. She always does, as we call upon her great spirit to carry us through.

Namaste 🙏

HOW WILL YOU STEP INTO THE NEW YEAR?

Every New Year, like clockwork, I see the same messages popping up, asking the same questions about the same things people swear they’ll finally change or master. The promises to leave behind old habits, frustrations, and setbacks. The hopeful mantra of, “This is the year I will…” fills every corner of our world. Sound familiar?

I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into this mindset too. There’s something intoxicating about the hope of a clean slate and a fresh start.

But this time, I’m stepping away from that message because I’ve come to believe it doesn’t truly work—not for creating deep, lasting change.

Sure, imagining the possibilities of a “new year, new me” can feel invigorating. But let’s be real—by March, how many people are still riding that wave of motivation?

Why does this happen?

Because real change doesn’t happen in a single moment of resolve. It’s cultivated over countless moments—sometimes over years. True transformation is a process. It’s not always shiny or Instagram-worthy either. It can look like gaining weight, losing a job, navigating grief, illness, or unexpected challenges. Yet, within those moments, if we’re willing to look, we can find profound gifts—deep connections to ourselves, others, and the essence of life itself.

This past year, 2024, was hard for so many. In my work, I’ve heard countless stories of struggle. But I’ve also witnessed something extraordinary: transformation in action. Time and again, I’ve seen people rise, grow, and uncover their own resilience and beauty.

Doesn’t that deserve recognition? A moment to pause and give thanks for the lessons 2024 brought us? Doesn’t that deserve to be carried forward into the next year?

If this past year has taught me anything, it’s that we need a new approach. Something deeper. Something real.

Don’t get me wrong—I love magic and miracles. (There’s a reason people call me Spicy Unicorn!) But I also believe in grounding those miracles into everyday reality. That’s the essence of our inner child—it craves what’s real. Life, in all its rawness, includes difficulty, beauty, and yes, magic ✨️. It’s in surrendering to the wholeness of life that we find the true motivation to seek magic in the moment.

So instead of focusing on what we’re leaving behind or changing, let’s reflect on what we’ve learned. Let’s celebrate the ways life has spoken to us and honor the unfolding journey we’re on. Peaks, valleys, and all—it’s a story worth telling.

---

2025 is already shaping up to be a monumental year of transformation for Carl and me, with some surprising turns of events. We're stepping boldly into massive changes that are taking our lives on an entirely new trajectory. While change can sometimes feel scary or overwhelming, I see it as exciting and exhilarating! The journey ahead will undoubtedly challenge us to grow even more—and to me, that’s a beautiful and empowering thing.

If you’re ready to make real, meaningful changes in your life, it’s important to recognize that lasting transformation doesn’t happen by accident or through sheer willpower alone. Most of the struggles we face—whether in relationships, career, or personal fulfillment—are rooted in unresolved patterns from our inner child. It’s not something that shifts on its own, no matter how long you wait, hope, or how many New Year’s resolutions you make.

The truth is, real change becomes so much easier when you have the right tools and support to guide you. That’s where we come in. Together, we can dive into the heart of what’s holding you back, heal those old wounds, and help you step into the life you’ve always envisioned.

Congratulations on everything you’ve mastered in 2024. Let’s step into 2025 with the power of our own intention guiding the way 🎉.

With love,
Jenine

Photo: Me standing on top of Rainbow Mountain in Peru at 16,522 ft, after a bout with severe adrenal fatigue.

Talking about the problem almost always perpetuates the problem.

Is that the goal 🤔

Just recorded a 🎥 with Jenine on 'Why People Get Stuck In Their Problems & Why They Can Rarely Exit Them.' Want it?
Tell me 👇