Stacked Keys Podcast
The idea to talk to women who are out there living and making a difference is where the Stacked Keys Podcast was born. There are women who make a difference, but never make a wave while paddling through life. Immediately I can think of a dozen or more who impacted me, but I want more. I want to talk to those I don't know and I want to share with an audience that might need the inspiration to find their own beat. This podcast is to feature women who are impressive in the work world-- or in raising a family -- or who have hobbies that can make us all be encouraged. Want to hear what makes these women passionate and get up in the morning or what they wish they had known earlier in life? Grab your keys and STOMP to your own drum.
Stacked Keys Podcast
Episode 216 -- Mena Teijeiro -- Nurturing Abundance: Building Your Sacred Space
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Ever feel like your life is running on autopilot, following someone else's blueprint? Mena Teijeiro found herself trapped in that same pattern—studying economics like her father, quitting work after marriage like her mother—until frustration forced her to ask: "Is this really my life?"
What followed was a remarkable journey from conventional success to authentic joy. In this candid conversation, Mena reveals how a hurricane threat and financial diversification unexpectedly led her to purchase 182 acres of Georgia woodland after just a 90-minute visit. When COVID hit and her children chose to live with their father, she faced her greatest challenge alone in unfamiliar territory—yet this apparent setback became the catalyst for creating The Florest retreat center and discovering her true purpose.
The heart of Mena's wisdom lies in distinguishing between being a "giver" versus an "empowered giver." For years, she drained herself by prioritizing others' needs above her own, creating resentment rather than genuine service. Now she teaches how to give from overflow—tending first to your own well-being so you can authentically support others without depletion. This philosophy extends to leadership, which she envisions as a spiral of collective growth where everyone contributes their unique gifts while being responsible for their own development.
Mena's definition of richness transcends the financial—it's found in the peace of deep breathing, freedom of choice, connection with nature, and authentic relationships. Her most vulnerable moment comes when tears well up discussing what she wishes she'd known earlier: how to love herself sooner and honor her own needs as valid and important.
Whether you're questioning your life's direction, building a purpose-driven business, or simply seeking more authentic connections, Mena's journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meeting Mena Tejero
Speaker 1Well , I'm excited . This morning we have got a fantastic guest with us . We have Mena Tejero Welcome .
Speaker 2Oh , my God , thank you so much and you pronounced my name perfectly .
Speaker 1Well done , yay , yay . You know we were talking for a second before we started . To me , a name just has so much to do with who you are and how you present yourself , and so I never want to mess up anybody's name . But tell you what . Let's get started right out of the gate Mena . How do people know you , both personally and professionally ?
Speaker 2So knowing , as in my essence , or a name , or what I do or how I am , but where are you going with your question ?
Speaker 1Oh , let's go the whole ball , let's . How do people know you Essence , what you do , what you physically show up with everything ?
Speaker 2Oh well , that's a big question that I'm going to take a big bite out of it right now and just flow with it . So people would say that I'm a pioneer , that I'm daring , that I am always showing up to stretch myself , to dare to be transparent and honest in my feelings and having the courage to jump and take the leap for the next thing . Um , they'll see me at my property . I live in the woods in Georgia . I created a retreat center . Then they'll see me visiting my kids in Tennessee , um gathering with groups of women communities that are creating change in the world , celebrating , collaborating with them , traveling around the world , going on retreats myself .
Speaker 2I just love what happens when we gather , when we're learning , when we're really at that edge of development but also of being .
Speaker 2It's kind of the becoming .
Speaker 2I call the becoming part of like the developments and the skills , and the other side is the unraveling and the being , and so it's this like building up skills , but also shedding of the old , of the conditioning to be more of who we are . And so I think people would see me as , um , a dynamic being , maybe a queen bee following her dreams , and I think that now people will see me as following my dreams , whereas in the past I wasn't . I was more of following the momentum of my environment . I studied economics like my dad did and then got married and stopped working like my mother did and I got to a place where I'm like , frustrated . This didn't feel like my life , and so I think it's thanks to that big challenge of being in a space that didn't feel authentic and free and alive that now , in the last 15 years of this journey , I allowed myself to be that person who honors her yes , and will show up for that , and I think people know that men is always on that edge of growth , of exploration , of daring .
Speaker 1Oh , wow , I love that , and there's so many things to unpack right there . One of the first things that comes to me in our talk here is what made you decide to go live in the woods but it was a sequence
Journey to the Forest Retreat
Speaker 1of things that happened .
Speaker 2So , number one , when I traveled with my family around the world as a teenager and had that exposure , loved hosting people , loved gathering , and in 2019 , I had two investment properties in Georgia with no hurricane insurance . And so that category five was screaming at me and I'm like , oh my God , I need to diversify . I shared it with a friend . He's like I wish my friends didn't live where they live and they were doing a mystery school and I was picking up on what they were teaching and connecting and my heart was like , well , what if I diversify , that helps me and I invest in something that is aligned with growth , with spirituality , with expansion . The next day , they send me a video of this property . Oh , I was mind blown . Just the drone flying over the woods and the pines , and there were two . The two main domes were here and there was a lot of other things that I'll go into later , but I was like I researched who's the realtor and 10 days later , I sent my kids off to school in the morning right away , headed to the airport , made it here just in time to see the property for an hour and a half and rushed back to receive my kids that evening and in that hour and a half that I was here , just my soul was like oh my God , this is magical , all this . It was 182 acres of pine forest . It was worth the same as one of my multifamily houses in the housing in Miami . I was like I've never even gone to see this investment in Miami and it's 20 minutes away . It's not even worth seeing , it's just a good cashflow . And lands , this magical , which has creeks , and the creeks reminded me of this vision I had had a few years before . They asked me what was your most precious childhood memory ? And as I thought it was like walking through the creeks and jumping from rock to rock and being in adventures with my dad and my siblings . And this property had those creeks . It was the same geology as the Piedmont up in the DC area where I grew up in .
Speaker 2Went home , so excited , showed it to my boys . They were young , they were 10 and 12 . And I made an offer . Wow , they accepted the rent . I gave them the range , they accepted the middle price and , um , so I was just all in and I realized what really helped me to make this decision , and I forget to talk about this sometimes . I was doing a leadership training . It was three months , it was called gratitude training and in that whole training it was about aligning as a group , as a team , and committing , and so I think that that training had allowed me to just move past any resistances . I think they trained me to move past resistances and I was in the commitment and the daring and the showing up and I think that really helped me .
Speaker 2Just like , yeah , I'm buying the , like hello . My dad was like mena , he sent me a text message along it's a huge property . There's so much to take care of . You haven't been raised in that environment . So much to take care of . You haven't been raised in that environment . Like you don't know anybody there . It's a big responsibility . And my dad's bright and kind and supportive . He was just like hey , like these are the facts . Oh , I get that . I responded , dad , just like in your genius , like nobody knew what you were able to accomplish . This is this is my area and I believe in me and I believe this is a yes .
Speaker 1Wow .
Speaker 2And look at my throat , right , it's like that moment of like , oh my God , I'm saying yes , but I really don't know . There there is a , there is a feeling that this is for me , but it's a big responsibility , and so so funny how the throat , in that moment , you know , shows that energy of going back into that moment . Um , and so , yeah , how did I move here ? Um , so I thought when I bought this property that those friends were going to move here and rent my property . They didn't move here , they didn't have the money to pay me , and then they weren't honoring that . I was the owner . I made a list . I was like , okay , no smoking pot . Like I need to know , I need to have your phone number , please let me know who's coming to the property .
Speaker 1And so when I made these requests , they got offended and left . Oh , wow , wow . And here you are , not being a rural girl , being in pretty much rural Georgia . Yes , having to make this work .
Speaker 2Yeah , and so they left , and two weeks later , the quarantine of COVID began .
Speaker 1Oh , wow .
Speaker 2I was at a standstill already . Yeah , and so the next four months on the 39th floor , with my children in Miami locked in for four months , with my children in Miami locked in for four months , preteens , intense . And the summer was like , let's go to the woods , let's go clean up that space I had . I had I removed a container full of yard trash from the property . There was a lot of work to be done , yard trash from the property . There was a lot of work to be done and I was like , okay , let's go for a month .
Speaker 2I invited friends , I had different groups coming in and out weekends and the weeks and it was so vibrant . I was so alive , so happy , and my oldest son thought I was going to move here and I wasn't . That was something that I had considered the year before . The dad was like , hey , homeschool them , then they're going to be closer to me in tennessee and they can be with you two weeks , with me , two weeks , and then that'll be great for them . And , um , we went for , we were going to go for it .
Speaker 2Then the people here weren't in alignment with my children and I had said , okay , I'm not going to do that . But my son seeing me happy here . He thinks we are going to move and his brain is just freaking out and tells me I'm going to go live with dad and the little one . Yep , I'm going to go with dad to the . Dad had been asking for them for two years , so I just opened my hands and off they went . My kids are gone . I have this property I've invested in in another state . I don't know anybody here , and then I'm spending a huge amount of rent money in Miami and I'm like you know what ? Quarantine was still in
Finding Herself After Family Changes
Speaker 2COVID . The whole story of the mask and isolation was still going on and I was like , let me just move all my things here and figure it out moment to moment . And that's how I moved to the forest .
Speaker 1Wow , wow . That could have absolutely paralyzed you . So how do you take a to-do list and figure out what to do on that to-do list and find people to help you ? Because we live kind of far out and one of the biggest problems we have is getting people to come to you because it's not like their business is right down the road , because it's not like their business is right down the road . So did you just start ?
Speaker 2making a list and just chopping down your list , let me feel how it went and how it so . The prior owner was very helpful , and then he recommended an older man that would help him mow , and this older man recommended a local policeman who , on the job , had a mowing company . That mowing company recommended the best friend . That ended up being the person who helped me the most with the development of the property . He became a best friend , a partner . He was all about land management , love of the woods , and so that was a godsend . Truly , it was two , three days after I came here for that month , he showed up and he had this energy of possibility and just , yeah , we're going to do this and we're going to do that , we're going to clean this up and we're going to remove this . And so it was just like , oh , it was exactly the medicine , the knowing , the know-how that I didn't have , and so I was always asking questions and then making the decisions and then deciding what I wanted to do first .
Speaker 1Yeah , wow , so
The Biggest Waste of Time: Being an Unempowered Giver
Speaker 1it is finding those people that have a similar passion but a different skill set .
Speaker 2Yes , very well said . I think that's how we can complement each other and work as teams , and so you can't , we can delegate . We can have teams of everybody sharing their expertise . And then what I love about being , you know , an empowered woman and running this is my business is I get to make the decisions and then I get to surround myself with people who have expertise , and then I can ask questions and then feel what is in alignment , what feels right for this place .
Speaker 1Yeah , what would you say is probably the biggest waste of time ? I mean , here you are in a leadership role and you've got goals and aspirations for the property . That's not just you know , having a little camp , but it's like you've got some really big aspirations for it . What would you say to somebody who's venturing out and making their dreams come true ? What's the biggest waste of time ?
Speaker 2That's a powerful question , oh my God . In my experience , the way I wasted time in my life was being a giver versus an empowered giver . The difference is that my heart always wanted to help others . I heard their needs above mine , and so when I'm hearing others' needs and I'm tending to them , I'm not focusing on tending to my land , to nurturing my dreams and overflowing . So I'm helping here and there . Probably they didn't really officially ask me for it , they haven't hired me for it , and then they're probably wondering what does she want ? What does she want in exchange ?
Speaker 2And so they're not fully receiving just a genuine help of love and connection , and so that person feeling uncomfortable in the receiving of my generosity of the heart , and then I'm depleting energy and feeling frustrated that I'm not being received or seen , and so that has been the greatest waste of time in my life to be a giver .
Speaker 2And so now I love teaching this and I'm hosting my first empowered giver retreat in May , which I'm so passionate about , because that has been the greatest pain point for me to drain energy and to dissipate my life force , my passion , my energy , my resources in wanting to help , wanting to make it a better planet , but doing it in a way that really wasn't supporting me .
Speaker 2And so what I've learned is to give in a way that I'm giving from my overflow , from me having this values of what I stand for , tending to my land , creating a vibrant land , a queendom , you know , for men is the kingdom , for women is the queendom , for all it can be your sovereign land , your space , not only physically , but within your field , your body , tending what is needed here , but within your field , your body , right , tending what is needed here . And that has been my greatest pain , my greatest waste of time , and that's why I'm so passionate about helping others with this so they stop draining and they can have that fulfillment and living with people that appreciate them , because we've appreciated ourselves . And then we're magnetizing that community , those souls that really resonate with us .
Speaker 1Yeah Well , when you're talking about that , I keep thinking about you here . You can't pour from an empty cup and that , you know , is harder to visualize than the idea of , hey , I can give when I'm giving of myself and it's an overflow of what I have around me to give . So that's really interesting . You talked about leadership and being involved in thinking of leadership when you came in to this whole concept . What's your idea of a good leader ? Because you're both leading people to have their own retreats hosted in your facility and then leading your retreats , so there's so many different aspects of leadership . What's your idea of a good leader ,
Authentic Leadership Through Self-Mastery
Speaker 1or good traits in a leader ? Beautiful .
Speaker 2It all goes back to this being able to lead yourself . And the leader is showing what he or she can do for themselves in teaching through personal experience , right , and so if I'm a leader , that I can lead my days , my body , my business and make decisions , I can honor and become aware and be accountable , then I can teach others to do that leadership for themselves as well . I believe there's there's a leadership of our energy , and I like to say you know that the I'm the chief energy optimizer for the floor as the CEO , laura's the CEO and so we get to lead our lives from a space of clarity , of intention , of intentionality and boundaries , so that we can all have our values , develop our gifts and have the communication skills , so that now we can collaborate , respecting each other . And then now true leaders , true empowered givers I see the empowered giver as a leader because they're showing look how I'm tending and making the most of what I have my resources , my heart , my gifts . Now I'm overflowing . Now I'm showing you that you have this too , yeah , and by embodying it , leading others into their own mastery , their own overflow , tending to their bodies , to their mind , to their energy in a way , now that they're going to overflow .
Speaker 2And this beauty of leadership is a circle . And , um , even this morning , I was in meditation . I was seeing how , beyond the circle , right , you have the circles and the movements and I was like , okay , the movement doesn't have direction . So a movement ? Right . So everybody talks about being in a movement these days , but I don't feel it has direction .
Speaker 2Now , the circle is grounded , it's equal , there's a unity , like everybody gets invited to be a leader , right , and everybody can be in different spaces of evolution of their leadership , but we all sit in a circle right as equals . But we all sit in a circle right as equals . Now , when you put the circle with movement , wow , it's a new I , I , this is fresh from today . It was like , oh , the spiral . And so just those concepts of together spiraling up and learning together and evolving together . How can we use our resources better ? How can we love more ? How can we be more authentic ? How can we listen to each other's perspectives , softening the limitations , expanding what is possible by working together , what is possible by working together , and the idea that , if we welcome those who are ready to be empowered givers , now we can all lead together and we can create new vibrations , new ways of being , projects , businesses , experiences that are now gonna overflow to the whole .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , I can see that . So when you're talking about this , there's so much value to each individual and whether it comes out in a strong leadership capacity or whether a supporting or or kind of an exchange , you know when you start talking about the flexing of it . So being rich can mean a whole lot of different things to different individuals . You know it can be monetary , it can be , you know , just just a whole range . What does being rich mean mean to you ? I'm not really talking money here , but concepts and feelings and opportunities .
What Being Rich Really Means
Speaker 2In what ways do you feel rich ? First , is that steep breath of peace , right , the richness of being able to breathe , yeah , having a body that can relax and let go of the tension in the muscles and have a mind that can just listen and be present with you right now , that is richness these days , just to be able to sit and feel safe . You know , if you look at , you know the news or the movies , like there's so much chaos and pain and suffering in the world that you know I watched a movie last night which was like it's nominated it has 13 nominations for the Oscars and I wanted to see it and I was thinking , wow , the contrast of the peace that I have right now and the tranquility and what I just expressed to you , versus the panic , the scare , the confusion , the addictions , the oof , just that , just to start with that , something that can be taken for granted , because it is our nature to be relaxed and peaceful . And so that's the paradox of safety and peace is that it feels so natural that we could take it for granted , and peace is that it feels so natural that we could take it for granted . So I always want to remember how precious and rich I am with that peace that I've been able to create in my life and this safety for people to come and relax and feel those energy , feel those codes so they can unwind and relax and feel themselves .
Speaker 2Richness of freedom to choose like . What direction am I taking my business in ? What weekends am I dedicating to my children when I'm going to see my parents and my siblings ? The freedom to choose who I'm going to invest in , what mentor , what group , what community I'm going to be a part of ? What events I want to go and support ? Wow , the possibility of having that freedom . How many people have bosses that you know tell them what to do ? They can't really share their creativity or their ideas .
Speaker 2And the richness of nature , oh , my God , I never take that for granted . I go on walks every day . The vastness of sky and the birds and the deer , and the amount of micro mushrooms and little flowers , and just so rich with nature , which is the planet we're on . And just so rich with nature , which is the planet we're on , and this energy that just welcomes us and provides so many resources , so much . Even grounding , the richness of grounding , which reduces all the inflammation in our body and energizes us and informs us , supports us with our circadian rhythm and so much peace and harmony to our mind and our body . So I would start with those rich , rich aspects that usually are overlooked .
Speaker 2Enriching community oh my God , I've lived in so many countries in Argentina and in London , in many big cities of the States New York City and Chicago and DC , miami , and now in Georgia and just the richness of souls and community that I've connected with all my lifetime , it's just .
Speaker 2My heart just overflows with that gratitude and I've had to learn with that one . And I've had to learn with that one . I've had to learn to trust . I can't have everybody here all the time in my life present . I've had to let go and trust that whenever I connect , it's a miracle . Every like this connection with you right now , amy , it's so precious . Like what did it take for us to be able to be here , for our audience here right now , for them to be listening to this conversation ? Such a miracle . And so of all those people , knowing that I'm on my vision , I'm on my journey , I'm doing the work and that I'm praying , that I'm meeting and connecting with each one in divine timing and I get to create content , share on social media . Create these videos for those people that love me to have these opportunities to reach more people at the same time .
Speaker 1Mena , it sounds like you've done a lot of work , a lot of self-work , a lot of pain , painful work ,
The Pain Behind the Growth
Speaker 1self-work , a lot of pain , painful work . So have you always felt like you had that freedom , or have you struggled to find that freedom ? And now it's a breath of fresh air to have that freedom .
Speaker 2Ooh the pain , such a deep feeler . Like I published a book of poetry , I have another book and more poetry coming , like such depth of feeling . Whew , so much pain , so much misunderstanding , not being in my power , putting more attention to the external energies than on my own . So , oh , my God , pain , pain , pain , pain , pain . And I think , finally realized after decades , that I hadn't been a victim . I had chosen my soul , had chosen these experiences for me to go deep within and deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper into my soul , into that space that doesn't feel that I belong , based on what other people and how they relate to me , that I get to love myself beyond what is arising , but this infinite , constant love of being , this endless , infinite connection of like I got me for eternity . Let me anchor and know this light . You know and know it and get to know it . But so much pain that I did reach a point where I was like it was just repeating , it was coming out of me . I don't want to be here anymore . I don't want to be here anymore . I don't want to be here anymore . I don't .
Speaker 2On the other side , my grandfather killed himself and I know how painful that had been to my mother and to the family , so my mind would have never said I'm going to kill myself , because I knew . I knew the love and I have a beautiful , loving family . I've been provided for with education , with love , with travel , with opportunities . But see , this is the part . You can be given everything . But I was an open heart , absorbing all the distortions , focus more on the external instead of me and protecting my heart and my needs . And so I became aware through my life of all the distortions that are happening around us , and so I've been full-time on my journey of healing and wellness and certifying , and certifying , and it's been 15 years of full-time dedication to healing and getting more and more into my power .
Speaker 1Wow , now , at the same time , you're a mom , and so you've got these little guys that you're raising . How difficult has that balance been .
Speaker 2It's been tremendously difficult and I'll tell you I hear all these stories about when women become mothers how difficult it is . It was easy for me , it was so easy but that was preparing me . I believe that was preparing me for the years that it was going to be so painful and so difficult . So I tell my oldest son , I was like the first year of life , your first year was the best year of my life . It was so far , I tell you , so much love and yumminess . And we traveled and there was this freedom . I was able to organize myself , to pack him , I think every month we traveled somewhere . It was just an extravagant , crazy year of beauty and connection and celebration with family and friends . So it was amazing what then came when I realized I was in a relationship that wasn't supporting my freedom and my growth and didn't have the emotional maturity to support me when I needed the support , that when we divorced . And now the kids were going away and I didn't know what was going on with them .
Speaker 1Yeah , that's hard .
Speaker 2And then his way was completely different than my way . And now I'm playful and I'm dancing and I'm teaching them about emotions and having little toys and writing my poems and going to help at their school and participating , and there is this judgment of who I am . And then I get isolated from family meetings because I did Reiki on a friend and so now they've crowded me out . I don't belong anymore . And then my kids are starting to pick up those energy and judge me and not want to learn from me . And so one of the hardest things for me has been having so much to teach , having been aware of how much is distorted and what I've needed to heal and empower myself by and not be able to teach it to my children , and feeling this pushback and this rejection . And so it's been a big journey of having to know what I know and learn what I know and just teach it to people who asked me for it . And so I haven't shown up in all these 15 years at somebody who's local and expressing and saying I recommend this and this is what I loved and this is what helped me , because my environment was uncomfortable with what I was teaching .
Speaker 2It was too woo-woo 15 years ago , all the different breath practices and everything that I explored . Right , it was too weird . It was like you're an MBA , you're an economist . My mom would say , what are you doing ? And because I was so hurt and disconnected from myself in that area , I went to the other extreme . Hurt and disconnected from myself in that area , I went to the other extreme and deep into this energy work , plant medicine , breath , akasha readings , reiki , master yoga , nidra , sound healing and it was a rich world , fascinating world . I was so hypnotized by it and I still am world . I was so hypnotized by it and I still am . But now , as I'm coming to center , it's like I found nature and where I live , in the woods , with the florist and this retreat center , I find that nature unifies my world , my background in business and all this energy world , and so in nature we all belong .
Speaker 1Yeah ,
Motherhood Challenges and Transformation
Speaker 1and fascinating . That is fascinating how polar opposite worlds can start to blend in an environment that is pretty much a breath of fresh air . And then , coming post-COVID , you know where more people were looking for a way to have community , a way to have a connection , and outside was deemed okay , and so I mean that is just really interesting how it does come back together . And it kind of takes me back to the swirl you know of . You know you've got the circle and you can be as rigid as you want to with a circle , but that rigidness might really steal some of what else you have to be able to bring in . So what will always make you smile ?
Speaker 2Authenticity , connection , this moment with you today , just being able to connect from the heart , from the soul , this curiosity of like what drives you , Like what makes you you , this presence with open heart , and I love it . I love going to new spaces I'll go by myself and I love meeting souls and like who am I supposed to meet ? And just this excitement of energy . But I'm excited by adventures in nature , by being with friends and family , by leading retreats and just seeing the journey of people unraveling and opening up and falling in love with how nature is a messenger and how not only does it receive us and let us relax , but if we allow it to , it's like a tarot card , it's like an Oracle . Nature will show up the animals , the nature , the weather , like it will show up with messages and and then we remember that we are one with the earth , we're one with the elements and in a beautiful way , that awareness is that you take back to business .
Speaker 2If you take back to your teams , you take back to your life , and so it's an awakening that can ripple gently in all areas of your life and when you when these shared spaces that they can really feel all the like the operating system of being all the codes that I've been working on and we're all here to share our mastery , and that we can have these downloads like the phone does right , like Like upgrading , you know , downloading the highest version , and that we could do it together and so seeing spaces where we can feel nurtured and supported , which is what I was missing , that space of being authentically me and celebrated who I am , and so I love offering that to others where they can really , you know , shake off the shackles and the conditioning .
Speaker 2I was like , oh , like , I feel good , this is me . I want more of this . And now there's no way back , because now that they got that taste of who they are , but with the tools to do it in an empowering way , without having to , you know , behead your family or , you know , leave your job , but do it in a way that is empowered , that builds , that nurtures , rather than having to restart your life and heading into an unknown that paralyzes or freezes you , to an unknown that paralyzes or freezes you , but giving the tools for them to have the excitement and the peace that you know . There's a way to figure it out , and that makes me happy .
Speaker 1I like that . Well , what do you think you're always going to need help with ? I mean , you're open , you're definitely open , but you want to stay on your path . But how do you ? What do you think you're always going to need some help in ? Directing or creating or being ?
Speaker 2you know , your question makes me think of my business coach , right and um , like I get . In the past I was open , oh , like , what's this opportunity here ? Oh , let's do this , let's do that right , and like , because I've always heard others needs and and like oh , that sounds fun , that sounds exciting . I think I'll always need that mentor that says stay on your path , create this tight container . What is your funnel ? What is exactly what you're offering right now ?
Speaker 2Because I could easily go off track into this energy of like oh my God , that's so fun over there and that's so fun over there and that's so fun over there . Oh my God , I want to learn about that . I want to learn about this . So I'll always need that voice . It's like what's your focus right now , what's your strategy ? And let the magic and possibilities happen within that clear container of what you're doing right now .
Speaker 2Container of what you're doing right now , but in terms of life , like , what I'll always need is these souls that resonate with who I'm being and the love I have for creating these communities that are each with independent , powerful leaders that have themselves that they are empowered givers , and just I need this connection to these souls that want to collaborate . Okay , what are we doing that is in alignment with my vision right now ? And this dance of communities , of communities that get to cross , pollinate and support each other and , um , with this view of let's respect each individual , let's honor their gifts and let's see how we can weave everybody's leadership in a way that enriches for the good of all , so that I need that , that is , this is a calling for you , amy , for me , for whoever's listening to us right now , is like may all those connections , may all those souls that allow us to expand more into who we are . May these souls be called right in this moment to show up in our lives .
Speaker 1Yeah , oh , I like that . I think that's a need we probably every single one have and may not recognize it , and sometimes that comes from simply having time to stop and to take the deep breath and to look left
Turning Wishes Into Reality
Speaker 1and right and see . You know who you're coming in contact with . What do you think the difference is in wishing and realizing your dreams ?
Speaker 2Such a powerful question , amy . You know , even when we say the famous phrase that starts with wish I wish you a happy birthday , right ? Wish is this energy of . I don't know if it's going to happen , but if , if I did think of something for you , I would hope that this , so it's kind of it's a little wishy-washy . It's a little wishy-washy , it's , it's it's not that powerful .
Speaker 2So if somebody wishes me a good day , oh my God , thank you , it's a hundred times better than you know , like looking at me with a frown and , you know , making me like move out of the way , right ? So , thank you . So let's start with good gratitude , like that's a great start . But I think there's , as we align with our creator , and it's kind of like first let me give my life over , let me give my life over to that part of me that is wise , knowing we could call it the future self , the higher self , that spark of creation that we are . Every day , I give my life over to that wise part of me , like why would I want my hurt self or my ego to be in charge of my life ? So let me give it back to that higher self . And so now my higher self is in charge . So ask me the question again , because I'm just when I do that , I just got so present into that peace inner piece .
Speaker 1So you're definitely going right down the road of it , of what is the difference between wishing and realizing your dreams .
Speaker 2Beautiful . So , as I'm allowing that smart part of myself , that higher self , to come in now , I'm one with that spark of creation . So let me listen to that desire in the heart of what is authentically me and let me declare right Like for my declaration this year is I really want to serve companies that care about the planet , the people and profits for the good of all . And I want to help these teams get stronger , become aware of where they're draining energy , where they think they're doing something but actually they're not in alignment , so that I can empower them to then impact the market and the planet in a stronger way . And so , for example , that's my intention this year . So is it a wish ? No , that would be too washy , wishy-washy . So I'm declaring that this is who I want to serve and that in the process , I get to step up , I get to learn . In the process , I get to step up , I get to learn , I get to remove , change who I'm being , because who I was got me to this moment . But now I have to change my ways , network differently , think differently , so now I can serve this other vibration , which is perfect integration of my business background with my energy background in the space and nature that can accommodate groups . And so I'm I'm not wishing , I'm declaring that this is what I'm creating , and then I'm open to see where I stumble , what is not in alignment , what I need to refine .
Speaker 2And so , in that declaration of this is what I want to achieve , I'm going to clear out , step up , clear out and then reiterate the process . It's like the next cycle , okay , now what can I do this time ? And so it's a decision and it's a commitment where I'm like I'm going all in , like I wish . It's kind of like an open circle that leaks energy . It didn't say this is happening , it's the wish . But if I'm like I'm committing , I'm all in , like I'm going to have experiences , I'm going to learn Right , and so I'm all in . It's contained Like I'm declaring that this is what I'm working on and this is my intention . Now , sometimes things happen like a year and a half ago , I got a letter stop your business , you don't have the permits , right .
Speaker 1Wow .
Speaker 2So the way that I approach it , I'm like , okay , look at what I've learned , look at who I've become . It's not a waste . I'm like , okay , well , where can I pivot ? So I started working on private clients again , right . But at the same time I'm like , okay , let me hire the lawyer and let me learn what I need to align with in all the rules of the code to make it possible to see if I can get the permitting .
Speaker 2So it's not about hitting or becoming a victim and hitting that wall of can't you're not allowed and feeling a victim of the circumstances of the neighborhood that doesn't know what I'm up to . They're scared and so go around it . And so I grew in resilience . I'm like , okay , this is my opportunity to look at my own energy , my work and work on that on my website . Continue to get more clients . And then don't fight the neighbors , don't take it personally , but learn what I need to do so that then I can get approved . Need to do so that then I can get approved . And then I was approved , right , and now it's . It's just an ever evolving process of of a commitment , experiencing , learning from the mishaps and and celebrating and getting nurtured by what did , by what did work getting nurtured by what did work .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , it's fascinating . As you're talking I have been probably for a couple of years now you hear people talk about failure and Becca and I were in a conference one time and we got put in . It was a virtual conference and they go off in these little chat rooms and they were talking about failure and how you need to love failure and just really look for failure . And I'm going . I hate failure , I do not like to fail at all , I cannot embrace this concept . But when you're talking , I'm hearing you say roadblock , not failure . You have your dream , which is like a frame , and then realizing it is everything you're hanging on that frame and if something isn't quite successful , it's not a failure until you walk away . And maybe the word failure can be reframed in what we're , even discussing this as a life dream that you have .
Speaker 2I feel you with that definition as well . So for me , failure would be if I got victimized and I sold the land and I left and gave up on the dream , right , that could be a failure . Up on the dream , right that that could be a failure . Um , I , I had this huge experience of failure when , uh , that couple came to my property and then , when I put , set the rules , they left . I experienced a massive sense of failure , sense of failure and I fully felt it and I sobbed like it went deep to my core , like huge failure .
Speaker 2And what's beautiful of really going through emotions and feeling deeply is that once I I had this vivid experience of failure and it cleared out of my field , I'm like , okay , well , let me do my best again and again and again and again . Okay , and then again , you know , trip , something doesn't work . Try my best again and again and again . And so that was my moment of confrontation with failure , moment of confrontation with failure . And , um , I don't think that I'll ever have fear of failure or stop to contemplate on failure , because I see it , you know , I have a framework based on the , on the beehive and working together as a collective , everybody responsible for their own hexagon and together we're working for this collective honey , this nurturance , the sweetness of life .
Speaker 2And hey , bees have stings . So the stings are the lessons and the honey is those opportunities , that fruit , the work we're doing . So the key thing with the stings is like learn from them . Make that sting you know be worth just one sting and learn from it and implement , you know , the medicine to that poison , that little poison you're getting . Get the medicine from the sting , so then you don't have to be stung all the time . And I think that that's the most powerful thing is like learn , pivot , keep going , become stronger . Let that make you be stronger , more resilient , more determined versus victimized , exhausted .
Speaker 2And so we're at this point where many people have lost hope or the brain is so wired to anxiety and stress addiction that we can't get people to be in their
The Florest Experience and Final Reflections
Speaker 2empowered space to make better decisions because their body , their brain , how the neural connections , how the body is in the state of addiction and not making good decisions . It's hard , it's really hard for society to make better decisions , especially if they try to make it but then their environment isn't supportive and so there is a space of society that has lost their free will . It's not like their soul gets in and styles like , oh my God , that can do better . They're they're stuck in an environment that is not supportive , in bodies and brains that have the , the , the neural connections and the habits that are pulling them down . And so one of the things that really , really , really inspires me is that us , us empowered givers , we strengthen ourselves . Now we can work together in honoring powerful ways we can overflow to these people who are stuck .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2That's , that's what drives me , that that that's the fire , and so my my giver heart that wants to reach out and help the local community . More is like focus on being the empowered giver you are and , as you have the strong foundation , you can give so much more later and strengthen other givers that are on the edge of being these empowered givers . So , marginally , my impact will be stronger by helping those people that are on the edge . They're on the edge of this power of energy and love and overflow and as , like we can strengthen all these leaders , all these leaders will overflow to the population that has lost their free will .
Speaker 1Yeah , wow , I noticed your ring . For the listeners who can't see , there is a gold bee that you're sporting and it's beautiful , and so that is a lot of where your magic happens . I I assume this is what you relate to .
Speaker 2Very well , yeah nice funny it's that you know each one of us gets to create our own hive . That's why it's not like belong with the florist . No , it's like it goes beyond . You bring around you your community and we can cross-pollinate and learn from each other and grow and expand . But as we all are coming into our power and collectively , everybody giving their perspective , their gifts , now we can really create impact together .
Speaker 1Yeah , I love that , I love that . So tell me what it is like to come to one of the events at the Florist .
Speaker 2It's in all honesty , it's like a break from the world and you're stepping into a space that feels that it's not on this planet but at the same time it's home and when you come out you're going to have embodied the sense of peace and anchoring into your heart , you're going to feel the stillness of your brain , you're going to share in the space of like awe of the domes and the forest and just the peace of being that people come out completely different .
Speaker 2It's this capacity to share and relax and create these intentional spaces that are very precise but then at the same time , nurturing and unraveling , to then go on adventures and connect to that moments of your life as a child , an adventure and awe and just remembering how to slow down to eat and savor the food and let that impact your whole body and how to feel your roots ground deeper into the earth . As you know , the sun just informs your body with codes and it's just this intentional playfulness and connectedness with all that is , with the elements , with each other , and I see it like a nest that nurtures you and then invites you to go , fly , spread your wings , go back into your own space , to then , you know , come back when you're ready to be nurtured again and keep you know , bringing your song , bringing your voice back home .
Speaker 1Well , that's fabulous , mena . What do you wish you had known as a younger mom , business woman , what's something you wish that you'd just known or you would tell yourself .
Speaker 2Like your question just flooded me with tears in my eyes and I'm like my whole body is had loved myself earlier . I wish I had myself earlier and had the power of my yes and the power of my no , and that my needs mattered . You know like I grew up with a mom that adores me , but she felt she needed to protect me and control me , and so she was always telling me what I should say or not say . And so , instead of what do you feel and what do you believe in encouraging that internal voice to be kind and loving and sure of itself ? You know she wanted to protect me , she wanted to control , and so , you know , for years I was , I was like , oh , my mother did this to me , and then she's like it was all from love , right , and so , um , coming into that space and teaching my kids , they're so strong in their internal voice , I'm so proud of them . It was difficult as a mother , because then they had their strong nose to me .
Speaker 2Right , right , you had both yeah , I so wish I had that . Like I got me . I love me , no matter what . I wish I had that sooner and that's why it's here . It's so real , it's true , it's like , but how we've been brought up in our society and the conditioning keeps us away from that oh , that I loves me , and I think that if all of us step into it , whoever's ready for it you know it's like I can only invite . I can't ask people to change or want them to change . That would be in distortion , entanglement .
Speaker 2But I would love to play more on this planet , right , and I think it's like if we come to a sovereign space , I'm like okay , how can I be happy where I am and not think the world is wrong or off it's having in the process it needs to have ? And I think the answer to that is like , hey , let's play . Who wants to play this game of like we feel good and we feel strong and we know who we are and we're . We feel good and we feel strong and we know who we are and we're very clear about what we're building and we know the pain that we've experienced and how we can overflow . So we invite others to step out of that pain that we've experienced , because , wow , what a better life experience , and for all of us us , if we get to have this joy .
Speaker 2And I had this happen the other day . I was interviewed during the snowstorm , I was invited to be on the evening news in Argentina and , I swear , amy , I walked down to the creek like a fairy , I had a jacket with fur and I'm in this winter wonderland and just thinking , oh my God , how magical , how unexpected . And so I'm thinking I'm going to be like la la , la , la la , like my authentic self . And then so they connect me to the news channel and they're talking for five minutes before it's my turn and suddenly it's like , oh , no , okay , so burglary , they've just shot the father of this person who's speaking .
Speaker 2They're talking about the insecurity and the police not being able to do anything about it , the police not being able to do anything about it . And I just go . You know , I just sober up and I'm like I'm in this game of like okay , how can I be my vibrant self , how can I honor what I'm feeling but also honor this transition of that ? They've just been talking about insecurity and shootings and burglars and and just this concern for Argentina , and I just got serious and just like , just set the intention to honor the transition but also honor my energy , and so I think that's the work we get to do . But the safer every place becomes and the more we have to celebrate , then I think all these empowered givers will have more spaces to celebrate and be in our joy and in our magic .
Speaker 1Wow , that just kind of takes a little bit of wind out of your sail it does .
Speaker 2It does , but it happens all the time . I mean living in a conservative area that hasn't been open to this kind of work , which feels so natural to me and so powerful . It's like just setting a retreat space in middle Georgia , right , it's just like be quiet . So it's been this practice of let me be me , let me feel the vibrancy of the work that I've done and harness and let me be able to celebrate it . But let me show up in a way that's like whoa , like right , like more digestible and approachable to people . So that's the dance I'm in and I mean I would love to live in a community where everyone's like empowered givers , you know everybody gets to be themselves , respected , honor each other's gifts and collaborate in a way that we're helping everyone in a way that we're helping everyone .
Speaker 1Yeah Well , every little bit . And another thing on your screen . I mean , we're doing this via Zoom and on your screen you have this is where the magic happens . So it's you know you begin , and maybe beginning is part of the process of enabling others to begin as well . We've talked about so many things in this time we've had together . Is there anything in particular that maybe we haven't mentioned that you want to make sure that you're able to talk about or share ?
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , yeah . I'm feeling complete and just so delighted to connect with you in this way . What I think is missing is maybe to talk to your audience here right now and to remind them that they all have that magic within them and and they know that little voice that is calling them forth and that , no matter where you are , there's always a way to bring light into your heart , into your body , grow stronger and , without having to to fight your environment , the stronger you become within you . It's like a spaceship . I see it as a spaceship , like you'll pull up your roots from the spaces that you're not meant to be in and that you'll start to create this mobility that will take you to those spaces where you're meant to grow , to know yourself better , to experience those moments that carry you forward with hope and joy for the future .
Speaker 1That's excellent . That's excellent . How do people get in touch with you and follow you Beautiful .
Speaker 2So I'm going to , like I was saying , I'm going to be focused and just going to give the website of the Florest T-H-E-F-L-O-R-E-S-T . It's about the authenticity of the forest ,
Finding Your Way to Connection and Retreats
Speaker 2resting flow and then roaring for our passions . So theflorestcom Also Instagram . Theflorestcom also , uh , instagram the florist , and I'll also add my Instagram , which is manifesting . I love sharing there and teaching and inspiring and being authentic . So I look forward to any of you who have been in this conversation to join me over there and I promise to continue this sacred flame , contained and strong , and just lighting up whoever wants to join us .
Speaker 1Yeah , and you have opportunities for people to host their own workshops , as well as opportunity for people to connect to workshops that are on the property that are not private , as well as your own .
Speaker 2Yes , so I rent the venue out to retreat leaders . Beautiful leaders are coming in to lead their own retreats . So either you're a wellness facilitator , you can lead a retreat here , or if you're curious about joining one of these amazing retreats , you can lead a retreat here . Or if you're curious about joining one of these amazing retreats , you can go to the website which I just mentioned , and there is an upcoming tab where you get to see what's happening soon . I'm personally focusing on these team retreats for businesses that really care about the planet . So that's that's my focus , and I am doing one retreat this year maybe one or two , but one is on the books right now . It's in May and it's called the empowered giver , and it's all about empowering you to move from being a giver or people pleaser in helping you to be this , this empowered giver which I've been talking about , to be this empowered giver which I've been talking about . So that will be a fabulous retreat beautiful weather , amazing people and just experiences and activations that will absolutely shift your life .
Speaker 1Fantastic , Mena , thank you . This has been outstanding and I really do appreciate your time and your energy and just your openness . So again , thank you for sharing .
Speaker 2It's been a pleasure and I just love your questions , and your energy and presence have been amazing . Thank you so much Thanks .