Keep Hope Alive Podcast
Keep Hope Alive through the power of knowing who you are as a person and expressing self-love. Life is a journey and with the blank pages we create our story. Keep Hope Alive is about the power of knowledge in today's world. ALL topics are welcomed.
Keep Hope Alive Podcast
Unforgettable Connections: The Importance of Preserving Moments
Step into a heartfelt conversation with Jess Garay, a certified life coach and nurse who is passionate about the power of memories. Jess’s perspective is shaped by her decades-long experience in cancer care, where she witnessed firsthand how crucial it is to cherish every moment and connection in life.
Explore how the lessons learned through her medical career transitioned seamlessly into her life coaching practice, where she aims to guide individuals in prioritizing what truly matters. As she encourages self-reflection and embracing every opportunity, Jess emphasizes the importance of living intentionally to avoid regrets later in life.
The episode culminates in a discussion about her inspiring movement, One Chance, aimed at amplifying personal stories and memories through collective sharing. Tune in to discover how you can make the most of your one chance in life and why memories should never fade.
Join us, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to keep the message alive!
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Love & Light - Keep Hope Alive
Hello and welcome to Keep Hope Alive. Today I have Jessica Ray with us and she is a certified life coach and we're going to be diving into her story. So welcome to Keep Hope Alive. I'm so excited to have you on.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for having me. I'm really looking forward to this.
Speaker 1:Oh, thank you. Well, I just wanted to ask you one quick question before we get started Now, out of the past year, how many weddings have you been to?
Speaker 2:Not too many. All of our people are married and have children and living on with their lives.
Speaker 1:Well, let's pretend. Then we got invited to go see a wedding of a coworker let's just pretend. And we're going into the ceremony part and over to the right. There is something we need to sign to let them know that we were there. What would we be signing? A guest book? Yes, perfect.
Speaker 1:Now one of our biggest sponsors is Life on Record and what they do. Instead of the guest book, they actually have a rotary phone that the guests will pick up and leave a voice message. It could be for one minute, five minutes, 10 minutes, and it's like congratulations, guys, we're so happy you're married, or maybe it's a groom's going. It's about time you put a ring on her finger, no matter what the message, no matter even what the occasion, because this is good for birthdays and corporate events and family reunions. It's the gift of voice and hearing the congratulations part of it. I mean. I even used it for the football team and one of the kids broke his leg and they left a message.
Speaker 1:Now what they do? Oh, really quick, I'm all over the place today. I had so much coffee. They do have a QR code that you can scan with your own mobile device in case there was a long line for the phone to use it, so you can do that before or after the event. Now they'll burn all of this either on a 10 inch vinyl record or it will be a. I call it the boom box. It's a little speaker that you can have. Their plans start at $99. You get the phone number for one year. You got to return the phone. I know it's really pretty, but you've got to return the phone. To find out more information on Life on Record, visit them at wwwlifeonrecordcom. All right, so let's get started. Who is Jess Garay?
Speaker 2:I just want to start and say when I heard you share about Life on Record, I was like I want that, like I wish that I had that 18 years ago when we got married, but of course it didn't exist. But I love that.
Speaker 1:You can use it for different occasions, so yeah, definitely, and I always want to point that out because a lot of people will get it for weddings. That's probably their biggest thing. But like when I used it for the football injury, you know, having all your teammates say I hope you feel better, you know, and let your leg heal up and you're good football player, that's priceless, you know, that's priceless. So hearing that is very important to people. And then if it was a wedding, I always think like after one year, just you're having that cake, if it's still good or not, but you can hit the playback button or put the record on and hear all those and you know, and just you know kind of celebrate with your husband or wife or whatever you know, and enjoy that time to hear all those congratulations and stuff. So it is a neat concept.
Speaker 2:I'm definitely all about the memories and I think part of that stems from. My story stems from so I am, as you mentioned, a certified life coach. I'm also a registered nurse.
Speaker 2:I've been a nurse for 17 years and the first 13 years I worked in cancer care with cancer patients and their families and really quickly gained an appreciation for life and death and everything in between. And so when I think about that concept, I think about, and so when I think about that concept, I think about you know, leaving those memories for someone and having that forever.
Speaker 1:It's really really powerful and yeah, you see, even with the podcast, I feel like if I were ever to leave this earth. My kids have all these podcasts, they can watch their mom. But but, yeah, I think it's important and, as a nurse, and seeing people go through the cancer treatments, I mean, yeah, some make it, some people don't, and it's got to be a very hard job. So, um, that's, that's a lot of work, you know, being a nurse, and you're going to hear later on I'm going to be talking about nurses too. So but, yeah, what got you in that industry for nursing?
Speaker 2:I always knew that I wanted to help people. I didn't really know you know how some people have from the time they're a little child I want to be a nurse when I grow up. I didn't have that, but I had this strong desire to help and so I initially went into school for psychology and I was thinking I was going to be a psychologist. And I got into school and I loved it, but I was like I don't know if I want to do this for 10 years, to do this for 10 years. And so I was like what else could I do that is helping people that didn't have me in school for 10 years. And I was like I could just be a nurse. And so I went to school for nursing and almost immediately from from being in there, I was like, oh, this is definitely it, Like this was, this was the path for me, and so that's what started the journey was. I just didn't want to go to school for 10 years, but I knew that I wanted to help.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I always get around when I'm in for procedures because I had a lot of stuff. But I always tell them in my next life, but I always tell them in my next life I'm going to be an anesthesiologist, I'm going to go to school for that, because I mean it is a lot of schooling, though I didn't realize. So when what was my? Oh, oh, it was my stomach, yeah. So when they were about to put me under, I was like so when they were about to put me under, I was like, well, tell me about your schooling.
Speaker 1:And da-da-da-da-da-da, you know, how does this really work? Are you just sitting with me and pumping it every second? And they're like, yes, and I was like, oh, I thought it was like one time you leave the room and I'm just out, like taking an Ambien or something I didn't know, they had to stay by your side, like taking an Ambien or something I didn't know they had to stay by your side. So, but yeah, being a nurse and helping others is great. So, and then you probably made friendships, you know, with the people who were coming in and they looked up to you. So you probably got called your their angel helping them. Right, I did get that that.
Speaker 2:I also had a colleague who used to call me zen, because she's like no matter what is happening, like the worst situation could be happening, and you're just like okay, let's do this and this and this, um, so that has really stuck with me through that, yeah, yeah, on that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that really good, I am so proud to hear that. And then the life coaching. Now, um, did you, I know for me, I took a course. Did you take any courses? I did.
Speaker 2:So I took a course in. I started coaching in about 2015, about 10 years ago, and in 2017, I took a certification course. Unfortunately, the school doesn't exist anymore, but it was just a beautiful. It was ran by two psychologists. It was a beautiful and supportive and fully immersive experience and I'm so grateful for that experience and working through that and getting a certification, that experience and working through that and getting a certification, and that's really good.
Speaker 1:And my school. They're no longer found either. So I was like I wanted to see if they had more horses. And you know, life coaching, it does come right to us. I'm picking up on you a little bit too, but I know I'm an empath. People will come up to me and just tell me their life story and I was like, well, how do they see that out of me, you know? So I was like, okay, I can do this. This is helping people, you know so. So the schooling, and then you finished up and then that drove you into the new world of doing, have you? I guess my question is when you started after the schooling, were you doing it on Zoom and meeting people anywhere?
Speaker 2:Okay, so, it was a combination. So I have definitely done coaching in person, but I find that I can reach so many more people when I do it through Zoom. I can connect with people all over the world and I find that people are comfortable sharing because they're in their environment and so we can go deeper as opposed to meeting in person. I also, I guess about 10 years ago, also moved into a rural location and so I am kind of off of the beaten path and so it makes more sense for efficiency and, like I said, that deep connection in order to do it over Zoom.
Speaker 1:Well, that's really cool. So you're at a smaller town, right?
Speaker 2:I'm right in the middle of two small towns out in the country.
Speaker 1:See, that's where I'm moving to Oklahoma and it is very compared to Texas, because I feel like we're getting overpopulated. And I remember it was a couple of weeks ago, see, we had Toyota come from California and brought so many people from California to Texas. And then Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kentucky. They bought a place in Plano, texas, for their headquarters now. So now it's like okay, we've got Kentucky people and now we're going to have California and there's so many diverse, different, my mind is boggled. So when I went to Shawnee to visit last week, it was the cutest small town where everybody knows everybody and I just, I remember just soaking it in, even the drive, soaking it in because I, when my son was very much younger, he would always be in the car and there was black cows and he called them bears. I go, no, no, honey, they're not bears. But now, every time I drive by those cows I was like there's the bears.
Speaker 2:Yeah you remember that that's funny, that's cute.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but it's drive and it's very hilly. Shawnee got hit by some tornadoes though, and um, the damage on the trees are still there. You could tell they picked up the pieces and they got things up and running again. But I, you know, that's probably the one thing I get I'll be scared of is the tornadoes. So, and then people say, oh, I get a cellar, I got a basement, I'm like where, where? You know, where do I go?
Speaker 2:like I hope they tell me I gotta find that out but the good thing is that, because they experience that type of weather, they are prepared for it, they know what to do if this happens, and you'll learn that once you're there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, definitely, and I guess the shopping is different in smaller towns too. So I'll share this with you. This is how city I am. Like you go to the grocery store if you want meat, like you just go up to the counter I need this, I need that. Well, my stepmom took me to the butcher and I was like, where are we? Like what is this? And I was telling the guy I go it's my stepmom, she's getting everything. And he's like, okay, I was like why don't? I was like she helped me understand. Like they come here, it's a small town, I get it. So and it smelled really good in there and I go, well, what's the difference between Walmart and y'all? And he told me and I can't stay on the podcast, but I was laughing my head off and it just made me think, okay, I need to come to the butcher now, so, but it was definitely interesting to be there and see that and everything. So, but I think it's fun.
Speaker 1:I've been a photographer for 20 years, so I was running around Shawnee a few years back taking pictures and I got some really good ones. I even caught the fire engine, cut it out, but they knew I was taking pictures, so they're waving and had the flag. I was like that is one of my best pictures, you know. Amazing, amazing, yeah, but that's cool, Okay. So with the life coaching, what segments do you actually cover? Is it like relationships, health, what else?
Speaker 2:So I help people with overwhelm, people pleasing, setting boundaries, saying yes to more of what lights them up and no to the things that don't, and for me, it's really important that people understand that we only have one opportunity, we only have one chance to do this life, and so spending it doing things that don't fuel us and fulfill us is going to make for a really long life, and I saw through working with cancer patients, people whose lives were cut too short, and we worked with people all the way from 18 to 100, any adults and people who laid there on their deathbed and had regrets about the things that they wish they did differently or the experiences that they wish.
Speaker 2:They said yes to working too hard and not spending time with the people they love, and so my work really is to inspire people to take advantage of every opportunity and to make the most of this life that's very good.
Speaker 1:Good, yeah, because people, you know we get driven away, you know, in different paths. So, like I came back to visit my son, I only came back what? Friday? No, it was no, it was Thursday, friday, saturday, and I'm leaving tomorrow after church and I take my son to football. So, but spending time with him is so important. Like I said, I know I'm packing, I'm doing this. I have to say bye to friends too. So he understands that. The only person who didn't understand that is my mother today.
Speaker 1:Well, why do you have to go and say bye to them? I was like they're my friends, I'm going to say bye. I was just like when do I have any other time to do that? But those little things and moving forward and having those moments to spend it with my son before I had to go back for a full week at Oklahoma again and try to get a job, it's just so important. And I told my son on a text. He's still sleeping. I said, listen, I have to go run another errand, but I would like to take you fishing and don't think it's going to be boring for me, because I just want to sit outside in the sun and beautiful weather we're having right now and look at the water and you do your thing. I'm just going to chill out, you know so, but those times are crucial and you've got to put. I call it time management. You know you've got to find time to be with the people you love and everything.
Speaker 1:I know my dad. I can't believe I'm saying this. He's such a great man, but I think maybe I get my singing from him in a weird way. He's a doo-wop person and he was sitting in his recliner and just singing away as loud as he could and I taped him because that's a memory I wanted to look back at. You know, is my dad going do, do, do, do. You know? It's just the funniest thing to me, but it's those memories and collecting it, just like you said, life on record those memories are so important.
Speaker 2:So it reminds me of.
Speaker 2:So I work in a different setting now.
Speaker 2:So I worked in cancer care in the hospital for 13 years and now I work in long-term care with people with cognitive impairments, alzheimer's, dementia, and so part of that role is I'm the assistant director of care there for nursing, and so part of that role is education, and so we teach a course a colleague and I called gentle persuasive approaches, and so part of the curriculum is different videos and things that they watch him before he had Alzheimer's, before he developed the inability to communicate with his family, and so it shares him giving hugs and kisses to his family, saying I love you, doing like a little dance where he like clicks his heels.
Speaker 2:And it reminds me of that because those memories whether you know someone and I've done a lot of reflecting on this lately, about people who are still alive in their physical body but they don't have their mental capacity, and I think about you know, looking back on those moments, we have 70 residents and quite a great portion of them they're not the people that they were before, and so when you look back at those memories you can really relate to them and think about who they were before. They're the people that they are now and so watching that evolution over time.
Speaker 2:It's just like your kids growing up right Watching the cute videos from when they were little and the funny things that they said or did, and then, when they're older, looking back on those memories and even sharing them with them.
Speaker 1:It's really fun. You know, just like you, I was an activity director for our vets who had dementia and Alzheimer's. But I had to do exercises with them and everything we always did after mealtime dancing. They would have entertainment, but just to be there. Everybody was different in the stages of it, but whether it was art doing that, it was just so fun. I'm best friends with the nurse there. We were just hanging out last night.
Speaker 1:But you know, if it wasn't for that job and seeing and helping people like that, I mean it's appreciation, I love it. You know, sadly it's been about 10 years now since you know I worked there but a lot of them have gone to the other side. But you know I will always cherish that memory, that work in there and having fun and, you know, helping them spend their time with everything. So, but when they it was dance time. Oh my, there was a guy who would play Jambalaya Crawfish Boil. They all love that song.
Speaker 1:But it got me listening to, like Hank Williams and everything, and I truly like. When I play that kind of music on my record player, I'm just like those were the best times player, I'm just like those were the best times. So all right, so the journey of helping. So, even online, you know what I guess you know for my podcast, I will always view who in the world. Who in the world is watching my show. But I have Australia, I have England and it was just Asia. I was like, wow, okay, so I'm out there. Are you helping anybody over there as well?
Speaker 2:Not currently. So currently my clients are Canada and the US, but I have historically, I've had a client in Australia, I've had a client from England. So, yeah, it's really nice to have that global impact and to be able to help and support people all over the world, and if not for the power of the internet and Zoom and all the technology, like we, wouldn't have the opportunity to do that. And it's really amazing to hear how people live differently in different areas of the world and the cultural differences and just the lens through which other countries see the world that we see very differently.
Speaker 1:Yep, yep, I enjoy talking to you. Me too. I was like through the lens, okay, I used to say that, you know, as I did photography. So, yeah, you differently see things differently. So, oh my goodness, okay, well, I got to jump into another commercial from one of our sponsors, snapvans, which are all over Facebook and you've probably seen them before, and of course, my Pandora bracelet is going to block it a little bit. Mine says hope on it. Now, these help. They have an elastic band on the back and they help with depression, anxiety, ptsd. It helps me for sleep too.
Speaker 1:But you take this and you thump it and you say a little. I always say a little prayer, but they have all different mantra words Like mine says hope, but there's peace and love and fearlessness, and the list goes on. They come in all different colors. But when this gets thumped and I'm going to give you an example I always pray for the nurses, because I have the worst veins in the world. I get stick almost six to eight times until they find a vein. So I'm always praying for the nurses to find my vein and I'll just thump it and let it do its thing. It does help me with the anxiety part and it helps me focus, like it redirects my focus on. It doesn't hurt, you know, let them, but pray harder for them because you know I don't like telling people I'm a hard stick but I do look for the confidence in a nurse to have that If something does happen, it happens.
Speaker 1:That's life. I've had some of them blow. My hand was swollen like a baseball and I was like okay, so heat for two days on it, but it went away and they did get that. They had to walk me over to the ER to find somebody who could get my vein because it was a CAT scan and I had to drink a bunch of liquid. So you only get this time period but not finding the vein right away. It was like scary, was like Carrie, but it really does help with all that. Now all proceeds will go to an organization or charity that helps people overcome anxiety and all this stuff.
Speaker 1:So I want you to check them out online. The word faith is new to theirs. The code when you're checking out is K-H-A keep hope alive, and then you can get the word faith on yours. Oh, and I love it because I do everything in the water. It's so durable and that's one of my favorite things too, but check them out at wwwsnapbandscom, and snap bands is actually spelled S, n, a, p, p, ba N D Z. All right, let's get back to this. I I'm having so much fun. I have all these questions and I know I can't just overwhelm you with questions right now. So, like, if people want to find you and everything, what socials? What's the best way to reach you?
Speaker 2:So best place to reach me on social is Facebook. I hang out there most often, though in the last week or so I've started to develop a LinkedIn presence, so I am slowly building over there. So if there's any LinkedIn people I would love to connect, and the other best places on my website jessgarycom, j-e-s-s-g-a-r-a-ycom, and there are links to all the places where they can find me.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, okay, that's perfect, that's perfect. So let me just ask so I think we talked about books and that is in the future process, and then do you do any podcasts or anything else?
Speaker 2:So, when you talked before about having a podcast and having something living on the internet forever that your kids can listen to, that really resonates for me. I did have a podcast and having something living on the internet forever that your kids can listen to, that really resonates for me. I did have a podcast, previously called the fireside podcast, and I co-hosted it with another beautiful coach, miranda, and we did that for I'm trying to think it was definitely a couple of years. There's about 60 episodes recorded and released there, and so I think about that living there forever and I think about the topics and the things that we dove into and just that that has the power of impacting people for a long, long time.
Speaker 2:And so I do have a podcast. We don't currently record, but it does still live on Apple and all the other platforms, Spotify, all the places.
Speaker 1:That is so good and it makes you feel good knowing that's out there and everything. Well, what was it? Two years ago, when they were just saying AI is going to take over and being a marketing person, I was like, well, why are people kind of scared of AI? I mean, I just finished up a course to learn some of the applications and you know what it looks good on a resume. Some people don't even want to handle that or do that. But what was it?
Speaker 1:I was noticing Gemini, or I forgot the name, but they're little robot people now that basically take the spot of what like call center work, marketing, social media, and I was like, well, what is government gonna do? Just pay me to travel and relax. It's gonna be a little bit harder. If people don't buy into the robots that do that, then we still have a chance to find jobs like that, you know. So, but definitely with those changes and everything, and okay, so book podcast, I'm trying to think you're going to have to talk me into LinkedIn and I just you know that is I did Linktree.
Speaker 1:I have some episodes there that you know. I don't know I love it, but I was just like I can do the same thing. You know I was just like. I can do the same thing, you know, through my own website. Somebody will tell me hey, I had a problem. Somebody you know passed. I'm having a lot of grief. I go oh, I interviewed this one person. You've got to listen to their story and it's an easy exchange. You know so. But definitely so. Any future goals for you for 25, going into 26?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so one big project that I've taken on in 2025 so far, and will be something that goes on for a long time, is I've created a movement called One Chance, and so One Chance is all about living your one life and sharing your message with the world, whatever that message may be whether it's a big message, a small message and so originally, the idea with it was to have people submit audio and I would compile it together into a podcast and do interviews and be able to amplify voices in that way, and what I discovered is that people express themselves differently.
Speaker 2:People express themselves through writing, through speaking, through video, through pictures, and so I created the movement. So phase one was me sharing my story, and it's just a two minute audio clip about being a cancer nurse and about why we need to live this, this one life. Phase two is about collecting people's stories. So I'm in phase two now collecting people's stories, and phase three will be about sharing those stories. So depending on the type of format that people submit in will create the shape for how I release those stories, but that's something that I'm really excited about in 2025 is gathering people's messages and being able to amplify their voices, because everybody has such a powerful story to tell, and that's why I love so much that you do this podcast.
Speaker 1:Oh well, thank you. I was like we need to collaborate here. You know, I'll help put those stories onto here, you know, and help push it along. So that is very interesting. Like I told you, I got done my book. So if I wanted to share a story, it has to be a small, like two minute thing segment, or it can be as long as you wish. Oh, okay, I'm interested.
Speaker 2:I can send you the submission form. So also for people who are listening, if people want to get involved, I am thrilled to share anyone's story, and so they can do that through my website. If you scroll down to the bottom, there's an image that says one chance and it'll take you to the audio, and then it gives a post and more information of how people can get involved.
Speaker 2:But essentially it's just a submission form, so you just your attach, whatever you want to attach, and then I'll keep them safe and release them in a powerful way, so that people can hear your voice too.
Speaker 1:Yay, I like that and I like that. You said keep it safe. I'm so old school, like when guests want to be on the show, it comes in a form. So you think, okay, great, it's on this website already documented. No, I take it, I build a folder on desktop, I get into Word, I copy everything there because I always want to have okay, this is what I created in Canva, this is the soundbite, this is the short, this is where it goes. Then it's going to go to my hard drive because I never want to lose it, and you know it hasn't happened yet, but I'm waiting for the day because, as a photographer, I hear it all the time.
Speaker 1:I lost my video. Can you send that to me? And I'm going to be like yep, I got it, it's coming your way. You know I don't want to have anything, but I was like my friend goes to why do you create more work? And I was like because it also helps me learn about the person I'm interviewing and that's what it's about. You know, who am I working with, you know? And then taking the information from the bio, like making the podcast cover. It's called One Chance. That I did for you. So, but definitely. It's just I didn't let my creative soul come out and built that. So it's all ready to go because everybody is important.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I've recently started, and maybe this is helpful for you too. I've recently started putting everything into Asana. Have you heard of Asana? No, okay, so most people have heard of Trello, but I don't know if Asana is as popular. But basically it's a project management tool, and so you can create like a different card for each person, and so then you could put all of your attachments, all of your links to your Google Drive, everything in one spot. So then, if you're looking for someone's interview, you can just type in the keyword and you can pull up all the files related to that.
Speaker 1:Cool, I'm just gonna check that out. I find that there's so many different things and I'm like, oh, I need this and that and I want to learn how to do this. And then I'll find myself on YouTube and I want to study more and more, like the platform that I use Buzzsprout and Podpage. Wow, there's so much I can learn each time and I was like what would benefit the show? How do you make it so much stronger? You know, how can you make the listeners enjoy? So those are the fun things. You know that I do so and have all that. But oh my gosh, I've had so much fun talking to you today and I want to bring you back next year and see how One Chance is going. And definitely, guys, there is a brand new Facebook VIP page that you can go to and learn what our interview people have as specials. So it could be a class. It could be. Their book is on sale. It could be like a guest speaking arrangement. So you've got to look up Keep Hope Alive VIP membership and join.
Speaker 1:To find anything on any of our interviews, you can go to wwwkeephopealivepodcastcom. You can also leave us a message, which is really cool. To the upper right, there is a little button. So if you wanted to leave Jess a message and say, great show, I have ABC question, I will get it to her and she will reply. And then what else? If you would like to be a guest, there's a guest intake form. But wherever you find your podcast, you're going to be able to find Keep Hope Alive, and I hope I covered everything with you. Did I get all that in for you?
Speaker 2:I think so that was really. It's really nice to be able to collaborate in this way and I look forward to collaborating more in the future through One Chance and also other opportunities that come up.
Speaker 1:Yes, definitely, and I do want to talk to you a little bit more about One Chance, because I think that is a great, great platform. So, all right, guys. Well, until our next show, and I thank you once again for being on the show. Until our next one, love and light. Bye, guys.
