I Feel You, A Fortify Wellness Production
Bettina Mahoney the Founder/CEO of @atfortifywellness is a rape survivor who started her brand after struggling to not only find a therapist, but multiple mediums to heal through her trauma. Fortify Wellness is a 360 holistic platform offering therapy, coaching, fitness, and meditation on one subscription platform. We dive deep with our trailblazing guests about overcoming adversity.
I Feel You, A Fortify Wellness Production
Transforming Trauma into Purpose: A Journey with Writer & Co-Founder/Producer of 94 Films, Jazmin Garcia-Larracuente
How do you turn personal adversity into a driving force for advocacy and creativity? Join us as we sit down with Jazmin, the dynamic co-founder of 94 Films, to unravel her inspiring journey from a young storyteller in Orlando to a multifaceted writer, actress, and producer. Jazmin opens up about the pivotal role her faith has played in providing clarity and calmness amid life's challenges, including the harrowing experiences of sexual trauma. Together, we discuss the profound impact these trials have had on our paths, pushing us towards championing change and representation. This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of the importance of self-love, proactive mental wellness, and the undeniable power of support systems.
* Trigger Warning about SA & Mental Health listener digression is advised.
More about Jazmin:
The Orlando-born writer, actress, and producer is telling stories from the heart to inspire people from all walks of life. Since grade school, Jazmin has had a passion for telling stories. She grew up writing poetry, short stories and scripts before going to school at the University of Central Florida. Jazmin now credits her skilled research and structure abilities to her political science degree that she completed remotely in May of 2020. After moving to LA in 2016, Jazmin worked alongside Executive Producer Mandy Teefey as a development associate. This role sparked her to pursue more than just acting as she developed a passion for producing and bringing stories together. Today Jazmin is a co-founder of her production company 94 Films alongside her husband actor and director Brandon Larracuente. They will begin submitting their company’s inaugural film Pickleback (starring herself, Vince Hill-Bedford and Ana Ortiz) to festivals this fall. As a proud Latina, diversity, and representation is very close to the heart for Jazmin. Growing up with Puerto Rican and Cuban parents, Jazmin wants to advocate for change, representation and inclusion not just in the cast, but across all levels of crew. Jazmin is looking forward to bringing stories to life with these principles in mind. -Cassandra Couwenburg
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**This information is not to be misconstrued as medical or psychological advice. Please contact your medical team if you have questions or concerns pertaining to your medical or psychological well-being. All of the linked products are independently selected, and curated by the fab Fortify team. If you love and buy something we link to, we may earn a commission.**
Hey Fortifiers, thank you so much for listening to I Feel you, a Fortify Wellness production. We are into season six, where we sit down with trailblazing women in their industry to chat about overcoming adversity, moments of fortitude and, of course, anxiety. This information is not to be misconstrued as medical or psychological advice. Please contact your medical team if you have concerns pertaining to your overall well-being. I am your host, bettina Mahoney, the founder and CEO of Fortify Wellness, and today I am so excited to welcome Jasmine, the Orlando-born writer, actress and producer, telling stories from the heart to inspire people from all walks of life.
Speaker 1:Since grade school, jasmine has had a passion for telling stories. She grew up writing poetry, short stories and scripts before going to school at the University of Central Florida. Jasmine now credits her skilled research and structure abilities to her political science degree that she completed remotely in May of 2020. After moving to LA in 2016, jasmine worked alongside executive producer Mandy Teefey as a development associate. This role sparked her to pursue more than just acting, as she developed a passion for producing and bringing stories together. Today, jasmine is a co-founder of her production company, 94 Films, alongside her husband, actor and director, brandon Laracuente. They will begin submitting their companies in non-role film Pickleback, starring herself, vince Hill Bedford and Anna Ortiz, to festivals this fall.
Speaker 1:As a proud Latina, diversity and representation is very close to the heart for Jasmine. Growing up with Puerto Rican and Cuban parents, jasmine wants to advocate for change, representation and inclusion, not just in the cast but across all levels of crew. Jasmine is looking forward to bringing stories to life. With these principles in mind, please welcome Jasmine. Okay, jasmine, how are you? Thank you so much for coming on today. Thanks for having me so excited. I'm so excited, so I always like to start with this question, because I think it sort of helps us just drop our guards and get really grounded, which I really love. When you take away all your amazing titles, who are you when you take away?
Speaker 2:all your amazing titles. Who are you? That's such a great question, um.
Speaker 1:I am a very loyal friend, wife, sister and daughter, and um very connected to my faith. Hmm, I love that. Can you dive?
Speaker 2:into that a little bit more. I'm also connected to my faith, so I'd love to learn more. Yeah, I feel, like you know, before coming to Christ, like I feel like I was very lost and lonely and confused and I feel like my faith now drives like all of my decisions. You know, it's definitely nice to feel like there's always somebody on your side and somebody that you can pray to whenever you're in a in a period of, like you know, needing discernment or, um, uncertainty, you know. So I feel like it's such a driving force now and I'm so much more clear headed because of my faith, and calm calmer because anxiety girl, you know and I feel like it's the only thing that really centers me.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, I agree and I talk a lot about this on the podcast and through the brand about how I started Fortify Wellness, which was after a rape, and I struggled really deeply with PTSD and depression and anxiety and it almost crippled me to the point where I couldn't get out of bed in the morning. And so for me, I really wanted to create something that was practical for people. I kind of like to call it. We gave you the education and the services and then it empowers you to make really productive decisions for your life. And of course, everyone goes through adversity. Not everyone, hopefully, has gone through a rape, but I'm curious for you everyone goes through adversity. Not everyone, hopefully, has gone through a rape, but I'm curious for you was there an adversity in your life that sort of pivoted you into a new chapter?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was actually the same thing. I was raped when I was 21. Um, but before that, uh, you know, in my childhood I had had a friend and a lot of people you know, don't talk about things like this but I had had a friend and a lot of people. You know, don't talk about things like this but I had had a friend who had, like, forced me to sexually practice at a very young age, from like 11 to 13, you know. So I feel like all of that sexual trauma and confusion, mixed with finding yourself, you know, your brain's developing, you're going through puberty. There's so many different things that are going on, you know, and I feel like that has now become my driving force to hopefully educate um in an entertaining way as well that will leave people in a, in a, in a place that hopefully they don't have to go through the same things that we went through, you know.
Speaker 1:I agree, and I think that place stems from self-love of going. I love myself enough to get the help. You know I think about self-care, like you know, going to a spa or getting the latest skincare product, but really it comes down to which is what I went through, which is like I'm sick of my life right now. I don't want you to be so sad and so depressed. I'm done with that. I want to make a change and luckily for me, I had people in my life that could help me, but millions of Americans don't and it's so sad to me and I wish I knew much earlier on in life that you have to choose yourself.
Speaker 1:Your, your wellbeing is so important because everything else it's kind of like a domino effect goes right down with you If you don't recognize yourself and your wellbeing. And one of our coaches on our platform talked about everything we focus on expands and whatever we manifest in we kind of become. And I sort of practiced this like learned helplessness thing when I was struggling with depression anxiety. I remember it feeling like a decathlon to get out of bed, to go into the shower, to get into the car. It was so hard and I couldn't see past the next hour, the next week, the next month, and I thought this is as good as it gets. It's going to be like this forever. And and that's not true we have that life experience now to know that it actually does get better. And whatever we focus on, we manifest. And so we do have the power to make practical decisions that change our lives.
Speaker 1:And I made a decision that I wanted to take my experience and actually help people. It wasn't overnight, it took a lot of time, but I made that decision to go. You know, if this had to happen, I'm going to change it for other people or help them feel empowered to change it for themselves. And we talk a lot about rituals. But I'm curious for you what is your wellness ritual that kind of helps? What we kind of talk about with fortify is this three 60 approach, utilizing multiple mediums like therapy and coaching and fitness and meditation. So, like, what's your ritual that helps you stay grounded, helping you feel connected to yourself?
Speaker 2:Uh, that's something that is very important to me. I also go to therapy every single week. I'm very lucky and fortunate that our SAG health insurance covers therapy. So I am luckily getting therapy weekly and I have been for about, uh, wow, um or three years now. So three years consistently and then with this therapist I think I'm think I'm at two and a half years with her.
Speaker 2:I also do something called lens neurofeedback with my therapist, so that helps unsuppress the brain, which I had a lot of. When we looked at my brain when I initially got it done the first time, I mean, my entire brain was fully suppressed, which she didn't understand how I held the job, which I couldn't, um, you know, she didn't understand how I was going through my day getting out of bed, doing all of those things because my brain was just not having it. Uh, which has been really amazing to see how much I can juggle and stuff Now that my brain is cooperating with me. Um, I do EMDR, you know, not every week, because it's very emotional, but whenever I'm really consistently triggered by something, I like to work through it and move that into from the emotional cortex and to just a memory, you know. So that's very important and I do Pilates like LaGree every other day, which is so important because those endorphins are coming you know the serotonin and I feel like that's super, super beneficial for me and my mental health.
Speaker 2:And where fitness has worked its way in, meditation doesn't work for me, um cause I have something called aphantasia, so I can't picture anything in my brain, it's just black. So if it's like you're walking through a grass meadow, I can't see that. So I just like I'm always peeking an eye open, like this isn't working, so I found other avenues for myself. That's so interesting.
Speaker 1:I want to kind of dive into that a little bit. So how does, how does that affect your creative process? Because as a creator myself, I can picture certain things in my head. Do you kind of utilize other avenues when creating?
Speaker 2:So you know, I do have an inner voice, which is apparently not everybody has that, which is crazy to me, like some people cannot talk to themselves in their head, so that obviously helps a lot. And I actually do better picturing things with my eyes open. So, weirdly enough, I can like see a scene playing out or whatever it is with my eyes open, but if I close my eyes I'm in total darkness and like I lose that creative ability. It's super weird. Huh, that's very, very interesting, yeah, very cool.
Speaker 1:So I get the sense from you that you're very aware of yourself. You're very brave to deal with adversity that comes your way, and we talk a lot about healing the inner child and I'm curious in the work that you do now, how do you feel like you're healing that inner Jasmine?
Speaker 2:Wow, yeah, I feel like I've done things, like I've tried to do hypnosis and like hugging your younger self. I've tried all that stuff. But what I think really heals the inner child is being a kid playing. You know, I'm very lucky as an actress because I get to play a lot and that to me, is playing. You know, it might not be so fun when you're doing like films, like we just did, but you know, it brings out that inner child of imagination and stuff in me.
Speaker 2:I also am like a very strong believer in watching kid movies. Like I love watching kid movies. I just went and watched inside out to the other day, you know, because I feel like, um, it makes me relate more to that younger Jasmine and I feel like it's just being kind to yourself. Like sometimes there are triggers that come up and you realize, oh my gosh, I'm triggered from when I was a kid, you know, and realizing like we're just grown kids, we're just, we're still the kid, you know, and realizing like we're just grown kids, we're just, we're still the kid, you know that we remember just grown up and I think when you realize that and you give into that childlike nature in yourself, that's how you heal your younger self.
Speaker 1:I agree. I think the work that I do now is healing that inner child. I was shy it's so funny. I was very shy in normal situations and then I would dive and hide into dancing and acting and singing, you know, and I would come out and the work that I do now, being super aware of who I am and creating something that's practical for other people, I feel is doing a lot of justice to that girl the youngest, but also, more importantly, the girl that was just like I don't want to be here anymore and I'm just like, yeah, I mean and now you host a podcast where and when you were so shy before, and now you're the one like running the show, which is awesome for your inner child, cause it's like look what I could do when I'm older, you know.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, it's funny, I have to be extroverted for what I do. But at the core, I'm very like, introverted. I'm very like yeah, we just reset my battery by you know doing something going to the gym or watching a movie.
Speaker 2:I'm like yeah, yes, oh man, I love it. Alone time like that, a little couch time. I'm on my couch right now. It's where I'm coziest. I love it.
Speaker 1:And I saw your recent short film. I don't know if you're talking about your short film. It sounds like not yet.
Speaker 2:No, not yet. We can't, because festival circuit.
Speaker 1:Either way, it was incredible, meaningful and I'm excited for you, and I know that you were an actor and then you transitioned into producing. You worked with Mandy Teefee and I'm curious what your experience producing sparked that love for you. Telling stories from a different perspective.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so well, Mandy, at the time, you know, my husband was on the show 13 reasons why. And then I met her, through that situation, obviously, and then she had called me in for an interview like a year later because she was looking for somebody trustworthy to work with her. And I got the job and I got promoted to being a development associate rather quickly. Seeing the development process of that inspired me, you know, to a whole nother level, because I was like, wait, you know, we can make content that tackles hard subjects, but it's still entertaining to watch. You know, I think that before then, you know, I'd been writing since I was in fourth grade. I had been in theater since high school. So I think before then I thought everything was just to entertain. Nobody had been in theater since high school. So I think before then I thought everything was just to entertain. Nobody cared about hard topics like that, and because I was able to see that they very much so do, I was like I want to do this, this is what I want to do for a living, and I think that's what ended up making me super passionate into other avenues.
Speaker 2:And the thing is, when you're just an actress, you're at the beck and call of the industry. They tell you when you're important, they tell you when you're going to book something when you don't. So you're just kind of sitting around waiting for opportunities to come to you, and I didn't really care for that anymore. You know, I was like. You know, I want to create my own opportunities and also for others. I'm so tired of hearing people saying, oh, they're gonna, you know, bring diversity forward and they're gonna do this and that, and they don't. They don't do it, you know. So, Brandon and I, my husband and I, we were out, we're out to change that and we've already done it on our first short. You know, we were out to change the nature of short films. Everybody was paid a great rate. It was a small fortune, you know. Um, we had tons of diversity in it.
Speaker 1:So I feel like that is that's the spiel, yes, and I think obviously I also I watched 13 reasons why it was very impactful, very moving, incredibly understanding of the year, challenging story to tell. I identified a lot with storylines, I identified a lot with what you created and I am excited for you and for people to see it, because what I liked about what you did was you offered. It wasn't triggering, I thought, from my perspective, and I think it offers room for discussion, to embark, exactly, and that's really what you want, because you kind of want the yes and yes, this exists, yes, this happens, and what are we going to do about it? It's kind of the gap right now and I'm wondering for you, like, what are ways that companies like Fortify can amplify these stories to happen, because I want more of them to happen. I think that they should happen on the couch with families, as young girls, young boys, everyone is developing and changing and learning. So what are ways that, like, we can really amplify these types of stories?
Speaker 2:I feel like you know there's so many, there's so many ways that you can. I mean, you know, let's say, a film like pickleback goes to festivals, ends up making it on some sort of a streaming channel. Right, you can host, you know, viewing for people who don't have access to it. Uh, you can host conversations about it. You know, you could have the actors from a film like that come on to like a little panel and people can tune in and do it on zoom and they can ask questions and like what can I do? And you know, it's also it's funny that you say like it wasn't triggering and stuff, cause that is my problem with what's on TV right now is, I feel like it's all about exploitation to trigger. I'm like, why am I watching a rape scene for an entire 30 seconds to a minute? That's, that's not. This is not going to help anybody, it's only going to trigger them, you know. And also, there's never like a resource. That's why we've taken eight months to edit and do this film properly, because we want to make sure that there's a resource that actually is a good resource for everybody when they're watching this film, in case they have questions come up.
Speaker 2:I also am tired of seeing, like the cliche right down the street and the knife point. I mean, like a lot of the times it's somebody you know, it's somebody you trust it's, it's, it's earth shattering. You feel like you can't tell anybody because you don't want your friends to judge you and they're going to think you're crying. Well, if it's so many different things right, and that comes with talking about any tough subject how do we do this in a way that's entertaining, that isn't triggering? It might be a little bit, but not too much, like we don't have to put people in an uncomfortable position for too long, you know, and that we can actually offer true resources.
Speaker 2:And that's where I think Fortify could come in. You know, like you say, hey, we're highlighting this film or these filmmakers and, uh, come in, join us for like a little chit chat, a panel. Uh, feel free to, you know, discuss this with your family, because at the end of the day, a lot of the times when we go through trauma, we are alone, we feel isolated and nobody really knows how to help us because it's so shocking. So it's nice if something like fortifies, like here are some resources for you. If you found yourself in this situation. Take a deep breath, use this meditation, talk to one of our counselors. You know we're here for you.
Speaker 1:You're not alone, you know, I agree, and I think it's hard for the person struggling and the fan and the family my family, I mean. We were all heartbroken. I talk about scenes. I will never forget the day my therapist told my dad I was raped. It was like heartbreak and I've never seen my dad cry in front of me ever in my life. It's so sad and you think you know, because everyone is very smart and strong in my family and you feel so helpless.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:I really believe that, yes, these conversations are uncomfortable, but something like what you built and created, it was beautiful and it can a mom and an adolescent can have a conversation about that and how you know, it made her feel or him feel, and a lot of growth, because because I think we we kind of tiptoe around these topics because they're uncomfortable, but they happen and they happen a lot, especially in college campuses.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, when it happened to me, I didn't know what to do and I have always been strong and very bold and outspoken my whole life. And so, with the work that we do now, it's so important to empower people, to know that they're not alone, that there are people that care about you, and I think educational I would call it sort of educational it's obviously entertaining, but what you're creating and what you're building telling uncomfortable stories and meaningful stories it's really going to change and shape a lot of people. So thank you for doing that. I felt so seen I've watched so many other you know films and TV shows that tried to address it that ended up doing what I think is the opposite, which is triggering people, cause what that does is it causes this trauma response. You end up shutting it off, and then again, yes, and okay, this exists, and what are we doing about it? That's how I feel at this point.
Speaker 2:Or it's so black and white, or they make it like so black and white. And the truth is, rape is sometimes gray. There's a gray area and then people blame you you drank too much. How do you know? You didn't ask for it. Blah, blah, blah, blah. It's all of these gray moments that nobody wants to explore because it's uncomfortable. But the truth is, consent is consent, sobriety is sobriety. And if I didn't give consent or you can take away consent. And the truth is that I think that a lot of it doesn't serve the entertainment industry. It doesn't serve them because they're like ah, I don't like the, I don't like the gray, you know. So we need more of the gray.
Speaker 2:Where I expected myself to be. You know, five years ago I prayed to be here and I have completely forgotten that, right. So then I'll have these days where I'm complaining and I'm like how come this hasn't happened yet? Or this hasn't happened, and I'm like I prayed for this, I prayed for everything that I have and I can't even. I remember telling myself if only I'll have my first short film, then I'll be happy. Then I did I'll have my first short film, then I'll be happy.
Speaker 2:Then I did, and then I was like well, I, you know, want a. I want a short film that's more impactful. To start a company, you know, then I can continue to tell more impactful stories and put more you know people that are unseen and unheard on the front lines and tell it in an entertaining way, then I'll be happy. And I did that. And then we started a company and now I'm upset because I want funding and I want to tell more stories and I want the right team behind me. But it's like I it's like, okay, I'm getting every goal that I've set. I need to celebrate those things. So I guess for me it's perspective, it's making sure to write down these accomplishments, or take note of the accomplishments, and to celebrate that you are where you once prayed to be.
Speaker 1:It's really beautiful, and so you're creating amazing things. How can our listeners stay in touch and follow what you're building?
Speaker 2:So I would love for people to follow our company Instagram. It's what is my company Instagram? That's a great question. I think it's official 94 films with the number nine four and that's where we're going to have all of our content, you know, on there. And then, of course, I have my personal Instagram, but they'll find it, you know, if they go sifting. It's really about the content right now and I think that that's what we're going to need the support as we go into a lot of meetings with investors and studios and trying to get a deal for our company and our future projects. And so I think that all of the support there would be amazing. And we love getting DMs from people about things that they want to see on TV and film, because we think that it'd be nice if people asked audiences more what they want to see, you know.
Speaker 1:I agree Amen to that. And a question that I always ask. To kind of close it up. I always am surprised by the answer. Everyone has a different one, but in one word, what do you want to be remembered for?
Speaker 2:authenticity, a hundred percent, percent.
Speaker 1:I feel that from you for all the energy. So thank you oh, thank you.
Speaker 2:You too. I mean that it's very rare that you meet authentic people, but I think that once we um learn to love ourselves and be comfortable in our own skin, everybody can have that authentic flow. You know, I agree.