Meet Jennifer Seifert of CRxEATIVITY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Seifert.

Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
10 years ago I was doing a show in a rinky-dink 99 seat theatre and collided with another dancer. My face was broken in four places. I went through a depression, and the only thing that pulled me out of it (besides reconstructive surgery) was Julia Cameron’s Artist’s Way. Creativity became my go-to medicine. A couple years later, I delivered my firstborn and became crippled with an autoimmune disease. I couldn’t hold my baby, I had to walk with a cane, and use a shower stool. Again, depression set in, and again I reached for CRxEATIVITY. I then started groups that would work on the book together.

We had all had very full lives, filled with dramatic hurdles and challenges. It was a perfect fit for most. One artist sold her web series to HULU, so many artists wrote and made their own films, (feature and short). Or started painting, sculpting or quilting. It seemed as if they were healed by the simple process of being creative. I produced my first show last year with alumni from CRxEATIVITY, and since 2016, we’ve been raising money on top of everything else for charities we believe in. Last year we sent money to Puerto Rico, and those affected by the hurricanes, and this year we are focusing on Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. A month before my first show as a CRxEATIVITY producer, I nearly died, when a popcorn kernel perforated my colon.

Not a joke. (Although it doesn’t sound true). From my hospital bed, I pulled a huge benefit together, all the while ignoring the doctor’s when they explained how serious it all was. I was in the hospital for a week, and as soon as I was out I dove full time into creating and planning. This practice of creating, (along with heavy meditation and acupuncture), truly saved my life.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My health has been a major challenge. When I was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I was in such chronic pain and despair, I wanted to end it all. But I couldn’t because I had two children under the age of two, and a husband in Grad school. It was a horrible time. I called a suicide hotline at one point, just to connect with another adult who could empathize with my struggle.

And last year, my father in law passed away, my husband came down with Pneumonia, and I landed in the hospital. I am truly lucky that we have a village where we live now. And this village came together to give us incredible support.

Two of those ladies are now my co-producers for my next CRxEATIVITY event.

CRxEATIVITY – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am most proud that my clients get results. The minute they start moving into action, and resist the fear of “not being enough,” they soar. One client became a director/producer at Disney, countless have won the award for their film work. I brag to people that I’m a “road opener” for Artists. I push them to push themselves. Some have written novels and published their work, some have just moved away from the toxic people in their lives, and are simply happier.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The CRxEATIVITY Festival of December 2017. I was the sole producer, and I did most of my planning from a hospital bed. To watch these artists sing, play instruments, and tell stories the night of the show, was medicine for my soul.

Pricing:

• Creativity Coaching $80/hour
• The Artist’s Way Group Coaching $225/12 weeks
• Festival Tickets $20-$30

Contact Info:

• Address: 2363 Lincoln Ave. Altadena CA 91001
• Website: www.jenniferseifert.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @seifert.jen

Image Credit:
Scottie Images

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