Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Douglass-Smith McGraw.
Jessie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Of course! My story of how I got to where I am is in no way linear. In fact, like many folks who are working for themselves these days, I had no idea even five years ago that I would be doing what I do now, let alone have the pull or capability to work for myself. After graduating from University with a degree in Psychology (a major that was very easy to choose considering I come from a family of therapists), I was a professional dancer in Los Angeles until the age of 30. I was ticking along in my career, married and happy as can be when one day it was suggested to me that I would make a great agent for dancers. I had never previously thought that that was a profession I would enjoy, but for reasons bigger than I could ever comprehend, I heard the suggestion on a deep level and within two weeks, whilst completing rehearsals for a dance project, I found myself employed at a top talent agency for dancers and choreographers, Bloc Talent Agency. I was high as a kite from the opportunity and ready to climb the ladder within the company to eventually retire from it; Since it all had unfolded for me in such an effortless manner, I knew I had found my calling. In less than a year of being in the job, I started to get whispers from inside that I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose. I stuffed the whispers because I adored the company, the people I worked with, and I couldn’t believe that a career had so serendipitously manifested in my life for it not to be my purpose. Over the course of the following months, I took a deep dive into a depression that I had never experienced before. The lymph nodes in my neck had grown to the size of golf balls, I had gained 20 pounds, my body was screaming for me to heed it’s call but I had no idea where to turn. It didn’t feel right to get my license as a therapist, I had moved on from my dance career – I was lost, and I had never experienced that before. One evening after I got home from work, I had stepped into the shower to ease my anxiety and the moment I hung my head in the water because I was so exhausted from listening to the same old story in my mind of how lost I was and how I had no direction, something occurred to me that would change my life forever. “Everything you’re feeling is coming from your thoughts.” I was in awe and completely taken aback. If everything I was feeling was coming from inside me, then it didn’t matter what was going on around me… EVER.
At that moment I knew two things; One, I had just experienced immediate relief from my month’s long depression. Two, I had to tell the world what I had just discovered. From there, I stayed at my job for another year because I found it to be my greatest teacher. To be in a high pressure, high intensity industry, and be able to use it to get deeper into my understanding that it is always up to ME how I feel inside, no matter my experience outside, was immense. I refer to it as my Master’s program year – I wanted to be able to teach from my experience, not my belief – and so I did. I waited for my Wisdom, my gut instinct, to give me the go-ahead to quit my job, and when I did, life unfolded in a way I could have never imagined. I was offered part time remote work to support me while I grew my private practice (an incredible gift), then a year later, I started a Mindful Health program at the agency where sessions with me are provided for the clients. Pure evidence that when life unfolded so quickly for me to switch careers from dancing, it wasn’t the right job title, but it was the right step. Bloc has been integral to my life’s unfolding, in more ways than one, and I will forever be grateful and have immense love for the experience, the people within the company, and my evolution within those couple of years. It has allowed me to continue to have a hand in an industry that I will love for the rest of my life as well as have an impact on a community that is near and dear to my heart.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way.
Absolutely, but I’ve had the wherewithal to not take the obstacles personally. They’ve honestly been opportunities for me to go deeper into the understanding that I teach. Obstacles only exist in the mind, they aren’t a representation of the truth. And being human comes with a heck of a lot of random thoughts (especially the impatient ones) that I’ve learned to stop believing because they do nothing but create suffering. It took time to build my practice, it’s taking time for me to be consistent on social media (I may give that task to an intern this year) – but it’s all part of the richness of life. I may as well enjoy the journey because I’ll never experience these moments ever again!
Please tell us about your work.
I break clients free of beliefs and thoughts that have kept them cornered in their own mind and the results are overwhelmingly profound. I work with adults from all backgrounds of life that are seeking different things: aspiring career shifts, relief from burn out, a generally happier and more fulfilled life for themselves and/or within their relationships, relief from anxiety and depression, the list goes on and on. And coincidentally enough, no matter what folks come to me for, they end up getting results in ALL of what I just mentioned. What I’m teaching that provides such relief is an understanding of how our minds work, so my clients are armed with knowledge that is everlasting, no matter the punches life throws at them. It is simple yet incredibly profound for every person who I have the opportunity to work with, leading them to freedom of mind and a trusting in their gut instinct that offers up an experience of life that is impactful and beyond the expectations that many come to me with.
In addition to my private practice and the Mindful Health program at Bloc Talent Agency, I give speaking engagements to share my work on a greater scale (most recently, Ban.do’s Honor Roll series for mental health awareness day). I have a podcast, What Moves You with Jessie, on iTunes and Spotify. I’ve been featured in Goop, BroglieBox, and opportunities keep unfolding that I would have never imagined when I started my work. I call it the magic carpet ride of life that exists when we don’t get in our way ~ Every step of the way truly IS the way. And of course, with what I teach, I’m taking folks with me by opening up their eyes to an understanding of how they work inside that leads to immense success in all parts of their lives, and brings freedom of mind that leads to permanent relief from stress, anxiety and depression.
Einstein said, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” I remind and support people in keeping close to the gift.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband and partner of 16+ years, Mike McGraw, an incredible musician and composer, has been integral to my growth. Not only has he held space for and supported my vision, but he has also loved me in a way I never thought I needed throughout this journey. He’s the producer of my podcast and creator of my show music, so in every way, he’s woven into the fabric of my experience of life. My parents for their unending love and belief in me, through every season of my life. My family, both blood related and chosen, for their immense support and love (and laughs, forever grateful for the laughter). Helene Phillips, my dance mentor, who was constantly reminding me I went to college for a reason when I felt like I lost those years as a dancer. Sydney Banks and Elsie Spittle for lighting the way to the understanding that I teach. And of course, everyone at Bloc Talent Agency for continuing to be a witness to my journey and supporting every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: whatmovesyouLA.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatmovesyoula/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatmovesyouLA
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-douglass-smith-mcgraw-b5475077/
Image Credit:
Lauren Hurt and Veronica Crawford
Suggest a story:VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
