Jennifer Trejo is a naturopath whose company, The Abundant Life Wellness Centre in Fort Worth, Texas, offers advanced, natural health services, She educates her clients about how to live a healthier and more holistic lifestyle. Here, Jennifer talks to 35 Thousand about telemedicine appointments, the joy of unexpected time with her family and why it’s a tough time for naturally ‘huggy’ people right now.
Q: Tell us about your work
A: “I own Abundant Life Wellness Center in Fort Worth, Texas. I am a Naturopath and love helping people find solutions to their chronic health conditions.”
Q: What’s your context outside of work?
A: “I have been married for 18 years and have a 17 year old daughter and a 13 year old son. We have two cats, two horses and one tortoise. We live in Fort Worth and I love to read, spend time with my family and serve at my church.”
Q: What is your normal day-to-day life like?
A: “I work Monday through Thursday at my wellness center seeing clients and leading my staff. Evenings are spent going to my children’s activities, overseeing homework and having long talks with teenagers (if they feel like talking that is.) Fridays are when I take care of myself and do administrative duties for my practice. Weekends are reserved for family and church.”
Q: What is your day-to-day life like now currently during COVID-19?
“I am offering both in-office and telemedicine appointments for my clients due to the virus. And after I have worked all day, I now get to go home and help to homeschool my children so that is unexpected! They are older so it definitely could be worse; I am grateful I don’t have to homeschool elementary-aged children. Not having to rush to sporting events or school meetings after work has also been a big change.”
Q: How has it impacted you personally and professionally?
A: “It has impacted our family travel plans personally. We had an 11 night Italy and Greece cruise planned for the summer so that will definitely not be happening. My children are sad that they can’t see their friends whenever they like. Professionally, my staff have had to stop providing certain services but other services have increased greatly so there has been a balance.
I have not had to lay off any full time staff – I have been creative with assigning work duties but no one has lost their jobs. I have an amazing staff and they are willing to do what it takes to serve our clients.”
Q: What are you finding challenging?
A: “Helping my son with 7th grade math!”
Q: Where are you finding hope and optimism?
A: “In less than 18 months, my daughter will be leaving for university, so before all of this, I was trying to savor every moment I could get with her. Now, I have her undivided attention so much more. We cook at home more than we did before, and we have more time for family game nights which I love.”
Q: What do you miss about life before COVID-19 that you never thought you would?
A: “I am a natural hugger; I hug most of my clients, my staff and my friends. I can only hug my immediate family now. It feels uncomfortable for me to say goodbye to many people and be unable to give them a hug. Physical touch can be so healing to many people.”
Q: How are you getting through and what are your coping strategies?
“My Christian faith is what is getting me through. I have always had a morning quiet time with the Lord before my day started but now I have an extended time to help calm my mind before the craziness of the day hits. I love to listen to praise and worship music and pray on my drive to work because it gets my mind and spirit in the right place.”
Q: “What is your mindset about how to use your time at home (Hustle harder with newfound time, be still and soak up the gift of time, or dive into unexplored creative pursuits?)”
A: “I am being productive because my practice will be moving this Summer to a larger space that will include adding more services. My family will be selling our home and moving about 45 minutes away to a new home. So this time has been a Godsend to be able to brainstorm and get organized for the many changes coming later this year.”
Q: Personally how are you managing your mind and wellbeing and that of your family?
A: “If there is a glimpse of sun outside, we make sure we are walking or playing outdoors. Exercise and fresh air does wonders for our mind and wellbeing. I am also ensuring my family is supplementing with immune boosting nutrients like healthy food, Vitamin D, C, Zinc and probiotics. Getting plenty of sleep and exercise is also invaluable to our wellbeing.”
A: Despite all the negatives and the brutality of the virus, are there positives you feel are coming out of this – a silver lining perhaps?
A: “I have much more family time that I truly never thought I would have at this stage of our lives. Our pace of life is slow and sweet and I am so thankful for that.”