Jena Renay Gonzales: NYA Wellness Coach & Artist

At the Sabor del Valle event, I immediately gravitated to the artwork by artist Jena Renay Gonzales. Born and raised in East Side San Jose, Jena pours her personal experiences and raw emotions into each art piece. Upon talking with her, she shared her story and the inspiration behind her art. Each painting truly represents a piece of her heart.

You can find her art on Mexicana Mosaic Movement where Jena describes her art as:

A Mosaic is a creation made of putting broken pieces back together to make something new and beautiful. Are you ready to “Pick up Your Pieces?”

I love that Jena’s art is so relatable, real, beautiful, and infused with Chicana pride. Here are a few of the cherished pieces that I have added to my home art collection.

Finding her Purpose to Help Others

 

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With everything going on, I feel like a reintroduction may be in order. After having lunch with an old friend and briefly talking about life after my moms passing he said “your relearning who you are again “ and that sat with me. . . . This beautiful photo was taken a few months back. I have never been a fan of others taking my photo but this is my favorite one done by @soulreb.el . He caught the light golden aspects of my eyes and my passion I have for that logo on that mug… now what is that funny image on that ceramic mug you ask??? . . . Well a few different things it’s my first ever graphic illustration made by me for me. It represents my heart, both literally in its anatomical outline and metaphorically for my passion for women. A woman’s face can also be seen on the right side. Why the broken colored pieces? They represent the fundamental belief of a mosaic, that no matter how broken you feel you can be put back together to be whole again. . . . My name is Jena and this is my belief. I, yes currently promote a health program but for me it was another tool to learn who I am. Who I am is a woman with a heart for the broken, someone who’s been through hell and back and wants to give you hope that there’s life in the other side. Someone who knows what it’s like to have and feel like nothing. My goal in starting @mexicanamosaicart was to share my story inspire others, to gain my power back from previous pains and to help others do the same. . . . What I’ve learned is that this is my calling, what I haven’t figured out is how to channel it effectively. Look I get it everyone has an agenda, everyone has to make a living and yes I’m another woman on Instagram calling herself a “wellness coach” I realize now this is a multifaceted position and I’m not stopping here. I’m looking into being a creditable and certified wellness coach. All I want is for women to know there’s more. More to life that coasting, than surviving. My God you matter!, you make a difference, your story can change someone’s life, your pain was not wasted! . . . So yeah… I’m Jena and this is my journey. For those of you following along I truly hope I help in some way and thank you!

A post shared by NYA: Not Your Average Wellness (@nya_wellness) on Mar 2, 2018 at 5:58am PST

Jena grew stronger overcoming adversities, and now she is helping others cope and navigate their life journeys. After losing her mom, she began her passage to enter the wellness field. She started NYA Wellness. NYA Wellness stands for Not Your Average Wellness, where she is now a certified wellness coach serving as an advocate for women with similar struggles. Taking a holistic approach, Jena helps her clients with emotional to physical wellbeing and everything in between.

Follow Jena on Instagram @nya_wellness for daily inspirations or click here if you want to talk with her more about wellness coaching.

 

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Comfort is a beautiful thing but you can not grow there. Guess it’s a good thing life is rather uncomfortable these days. I feel a bit like Sarah navigating the labyrinth minus the fun muppets lol#wellnessjourney #weekendvibes #growthhappens #uncomfortable #lifehappens #realnotperfect #labyrinth #bohostyle #bowie #shareyourtruth

A post shared by NYA: Not Your Average Wellness (@nya_wellness) on Jul 29, 2018 at 5:21pm PDT

 

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We spend our whole lives running from discomfort but this morning I’m so grateful for it. Last year was the most uncomfortable year of my life, I experienced the greatest sorrow I could ever imagined loosing my best friend, confidant, and love of my life when my mom died. I have put back the pieces of a heart that has broken more times than I can count. I have worried more about my financial wellbeing than I have ever in my adult life and have questioned the purpose of everything around me and I wouldn’t change any of it! I sit with gratitude for every disappointment because it has forced me to face myself, to learn my depth and to claw my way out once again. Comfort makes for complacency and that’s not for me. I no longer look at disappointments as an attack but as ammunition!This year I am striving and believing in things I wouldn’t even allow myself to dream all because I know true loss. So I thank God for my discomfort and the woman it is shaping. #wellnessjourney #personalgrowth #anythingispossible #selfreflection #gratefulheart #beautyforashes #dreamalittlebigger #mytime #trulyliving 📸 @soulreb.el

A post shared by NYA: Not Your Average Wellness (@nya_wellness) on Jan 1, 2019 at 12:47pm PST