Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie G.
Hi Jackie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It’s been such a wonderfully weird and beautifully messy adventure. It all started when I was 19. I was in a rough place with nowhere to process what I was experiencing, so I started journaling. That, and a lot of cups of coffee, became a morning ritual that changed everything. Journaling gave me my voice and the power to tell my own story. That led to creating self-reflective videos on YouTube and writing my first book. For years, I would film, edit, and post a weekly video about my feelings and experiences navigating what being human meant. Often, it felt clumsy, but I was always honest in the most important ways. A few years later, I wrote my second book, where I grew a lot and took myself seriously as an author for the first time. Eventually, I realized that the conversations I was having on YouTube every week would be much more fulfilling if I were having them with other people, which led me to start my podcast, The Unity Project. After a lot of therapy, coming out as queer, coming out of treatment for my eating disorder, and falling in love, I wrote my third book, One Last Family Dinner.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
I don’t believe any honest journey is smooth (unless it’s boring), especially in your twenties. Since what I do so strongly relies on vulnerability, the most significant struggles have revolved around staying honest and showing up fully as myself. It’s also been about being okay with looking back at where I’ve been without shame. Because at the beginning of this journey, I was deeply closeted and very Christian, there were a lot of changes and growth that I went through. I came to terms with an eating disorder, an alcohol addiction, and severe depression that I had to learn when to talk about online and when to have the boundaries I needed to process on my own. Since a lot of what I do means showing those changes and growth publicly, that’s been something I’ve had to work through.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an author, podcast host, and motivational speaker focusing on embodiment and self-compassion. I’ve written three books, currently querying agents for my most recent memoir, One Last Family Dinner. The podcast I host is The Unity Project, about our relationships with our bodies. I interview authors, coaches, clinicians, experts, etc, about their journeys with their bodies and how culture and society have wronged us by training us to work against our bodies and not with them. Lastly, I speak to young adults about healing from sexual, religious, and emotional abuse. I share in depth about my journey with depression, an eating disorder, and addiction and how I learned that true connection was what I needed all along. I want to think my commitment to vulnerability sets me apart from others.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
This is probably my weakest link. This has been a massive challenge for someone with severe imposter syndrome who has a lot of trouble asking for what they need. Whenever I feel like I’m trying to build a relationship for the sole purpose of business, I get all sweaty and anxious. What’s worked best for me has just been – brace yourself for the cliche – being myself. I’ve done my best, to be honest, and make genuine connections in as many places as possible, and I’ve been lucky enough to meet some kind and generous people in that way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jackiegronlund.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackieg.tv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackieeg7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jackiegtv
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PK1FNkFhcNKdL3rOvrmIV?si=7QqLElXiRdK0H0GZ8I1WBg&nd=1
