Top Rated

Jessica Van Antwerp

The word “unflappable” has been used to describe Jessica by more than one person. But she would absolutely not describe herself that way. Prone to anxiety, self-doubt was programmed into her psyche from a very young age.
That anxiety was compounded by weight and body-image issues and low self-esteem, which led her to addiction.

She’s done a lot of work to conquer these issues. She changed her diet and developed an exercise routine that helps her maintain a healthy body weight without it having to be a part-time job. She devoted herself to a daily practice of qigong and meditation that helps ease the worries in her heart and mind. She uses these practices on a daily basis to quell her anxiety. And based on the above perception of her, they must work!

Jessica absolutely loves sharing the knowledge and wisdom she’s developed through her ordeals. Becoming a member of the Integral Travel team has given her the opportunity to take people out of their daily routines to expose them to new ways of being and seeing things, affecting personal growth and empowerment in their own wellbeing. And there is nothing more fulfilling to her than that.

From teaching stretches that address pain patterns, meditation techniques to find peace in one’s heart, to sharing delicious, nutritious recipes, she loves being healthy – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Because when we are healthy, we feel good. And when we feel good, we become beacons of light, inspiring everyone we come into contact with, making the world a better place. And we all know the world needs more of us.

MY JOURNEY

I was looking for a tangible way to help people. In exploring yoga teacher training, massage school, and a graduate education in transpersonal psychology, massage school was the door that opened for me. More than just learning how to treat someone's sore muscles, it led me on a journey of self-discovery and self-healing that set the stage for the numerous ways in which I currently help people. It exposed me to the wide variety of modalities that can help us to heal our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME

My childhood trauma was around emotional betrayal...those closest to me turning on me and humiliating me in public. Compounded with body-image issues, I led a life riddled with anxiety, untrusting of those around me. These issues led me to an addiction that ruled my life for over a decade and ultimately led to a nervous breakdown. It took me six months to fully recover from that breakdown and I did so naturally, mostly with Qigong. Very little about my external circumstances changed, but qigong allowed me to change my relationship TO those circumstances, to connect with the infinite part of myself and the Universe and to become bigger than my problems. That's why I do what I do today - to help others discover how powerful they truly are.

DISCOVER MORE

Favorite quote/piece of advice?
You are perfect, just the way you are.

Favorite morning ritual?
Taking my dogs for a walk

What activity instantly calms you?
Sheng Zhen Gong

How do you define success?
Overcoming the struggle

Top 3 favorite podcasts?
Empowered Success, Heart Wisdom Radio Hour with Jack Kornfield, and

Top 3 favorite books?
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman, and After the Ecstasy the Laundry by Jack Kornfield

What’s your WHY that inspires you to teach?
My own journey of healing and self-discovery. It's painful, but it's worth it. I want to help others on their journeys in any way that I can

What motivates and empowers you?
Delicious, nutritious food! Travel

What is your superpower or spirit animal and why?
Lion - because I'm a Leo, of course :)

What is your favorite part of your profession?
Facilitating deep levels of healing with my clients and guests

What advice would you give your younger self?
Everything is going to be okay...in fact, better than okay! Everything is going to turn out exactly the way you imagine.