Today we’d like to introduce you to Susi Vine
Hi Susi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ll do my best to keep it brief! I’m a Navy brat, born in San Diego but raised in central Illinois. With a BFA in Theater Design and Technology I made my way out of the midwest and loved experiencing new cities around the country, working backstage in regional theaters and opera. I developed a sensitivity to some of the chemicals that we would use in the scene shops… “Theater magic” can take its toll!
About 17 years ago I found my way back to San Diego and worked a variety of jobs, which I can now see paved the way to the place where I am today. For about 6 years I worked in the senior service industry, supporting clients in their 80s and 90s as they moved from their homes into senior living or retirement communities, and that’s where my eyes were really opened to the impact of chronic disease and how it shapes the way we’re able to live our final years. I knew, as a typically rebellious Gen X’er, that I wouldn’t want anyone telling me where or how I could live, and so I dove into the world of holistic health and stress reduction. By working upstream, before chronic disease takes hold, we can have so much more impact on our lasting health, and now I share that message through my podcast, ‘Stress Management & Resilience Tools for Your Happified Life’ – I call it ‘Happified’.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As many creative people tend to experience, throughout life I was really good at a lot of different things but struggled to identify a singular passion, or create a long term vision. And while I loved the variety and adventure, and am blessed with an amazing network of friends across the country, sometimes I struggled with feeling like I was behind.
When I went back to school yet again almost 10 years ago, I had the opportunity for some deep self study along with my coursework to become a Holistic Health Practitioner and that gave me the perspective that has helped me embrace my unique journey and make peace with where I am. Some people are multi-passionate and I think it’s a gift to be celebrated rather than measured against other people’s progress and success! Now I wake up in a city that many people enjoy only during vacations, and feel inspired knowing that I’m creating media that helps people feel empowered to reclaim their health and happiness.
Another struggle has been making a mark in a very full market. I don’t call myself an influencer because I much prefer making long content to standing out on social media, but in order to be visible, I have to meet people where they are. That continues to be my growing edge, finding the balance in producing the podcast and promoting my work so that more people can benefit from it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My mission is to help people recognize how much power they have to create a thriving life. As a Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Stress Management Coach I love working one on one with people to change their relationship with stress. My business, 3x Less Stress, addresses what I see as the primary aspects of stress: physical, emotional and environmental. That lets me take a comprehensive approach as we explore the sources and triggers of stress and work to resolve those, while also addressing the chronic stress that our modern lifestyle brings along with it. Ultimately the goal is to build the best toolkit for each client for recovery and resilience so that the body can do what it’s designed to do, come back to balance and thrive. We focus on introspection with mindfulness and self inquiry, and I also incorporate Bach flower essences to relieve emotional stress.
The ‘Happified’ podcast was launched during Covid when my work as a massage therapist was put on hold. I’ve also developed a number of online study programs to address burnout and for deeper self study. What I see in clients is a need to understand that their health and happiness is ultimately up to them, no one else is going to take a stand for it, so I try to stoke that fire and then have the answers ready to apply as they become ready to tackle change. Whether it’s creating a healthier home with less toxins or simply creating a night time ritual for better sleep, I’ve created resources that I share in my coaching practice, and with the listeners of my podcast.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Of course there’s the financial aspect of success, and living in paradise sets the bar rather high. I think it can be easy for folks to focus on making money and never find satisfaction. At the other end of the spectrum, there are people telling you that unless your vocation matches your mission, you can’t be happy. I believe that every person has their own place on the spectrum, where they do what they need to make sure their needs are met, and they’ve also done the work to know what lights them up. That doesn’t have to be your day job, if your social group or community service or creative expression can meet that need. I have a part time job that I love, and that gives me the flexibility to produce the podcast and meet with coaching clients. My schedule is usually hectic, but so much of what I do brings me deep satisfaction that I don’t mind putting in long days. As long as I can get down to the beach and get grounded with my feet in the sand, I can keep showing up. And however people can find that level of satisfaction and pride in their work, with connection in community that helps them feel supported, I believe is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://3xlessstress.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3xlessstress
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3xLessStress
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOR69k5nUbgwi_OYd4vBCog
Image Credits
Yelena Yahontova | Yelena: Photographer of Joy
