Meet Trailblazer Ana Marie Cervantes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Marie Cervantes.

Ana Marie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I view myself more of an influencer than a business woman, simply because the exchange of services is priceless (teasing). But more or less, I don’t actually sell or receive anything in return. Simply, I offer suggestions to living a more health centered lifestyle. I use myself as an example of growing mentally, physically, and spiritually. I try to touch on all topics, but my passion is environmental health. It started when I was in college and I took an environmental health course by my favorite professor, Dr. Dianna Flannery. She introduced a great deal of information and research on our current lifestyles and consumer practices that disrupts our balance in nature and social ethics. Including everything from BPA to radiated seasonings, the class was truly enlightening.
After a while, I began to realize how lucky I was to have learned about these issues.

As a multicultural/racial individual, this information would have never made its way to me if not for the opportunity of college. As I do more and more research, more and more reflecting, I can see how irrelevant this information was to my inner circle. I became highly aware of environmental racism and social injustices. And this is where my passion stems from; to inspire those in my community and others to live their healthiest and fullest life, to bring them knowledge and information, and realistic solutions.

To do this I have been working with local artisans and crafters to support them through social media. My Instagram @SoulMuchMore is centered around natural product swaps, plastic-free alternatives, and health discussions. It’s a work in progress and life is always getting busy, but I love finding inspiration, creating new posts, and spreading good vibes. I love it when I discover a natural or plastic-free substitute to commercial products. I’ll take these discoveries and post about the merchandise to support good business ethics and try to wiggle in a health fact or two.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s mostly been hard finding confidence in myself and support from others. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who worries about our health/environment. It’s easy for me to forget that I’m blazing the trail for my circle, that what I’m doing is foreign to others and it’ll take time for them to come around. I may not change the world, but bringing the topic to the table is a huge step. Also, humbly reminding myself that the change will come because I am investing into it. These thoughts keep me stable. I’ll catch myself biting my tongue lately. Although my goals and dreams are very much in progress, some people find them to be too out of the ordinary for their own comforts. I am absolutely not looking for validation; however, I’m not always looking for conflict as well. To keep my self-proclaimed “eco-warrior” status, I plan on building my own tiny home on wheels, cultivating my own garden, and creating a close-loop sustainably lifestyle. As you can imagine, that’s not the typical plan for San Diegan in her late twenties. But when I think about it, I can’t get the adrenaline out of my system.

At the same time, I feel like I’m not trying hard enough. I think because it’s a passion rather than a job, I struggle between how much work I should be putting into my posts, if I am annoying people, and many other discouraging thoughts. But I just try to focus on the good feelings of my actions, to focus on the sweet accomplishments to come, and to focus on the beautiful intention of my goals.

Life is hard whether you are starting a business, following a passion, or just trying to figure out what’s next for yourself. But I’m finding the joys on the way, I am learning how to take good care of myself, and how to support my love. The challenges are what make you strong and unique, embrace them. And at any moment this world is going to give you the opportunity to change your life, be ready to choose wisely and fight for that choice OVER and OVER and OVER!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
In the physical form, I don’t have much to offer. This is the beginning of my path and I’m not rushing it. I understand that great things take time. This is my investment phase. I am currently investing in education, personal growth, and lifestyle development. I inhale information. I can tell you anything you want to know about building and designing a tiny house on wheels. I have a whole portfolio for my own design. Currently, I am generating the funds to build it myself and to get the build going.

But anything from legalities to compost toilets; I got the 411. When it comes to BPA and plastic pollution, I’m like that strange relative who corners you at family gatherings making you wish you stayed home (insert awkward laughing emoji here). And I know so many cool ways to cut down the chemical exposure in your routine with natural alternatives. These weird things are what I’m most known for and I am incredibly proud of that. Even though it’s a bit unusual, they are aspects of my life that align with my ethics to live sustainably, healthy, and positively impact this life.

At this time, I am investing in my personal growth by building relationships and rewiring my destructive habits and thoughts. I am practicing and coaching myself to be more mentally supportive, kind, and focused. These are the experiences which I try to incorporate in my Instagram posts. It’s very hard to be transparent about mental health; but I’m seeing how sharing with others creates a bond and strengthens our communities. Getting through my own struggles really builds my hope for others. I really feel like if I can do it, then anyone can. And this helps me support others. Not just with mental health, but physical health as well. Changing your diet, environment, adding exercise, and increasing sleep. I’m not as well versed in the facts and statistics, but I do my best with research and action. It’s a lot to focus on, so finding the balance is the real skill.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I believe that there is no straight line in life; that it’s a messy zigging and zagging path made of choices. Each choice takes us in a different direction. There are many experiences that have gotten me here each dependent upon the one before. I really enjoy reviewing all the collisions that add up to this moment. But at this time, I would like to appreciate my parents for their contributions.

My parents played a huge role in who I am. I don’t know exactly how to summarize my life and as I’ve grown, their impact on me has changed as well. In a nutshell, my dad always talked about rights and wrongs of society. He’s very vocal about his beliefs and ethics. Although they may not always be agreeable, he showed me how to stand for what I believe in and to have a backbone. And I know everyone says this but my dad IS the HARDEST working man EVER. He made it clear to me that anything I ever want I will have to provide for myself. He has never given me a handout and because of that I am highly capable and confident in my own abilities. My goals may take me longer to achieve, but I reach every time!

In contrast my mom has taught me completely different lessons. For one, she has gifted me with a good sense of humor. In almost any serious situation, my mom will act goofy and make me laugh. She is amazing at breaking the tension with humor. She never has a problem making a joke even at herself. When I use this gift of humor, it helps me lighten the room and build bonds with loved ones. It helps me manage my stress and keep my sanity during tough times. I good laugh always frees up my soul.

Pricing:

Contact Info:

• Email: anamarieamc@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulmuchmore/?hl=en

Image Credit:
Ana Marie Cervantes

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