We had the good fortune of connecting with Alba Porras Hoyos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alba, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
The way I think about Balance has changed dramatically over time. When I recently graduated from college, I was blessed to have the opportunity to work as a contractor (self-employed), and that opened the world to me. It allowed me to find my strengths and also confirmed that I wanted to open a business on my own. Three years after working as a contractor in Mexico, I decided that I wanted to open my own business, while also offering my private services for other companies. After a year of doing the two, I decided to fully focus on my dream. Six years went by as a business owner in Mexico, and my greatest lesson over the years was that I can only be as good at what I do and at my business as I am good to myself. Business is a reflection of myself, and the quality of my services is fully determined by the quality of my own well-being.

I learned this lesson the hard way. After burning out doing what I loved, I had to step back and closed my business. I was chronically fatigued, in pain, and had a lot of other health conditions, and I had little time to take care of myself, to spend time with my loved ones, and I had cero time to have a personal life. So, I took 4 years off to do a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and I moved to the US.

Fast forward, I am back in business. But I’m approaching business in a whole different way. This time around, I am all about preventing burnout, and even though it is a hard endeavor, my intention is really to approach doing business from my own well-being. I truly believe that well-being leads to well-doing and that a business is as healthy and well as their leaders are.

It’s been 6 months since I launched my business, and I cannot say that I have reached balance. I think I won’t. I am mostly striving to be in a level of awareness that allows me to respond to my life’s demands in a conscious way. Also, I’m striving to have a level of self-inquiry that allows me to reflect on whether I have overdone, or completely neglected my needs. Furthermore, this time around, I have come into this business knowing what my priorities are. My family, my health and myself are not going to be jeopardized by the needs of my business. And although I consider my business to be my baby, and I truly love what I do, I can only achieve a good life and a good business when I consider the care of my whole being and everything that this implies.

Burnout is a big word for me now. During my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, I addressed and informed myself on burnout prevention as much as I could. I have seen that a lot of entrepreneurs and healthcare providers like myself experience burnout. And that is definitely something I don’t want to experience again and I also hope to help others prevent.

To summarize my perspective of balance now, I will say it is something not fully achievable, as we are ever-changing, but keeping in mind our own priorities and well-being can get us closer to a sense of balance, control, grounding. I guess my take is to strive to find a sense of well-being and well-doing.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My first business was a holistic mind-body studio in Mexico. I’m mostly proud about this business that I was able to introduce innovative fitness and wellness modalities like aerial yoga and the yoga wall to the northern part of the country. I also created my own style of aerial yoga to help clients with chronic health conditions.

My current businesses wouldn’t be possible without the lessons from that journey. During my time away, I became a retreat leader and workshop facilitator, and now I conduct workshops across Arizona and continue to support my former clients in Mexico. Additionally, inspired by “Wellzense Talks,” an initiative I had in Mexico where I would bring health and wellness professionals to share their knowledge, I launched “Inspira” podcast by Wellzense. It aims to empower and support the wellness journey of the Spanish-speaking community.

Moreover, recognizing my clients’ need for psychological support, I opened a private counseling practice to help women with chronic health conditions, burnout, traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. I also created an online membership to address these issues through somatic practices (conscious movement and Yoga) and mindfulness.

Learning how business is done in the US compared to Mexico, and transitioning to online business, has been a journey. It’s still a work in progress, but the wealth of resources available to entrepreneurs here, from free coaching to webinars and events, has been incredible.

In terms of my brand and story, I develop many of my programs based on my clients’ needs and my own experiences. As someone with an autoimmune condition who has faced burnout, knee surgeries, and back problems, I’ve made it my mission to find and share tools and resources for well-being. I have trained in various modalities, holding a bachelor’s degree in sports training from Mexico, a kinesiology degree from Canada, and a master’s degree in mental health. My approach is holistic, combining mind and body training.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In phoenix I would recommend: Desert Botanical Gardens, the coffee shop in Gilbert, Shanti sound to practice Yoga, the coffee shops around mesa, and walking around the beautiful scottsdale canal, walking around downtown gilbert and having a topo ice cream.
In Tucson, I would recommend: Tucson Botanical Gardens, Desert museum, St. Philips plaza, Yoga Pod to practice Yoga, cafe luce, Mercado San Agustin, Bottega Michelangelo Restaurant, Mount Lemmon,
Surrounding areas: Visiting Tlaquepaque plaza in Sedona, hiking in Sedona, visiting Sun flower fields at Apple Annies, eating at Tubac.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can’t thank enough the support of my husband, who has been my rock during my business launch & process here in the US. I am also grateful to my parents, particularly my mom, who have been truly supportive since I started my businesses journey. I appreciate my bosses and mentors at the University of Arizona, whose leadership and kindness have helped me find my way back to entrepreneurship. I am also grateful for the wonderful people I have been able to collaborate with at my podcast or in events. Lastly, I want to thank my wonderful clients, from whom I have learned so much.

Website: https://www.wellzensehub.com/eng

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellzense

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alba-porras-9aa7ba37/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellzense

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wellzense

Other: Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1bmWolGyMXYUykYZZhF6J1
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspira-by-wellzense/id1729083923
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wellzense

Psychology today : https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alba-a-porras-hoyos-tucson-az/1388513
Inspira Counseling Services: https://inspiracounselingservices.clientsecure.me/

Online Membership: https://www.wellzensehub.com/joinus

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