We had the good fortune of connecting with Brighde Jo-Aellynn (Johannsen) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brighde, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

How far back do the roots of our inspirations really go? Looking back, I can say that, like most people called to be of service in so many different ways, I can trace my “Calling” way back, lurking not only behind my early passions and interests, but also my greatest challenges, fears and pain-points. Everything I’ve experienced, paths I’ve chosen, have led me to my current Vision for my business. 

You could say that I started on my “career path” early, at 19, after just having moved to Ireland in 1993 – all because of a Psychic Reader I stumbled upon as I was blissfully meandering around Dublin during the first couple of weeks after my arrival. She read my palm & declared that I was “extremely psychic” and had “healing hands”… 

I wasn’t sure what “being really psychic” meant, but I reasoned that “healing hands” (whatever that was) might rather be an asset on my chosen path of Alternative Medicine. I did a little research and enrolled in my first Course on Energy Healing of many more to follow. 

One day I stumbled across a “Healing Massage” school in Dublin. I thought it was at least a step towards my goals & signed up. The hands on, tactile approach came easily and felt instantly natural.

Fast forward a few years and another big move in 1999, this time to America, and I found myself falling back on my Massage and Energy Healing skills to make a living…and getting myself thoroughly stuck in lack mentality & survival mode, chronically pushing my body way past its healthy limits just to get by & eek out a living. 

I was also still dealing with persistent energy disorders dating back to my teens, like brain fog, chronic fatigue, muscle pain, depression and an unfortunate tendency to unconsciously take on others’ energies…in hindsight, the following two decades, while definitely not easy, provided a fertile ground for my inner evolution, the lessons I needed to integrate & the insights & breakthroughs to gain before I could start on the next phase of my journey.

Although I kept taking various deepening trainings related to the Healing Arts, including Mind-Body talk therapy, I never quite felt I was fully following my true path, my “Calling”. As much as I loved working with my regular clients, I kept getting more and more dissatisfied with the limitations of my work, and the concept of clients being dependent on me (or any other therapist) to “fix” their physical issues that I suspected, more often than not, had their roots deep down in the the unconscious emotional & energy bodies, in unprocessed trauma and worn-out, limiting beliefs, not to mention our pandemic state of chronic disconnect – from Self, others, Life, Spirit…

My own greatest breakthroughs and shifts in energy, health and happiness were catalyzed by the grief of losing my mom to cancer in 2013, which forced me to fully face and deal with my repressed emotions for the first time in my (German born and raised) life.  

Even while I was going through the thick of it, I was fully aware of the tremendous healing and transformation being offered to me – I can honestly say that this one, catalytic initiation into the depth of grief and pain and raw vulnerability was, in essence, my greatest Gift, leading to continued unravelling, healing and epiphanies on all levels of my being, physical, emotional and most definitely, spiritual! 

From constant struggle with brain-fog, adrenal exhaustion, harsh self-criticism, feelings of un-worthiness and low-grade, chronic depression, to finally feeling alive, full of joy and passion, self-love, deep gratitude and random states of pure bliss – being witness to my ongoing inner Re-Birthing is nothing short of humbling and awe-inspiring!

I had finally found the missing piece on my journey and was learning to embody it! 

My true Path and Calling gradually started becoming more and more clear; in February of 2019, I followed my Inner Guidance, took a major leap of faith and moved to Sedona to start easing my way out of Bodywork and more fully into my current field of Spiritual Guidance and  Self-Awareness, Transformation and Empowerment Coaching.

“Awakened Hearth” was born in early 2021, when I finally stepped away completely from offering Massage Therapy and became fully self-employed in the Intuitive Arts.

Seriously – I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe that I am really, truly living my dream…and the dream just keeps unfolding and getting bigger and better! 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Alongside working for a couple of wonderful Spiritual Retreat Centers in Sedona, I am concentrating on building especially the on-line side of my business and my courses & workshops, working towards reaching a more global client base and having the freedom to move and travel and pursue other passions in life. 

My current focus is on intuitively assisting clients to become aware of buried wounds, emotions, patterns & stories keeping them stuck, teaching them tools to unravel and heal the old and bring in the new, to come to a deep place of Self-Love (always at the core of every true healing!!), to find their Purpose and to get to know and embody their most authentic, passionate and fulfilled version of Self – everything I have learned and continue to learn through my own challenges, the hard and long way around.

As I said – so often, our greatest gifts & strengths, our “Calling” & “Mission”, hide behind our greatest personal struggles…nothing brings me more joy than to be able to pass all I’ve learned on to others, whether in one-on-one intuitively guided sessions, in on-line or in-person Courses and Workshops, or via my newest ventures, my blogposts & weekly “podcast”. 

I am also really trying to carve out more time to spend on creative projects, especially writing. One of my “pet passions” is to inspire shifts in perspective – to me, any true shift in perspective is a doorway to expansion and enrichment in consciousness, inviting us to see the world in a different light. There is no one true way of looking at life; we all see a slightly different piece of the puzzle, and yet we need them all to make up the Whole. 

I honor all Artists, Philosophers, Mystics etc for their unique touch and ability to open such doorways for us…we have all experienced the transcendental power of music, a story or poem, a vibrant painting, a beautifully landscaped garden… we know what it feels like to be temporarily transported into a different “realm and dimension”, whether from the perspective of observer/receiver or the creative vessel…

…what if these effects could be lingering & truly transformative? 

What if we could live life from this place of spiritual connection to this higher field of inspiration and consciousness – just by virtue of remaining curious and open, instead of closed off to other viewpoints that seem to threaten our beliefs & narratives & comfort zones?? 

What if, instead of this pervasive pandemic of divisiveness and confrontation, we could soften into learning something new by being willing to take a look through someone else’s eyes?

To me, that’s what it takes to live life as Artists, as Creatives, as Connoisseurs of Life…whether we consider ourselves to be artistic and creative or not. It’s all about how we live our lives, from our most passionate & joyful, playful, caring & adaptable part of self. 

At the heart of it, true “Healing” is really a coming back to Center, a Re-alignment with and Remembrance of our own Divinity – our “Wholeness”. I believe that all “dis-ease” originates from our Core Wound of believing ourselves separate from Source, from Spirit, from each other. Nothing could be further from the truth, but the story is a strong one – it literally creates our experience of and in this world. 

 

If I had to sum up my deepest, lifelong desire – the “mission statement” & drive behind my work –  in just a couple of words, it would be “Connection”, “Unity Consciousness”, or “Unconditional Love”… 

Before we get to experience these mystical states, however, we need to start right here, with ourselves, “down here” in our bodies – we need to come back into union with all of our own fragmented, exiled, dissociated aspects of self; we need to learn to love ourselves unconditionally; we need to connect and learn to listen to our own needs and pains and desires, our own soul-calling. 

This Journey does not have to be dark and difficult. It actually gets to be a lot of fun…when we approach it with the curious mind and heart of an explorer & adventurer of life’s potential and magic…

Somewhere, clear on the surface or deep down in hiding, we all have a Vision, something that compels us forward, that wants to be expressed. It takes awareness, clarity, a lot of courage and a willingness to take those big leaps of faith to pursue our Passions and Dreams, but I believe we all have the means to reach for them and make them a reality.

To me, this is the spark that lights up our inner fires and makes us come fully alive. My “mission” is to assist in any way I can to invite in the questions that lead us down those rabbit holes to the most juicy and unexpected answers, insights, inspirations and breakthroughs we didn’t even know we were looking for…

That’s what keeps me busy these days. And inspired!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hands down, my top favorite cafe in the world to hang out in is ChocolaTree in West Sedona! I love coming here for the beatific, creative and heart-centered ambiance, the top-quality, hand-crafted, heart & health inspired drinks & herbal concoctions & chocolates, and to just enjoy a happy dose of unique-people watching 🙂 Just stepping into this oasis lifts my spirit and brings a big smile to my face and heart, every single time! If you’re looking for organic, home-made, gluten free vegan & vegetarian food, this is your place.

I recently discovered Cielo Connection, a small, eclectic boutique in West Sedona under the new ownership of Kate Ronner. It’s like stepping into a portal transporting you into a little, parallel world of unique exploration, from eclectic clothing, Kate’s own artwork, crystals, jewelry, incense, knick knacks and other curiosities. You can also get Spiritual Readings here from some of Sedona’s gifted Readers.

Crystal Magic is another such world of wonders (in a larger, more commercial way), if you love crystals, magic, books and anything spiritual, tarot or oracle related… The staff are a wealth of information regarding crystals, and the vibe is always happy and upbeat, in my experience.

If you don’t mind leaving Sedona and taking a little drive out to Page Springs, I highly recommend “Up the Creek” bistro & wine bar for dinner – great food & service, and the location is just precious, nestled in the trees with big, panorama windows looking right down onto Oak Creek.

And off course – there is the stunning beauty of nature anywhere you hit the trails here in Sedona! Personally, any trail that takes me down to Oak Creek or the Verde River is worth taking, because my spirit feels instantly soothed and nourished once I get to the waters and the trees and the lushness all around. Then again, any trail will lead you into beauty and wonder here, no matter where you end up going…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

First and foremost, of course – my mom! For her indomitable spirit and attitude – and for everything else!!

I want to give a big shout out to all the amazing, dedicated, passionate and hard working organic farmers of this world – I pray that one day, you will all be acknowledged, appreciated and recompensed the way you should be! 

My heartfelt appreciation also goes to Katherine Lash, owner of Spirit Quest Retreats, for creating a truly high-vibrational & high-quality transformational  Retreat Center for both, clients and practitioners alike. I am deeply grateful to be a part of this wonderful, loving team of gifted intuitives, healers & therapists and to get to work with so many simply amazing clients! I honor Katherine & team of “office angels” for the integrity and hight standards they bring to the company, and for giving us all the space and support to keep growing and expanding into our greatest gifts and potential! 

This shout out extends to all business owners creating win-win situations instead of looking out only for their own best interests; you all are the change the world is waiting for! 

In this same vein, I want to honor all the Creatives of this world, be it Artists, Writers, Entrepreneurs, or anyone living life from this place of creative courage, daring to follow the unfolding of their inner truths and pathways, often against all social norms and limitations. Life is a creative adventure – our curiosity for what is possible, our willingness to lean in to the growing edge and to embrace inevitable inner and outer change is what keeps this “spiritual” evolution of humanity alive and kicking. Thank you for all the inspiration, energy, beauty and aliveness you bring to this “New Paradigm Shift”!

Website: www.awakenedhearth.com

Instagram: instagram.com/brighde_awakenedhearth/

Facebook: Facebook.com/BrighdeAwakenedHearth/

Youtube: Awakened Hearth, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshoHk8S9lLjjbxg3oAY0PA

Other: Podcast, “Weekly Cup of Reflectivi-TEA” – https://www.awakenedhearth.com/podcast-reflectivitea Blogs – https://www.awakenedhearth.com/blogs-landing Free Awakened Hearth Community – https://www.awakenedhearth.com/community-public

Image Credits
Minyan Zhu Photography

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