Hi, from Malibu, CA!
Though I’ll always be a San Francisco girl at heart, graduated from UCLA, and have moved 13 times (!!) since 2012, I have finally found my home here. I was originally attracted to Malibu because of the fresh air, spaciousness, and hiking trails. As I spread my wings, I fell in love with the community, ease of life, and access to nature. It has been an amazing place to raise our two little boys, Wes and Clay (born in 2016 and 2019, respectively).
I’ve always loved giving advice on family and relationships – it started way before I had kids of my own. As life evolved, I became the go to advice-giver within my own circle, within extended circles, and even family members of friends. They asked my advice on everything from dating, strained family relationships, to dealing with anxiety. These texts, calls, or emails usually with “Hey Jess…”
I don’t consider myself an “expert” with all the answers, though I did graduate with a Sociology degree. But I earned a reputation for giving helpful advice – or at least being a listening and non-judgmental ear. I supported my friends as they left abusive relationships, mended issues with parents, and more. My approach was unique: I didn’t just tell people what to do – I listened deeply. I asked questions and got people to find answers within themselves. When helpful, I shared stories about my breakthroughs and saw inspired listeners take action to improve their own lives.
After we welcomed our first son, Wes, advice inevitably included pregnancy and parenting topics. Initially, I felt like a total newbie – I was vulnerable, and I lost touch with my special knack for following my intuition. I questioned myself and I put too much power in the advice of those “experts.” Opinions from the outside weighed so heavily that it became a burden, led to stress in my marriage, and rigidity in parenting. It took years to completely recover. I once considered myself adventurous and free-spirited, but the year after having my firstborn, I was the fun police and nonstop nap-manager. I stuck to a bedtime routine to the point where we rarely left the house. I was lonely. And the pandemic only compounded these problems.
I started HeyJess once I became a mom, branched out, and quickly realized all moms experience similar struggles. I became a part of some awesome mom-groups, developed precious friendships, and started to feel back in my zone. The importance of a community — of connecting and sharing — became clear: we all need a mom friend who hears us without judgment, feels safe to be expressed, and treats us as completely capable. As I share my struggles, breakthroughs, and tips, my goal is to help you listen to and take action on your own intuition, find your voice, increase self-acceptance, and feel empowered.