Jennifer MacNiven- An International Journey to Healing
The theme of transformation resonates deeply with me as I reflect on the inspiring individuals who have undergone significant life transformations. The idea of constantly reinventing oneself is a testament to the resilience and capacity for growth within each of us.
This blog highlights one of my oldest and dearest friends, Jennifer MacNiven. After my Senior Year in Alaska for High School, I moved back to Alabama to finish and move to Auburn University. My sister had met this new gal who moved to town and was an Air Force brat. We fell in love with U2 and photography around the same time. The adventures continue after over thirty years of high hiking and dragging dresses through the Dolomites. #transformationtuesday
What is your career today, as well as before making a shift? I am an international brand, portrait, and retreat photographer. Photography was a part-time profession from 2004 to 2013, when my corporate job as a Clinical Specialist for a Neurological Biomedical Device company ended after a 12-year career.
How did you feel about your life before recognizing the need for a shift? I was BURNT OUT…and didn’t understand the term then. I was swimming uphill doing something I was passionate about by helping patients and therapists …however over time, the job demands shifted significantly, and I was expected to take on a position that was not me and sucked out all the joy, passion, and reason for why I started in that career in the first place. My social life, family life, and love life were all filled with anxiety, striving, and putting on the smile that didn’t exist in my soul. I knew something needed to change.
How did you find your true purpose? After a trip to Bali, I could reset and dive deeper into who I was. I had to leave the country, the community I knew, and my surroundings…to let go of what I learned, was told, and my so-called beliefs so that I could be still, listen to my thoughts, and dive deeper into who I am. I ended up living in Bali and ‘inadvertently’ traveling the world for 4.5 years doing deep healing work, diving into my soul’s passions, and expanding my photography career. I loved witnessing and being IN-JOY while capturing it on my camera. I expanded my business to include branding, boudoir, headshots, and retreats…which is my forte now.
What was your BIG aha moment? It may seem controversial, but I somehow found myself in the world of plant medicines to help with my healing. I realized that talk therapy wasn’t for me, and I needed to go DEEP within. I also dove into yoga, meditation, breathwork, and sound healing. I realized I was so much more of a free spirit than I allowed myself to be. Trying to check off the proverbial boxes made me feel trapped…and while I did check off some of the boxes…I broke through that box and created my list to check off. I even wrote a book, Mind, Body Soulmate, that details my journey and AHA in life.
What are you most excited about next? I’m so excited to collaborate this next year. I absolutely love working with other soulful entrepreneurs who are here to make radical changes in people’s lives, and I have been co-hosting retreats, photographing, and offering yoga classes for years now. This year, I’m looking forward to even more! I’m calling in super successful coaches, healers, and women entrepreneurs to work with!
You can follow Jen’s global travels here:
Jennifer MacNiven Photography
We look forward to sharing stories of others making waves of transformation!
Live A Great Story- Monique Lecomte
