In our pursuit of inclusive wellness practices, we must recognize how cultural expectations, systemic pressures, and personal histories uniquely shape the wellness journeys of different communities. Latina relationship mindset coach Jackie Roby, hosts workshops “From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed” which exemplify the type of culturally-informed wellness programming the Inclusive Wellness Initiative seeks to amplify.
The Invisible Weight of the “Busy Badge”
This workshop centers on a demographic often overlooked in wellness spaces: Generation X women of color in leadership positions who, as Roby describes, are “killing it at work and not giving themselves enough credit, exhausted by the time they get home.” This profile represents countless women navigating high-pressure careers while balancing personal responsibilities and dealing with the additional labor of navigating spaces where they may be underrepresented.
Roby, who openly shares her experiences living with depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD, brings an authenticity to her coaching that resonates deeply with participants. By integrating her lived experience as a Latina woman navigating relationships and mental health challenges, she creates a space where participants’ full identities are welcomed and acknowledged.
The Neuroscience of Breaking Free
What makes Roby’s approach particularly valuable is her integration of neuroscience with accessible mindfulness techniques. She explains that our brains are wired toward negativity, with research suggesting that 80% of our thoughts tend toward the negative. For women of color in high-stress environments, this biological tendency can be amplified by unique stressors.
Rather than suggesting we simply “think positive,” Roby offers evidence-based techniques for rewiring neural pathways:
- Identifying personal safety signals – Participants will explore how stress manifests in their bodies and behaviors, developing awareness of their unique “SOS signals”
- Creating personalized calm-inducing practices – Simple three-breath exercises and body posture adjustments that can be implemented in moments of stress
- Designing aligned decision-making frameworks – A five-step process for making choices that honor one’s core values and desired emotional states
From Survival Mode to Empowered Choice
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Roby’s workshop is her emphasis on reclaiming agency. She challenges participants to release the “busy badge of honor” that many professional women wear as evidence of their worth. Instead, she invites them to articulate how they truly want to feel in their lives—with participants sharing words like “valued,” “curious,” “powerful,” “connected,” and “free.”
This approach reflects the Inclusive Wellness Initiative’s commitment to wellness practices that honor diverse perspectives and experiences. By acknowledging the unique pressures faced by women of color in professional environments, Roby creates space for authentic healing that goes beyond generic self-care prescriptions.
Practical Applications for Inclusive Wellness
The workshop offers several key insights for organizations seeking to create more inclusive wellness environments:
1. Create space for authentic expression of challenges
Roby encourages participants to acknowledge difficult emotions rather than suppressing them with toxic positivity. Inclusive wellness spaces must similarly create room for honest exploration of struggles without judgment.
2. Recognize diverse manifestations of stress
The workshop highlights how stress responses vary tremendously between individuals. Wellness practitioners should avoid one-size-fits-all approaches and instead help individuals identify their unique patterns.
3. Offer accessible, bite-sized practices
Roby demonstrates how even three deep breaths can begin shifting one’s nervous system. Inclusive wellness programs should prioritize practices that can be realistically integrated into busy lives.
4. Honor cultural contexts
Throughout the workshop, Roby acknowledges how relationship dynamics and expectations are shaped by cultural factors. Wellness practitioners should similarly consider how cultural contexts influence individuals’ wellness journeys.
Moving Forward: Creating Spaces of Possibility
As we work to transform the wellness landscape into one that authentically reflects and serves our diverse human family, workshops like “From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed” provide valuable examples of what truly inclusive wellness can look like. By centering the experiences of those often marginalized in traditional wellness spaces and offering practical tools for reclaiming agency, such programs help create what Roby beautifully describes as “spaces of possibility.”
The Global Wellness Institute’s Inclusive Wellness Initiative is committed to amplifying such approaches—ones that acknowledge the full complexity of human experience across different identities and backgrounds. Through highlighting diverse wellness voices and methodologies, we can collectively build a wellness ecosystem where everyone can truly move from overwhelmed to overjoyed.
