Today we’d like to introduce you to Mecca Wagner-Brown.
Hi Mecca, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
As a child, I experienced a lot of trauma and was shy, intelligent, and observant. A student-athlete in high school while writing poetry and gaining recognition, I was known to be well-rounded. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Kinesiology at Northern Arizona University and met my daughter’s father.
I pushed off future education in my interests, worked 2 jobs for 2 years, got married, moved back to Phoenix, obtained a couple of jobs for a couple more years, found my way into large corporations, and gave birth to my daughter. I was married with a child, a house, two cars, and a well-paying job. Why was I not happy? This is the societal expectation of the dream, isn’t it? I suffered from depression and anxiety with obsessive-compulsive tendencies to attempt control for the first 30 years of my life.
By the age of 31, I was 7 years into a toxic marriage, was nurturing a curious and active 2-year-old daughter, and navigating a demanding job that did not fulfill me. The years of trauma, the pursuit of perfectionism, and negative narratives reached a climax, and I had a mental break that landed me in the doctor’s office.
My symptoms revealed to the doctor were: persistent shaking or tremoring, random tearing up or crying, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, random passing out episodes, severe stomach and intestinal cramps when eating or drinking anything, sleeping no more than 4 hours a night, and feeling overwhelmed where I would scream in my car alone.
The doctor came back in after initial assessments and said very slowly, calmly, and deliberately, “I want you to listen to me very carefully. … Stress will kill you.” She prescribed a mild medication for anxiety for a couple of weeks and said I must make an appointment to see a psychiatrist and a counselor. I made these appointments for the same week.
The psychiatrist was down to earth and listened to my symptoms while asking more probing questions. She determined I should be on medication for a longer period but was adamant that medication is meant to get you to an even level so you can manage while making changes. The goal is to get off the medication and cope naturally and this was my language. I was never one to take medications and relied heavily on natural methods, but I accepted the place where I was and filled the script.
Before I left her office, the psychiatrist asked if I ever did yoga and I reported I had done yoga since I was 5 but stopped doing it the last few years. She strongly recommended I start again and specifically attend a studio as I am getting back into it. I reported the same had happened with my meditation practice and again she strongly encouraged me to start again.
During the start of my change journey, a wise person said to me, “Depression is ruminating on the past and anxiety is worrying about the future. It is being here now in the present that brings peace and happiness.” I thought about this for a few days and how I had lost my connection with yoga and meditation when I met my husband in college.
I had isolated myself (or allowed myself to be isolated), fractured my community relationships, allowed myself to be manipulated, became severely off-centered energetically, degraded myself for not being perfect and making everyone happy, and lost myself somewhere along the way over 10 years. I decided at that moment I was going to change.
The next 7 years were one of starting a new job, finding myself, obtaining my yoga teacher certification, training in qigong, pranayama, and meditation, connecting with nature again, taking my power back, becoming more mindful, and eventually ending my marriage. Then I began to truly delve into more about myself, making mistakes along the way, forgiving myself and my ex-husband, and having no regrets.
Our relationship was a catalyst to force me to change and grow so I could be the person I am today. The mistakes I made during the 14 years between the divorce and now, I have learned a lot and have forgiven myself. I stayed at a fortune 100 global company for almost 20 years while my daughter grew and completed her bachelor’s degree, but I wanted more in my life.
In 2020 and 2021, in the heat of the pandemic, I obtained Hypnotherapy and EFT certifications, and mindfully evolved over the prior years, with excitement regarding my future journey. I then left my long-term corporate job to take on my passion and what I feel is my life purpose which is to guide others on their journey to happiness. Taking control of your life is not aggressive and prioritizing self-care is not selfish: It is healthy.
Releasing the past and forgiving yourself is not disregarding what happened: It is necessary for healing. The quote “Am I Alive or Just Breathing” resonates deeply as I look around and see many people where I was so long ago. I have become confident and skilled in my craft and enjoy every client I see as the peace and relief spread across their face.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As I started my new business there was a lot to think about such as website, email, business cards, office space to pay for, marketing, and so on. This required savings and some planning as well as trial and error along the way.
Finding out what works and what doesn’t was natural for me as the skills I obtained and utilized for 20 years in corporate allowed me to quickly shift. I wanted to control and stay committed to my plan as a hypnotherapist but I allowed myself space to evolve. A lot of meditation and compassion for myself has led me to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My primary services include individual therapy in-person and virtual utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and Hypnotherapy. Secondary services I provide to clients are meditation, natural remedies, custom recordings, qigong, yoga, and pranayama.
I provide guidance, inspiration, and encouragement to all who desire change, mentally and physically, to enhance their lives in a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space. My mission is to awaken the awareness in people that the power of the mind and life energy is within all of us and this can be embraced to facilitate mental and physical change for a fulfilling life.
Everyone wants to be a better version of themselves and to enjoy life more, but it is not an easy task. It takes effort and determination to change and alternative therapies can help with this. I can testify to the effectiveness of these from a personal perspective as well as observe the effectiveness of my therapies in others. I truly and deeply believe your mind and life energy are very powerful.
We can benefit from tapping into that so our health and our experiences are energetically balanced and harmonious. This ensures the quality of our lives is the best it can be. I am honored to help anyone who considers being one of my clients; entrusting me with a small part of their journey and evolution in this life.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
All paths that have crossed mine, I have learned from each of them and thank them for being catalysts to my evolution. For all those still traveling with me, I appreciate and love each one of them for the continuous companionship and growth they offer me.
My daughter, Shayla, is my biggest motivator and inspiration as I get to witness the amazing person she has become and is becoming. At the young age of 23, with a BA and Master’s from Northern Arizona University, she started her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Education Policy. She is passionate, committed, and determined to make changes in the world. Her energy is contagious, pure, and beautiful.
Pricing:
- Initial 90-min Session: $125
- Regular 60-min Session: $100
- Various pricing for Video on Demand, Books, Digital Downloads, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MindfulInnerChange.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulinnerchange/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulInnerChange
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MInnerchange
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUm4y5aGt03Oazto_lWC1Q
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mecca-wagner
- Other: https://g.page/r/CX9_mQCG47O8EAE
Image Credits
Shayla Brown and the Rescue Dogs (Joseph, Chloe, Chance)
