My Ale Vidal Mentorship Experience + The Value of Being Seen
In 2018, I started feeling a deep shift…
I had been filming weddings since 2012, and had been running this business full time since April 2017.
And then I had a knee surgery that literally knocked me off my feet (and put me on a few months of bed rest). This time was full of intense anxiety, deep depressive moments, and then sparks of intense clarity.
I had to learn who I was because I had to shut off every source of comparison. I had to think about what my true metrics of success were, because the aspirations I thought I’d accomplish in my first year full-time had to be put on hold so I could focus on my recovery–both physically from the surgery, and mentally from the anxiety and self-loathing that the time on rest brought up.
I realized my calling would never be about viral, “re-postable”, epic content on Instagram. That’s not real life and that’s not what I care about.
I’m an enneagram 4w5, an artist, and an introvert who is obsessed with letting people know how amazing they are-right now, in their living rooms, studios, kitchens, fields and offices. Not standing on top of a mountain. Honesty and authenticity are my biggest guardrails in life, and I knew that’s what I needed to be my driving force as steer this work and life.
But to transition out of a live of striving for anything anyone else was doing felt so intimidating. I was feeling the call to go off the easy road and plant my flag in a field where I can only hope to be seen and understood.
But in life, we need permission-givers, don’t we?
Enter Ale Vidal. I’ve been watching her since I graduated college, and she’s always been the person doing what I hope to be doing at every step-from her artistic videos to now where she’s really stepping in to a Director role. When she announced that she was offering mentorships, I knew I had to say “yes”.
We went through questionnaires and phone calls, really pulling out my heart and what I hoped to gain from the mentorship. I landed in Phoenix, fell in love with the desert, and experienced a day that would begin so many pivots.
Most importantly, I was seen, heard, and lifted up.
I had felt like such an outsider, being one of the only women in my local field, not wanting to do what was trendy, feeling a deeper call than just “clients”. But with every part of my heart that I shared, Ale affirmed that it was worthy-and even a little magical.
Here’s what I told Ale:
"I want to harness my intuition as a woman and as an artist to connect with people and brands all over the world — to create work that's about how life feels, not just about how epic it can look."
“(In school) I was doing a study of learning to listen to people without bias. I love that part of getting to know people beforehand – I can hear what they’re actually trying to say.“
“I always call myself “almost brave”. I do things that seem brave or bold on the outside, but I’m not fearless. I’m shaking in my boots. I’m just doing it anyways.”
And here’s her response (pulled from her blog):
“I was fascinated. This is an incredible gift and one that not only provides value for others, but it sets Jess apart! When we try to define our individual voice or what really makes us unique - it sometimes takes an outside listener to catch it because it comes so natural to us. We may fail to recognize or notice it, assuming it isn’t anything special. Being in tune with my mentees’ needs allows me to get to the heart of what they are capable of. I can push and grow them when they are here, beyond the place they currently are. My desire is to truly transform them; it won’t happen overnight, but I've set a space to plant that seed.”
Having my goals, dreams, and unique qualities be seen and celebrated spurred on so much growth.
I came home and rebranded, stepping out of the pseudonym and false “we” of Truebadours. And being brave and honest enough to put my stamp and my name on everything through becoming Jessica Whalen Films.
I became more vulnerable in my “business” accounts and interactions.
I allowed myself to be honest about what I want my business and work to feel like so that I can continue to work towards that.
I have become unapologetic about the work I share, and how I show up in any spaces I bring my gifts and camera in to.
I am still working on making pivots and creating from a place that was cultivated over two years ago (more about that through this year). It’s been a slow, meaningful, transformational burn, and this mentorship was the spark that began this process of becoming.
So why does this matter to you?
That freedom to become me and to do my work from a deeper more authentic space? That came about because I was seen, heard, and celebrated-even for the things that felt so second nature to me I didn’t give them much thought.
That’s what I want to do for you as we journey through being Almost Brave together. I want to watch you flourish and connect to deeper parts of yourself and your community as you become more vulnerable and honest through owning your story.
I want you to look back on what we create (either through the Almost Brave process or through just image creation) and say “wow, I guess I do have something to offer”. I want you to see how much you have to say and just how much magic comes from you just being you.
I can’t wait to see what fires come from this spark.
Are you ready to shine bright?
Next Up: The process + project that came from this experience
Read Ale’s breakdown of her process and our day here