Meet Jessica Schatz | With Shoutout LA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Schatz and we’ve shared our conversation below .The full article may be found here.

Hi Jessica, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
I continue to educate myself as much as possible. I have always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, which of course applies to my professional life in every way. I want to understand everything about how the body works, the brain works, the nervous system, respiratory system, and all of the systems of the body, mind, heart, brain. We have rapidly growing developments in my field and it is both my responsibility and pleasure to keep up with all of it. Education promotes knowledge and growth in every single way. And this helps me educate, empower, and inspire others to live better lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.From the earliest age, movement was the most innate part of my being. It was as elemental and intuitive as breathing – as if that’s what made my heartbeat. Movement was – and still is – my life force, my medicine, and it’s what most powerfully unites my body, mind, heart, and spirit.

I studied dance at a very early age. I attended college as a dance major, focusing on performance. At the same time, I immersed myself in the study of all the sciences behind my artistic pursuit: anatomy, biology, physiology, and kinesiology. I wanted to understand everything about how my body was doing all the things it was doing. During this time, I was also introduced to Pilates and yoga. Their benefits for me were enormous. I later began teaching them as my “day job” while I continued to be a professional dancer.

At 30, I had a career-ending knee injury. Being a professional dancer was my identity! I had essentially been living, breathing, and eating dance my entire life. This was an extremely difficult time, as my world had been suddenly shaken to the core. But somehow, I dug deep into myself and found the light that still wanted to shine. I decided to turn my “day job” into my career and do something for others that, at the same time, I needed to do for myself: feel well in body, mind, heart, and spirit.

It became my mission to help as many people as possible to live better lives through movement, toward optimal health and well being.

Through many years of teaching Pilates, yoga, and other techniques and practices, I continued to study, learn, and teach – biomechanics, nutrition, meditation, and other wellness practices. I loved working with athletes and dancers, and even developed a specific program and company dedicated solely to that market. But I soon found how I loved and got so much out of working with so many different kinds of people. I wanted to expand my practice and offer my services to everyone, from the very young, to elders experiencing challenges such as Parkinson’s. As a master Instructor and health and wellness coach, it is my passion to guide others – no matter their age, abilities, challenges, and stage in life – to a life where they feel better, function better, and live better.

I soon began writing for press, speaking on panels and podcasts, and guest teaching around the world. I am now a keynote speaker and author as well as continuing to be an educator.

I found that if we can find a way to keep going, our light will shine brighter day-by-day, step-by-step.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

It would definitely involve movement, the outdoors, food, and art!

Hiking Griffith Park and viewing the observatory is always a great day. A hike up beyond the Hollywood sign is always worth it for the view especially and of course also for the movement and fresh air.
Driving to the Palisades for the day to hike Temescal Canyon, maybe shop and eat in the Village. We would definitely spend a day in Malibu, go to the beach – my happy place -maybe Pt. Dume or El Matador, drive back through the beautiful canyons.

The Getty is a must, and hopefully there is great theatre happening at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion.

Yoga class – just about anywhere- a workout class at Equinox and lunch at Erewhon never disappoints. Kreation juice daily and of course coffee from Alfred.

And I love The Last Bookstore in DTLA!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I have been lucky to have a number of wonderful mentors in my life who challenged, inspired, and encouraged me to grow, take action, and find my own way. As much as possible, I stay connected to them and continue to appreciate the life-changing lessons they taught me. Also, I continuously learn from my colleagues and other professionals in my field. We have so much to teach others so that we may all grow and educate better!