We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jenny Footle. Check out our conversation below.
Jenny, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Almost all the time. I remember when I was building my organization, it was during COVID and I was so excited about it, I could have stayed up all night completing things (I didn’t have to be “at work” in the morning). Instead I had the awareness to say, if I get things done super fast, people will begin to expect that kind of pace from me, and that’s not how I want to run the organization, I want to operate at a healthy pace and set healthy expectations from the beginning.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jenny and I run an organization called Beautiful Feet Wellness that brings fitness and wellness programming to people coming from the sex trade, survivors of human trafficking and the organizations that serve them. Many organizations that serve survivors focus on housing, job skills, and therapy, which are all important, but the things that happen to them are very physical in nature, and we need to help them heal their body as well as their mind otherwise we leave them “stuck” in their healing journey. We interviewed 19 survivors in a recent study who told us that pursuing wellness meant pursuing healing, so if we want to help survivors heal, we need to attend to their wellness. We’re also different in that we’re building a community of thrivers, there is no checklist to “complete” our program, we acknowledge that everyone’s journey to wellness and healing is life long and looks different for everyone. Community, social capital, and relationships are necessary to prevent re-exploitation and help people thrive.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The first time I was introduced to listening prayer, I felt God saying, “It’s not your fault.” That was huge and totally changed the trajectory of my life and how I saw my experiences. Now I run an organization and speak to people in recovery from human trafficking and/or substance use, and I’ve realized that many of us took responsibility for things as a kid that are not ours to own, such as abuse, divorce, caring for siblings and parents, etc. And when we let those things, those responsibilities, that guilt… when we let it go, it frees us up to move forward without a shadow hanging over our joy. Now when something happens, I see what’s my part, and what the other factors are, and I free myself up from the lie that it’s all my success or failure, and that allows ME to show up in community stronger.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
REST. I used to work from 4:30am to 7pm almost every weekday and if I wasn’t working my 3rd job in the evening, I was volunteering and working with survivors of human trafficking and the sex trade. At one point I changed jobs and began to work for a startup nonprofit, but I ended up doing a lot of jobs that was not what I was hired for and it was really taxing on me, not to mention the intensity of the work environment was way harsher than the 100+ year old company I had left. I burned out, hard. I ended up on medical leave with several medical problems. I was literally not allowed to work for months and it was bewildering. I remember going on a walk with my husband before returning to work and feeling like I just wanted to go shelve books at a library instead of returning to my career, I was so broken down.
But what this experience did was help me ask myself the important question: Is it worth it?
Now when I’m working myself into the ground or considering not meeting up with my community to spend a few more hours on my computer, I’m able to ask myself; “What’s really important to me?” My health, my community, and believing that the world is big enough that if I miss an opportunity, there will be another. This experience taught me that I actually want to erase the word “busy” from my vocabulary and I’m tired of our society treating “busy” as a badge of honor. I want to be available for those around me. AND, I want to rest on my own time in my own way, because if you don’t rest, your body will force you to, and I’d rather be enjoying a day off than stuck in bed sick. We must value rest to do our best work and live our best lives.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say “yes” for the most part. Sometimes I can be guarded or quiet, and sometimes I really filter what I say/do to maintain connection. By that I mean that I acknowledge that people have different levels of openness and acceptance and I’d rather stay engaged with them as they grow than be disconnected. For example, I am really passionate about my faith, I’m learning new things every day that I’d love to share, but many people in my community have religious trauma, and it would not be kind of me to talk about my faith to them, it would actually shut down our connection, even though they know what I believe, I am respectful not to always be talking about it. Likewise, I have some more alternative or liberal views on things, but I’d rather be in community with others who are doing important work, as long as they are doing it ethically, and find our common ground.
But yes, the public version of me is the real one for sure – I do workout all the time, I do research all the time, I am super chill and full of energy at the same time, I’m in nature as much as possible or you can find me with my community, and I’m real about my limitations, successes, joys, and struggles. I don’t like complaining, I hate drama, I’m way too optimistic and encouraging, and I’m always trying to get people to do all the things with me.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was kind, encouraging, and made them feel seen and empowered to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beautifulfeetwellness.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautiful.feet.wellness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-footle-86b02116a/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautifulfeetwellness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beautifulfeetwellness1982
