Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Wilford.
Hi Justin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I wear several different hats throughout my week, so I’ll start by first describing where I’m at today. I split my time between four different roles: I develop and facilitate programs for a mental health start-up called Yes Collective; I’m an emotional health coach that uses Internal Family Systems to help people heal and grow; I develop and facilitate programs for a childhood cancer nonprofit called MaxLove Project; and I’m a conscious dance DJ here in Savannah at the Clearing House.
I came to all of these roles through one of the biggest moments in my life: in 2011, our son Max, who was then four years old, was diagnosed with an aggressive, life-threatening brain tumor. I had just graduated from UCLA with a PhD and was about to launch my career as an academic, but Max’s diagnosis changed everything. I lost all interest in my research as we focused on Max’s treatments. I continued to teach at UCLA but knew that eventually, I’d need to find a new career I’d truly care about.
Shortly after Max was diagnosed, my wife started a nonprofit called MaxLove Project, focused on helping families improve quality of life in cancer treatment and beyond. I fell in love with helping other families and decided to go back to school to get a Ph.D. in public health with a focus on health program design. I graduated with a second Ph.D. in 2018 and chose not to go on in academia but instead to work on our nonprofit and a mental health startup called Yes Collective.
My PhD research included training in several mental health approaches. This eventually led me to become an emotional health coach with a focus on Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, and Authentic Relating. I also focus on body-based emotional processing techniques, so I decided in 2022 to begin DJing conscious dance events here in Savannah, which are free-form dance events that encourage people to move in whatever ways feel freeing and releasing for them.
I used to be a house music DJ way back in the ’90s and early ’00s, so the conscious dances are a special passion project of mine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! Before Max was diagnosed, I assumed I’d continue on a straight line through academia, publishing research, getting tenure, and growing old just like my professors. After Max’s diagnoses, between 2011 and 2013, I had no idea what I’d do next. I continued to teach as I explored going into higher education administration, becoming a writer, and even becoming a dietitian (I was really interested in healthy food for cancer families at the time).
When I finally decided to go back for a second PhD, I assumed again I’d continue on the tenure-track academic path. But I saw how miserable most professors in the health sciences were (my geography professors at UCLA seemed happier). So, again, I changed paths after I graduated.
COVID in 2020 led to another left turn as we found ourselves working from home with kids doing school at home. We decided to make a big move from Southern California to Savannah, Georgia. My wife had been out here a couple of times for the nonprofit so we decided to visit in October 2020. We fell in love with the city, especially Ardsley Park, and moved a few months later. It was a struggle leaving all of our friends and family back on the West Coast, but we had an inner knowing that this was the right move. And so far, it has been!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In Savannah, I’m probably best known for my conscious dance events at the Clearing House. These events blend several things I absolutely love: Authentic Relating games (like really intimate icebreakers), heart-based meditation, fun yet emotional music, and lots of free-form dancing and moving.
My aim is to bring more community, compassion, and connection to the world. I need these things in my life, and I assume other people need them too! So, I want to create events where we can move our bodies together, with open hearts hands raised high.
I feel strongly that these events should be open to everyone: you don’t need to know anything, believe anything, or be anything to show up to a conscious dance and experience an emotional release, a deeper connection with your body, and an authentic connection to those around you.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I can only think of two. One is that social media is a net negative in our lives, yet it’s so hard to live without. I think so many things would’ve gone smoother without social media. Second, Zoom is not as bad as I thought it was, and I actually learned to appreciate it! I had so many really wonderful, even life-changing interactions over Zoom during the time of COVID.
Pricing:
- $20 a ticket for conscious dance
- Pricing for emotional health coaching varies by time and service
Contact Info:
- Website: www.justinwilford.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justingwilford/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.wilford/
- Conscious Dance: https://www.yescollective.co/conscious-dance
