EP38 "Life, Death, Rebirth" Maryam Ayaji

Maryam Ajayi is a healer and an advocate for inclusivity in the Wellness space. With a background in political lobbying, in the midst of her career she felt the calling to support humanity in a very different way - by returning to the roots of healing. Her work is honorable, her voice strong, her presence empowering, making her a true leader for us all.

And how does one suddenly feel the need to change careers - or pivot as they say - so unexpectedly? Having been in that position myself I can tell you, once you know - you know. I used to believe (even though I fought it every day) that I had to “choose” who I wanted to be and that I was to stick with that for the rest of my days… It all began in childhood… “so what do you want to be when you grow up?” I remember having at least 10 desires at a time: I wanted to be a chef, a ballerina, an astronaut, a teacher, a painter, and sometimes a mom. “Well no but which one?’ They’d ask.. “you have to choose ONE”. 

By the time I was headed to college nothing entertained me, I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but I sure knew what I didn’t want. Lucky for me I discovered Art - a field of study where at least I felt I could be free. Throughout life I navigated this path in many of it’s iterations: as an illustrator, a retoucher, a graphic designer and finally as a fashion creative. As I got better and better I climbed that ladder, never feeling completely fulfilled, and one day the universe kicked back. As I hit a wall and picked myself up, piece by piece I had to put myself together and in doing so - as Maryam did - set off to help others as well.

If and when you feel your calling, pay attention, that time means NOW. Always trust your intuition, listen to that voice within, the one you could clearly hear as a child… It’s still the same, and it was always right.

ABOUT MARYAM Maryam Ajayi is an energy healer, who practices both Reiki and Breathwork and entrepreneur with +10 years of experience across a multitude of industries ranging from politics to tech. She is passionate about de-stigmatizing the wellness industry, advocating for inclusive spaces for marginalized communities, and using her voice to empower and uplift others around the world. Recently, she founded Indagba, a company that helps socially conscious people and companies grow into their full potential through mindful business strategy, as well as Diversity in Wellness (DIW),  a community of diverse and inclusive leaders within the industry that gathers for an open dialogue and discussion in order to create a plan of action for bringing more diversity to the wellness industry. Maryam and her work have been featured in Goop, The Sunday Times, The Cut, Holisticism, Thirlby, and The Nod and she has worked with brands such as Nike Women, The Wing, General Assembly, Lululemon, The Girl Mob, and Sad Girls Club.

A FAVORITE RITUAL Write a love letter to the future you. Perhaps start with you 3 months from now. Thank the future you for everything they did to get you to where you are at in the future and tell them everything you love about them and the life they have created and dreams they made come true. Date it and tuck it away in a special place for you to read.

NON-NEGOTIABLES Dating myself. Spending a night in alone making myself dinner and watching a movie, going out to a movie or out to dinner, taking a book to special place, getting a massage. It’s not only important to take time for myself, but to also treat myself like the Queen than I am because if I don’t treat me like a Queen—who will?

YOU CAN FIND MARYAM… maryamajayi.com ; @maryamajayi indagba.com; @in.dagba

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