Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Echevarria.
Christina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Throughout my life, I never felt a strong sense of “I know what I want to be when I grow up”! Sure, I had some ideas- pet store owner (still one of my favorites), psychologist, lawyer- but I felt a desire to just figure things out as they unfolded. At times, this lack of clarity was a source of confusion and shame because I thought I was “supposed” to have my path all figured out. Looking back, I can see how all the events of my life were perfectly orchestrated to bring me the experiences I needed to grow, to learn, to be knocked down, to rise, to heal, to be drawn into the dynamic, multi-faceted work I do now!
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Florida and almost immediately moved to London to pursue a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology at age 21. This field was exciting to me and was integral in my own healing and awakening process- it just felt “right.” While in London, I was confronted with personal and mental health challenges that led me onto a path of deepening my spiritual practice through meditation, yoga, Eastern spiritual studies and using nature as a form of medicine.
After graduating, I moved back to my hometown of Tampa, got a job, and soon felt the call to move to a farm as a WWOOFer- to work, live, unravel, meditate, hike, study, heal, and be amongst a simple lifestyle intertwined with the rhythms of nature. After seven months of farm work and spiritual growth in the mountains of North Carolina, I moved to St. Petersburg and began working at a startup company for the next two years. During this time, I was being internally guided to pursue a deeper purpose and calling and continued my coaching certifications in the form of a holistic health and life coaching program. As I started working with clients, I also began studying and experimenting with Human Design, which is a system of self-discovery that empowers us to live as our most authentic selves.
Then, Breathwork came into my life- I instantly fell in love with this transformational healing practice and began traveling to LA to study with David Elliott, learning how to facilitate private sessions and groups.
In March of 2018, I left my job to pursue Stellar Shift- a coaching and healing practice that has evolved along with my own personal, spiritual and energetic evolution. Since saying “yes” to following this inner call, it has all continued to unfold and grow organically in the most beautiful way! I offer clients a transformational space to let go of who are they are not, align with a deeper truth of their authentic essence, and grow into greater awareness, self-love, self-worth and soulful embodiment.
Utilizing tools such as transformational coaching, Human Design, Breathwork, meditation, intuitive guidance, mindfulness, journey work, energetics, nature, ritual and ceremony, holistic health, shadow work, positive and transpersonal psychology, and embodied spiritual practice, I aim to provide a unique experience of both healing and conscious expansion in mind, body, heart, and soul. I absolutely love what I do and feel so grateful to be where I am today!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to where I am now was definitely not always smooth- mostly because I was being confronted with personal challenges that were instrumental in facilitating my own growth!
Some of the challenges I have faced along the way were feeling very lost- like I didn’t have clarity on where I was going or what I was “supposed to do” with my life. And honestly, I still feel this sometimes! And it’s totally normal. We aren’t supposed to have life all figured out. The only moment there is, is NOW! I’ve come to understand that my path is perfect in it’s own way, and that by putting one foot in front of the other, tapping into my intuition and staying curious to where I am being led, I actually liberate my soul to be fully present in this creative journey. Learning to trust in the Universe, to love and trust myself, to work with my energy and intuition, to move through fear, to find and use my voice, and to surrender to the rhythms and flow of life-with all the seasons and ups and downs- have been important practices for me along the way.
My journey has also been one of healing- from chronic anxiety, exhaustion, depression and a lack of self-love and self-worth that all started from a young age. Having these mental, physical, emotional and spiritual challenges has resulted in a deep sense of empathy and compassion for those who may be struggling with feeling well, safe, and worthy in their bodies and on this Earth. I have also always felt highly-sensitive and empathic, which used to feel like a burden and the source of many of challenges- I have grown to see these qualities as incredible gifts! Through my own transformational healing journey, I feel like I have accumulated wisdom and depth from an embodied perspective, and call on this in my work.
Studying and applying the system of Human Design has been a game-changer for me in moving through these challenges because it has helped me to love and understand my authentic energy blueprint, embrace my natural gifts and learn how to take better care of myself and my energetic needs (P.S. I’m a “Projector” type!). Starting a Breathwork practice was also a key point in my journey, as it has been a way to release a lifetime of heavy emotions such as shame, anger, fear and sadness, and has supported me in connecting to Spirit and opening my heart.
My advice to women is to view challenges and roadblocks along your journey as potential learning experiences. There is no “wrong way” – only opportunities to learn, to become wiser, to know and trust yourself and to grow. When we let go of the fear of the unknown or of being wrong or of not having the answers, we become available for life to be our teacher and we open ourselves up to possibilities beyond what we could have imagined. Let life be an adventure, allow yourself to enjoy the process and cultivate gratitude for the ride while you are here on Earth!
We’d love to hear more about Stellar Shift.
Through Stellar Shift I offer Coaching, Human Design Chart Readings and Breathwork Healing Sessions, both in-person and online. I work with people from all walks of life! Many clients come to me seeking deeper spiritual connection, authentic personal growth and a life grounded in soul. They want to know themselves, love themselves and live consciously. They desire a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, are ready to heal and shine their light, and want to develop their intuition, power, self-awareness and trust in life. They want to serve the world using their gifts in ways that feel sacred. They feel called to follow an authentic, intentional, soulful, creative, embodied, awakened and open-hearted path!
I guide clients to embrace their human-ness and to see their daily lives as endless opportunities for deeper awakening. I help them feel at home in their bodies and connected to their souls, fully alive, open and available to experience all of life. I guide clients on an inner journey, back home to their authentic selves and innate wisdom.
Lately, I’ve been doing lots of Human Design Chart Readings, which help people understand themselves, their energy and their soul path in profound and practical ways. This energetic information equips clients with tools and awareness to let go of so much of who they thought they had to be and to embrace the uniqueness of who they are on their human and soul journey- gifts, strengths, challenges, quirks, lessons and all.These chart readings are so much fun for me and play in beautifully to both my Coaching and Breathwork offerings, where clients can use this information to continue to unravel the layers of limiting beliefs, stories, fears and conditioning and embody their inherent wholeness and their truth.
Right now in my biz, I feel I’m most proud of bringing Breathwork to St. Pete! I teach a weekly class at a beautiful studio called Intent Space and hold several monthly healing groups around town that make this powerful energy work affordable and accessible for people in my community. I also offer private healing sessions in-person and online for those who are called to work in a more personalized container.
Combining coaching and Breathwork is very exciting for me and I feel that it sets me apart. Breathwork allows your thinking mind and nervous system to relax so you can access deeper creative, intuitive and spiritual resources. It can facilitate very profound somatic, emotional and energetic healing, and promotes mystical and transpersonal experiences that can connect you to your spiritual nature. These experiences and insights feed in beautifully to the coaching, and both modalities complement and enhance each other. It’s certainly an exciting time to be alive and I’m grateful to be a part of a shifting and awakening consciousness on the planet!
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
First of all, I can’t stress the importance of quality mentorship relationships enough! Whether they are someone in your workplace or industry, someone in your community or someone you hire, a mentor will inspire you, challenge you and help you learn and grow in ways that may not be accessible on your own. Mentors, coaches, therapists, and healers that I have worked with along my path have been instrumental in my own personal, spiritual and professional development.
One of the most impactful mentorship experiences of my early career was during an internship with a career coach. An internship can be a great way to gain practical experience, learn about an industry and allow you to test the waters of a potential path. A mentor I currently work with is a community leader in the wellness space- the relationship naturally grew and we get together for talks every few weeks that always leave me feeling so seen, supported and inspired to believe in my dreams!
I have intentionally hired mentors for business and personal growth as well. Social media has been very helpful in exposing me to people whom I may not have otherwise met and is honestly my favorite way to network! I’ve met so many wonderful and impactful people through online connections. When hiring a mentor, it’s important that the person “feels” like a match. It’s very intuitive. I may make my decision based partly on what they have achieved or built, but ultimately, there is an intuitive feeling that the person is a good energetic fit to support my next level of growth and flourishing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thestellarshift.com
- Email: thestellarshift@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellarshift/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellarshift/
- Other: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14488247
Image Credit:
Kait Clarke Creative
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