In this inspiring episode of The Full Circle Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Jennillee, a woman whose life journey has taken her from the Philippines to the United Kingdom, and from feeling like an outsider to becoming a beacon of hope for those struggling with similar challenges.
Throughout her life, Jennillee grappled with the struggle to fit in and find her place in the world. Her journey was marked by moments of self-discovery and the painful realisation that sometimes, trying too hard to fit in can lead to losing touch with one's true self. It's a story that many of us can relate to – the longing to belong and the price we sometimes pay to chase that sense of acceptance.
Today, Jennillee has harnessed her own experiences to help others navigate the turbulent waters of self-discovery. Drawing from her own journey of self-acceptance and resilience, she has become an advocate for those who feel like outsiders, offering them a safe space to embrace their uniqueness and share their stories.
Join me for this deeply moving episode as Jennillee shares her personal journey of self-discovery, the challenges she faced, and the wisdom she gained along the way.
Quotes
“And it sort of just clicked that everyone around me had a mum, a dad…and even though I was very loved, it was difficult because then I started to realise that I wasn't growing up like everybody else.” -
03:39
“Being in the Philippines, the thought of being in a Western country excited everyone. But I just remember feeling very sad. And nobody really knew how to validate how I felt. It was more of a ‘you should be grateful that you are now being given a new life.’” -
05:43
“I didn't really know how to navigate being in a country where I was a minority.” -
06:27
“We are the generation where the internet came at a dangerous time. We were in our late teens, in our early 20s, and it triggered questions…’Why don't I have this? Why don't I look like this? Why haven't I achieved this yet?’ And my mental health just plummeted.” -
09:40
“He made a joke in front of his friends about me being Asian… saying, ‘Oh, she's not as hot as Lucy Liu, but she'll do’” -
14:20
Time stamps
00:00 - About this episode
01:23 - An introduction to Jennillee
02:25 - Why Jennillee started feeling disconnected with this around her
04:11 - The importance of a stable home life in friendships
06:19 - The culture shock of moving to England from the Philippines
07:16 - Changing your true self to fit in
10:54 - Jennillee’s resentment towards her mother
13:13 - Not feeling good enough amongst your peers and what that does to your self-confidence.
14:57 - How representation and being around People of Colour helped Jennillee find herself and her confidence
17:25 - The power of not taking anything too personally
21:12 - Jennillee’s advice to her younger self
29:05 - Embracing vulnerability
31:54 - How Jennillee uses her experience to help her students
35:06 - Jennillee’s advice for parents with teenagers
40:44 - Jennillee’s biggest lessons
48:56 - How to contact Jennillee
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What is Full Circle: Finding Your Way Home?
Hosted by Transformational Wellness Expert, ICF Master Coach, Public Speaker & Author, Gillian McMichael, this podcast will inspire you to unlock your true purpose and ignite your infinite potential.
Discover real, honest stories from those who have overcome challenges and found peace in their lives. There is an inner strength in every one of us, and this is explored through a series of topics, from trust and forgiveness to confidence and self-love. These stories will help to lighten the load you may be carrying so that you can connect with your mind, body and spirit.
It’s time to grow, flourish and thrive as you find your way home, back to your true self.