We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Pica and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandra, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As an Actor and now Creative Producer, I think taking risks is not only necessary for personal and professional growth but can take you places you never expected. I am a huge proponent of risks, as my career path requires A LOT of it. I took a risk graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, I took a risk moving to Atlanta by myself to pursue Shakespeare and the Film Industry and I take risks in every job I accept; the most surprising one being the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Founder of Areu Bros. Studios where I learned about Producing and Development. There really is no way to know the outcome of anything but I am excited for the opportunity to surprise myself.
It’s part of the journey. And that’s what lights me up. The winding path that surprises you and reveals beautiful puzzle pieces you never imagined would fit into your story. I had no idea I would be a Creative Producer, Yoga Instructor or even a Holistic Health Coach. That was definitely not in my 5 year plan. But I am grateful for these paths nonetheless because these experiences make up who I am and I am able to share who I am in my projects and tell stories with every new perspective I gain on my journey.
What should our readers know about your business?
I have many interests and pursue them all in my own way. When I am not acting or working on developing a project I am working on my Holistic Health Coaching business. I started, Healthy Being with Pica, a couple of years ago in hopes to guide and connect with those who just need that little extra support in their health journeys. Health education is a human right and personally, I feel it has not been as big of a priority in the past as it should have been. The Health community is making huge strides now to fill in those gaps with new research and learning opportunities and I feel very fortunate to be apart of the community in a small way.
Healthy Being with Pica is about acknowledging and accepting the whole self. A person’s health is not only reliant on the nutritional value of the food that is eaten but on identifying and actualizing career goals, relationship goals, social goals, joy goals…the list goes on as my client feels is pertinent to them. I became a Certified Integrated Holistic Heath Coach with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition that teaches Bio-individualism, one shoe does not fit all and neither should your health plan. Finding the balance within one’s life is a never ending journey and can seem an overwhelming task. I understand this from first hand experience with major pressure as an actor to “be perfect” and instead found myself obsessing and developing seriously unhealthy habits for myself. Emphasis on MYSELF. As soon as I focused on finding more balance in the other areas of my life I saw a huge shift in my wellbeing. I had more joy, my body decided to work with me and not against me, and I was more present in my values. And I began to love food instead of hate it.
My goals now are to combine my experience, training and other passions to support other’s journeys. I add a dash of yoga and a hint passion for organized goal-setting to support my clients’ needs. Iv’e worked with busy business professionals to gain a new perspective on their health through their environment and more recently I have been helping my fellow actors with advice and guides tailored to them, offering one-on-one sessions and group goal setting to kickstart their journeys.
I am being really honest when I say I truly enjoy helping others stay accountable for their own goals.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would say my favorite spot in the city would be Piedmont Park. Even when my schedule was insanely hectic first moving to Atlanta, I would still make time to run in Piedmont Park. A little slice of peace from Mother Nature in the busy city has been a place of solace for me many times, a place for me to breathe and heal. I share this with all my friends. I would then take them to Fado, a friendly Irish Pub, for the best salad and Grilled Cheese I’ve ever had in my life (yes, I order a grilled cheese at a bar). To end the day, we would go to a play to support the many passionate individuals who see the beauty in connecting to other humans. My personal favorite, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, who take pride in Shakespeare’s text and value educating their audience. Iv’e been apart of their family for a couple years now and can say that it’s a pretty special experience to see their heart for performing these stories on the stage.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my fellow artists who have and are investing in themselves and their craft. This is not just a competitive industry, but an expensive one. Committing to survival jobs to invest that money back into careers that they are passionate about takes incredible discipline and dedication. A starving artist means more than the financial journey that every artist faces but one of exhaustion and lack of creative expression. My hope, is that one day, the hard work and dedication will be one piece of the big picture, and each unique creative will find their way to their creative freedom. I support and respect my fellow peers and am grateful for the support they have given me on my journey…a journey that has a new beginning everyday.
Website: Alexandrapica.com
Talent Agent: STW Talent Agency- stwtalent.com
Instagram: @alexpica @healthybeingwpica
Imdb: imdb.me/AlexandraPica
Image Credits
Jeannie Albers