Show notes
Welcome back to another inspiring episode of The Amberly Lago Show! If you've ever felt like you were made for something more but fear, self-doubt, or life's circumstances have kept you from taking the first step, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Jen Mentesana author, entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host, and founder of the Thrive South Bay community. Jen is passionate about helping women reconnect with their purpose, step into their gifts, and build lives that are rooted in alignment instead of overwhelm. Jen's journey is one of courage, reinvention, and trusting God's timing. Although she spent years investing in personal growth and coaching others, there came a moment when she realized she had been holding herself back from the very dreams that had been placed on her heart. At 52 years old, she made a life-changing decision: if not now, when? That decision led her to launch a podcast, write her bestselling book Guided by Grace, step onto stages, and fully embrace the purpose she'd been carrying inside for years. Together, we talk about what it really means to live in alignment, why taking the first step is often the hardest part, and how resilience is built by staying connected to your "why" instead of your fears. We also dive into entrepreneurship, overcoming depression, finding your zone of genius, protecting your peace, and learning to focus on the work that truly moves your life and business forward. Jen shares practical wisdom on avoiding busy work, embracing the 80/20 rule, creating quiet space to hear God's direction, and trusting the breadcrumbs that lead you toward your calling. This conversation is filled with hope, encouragement, and practical takeaways for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their next chapter. If you've been waiting for permission to pursue the dream that's been on your heart, let this episode be your reminder that you don't have to have the entire path figured out—you simply have to be willing to take the next step. We Discuss • Jen's journey of reinvention and stepping into her purpose later in life • Why taking one small step creates momentum toward your dreams • Finding your "zone of genius" and focusing on what you're naturally gifted to do • How resilience grows by staying connected to your purpose and your "why" • The importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you • Creating quiet time to hear God's direction and reconnect with yourself • The difference between being busy and making meaningful progress • The 80/20 rule for focusing on work that truly moves the needle • Lessons from entrepreneurship, setbacks, and adapting through difficult seasons • Protecting your peace and creating daily non-negotiable habits • How joy can become one of your greatest tools for overcoming discouragement • Why it's never too late to begin living the life you were created for Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Jen Mentesana and her journey of reinvention 03:00 From life coach to stepping fully into her purpose 07:30 Why "If not now, when?" changed everything 12:00 Taking the first step and building momentum toward your dreams 17:00 Finding resilience by staying connected to your "why" 22:00 The importance of having people who believe in you 27:00 Thrive South Bay and creating communities that empower women 31:30 Feeling stuck, staying aligned, and adapting through challenges 37:00 Lessons from entrepreneurship and navigating difficult seasons 43:00 Writing Guided by Grace and following life's breadcrumbs 49:00 Protecting your peace and creating space to hear God's voice 54:00 Busy versus productive: living in your zone of genius 59:00 Overcoming discouragement and choosing joy during difficult seasons To Connect With Jen Mentesana Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jen_mentesana/ Website https://jenmentesana.com/ To Connect With Me Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amberlylagomotivation/ Coaching Program https://go.amberlylago.com/ Website https://amberlylago.com/ My favorite for gut health & wellness https://plexusworldwide.com/?sponsor=Amberlylago My MAKE Wellness link https://meet.makewellness.com/?referral=521698 Joy Through the Journey https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Through-Journey-Amberly-Lago Listen to The Amberly Lago Show https://amberlylagomotivation.com/podcast/ Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
