Meet Denise Alba | Holistic Psychotherapist, Yoga Instructor & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Alba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, how do you think about risk?
If you would have met me even a year before starting the business, you would have observed a safe, yet determined non-entrepreneur. Success to me was having a good-paying, stable job that let me have 2 weeks off to travel. As I looked more at my level of stress and happiness in this “stable, good job,” It was clear that this way of making a living was not for me. I think I just fell into the norm and what I saw around me in my career. When I finally took that risk and leap into entrepreneurship, it was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. It physically made my stomach hurt to think of all the unknowns, and unknowns there were many!! Fast forward to almost three years later, my view of risks has changed dramatically. I now see them as an opportunity for growth and while they still scare me, it is so much easier to listen to my intuition and take the risk. Listening to this intuition has allowed me recently to move Brave to a larger location and be able to serve so many more beautiful souls.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Brave Wellness Studio is the first Mental Health Wellness Studio in San Diego, offering a Holistic Approach to healing. I saw the need for an alternative and integrative approach to mental health, of that came the concept for Brave, where we offer many different approaches such as Holistic Psychotherapy, Yoga, Holistic Massage, Reiki, Wellness Workshops and Retreats.

I am most proud of being able to offer this space to those who are ready to heal, to give them alternative skills to take home with them and grow.

Of course this has not come easy, it’s been the hardest thing I have ever done, and also the most fullfilling thing I have ever done. I am proud of what we offer and know how beneficial this can be to those who are ready to do the work.

The lessons I have learned is to not let fear sit with me too long, to trust that what I have can help so many, and accept the help to execute. I hope that all those who visit can leave feeling empowered to get to know themselves in a different way, learn alternative skills, and live their most authentic life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, we would obviously start with a yoga class at Brave Wellness Studio, followed by a holistic massage, coffee next door at Industrial Grind, and Chocolates to go from Iris Delights. We would then head over to Torrey Pines for a gorgeous walk on the beach and end with a glass of bubbly and vegan dinner In Little Italy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My entire family and close friends are those who deserve so much credit, specifically my Uncle Mike of Long Island Mike’s. Mike always would ask about my career plans as a therapist, noticed my frustrations with the system, and saw the ideas and goals I had. He also noticed my fear and encouraged me through it all. I joke that he pushed me into opening my own business, the truth is that he just offered a different perspective that others around me may not have had due to living in that same “stability” I was in. He lived in that risk perspective that gave me all the advice and tools needed to feel a bit more comfortable with taking that risk. I would have never done it without him.

Website: bravewellnessstudio.com

Instagram: @bravewellnessstudio

Image Credits
Nila B. Photography