Jen Matthews

This week’s process interview is with Jen Matthews.  Jen is a doctor at Oakland Children’s Hospital.  Passionate about helping her patients, Jen partnered local food justice advocates to help grow Phat Beets Produce – a collective committed to creating a healthier, more equitable food system in North Oakland.  When not in the clinic, market or the garden, Jen can also be found hiking or playing music with her husband Zac.   And without further a due…our interview!

In your daily/weekly life, what do you do to learn about yourself?

Talk things over with friends. Do yoga.

How do you connect, interact and communicate with your community to get feedback and seek value or meaningfulness?

Share food/meals. Cook together. Exercise with folks – hike, ride bikes, go to yoga. Play music. (A lot of interaction over the computer, but I don’t place too much value on this as meaningful, just the way things work now).

What activities do you do that help center you, clarify your mind, assist your flow, or get you to that flow state that assist your ability to be introspective and communicate well?

Sleep. Yoga. Running. Play music.

Are there other tools you use in your daily/weekly life to have a more resilient, sustainable self?

Rely heavily on friends, colleagues, and family to discuss things/process.

What are you passionate about? What lights you up or gets you excited? What makes you get up in the morning?

Passionate about my family, friends, my patients.  Passionate about making the world a better place.  Passionate about food.  Passionate about skiing-being outdoors in the mountains and endorphins flowing!  Excited about playing music, eating good food and drinking good wine with friends, trying new adventures, skiing on a powder day.  What makes me get up in the morning?  My patients, my loving husband, my family (my nephews).

How did you come to know what you are passionate about? What was your initial spark of inspiration?

Feel like it has always kind of been in there, and then had enough experiences and encouraging folks to reinforce and develop the spark. The journey to this place in my life has not been straight forward, but I feel lucky and blessed to have the opportunities that I have.

Are there people who inspired, guided or coached you? If so, who & how? Can you give an example?

Yes!  My parents – just good people, that care about others, taught me by example to care for other people.  Some physician mentors – go above and beyond for patients and showed me how to care for people.  Friendsfolks – who are so passionate about what they do.  Patients – so many of my kids face overwhelming challenges and keep on going.

Who in your field of interest is doing what you want to do? What question would you ask them?

Not sure.

How do you feel about collaboration?

Only way to survive.

How are you are pursuing your passion(s)? What obstacles & challenges have you encountered? What aha & success moments have you have?

Through the garden work with the teens.  My other passion is to work outside more with medical work – going to start taking some classes in wilderness medicine – I have been talking about it for so long, and finally realized, I just need to sign up.  Obstacles and challenges – not enough time, not enough money.  Aha/success moments – the look on the kids faces at the end of the day

What do you do in your spare time?

Sleep. Play music. Cook. Exercise/play outside.

What advice would you offer someone seeking & exploring his or her passions?

Keep going. Don’t listen to the negative voices in your head and other people. Connect with folks that support you and your passion. Work your butt off.

Thanks Jen!!

Stay tuned for the next episode of ‘Exploring Resilience: A Look into Self-Practice & Process!’

Until then, dare to wear your soul on the outside.  Live your legacy.  Unfold your own mythos.