May 30, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode, I sit down with Jenn, the founder of Ascension Mountain, who shares her transformational journey from military structure and athletic setbacks to a life rooted in mindfulness, spiritual growth, and purpose. From tearing her ACL twice in college to walking away from a path that no longer served her, Jenn reveals how pain and reflection led her to her true calling.
💡 What you'll learn in this episode: • How Jenn used mindfulness to overcome adversity and redefine success. • Why yoga and meditation became her healing tools after leaving the military. • How to shift from comparison and competition to authenticity and inner peace. • Jenn’s morning and evening routines that help her stay grounded and energized. • The power of reflection, passion, and listening to your intuition.
Jenn’s story is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges often lead to our greatest clarity. Whether you’re seeking balance, battling burnout, or simply curious about living more intentionally—this episode will inspire you to reconnect with your purpose and live with more presence.
📌 Mentioned in This Episode:
• Ascension Mountain → https://www.ascensionmountain.com/about-3
• Wu Wei → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei
• Tulsi Tea → https://www.amazon.com/Tulsi-Original-18-Tea-Bags/dp/B00134XL58?th=1
👥 Let’s connect! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/michaelcoxen Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michaelcoxen LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcoxen/ Websites: http://www.magenta.realestate / http://www.joinmagenta.realestate / http://www.coxengroup.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) How does your new life look for you?
Because a lot of times we can't help
ourselves when we don't know where we are
headed.
Where are you headed?
Where do you want to be?
And then we go from there.
Welcome to the Mindful Agent, where real estate
success meets health, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Join me, Michael Coxon, top performing agent, and
(00:22):
broker owner of Magenta Real Estate.
Cause I explore the intersection of wellness and
business excellence, helping you thrive in both real
estate and life.
Today's guest is someone who truly embodies the
spirit of conscious living.
Jen Urbaniak is a yoga teacher, meditation guide,
(00:43):
and the visionary behind Ascension Mountain, a transformative
platform that helps people scale their inner peaks
of awakening and purpose.
She's one of those people who just radiates
peace and vitality in every space that she
enters, whether that's on the trail, on the
mat, or in a coaching session.
(01:03):
In our conversation, Jen shares how mindfulness helped
her navigate some dark moments, helped her leave
behind a path that no longer served her,
and helped her step into work that she
was meant to do.
I know a lot of us have struggled
with finding and living out our purpose.
In this episode, Jen and I explore how
(01:25):
intention, presence, and even the quietest inner nudges
can shape our entire life.
Her journey from military discipline and collegiate athletics
to spiritual entrepreneurship is nothing short of inspiring.
So if you've ever felt lost or unsure
about your next step or wondered how to
(01:46):
create a life and business that aligns with
your soul, this episode is for you.
Let's dive in.
Welcome.
Thanks to the mindful agent.
Excited to talk with you today.
You have a great background.
We met each other out on the trail,
trail running and cycling now, coming out more
and more.
So, I always am chasing Jen up a
(02:08):
mountain.
She's a heck of an athlete.
Very humbling.
That's the brand name.
Exactly.
But you've like, you have, you always had
a presence about you out there.
You're the strong, silent type.
Then I realized that you are, you know,
a yoga practitioner, a meditation coach.
I've listened to your meditations on Insight Timer,
(02:29):
and I thought you would be a perfect
guest here in the mindful agent.
So thank you for coming.
And, you know, we're into, we're into mindfulness
here.
So I want to kind of ask you
question number one is, what is mindfulness to
you?
Mindfulness to me is just being present in
every moment and having intention in everything that
I do.
And I think that I discovered this practice
(02:51):
of mindfulness through just being in kind of
dark times where it was like, how can
I make my life better and kind of
rise out of that and see the light
in every situation.
And that comes from like harnessing that little
energy of what the outcome is and everything
(03:12):
that you do.
And so it's like, and it just starts
with basic things like movement and kind of
like what you're eating.
And it's like, and then it goes into
like who you're spending time with.
And so it's just kind of encompassing all
of these things in your life and through
like daily routine, like how can you be
more mindful and present.
(03:34):
And over time, I think you start to
realize that when you are being mindful, you're
conserving your energy and you are like full
of vitality.
And it keeps you doing the things that
you love to do.
And you have the energy to do the
things that you love to do and that
you want to do.
So yeah, that makes a lot of sense
that you're it's almost like a snowball keeps
(03:56):
or vortex keeps building upon itself.
Everything you do, whether it's you're eating, you're
running your work, just you stay in that
high vibration.
Yeah, and I think some of us have
experienced that, even though it's maybe brand new
to the practice.
You know, I think of just moments of
joy and elation you have tried to try
to stay within that entire feeling all the
(04:16):
time.
And you mentioned coming out of a dark
space and I can relate to that.
I think a lot of people find mindfulness
through the darkness.
You mind sharing what that moment was for
you?
Yeah, so I think a lot of times
when we face darkness or kind of dark
times is when we lose connection to our
inner selves and what I call our higher
(04:36):
selves in that kind of divine connection.
It's like anytime that we start to feel
anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, confused or lost in life
is because we have lost connection.
And so being mindful kind of sways you
back and it connects you to where you
are.
And yeah, so I think yeah and who
(04:59):
you are and who is the higher self.
I think our higher self is like the
reason that we are here on earth living
and I think that in order to find
and kind of remember who we are, it
takes this mindful practice.
And so for me kind of when I
(05:19):
was in that darker time and I think
this is with a lot of people is
when we just are lost in our in
our purpose and we're kind of trying to
navigate life and locate what I call our
true north, which is our purpose.
And so for me, I was, I have
a military background and so I was in
(05:41):
the military and it just, it felt very
like kind of closing in for me like
it just, it didn't feel like expansive for
me.
And it was so hard for me to
kind of find myself and really embrace myself.
And that's how I really discovered mindful practice
(06:01):
because I needed something that I could kind
of get through each day and really look
forward to those things each day.
What is it about the military that was
maybe restrictive.
I mean, obviously it's a extremely disciplined told
where to be, what to wear, what to
say.
And that's like why I signed up for
it too, because I what I am a
very like disciplined and like structured person.
(06:24):
So it was really good for me and
like building all of these really strong foundational
skills, but I just felt like it wasn't
like who I was and kind of what
my purpose was.
And so I think that's kind of why
it didn't resonate with me so much.
And yeah, and so that's kind of why
I've created Ascension Mountain because I feel that
(06:47):
it's been really life changing to really find
what my purpose is and to kind of
have that aim and direction and clarity through
this practice of just conscious living and having
a spiritual and mindful practice.
Is that your purpose?
Yeah.
Like it is.
How gives some tips to us that how
(07:09):
does one get started finding their purpose.
I think it becomes one of the first
things I always tell people to do is
just do things that you're passionate about because
or the things that just make you happy
because number one that's going to raise your
energy and your vibration like you talked about.
(07:30):
Oh, you always have this kind of presence
when you're out on the trails.
And it's like, well, that's because I'm doing
really what I love to do.
And I'm in nature and I love nature.
I love exercise and I love community.
So I am just like so happy.
I don't care what's going on in my
day.
Yeah.
You're doing what you want to do.
It's a passion of yours.
How could you be unhappy?
(07:51):
And that might not make other people happy.
Right.
It's like I'm not going to be like.
I try to invite people.
Certain people are in this room back there
out and I'm like, how do you don't
get it?
It's so awesome.
You're like, it's not.
It's not.
It might not be awesome for certain people.
And so I always tell people to just
do things and it could be art.
(08:12):
It could be cooking or writing or reading.
But like whatever you love to do or
spending time with certain people, like do that
first and that really helps just raise your
energy in the first place.
And then then it's like then you start
kind of magnetizing more of this into your
life.
Like it's almost like you're, I actually just
made a little kind of like do these
(08:35):
wisdom chats on how to become a miracle
magnet.
Okay.
And I think, and that was definitely my
advice was to have more fun in your
life and doing things that are fun and
that you're passionate about passion always leads to
purpose.
And so when you're doing things that you're
passionate about, you can find purpose in them.
(08:56):
And so that's like my journey with Ascension
Mountain is like, I felt like I got
to a point where it was like, I
am super passionate about this.
And I really committed to the practice of
self mastery in my spiritual development and yeah,
and just really embodying it and bracing it.
And then it comes to a cycle of
(09:17):
completion where it's like, okay.
I feel like I've completed this.
Now it's time to share this.
And so that's where it comes.
That's where passion led to purpose.
Yeah.
That's beautiful.
And I've learned something recently about follow your
passion is something that advice is given constantly.
And sometimes it's easier said than done.
(09:37):
You know, not all passions can pay the
bills.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be pursuing
them on your own time before work after
work.
But in addition to passion, I've really thought
about following your talents as well.
Like you have these God given talents.
We all have talent and where did it
come from?
(09:58):
I mean, some people are really good at
spreadsheets.
Are they passionate about spreadsheets?
Maybe not.
But if you have a talent that you
should work perhaps in that field, like where
would take where your talents lead you and
you'll find your passions.
I think that's the formula for a happy
life.
Some people don't want, they just want to
pursue the passions and it's not enough.
What talents did God give you and go
(10:19):
share them with the world?
Yeah, absolutely.
See you guys as well.
Yeah.
You have a very calming presence now.
You obviously walk the walk.
And before mindfulness, what was your life like?
Well, I was just having trying to have
as much fun as possible.
(10:41):
Because to me, it was like I did
really have this structured life kind of like
with the military.
And it all started kind of building my
mindfulness practice.
So it was like, how can I incorporate
more things that I love to do each
day so that I can look forward to
each day instead of kind of like looking
(11:03):
forward to weekends when I didn't have to
work.
And so then it became like stop kind
of looking forward to things and just be
really present.
And how can I be more present is
just like really focusing at the task at
hand and like kind of knowing that I
have something to look forward to.
And that's how I really did get into
biking and running and stuff like that too
(11:24):
is because like I was like after work,
I was like, yeah, I'm going to go
rev my mountain bike.
And I would just even like pack like
healthy lunches or something and be like, I
can't wait to eat my lunch.
It was like little things, but it was
just like something that like sparked me like
every, you know, a couple hours.
Yeah.
(11:44):
You started to realize I want more and
more of this.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I find presence to be the answer to
all of life's questions.
Because anytime we're kind of feeling stressed, it's
like we're worrying about the future or what's
happened in the past.
And so presence is the key to happiness.
That's where life is unfolding.
(12:05):
It's so true.
And, you know, I take on a lot
as personally in a lot of different ways.
And when I start thinking about everything I've
got going on is when anxiety sets in,
and then when I just realize I trust
in myself to achieve whatever I need to
achieve in the moment.
It just starts to melt away.
And I've learned that I can do anything
(12:26):
in the moment, but I can't do everything
in the moment.
And I think it's important to like trust
in the process because it's like we have
to remind ourselves that we have done the
work and the work isn't all going to
be done in one day.
It's consistency is key too.
So it's like being patient consistent and then
(12:47):
trusting the process and unfolding.
You remind me of, you know, yoga is
often called a practice.
What does that mean?
We're always practicing life.
I feel like and I think life itself
is a practice.
And I think every day it has the
opportunity to get better and to grow from.
And whether it's through like adversity that we
(13:09):
grow through or just just like anything that
we do, there's a reason for it.
And we always learn something from every interaction
and everything that we do.
Just so I think.
There's no end game.
Yeah.
And that's why we're here.
And like also that's kind of why I've
named my brand Ascension Mountain because it's like
(13:32):
we're all here on this earth together at
the same time because we're all lifting and
we're trying to ascend.
And like I always, I mean, it's like
spiritual awakening and I tagline is helping others
climb their path to higher consciousness because I
truly believe that when we climb that inner
(13:52):
mountain of spiritual awakening, it's like that.
It's always going to be a climb is
basically I actually I pulled out my mom
sent me this picture the other day of
something that I drew when I was like
eight years old.
And it was so funny because it was
how do you define success.
And I like wrote a quote and it
(14:13):
says.
It said something about how the journey is
never over and that I am by no
means finished and I'll always keep going.
And I was like eight and the drawing
was like these like stairs.
And it was this part like stick figure
like hanging on the stairs.
And there was a boulder coming down and
then there was like a rain cloud like
(14:34):
pouring rain and at the top of the
stairs, there was a crown.
And I was like, whoa, that was like
so deep.
Yeah, there's a lot of symbolism in that.
Yeah.
And it's just funny because my well brand
is called Ascension Mountain.
So it's like that's where it's like perfect.
It feels very purposeful for me to like
have this brand of like everyone.
(14:54):
You're just always climbing.
And that's also why I love climbing mountains
because it's like we're going to climb a
mountain and it offers us perspective and we
face challenges and build resiliency.
But then it's like we come back down
knowing that there's always going to be another
mountain to climb.
So life is just this journey that never
(15:16):
ending journey.
Yeah, previous guest Jared was talking about hiking
and he said something I always remember is
like it's the it's the grind to the
top of the mountain.
The hard pain, the hardness of it is
what makes the view so wonderful.
You can take a helicopter and drop you
off the top mountain.
You're going to go, that's a nice view.
But when you earn it with adversity, it
feels so much better at the top.
(15:37):
So true.
And then yeah, but to have that mindset
that, okay, this is the top, but I'm
going to go back down and climb it
again.
You know, it's that I think ties into
what you're talking about.
It's a practice.
There is no summit.
The mountain goes on, you know, and maybe
there is a bigger spiritual summit.
We all get to one day, but it's
definitely a long journey.
(15:57):
How do you so people work with you?
How do you teach them to find their
purpose and how do you help them get
up that mountain.
So I, I provide a lot of content
on my platform, just guided meditations.
And then I have a couple courses and
things like that.
But I always just encourage people to again,
(16:18):
just do what they love.
And then also just have something that you
can return to every day where it's like
that is simple and effective, but something that
you're able to tune into yourself every single
day.
And I like to do this morning and
at nighttime because it's like, then we look
(16:38):
at each day as a cycle.
And it's like each morning we start the
day with like intention and clear energy.
And then at the end of the day,
it's like, do we do what we set
our intentions to do?
And then how can we kind of release
the day and project like, how do I
want to wake up in the morning?
Because before you go to bed, that's what
(16:59):
your brain states into.
So then when you wake up, you're going
to keep and you just keep this rhythm
going.
So I think mornings and evenings are like
very essential and it can just be a
couple minutes.
Like it doesn't have to be a lot.
Like it's just like, and it can be
a quick meditation or it can just be
like a short, write something down or even
just a thought in your head.
(17:20):
And then once we have like those kind
of staples, then it's like each day becomes
a full meditation.
Where it's like, you bring that meditative mindset
through everything that you're doing.
So then I wake up in the morning,
I'll let you my meditation or journaling, whatever
I do.
And then it's then I go for a
run with a group and I'm keeping that
(17:41):
energy.
And then say, keep going throughout the day.
And then at night, I'm like, whoa, like
my energy is all twisted up or something.
And you can kind of look back at
your day and be like, what conversations that
I have, what people didn't interact with.
How did these things impact my day?
But at least self reflection is huge.
And it's like so overlooked and we don't
(18:02):
understand why we're not taught that from day
one.
Right.
And even in my world, like the morning
routine is the big thing in sales and
get ready, start your day on your day,
make your bed, your duty journal, everything's morning,
morning, morning.
But no one's talking about the evening routine.
That's good.
I like that point.
Like we all need to treat our evenings
just the same.
I think as you're speaking in your natural
(18:25):
list.
So I think you'll get what I'm about
to say.
But the seasons, you know, that we live
in on earth apply to our day.
Right.
So like, yeah, your evening, your sleep is
winter.
You wake up in spring, you're planting the
seeds for the day.
Summer there, you're in the middle of the
day.
You're going to act a lot of action
(18:46):
fall.
Now we're reflecting on the day.
What can we have done better in winter?
We go to sleep.
You know, so you just made me think
of my day as four seasons.
Well, you inspired it.
You know, like that's, I got to treat
every part of the day like a season.
So true.
Don't be too active at night.
And make sure in the fall I'm reflecting
and preparing for the next season.
(19:08):
Yeah.
Very cool.
Curious what you think about.
You mentioned schools don't teach these things and
I'm a huge proponent on.
I wish there was more of this taught
in school, health, mindfulness, finance.
But what, what's like a dangerous belief that
society puts into us about success and happiness?
I think a lot of people think success.
It has to be this major, a big
(19:30):
thing.
And we kind of forget to look at
our small wins.
And I think those should be celebrated and
acknowledged too.
And I think we do focus a lot
of times on really like long term goals.
And we, again, we can just have daily
goals because daily goals are super important.
(19:51):
And those stack up over time to create
big goals too as well.
Yeah.
There's a compound effect.
Yeah, I think so.
Yeah.
I mean, you can't get a big win
without a lot of small wins.
That's a good point.
We're all chasing the recognition and the trophy,
the likes, the comments.
Yeah, that too.
And I think another thing that we should
(20:12):
really embrace, especially in schools and things like
that is like one embracing creativity and then
two embracing authenticity.
And authenticity is like also very overlooked because
when we teach authenticity, it's like then we
can really be our true selves and we
(20:33):
can shine our own unique lights.
And it keeps us away from comparing and
competing with others.
And I actually did a talk on this,
like avoiding the three C's, which is comparing
competing and complaining.
And it's like every time that we compare,
we're taking away from what's within.
(20:57):
And when we compete, we're also taking, we're
looking externally and instead of focusing on self
mastery.
And so, and then complaining just drains your
energy.
You know, nobody wants to be around people
who are complaining because when you are not
complaining, like you are projecting a clear energy
(21:18):
and it's more positive.
But when you complain, it's like very negative
and kind of like a de magnifier.
Yeah.
And I think a de magnifier of abundance,
you know, as well when you're basically telling
the universe that you don't have enough.
Yeah.
Complaining about what happened.
I think you're only attracting more of what
you're complaining about.
It's very true.
(21:38):
Yeah.
You've touched a few things that at magenta,
our real estate brokerage, you know, some messages
that we try to get out in the
world amongst our own agents is collaboration over
competition.
Keeping an open forum amongst other agents to
learn from their business, not compete with their
business, having an abundance mindset that there's plenty
(22:00):
of business to go around and I can
learn from you.
And I can share my secrets with you
and we can all do better as opposed
to competing with one another, which is often
a thing in the real estate industry.
Everyone's trying to rank and out rank.
And I always felt that was really a
lack mindset that I got to get more
than you.
I got to get over you.
Why can't we all do it together?
(22:20):
You know, and back to the other thing.
It's on our mugs here, but success starts
within quick.
Ask if you haven't yet hit followers subscribe.
It helps us grow and bring you even
better content.
Now back to the episode.
You know, I think cheers to success starting
within, you know, that these daily successes, like
(22:41):
these daily goals are intrinsic.
Like no one's going to, maybe you'll win
an award.
Like maybe you'll, you'll be the best, you
know, meditation teacher, which is such a funny
thing to even say.
It's so crazy because it's like that too.
And like the yoga world, I feel like
people kind of get jealous of people.
And I'm just like, no, we need this.
(23:02):
Like, and back to what you said, where
it's like where you need to embrace your
talents and your gifts.
And it's like we've all been given these
gifts for a reason.
And we really have to use those and
shine our unique light because every time that
we're shining our unique light, it just creates
this collective environment that is full of harmony,
(23:23):
peace and balance.
Beautiful.
Well said.
Do you believe in God or a higher
purpose or higher entity?
I do.
I am.
I'm not sure exactly what you want to
call it, but definitely like a spiritual power
universe connection, the cosmos.
(23:43):
God, it's all kind of the same thing
in my mind.
It can't be named.
You know, that that which you can name
is not it.
You know, I love the Dow.
Like that which you label the Dow is
not the Dow.
Like you can't, you can't give it a
name.
Obviously people fight over it all the time.
What it's called.
What we're supposed to do.
But yeah, I think I agree with you.
(24:04):
There's obvious.
I think it's very obvious.
There's something something out there and it's a
waste of time to label it.
It doesn't need your label.
It doesn't have a language.
And I'm okay with whatever people connect to
as well because that really does.
If it resonates, like then follow it.
It's like whatever it keeps you kind of
(24:25):
connect, like we just really need connection.
Some sort of connection and know that kind
of we're supported and never alone.
And that all of the people we interact
with, all of the situations.
Like there is some kind of creator that
is putting this in front of us.
I feel it most in nature when we're
out there in the mountains of the desert.
(24:46):
Like I never felt any closer to that
creator, to that overseer than when I'm out
there in the expansiveness.
I feel so connected to everything.
So nature is a huge part of it.
I mean, I think for a lot of
people who maybe frown upon religion or have
had negative experiences religion and want to get
(25:07):
back into it, but not into the institution
that perhaps they grew up in.
Start with a walk alone in nature.
I think that's a great first step.
I mean, you got to have some sort
of connection, I think first and foremost, right,
to a higher purpose, a higher self, as
you mentioned.
So even if you don't believe in an
external force, do you believe in there's the
best version of you that's written for you
that wants you to manifest who you really
(25:29):
are.
Start within, I think.
And then second, you know, you mentioned connection,
community, family, having family and friends that are
true friends that don't want anything from you.
And nothing to gain from you other than
your time and your experience and your love
and your laughter.
Like those are the things I have found
led to the most happy life.
Would you agree?
(25:50):
I actually just did a talk on that
too.
On unconditional love and why that is so
important because it's like also like when you
are giving conditionally, like that can be felt
and it doesn't actually feel good.
It's feels like more of a taking energy
(26:10):
instead of a giving, because it's like when
we are constantly giving and everyone's giving, then
nobody has to take.
We're all just giving.
And there's more and more.
I mean, that's such a visual of the
more we give, the more there is to
be taken or received, better word.
So the more you give, the more there
(26:31):
is in the universe to receive.
Very nice.
So how do you view the connection between
like personal wellbeing and then contributing to the
larger community?
Well, I think that all again just starts
with embracing yourself and then really just doing
that and consistently, like giving yourself that time
(26:53):
and space and energy to continually do the
things that you love and you're passionate about
and just work on really mastering that because
that's really going to be your guidance to
be able to take that and share it
into the world.
Because I don't feel that we'll ever feel
like complete as humans if we don't share.
Like we are all put here together to
(27:14):
help each other.
And it's a reason that you're doing this
podcast.
Like you're here like helping other people like
we are to help other people.
And a lot of times when people say
like what it is they want to do,
you'll always notice that the first thing they
say is they want to help other people
(27:35):
do this.
And that's that's our within our nature is
to help others because again, the more that
we give, the more that we receive.
So we just have to give what we
got.
Yeah, it's true.
A lot of people do leave with that.
Like, what do you want to do?
I want to help blank.
(27:55):
And what what legacy in your field as
a coach and a teacher, do you want
to leave?
I am happy if I help one person
because that a lot of times can be
the most profound.
And I think when you kind of start
with this, like expectation of this, like, I
(28:18):
just want to help.
And if I can totally transform one person
that creates a ripple in itself.
And who knows who this one person is
going to go out and help.
But obviously, I think I meant to help
more than just one person.
Yeah, but I think just as a legacy,
(28:40):
I just, I guess I just hope to
reach as many people that I'm supposed to.
Are you saying that, you know, it's one
person at a time, perhaps, you know, like
this, this conversation that there's one person that
gains from it, then you've done your job.
I feel, I feel that way.
Because I think when we kind of try
(29:00):
to look at it in terms of numbers,
again, it can be kind of limiting because
that's only the mind knows.
So it's like, what if this, what if
this conversation goes out and like a million
people watch it and like everybody gets something
from it.
I don't know, that would be amazing.
But what if I was like, I helped
just, you know, this number, I think when
we put like kind of numbers on it,
(29:20):
it's kind of like almost limiting.
So I think my goal is to just
carry forth everything that I feel called to
do.
And because I feel like that is like
my guidance and direction.
And only time when I'm not going to
kind of reach my highest potential is when
I don't do things because I have doubt
(29:43):
or kind of concern.
And it's like, is this a real, and
I think that comes down to the question,
like, is this a real doubt or concern
or worry, or is this like actually just
me kind of having that fear.
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) How does your new life look for you?
Because a lot of times we can't help
ourselves when we don't know where we are
headed.
Where are you headed?
Where do you want to be?
And then we go from there.
Welcome to the Mindful Agent, where real estate
success meets health, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Join me, Michael Coxon, top performing agent, and
(00:22):
broker owner of Magenta Real Estate.
Cause I explore the intersection of wellness and
business excellence, helping you thrive in both real
estate and life.
Today's guest is someone who truly embodies the
spirit of conscious living.
Jen Urbaniak is a yoga teacher, meditation guide,
(00:43):
and the visionary behind Ascension Mountain, a transformative
platform that helps people scale their inner peaks
of awakening and purpose.
She's one of those people who just radiates
peace and vitality in every space that she
enters, whether that's on the trail, on the
mat, or in a coaching session.
(01:03):
In our conversation, Jen shares how mindfulness helped
her navigate some dark moments, helped her leave
behind a path that no longer served her,
and helped her step into work that she
was meant to do.
I know a lot of us have struggled
with finding and living out our purpose.
In this episode, Jen and I explore how
(01:25):
intention, presence, and even the quietest inner nudges
can shape our entire life.
Her journey from military discipline and collegiate athletics
to spiritual entrepreneurship is nothing short of inspiring.
So if you've ever felt lost or unsure
about your next step or wondered how to
(01:46):
create a life and business that aligns with
your soul, this episode is for you.
Let's dive in.
Welcome.
Thanks to the mindful agent.
Excited to talk with you today.
You have a great background.
We met each other out on the trail,
trail running and cycling now, coming out more
and more.
So, I always am chasing Jen up a
(02:08):
mountain.
She's a heck of an athlete.
Very humbling.
That's the brand name.
Exactly.
But you've like, you have, you always had
a presence about you out there.
You're the strong, silent type.
Then I realized that you are, you know,
a yoga practitioner, a meditation coach.
I've listened to your meditations on Insight Timer,
(02:29):
and I thought you would be a perfect
guest here in the mindful agent.
So thank you for coming.
And, you know, we're into, we're into mindfulness
here.
So I want to kind of ask you
question number one is, what is mindfulness to
you?
Mindfulness to me is just being present in
every moment and having intention in everything that
I do.
And I think that I discovered this practice
(02:51):
of mindfulness through just being in kind of
dark times where it was like, how can
I make my life better and kind of
rise out of that and see the light
in every situation.
And that comes from like harnessing that little
energy of what the outcome is and everything
(03:12):
that you do.
And so it's like, and it just starts
with basic things like movement and kind of
like what you're eating.
And it's like, and then it goes into
like who you're spending time with.
And so it's just kind of encompassing all
of these things in your life and through
like daily routine, like how can you be
more mindful and present.
(03:34):
And over time, I think you start to
realize that when you are being mindful, you're
conserving your energy and you are like full
of vitality.
And it keeps you doing the things that
you love to do.
And you have the energy to do the
things that you love to do and that
you want to do.
So yeah, that makes a lot of sense
that you're it's almost like a snowball keeps
(03:56):
or vortex keeps building upon itself.
Everything you do, whether it's you're eating, you're
running your work, just you stay in that
high vibration.
Yeah, and I think some of us have
experienced that, even though it's maybe brand new
to the practice.
You know, I think of just moments of
joy and elation you have tried to try
to stay within that entire feeling all the
(04:16):
time.
And you mentioned coming out of a dark
space and I can relate to that.
I think a lot of people find mindfulness
through the darkness.
You mind sharing what that moment was for
you?
Yeah, so I think a lot of times
when we face darkness or kind of dark
times is when we lose connection to our
inner selves and what I call our higher
(04:36):
selves in that kind of divine connection.
It's like anytime that we start to feel
anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, confused or lost in life
is because we have lost connection.
And so being mindful kind of sways you
back and it connects you to where you
are.
And yeah, so I think yeah and who
(04:59):
you are and who is the higher self.
I think our higher self is like the
reason that we are here on earth living
and I think that in order to find
and kind of remember who we are, it
takes this mindful practice.
And so for me kind of when I
(05:19):
was in that darker time and I think
this is with a lot of people is
when we just are lost in our in
our purpose and we're kind of trying to
navigate life and locate what I call our
true north, which is our purpose.
And so for me, I was, I have
a military background and so I was in
(05:41):
the military and it just, it felt very
like kind of closing in for me like
it just, it didn't feel like expansive for
me.
And it was so hard for me to
kind of find myself and really embrace myself.
And that's how I really discovered mindful practice
(06:01):
because I needed something that I could kind
of get through each day and really look
forward to those things each day.
What is it about the military that was
maybe restrictive.
I mean, obviously it's a extremely disciplined told
where to be, what to wear, what to
say.
And that's like why I signed up for
it too, because I what I am a
very like disciplined and like structured person.
(06:24):
So it was really good for me and
like building all of these really strong foundational
skills, but I just felt like it wasn't
like who I was and kind of what
my purpose was.
And so I think that's kind of why
it didn't resonate with me so much.
And yeah, and so that's kind of why
I've created Ascension Mountain because I feel that
(06:47):
it's been really life changing to really find
what my purpose is and to kind of
have that aim and direction and clarity through
this practice of just conscious living and having
a spiritual and mindful practice.
Is that your purpose?
Yeah.
Like it is.
How gives some tips to us that how
(07:09):
does one get started finding their purpose.
I think it becomes one of the first
things I always tell people to do is
just do things that you're passionate about because
or the things that just make you happy
because number one that's going to raise your
energy and your vibration like you talked about.
(07:30):
Oh, you always have this kind of presence
when you're out on the trails.
And it's like, well, that's because I'm doing
really what I love to do.
And I'm in nature and I love nature.
I love exercise and I love community.
So I am just like so happy.
I don't care what's going on in my
day.
Yeah.
You're doing what you want to do.
It's a passion of yours.
How could you be unhappy?
(07:51):
And that might not make other people happy.
Right.
It's like I'm not going to be like.
I try to invite people.
Certain people are in this room back there
out and I'm like, how do you don't
get it?
It's so awesome.
You're like, it's not.
It's not.
It might not be awesome for certain people.
And so I always tell people to just
do things and it could be art.
(08:12):
It could be cooking or writing or reading.
But like whatever you love to do or
spending time with certain people, like do that
first and that really helps just raise your
energy in the first place.
And then then it's like then you start
kind of magnetizing more of this into your
life.
Like it's almost like you're, I actually just
made a little kind of like do these
(08:35):
wisdom chats on how to become a miracle
magnet.
Okay.
And I think, and that was definitely my
advice was to have more fun in your
life and doing things that are fun and
that you're passionate about passion always leads to
purpose.
And so when you're doing things that you're
passionate about, you can find purpose in them.
(08:56):
And so that's like my journey with Ascension
Mountain is like, I felt like I got
to a point where it was like, I
am super passionate about this.
And I really committed to the practice of
self mastery in my spiritual development and yeah,
and just really embodying it and bracing it.
And then it comes to a cycle of
(09:17):
completion where it's like, okay.
I feel like I've completed this.
Now it's time to share this.
And so that's where it comes.
That's where passion led to purpose.
Yeah.
That's beautiful.
And I've learned something recently about follow your
passion is something that advice is given constantly.
And sometimes it's easier said than done.
(09:37):
You know, not all passions can pay the
bills.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be pursuing
them on your own time before work after
work.
But in addition to passion, I've really thought
about following your talents as well.
Like you have these God given talents.
We all have talent and where did it
come from?
(09:58):
I mean, some people are really good at
spreadsheets.
Are they passionate about spreadsheets?
Maybe not.
But if you have a talent that you
should work perhaps in that field, like where
would take where your talents lead you and
you'll find your passions.
I think that's the formula for a happy
life.
Some people don't want, they just want to
pursue the passions and it's not enough.
What talents did God give you and go
(10:19):
share them with the world?
Yeah, absolutely.
See you guys as well.
Yeah.
You have a very calming presence now.
You obviously walk the walk.
And before mindfulness, what was your life like?
Well, I was just having trying to have
as much fun as possible.
(10:41):
Because to me, it was like I did
really have this structured life kind of like
with the military.
And it all started kind of building my
mindfulness practice.
So it was like, how can I incorporate
more things that I love to do each
day so that I can look forward to
each day instead of kind of like looking
(11:03):
forward to weekends when I didn't have to
work.
And so then it became like stop kind
of looking forward to things and just be
really present.
And how can I be more present is
just like really focusing at the task at
hand and like kind of knowing that I
have something to look forward to.
And that's how I really did get into
biking and running and stuff like that too
(11:24):
is because like I was like after work,
I was like, yeah, I'm going to go
rev my mountain bike.
And I would just even like pack like
healthy lunches or something and be like, I
can't wait to eat my lunch.
It was like little things, but it was
just like something that like sparked me like
every, you know, a couple hours.
Yeah.
(11:44):
You started to realize I want more and
more of this.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I find presence to be the answer to
all of life's questions.
Because anytime we're kind of feeling stressed, it's
like we're worrying about the future or what's
happened in the past.
And so presence is the key to happiness.
That's where life is unfolding.
(12:05):
It's so true.
And, you know, I take on a lot
as personally in a lot of different ways.
And when I start thinking about everything I've
got going on is when anxiety sets in,
and then when I just realize I trust
in myself to achieve whatever I need to
achieve in the moment.
It just starts to melt away.
And I've learned that I can do anything
(12:26):
in the moment, but I can't do everything
in the moment.
And I think it's important to like trust
in the process because it's like we have
to remind ourselves that we have done the
work and the work isn't all going to
be done in one day.
It's consistency is key too.
So it's like being patient consistent and then
(12:47):
trusting the process and unfolding.
You remind me of, you know, yoga is
often called a practice.
What does that mean?
We're always practicing life.
I feel like and I think life itself
is a practice.
And I think every day it has the
opportunity to get better and to grow from.
And whether it's through like adversity that we
(13:09):
grow through or just just like anything that
we do, there's a reason for it.
And we always learn something from every interaction
and everything that we do.
Just so I think.
There's no end game.
Yeah.
And that's why we're here.
And like also that's kind of why I've
named my brand Ascension Mountain because it's like
(13:32):
we're all here on this earth together at
the same time because we're all lifting and
we're trying to ascend.
And like I always, I mean, it's like
spiritual awakening and I tagline is helping others
climb their path to higher consciousness because I
truly believe that when we climb that inner
(13:52):
mountain of spiritual awakening, it's like that.
It's always going to be a climb is
basically I actually I pulled out my mom
sent me this picture the other day of
something that I drew when I was like
eight years old.
And it was so funny because it was
how do you define success.
And I like wrote a quote and it
(14:13):
says.
It said something about how the journey is
never over and that I am by no
means finished and I'll always keep going.
And I was like eight and the drawing
was like these like stairs.
And it was this part like stick figure
like hanging on the stairs.
And there was a boulder coming down and
then there was like a rain cloud like
(14:34):
pouring rain and at the top of the
stairs, there was a crown.
And I was like, whoa, that was like
so deep.
Yeah, there's a lot of symbolism in that.
Yeah.
And it's just funny because my well brand
is called Ascension Mountain.
So it's like that's where it's like perfect.
It feels very purposeful for me to like
have this brand of like everyone.
(14:54):
You're just always climbing.
And that's also why I love climbing mountains
because it's like we're going to climb a
mountain and it offers us perspective and we
face challenges and build resiliency.
But then it's like we come back down
knowing that there's always going to be another
mountain to climb.
So life is just this journey that never
(15:16):
ending journey.
Yeah, previous guest Jared was talking about hiking
and he said something I always remember is
like it's the it's the grind to the
top of the mountain.
The hard pain, the hardness of it is
what makes the view so wonderful.
You can take a helicopter and drop you
off the top mountain.
You're going to go, that's a nice view.
But when you earn it with adversity, it
feels so much better at the top.
(15:37):
So true.
And then yeah, but to have that mindset
that, okay, this is the top, but I'm
going to go back down and climb it
again.
You know, it's that I think ties into
what you're talking about.
It's a practice.
There is no summit.
The mountain goes on, you know, and maybe
there is a bigger spiritual summit.
We all get to one day, but it's
definitely a long journey.
(15:57):
How do you so people work with you?
How do you teach them to find their
purpose and how do you help them get
up that mountain.
So I, I provide a lot of content
on my platform, just guided meditations.
And then I have a couple courses and
things like that.
But I always just encourage people to again,
(16:18):
just do what they love.
And then also just have something that you
can return to every day where it's like
that is simple and effective, but something that
you're able to tune into yourself every single
day.
And I like to do this morning and
at nighttime because it's like, then we look
(16:38):
at each day as a cycle.
And it's like each morning we start the
day with like intention and clear energy.
And then at the end of the day,
it's like, do we do what we set
our intentions to do?
And then how can we kind of release
the day and project like, how do I
want to wake up in the morning?
Because before you go to bed, that's what
(16:59):
your brain states into.
So then when you wake up, you're going
to keep and you just keep this rhythm
going.
So I think mornings and evenings are like
very essential and it can just be a
couple minutes.
Like it doesn't have to be a lot.
Like it's just like, and it can be
a quick meditation or it can just be
like a short, write something down or even
just a thought in your head.
(17:20):
And then once we have like those kind
of staples, then it's like each day becomes
a full meditation.
Where it's like, you bring that meditative mindset
through everything that you're doing.
So then I wake up in the morning,
I'll let you my meditation or journaling, whatever
I do.
And then it's then I go for a
run with a group and I'm keeping that
(17:41):
energy.
And then say, keep going throughout the day.
And then at night, I'm like, whoa, like
my energy is all twisted up or something.
And you can kind of look back at
your day and be like, what conversations that
I have, what people didn't interact with.
How did these things impact my day?
But at least self reflection is huge.
And it's like so overlooked and we don't
(18:02):
understand why we're not taught that from day
one.
Right.
And even in my world, like the morning
routine is the big thing in sales and
get ready, start your day on your day,
make your bed, your duty journal, everything's morning,
morning, morning.
But no one's talking about the evening routine.
That's good.
I like that point.
Like we all need to treat our evenings
just the same.
I think as you're speaking in your natural
(18:25):
list.
So I think you'll get what I'm about
to say.
But the seasons, you know, that we live
in on earth apply to our day.
Right.
So like, yeah, your evening, your sleep is
winter.
You wake up in spring, you're planting the
seeds for the day.
Summer there, you're in the middle of the
day.
You're going to act a lot of action
(18:46):
fall.
Now we're reflecting on the day.
What can we have done better in winter?
We go to sleep.
You know, so you just made me think
of my day as four seasons.
Well, you inspired it.
You know, like that's, I got to treat
every part of the day like a season.
So true.
Don't be too active at night.
And make sure in the fall I'm reflecting
and preparing for the next season.
(19:08):
Yeah.
Very cool.
Curious what you think about.
You mentioned schools don't teach these things and
I'm a huge proponent on.
I wish there was more of this taught
in school, health, mindfulness, finance.
But what, what's like a dangerous belief that
society puts into us about success and happiness?
I think a lot of people think success.
It has to be this major, a big
(19:30):
thing.
And we kind of forget to look at
our small wins.
And I think those should be celebrated and
acknowledged too.
And I think we do focus a lot
of times on really like long term goals.
And we, again, we can just have daily
goals because daily goals are super important.
(19:51):
And those stack up over time to create
big goals too as well.
Yeah.
There's a compound effect.
Yeah, I think so.
Yeah.
I mean, you can't get a big win
without a lot of small wins.
That's a good point.
We're all chasing the recognition and the trophy,
the likes, the comments.
Yeah, that too.
And I think another thing that we should
(20:12):
really embrace, especially in schools and things like
that is like one embracing creativity and then
two embracing authenticity.
And authenticity is like also very overlooked because
when we teach authenticity, it's like then we
can really be our true selves and we
(20:33):
can shine our own unique lights.
And it keeps us away from comparing and
competing with others.
And I actually did a talk on this,
like avoiding the three C's, which is comparing
competing and complaining.
And it's like every time that we compare,
we're taking away from what's within.
(20:57):
And when we compete, we're also taking, we're
looking externally and instead of focusing on self
mastery.
And so, and then complaining just drains your
energy.
You know, nobody wants to be around people
who are complaining because when you are not
complaining, like you are projecting a clear energy
(21:18):
and it's more positive.
But when you complain, it's like very negative
and kind of like a de magnifier.
Yeah.
And I think a de magnifier of abundance,
you know, as well when you're basically telling
the universe that you don't have enough.
Yeah.
Complaining about what happened.
I think you're only attracting more of what
you're complaining about.
It's very true.
(21:38):
Yeah.
You've touched a few things that at magenta,
our real estate brokerage, you know, some messages
that we try to get out in the
world amongst our own agents is collaboration over
competition.
Keeping an open forum amongst other agents to
learn from their business, not compete with their
business, having an abundance mindset that there's plenty
(22:00):
of business to go around and I can
learn from you.
And I can share my secrets with you
and we can all do better as opposed
to competing with one another, which is often
a thing in the real estate industry.
Everyone's trying to rank and out rank.
And I always felt that was really a
lack mindset that I got to get more
than you.
I got to get over you.
Why can't we all do it together?
(22:20):
You know, and back to the other thing.
It's on our mugs here, but success starts
within quick.
Ask if you haven't yet hit followers subscribe.
It helps us grow and bring you even
better content.
Now back to the episode.
You know, I think cheers to success starting
within, you know, that these daily successes, like
(22:41):
these daily goals are intrinsic.
Like no one's going to, maybe you'll win
an award.
Like maybe you'll, you'll be the best, you
know, meditation teacher, which is such a funny
thing to even say.
It's so crazy because it's like that too.
And like the yoga world, I feel like
people kind of get jealous of people.
And I'm just like, no, we need this.
(23:02):
Like, and back to what you said, where
it's like where you need to embrace your
talents and your gifts.
And it's like we've all been given these
gifts for a reason.
And we really have to use those and
shine our unique light because every time that
we're shining our unique light, it just creates
this collective environment that is full of harmony,
(23:23):
peace and balance.
Beautiful.
Well said.
Do you believe in God or a higher
purpose or higher entity?
I do.
I am.
I'm not sure exactly what you want to
call it, but definitely like a spiritual power
universe connection, the cosmos.
(23:43):
God, it's all kind of the same thing
in my mind.
It can't be named.
You know, that that which you can name
is not it.
You know, I love the Dow.
Like that which you label the Dow is
not the Dow.
Like you can't, you can't give it a
name.
Obviously people fight over it all the time.
What it's called.
What we're supposed to do.
But yeah, I think I agree with you.
(24:04):
There's obvious.
I think it's very obvious.
There's something something out there and it's a
waste of time to label it.
It doesn't need your label.
It doesn't have a language.
And I'm okay with whatever people connect to
as well because that really does.
If it resonates, like then follow it.
It's like whatever it keeps you kind of
(24:25):
connect, like we just really need connection.
Some sort of connection and know that kind
of we're supported and never alone.
And that all of the people we interact
with, all of the situations.
Like there is some kind of creator that
is putting this in front of us.
I feel it most in nature when we're
out there in the mountains of the desert.
(24:46):
Like I never felt any closer to that
creator, to that overseer than when I'm out
there in the expansiveness.
I feel so connected to everything.
So nature is a huge part of it.
I mean, I think for a lot of
people who maybe frown upon religion or have
had negative experiences religion and want to get
(25:07):
back into it, but not into the institution
that perhaps they grew up in.
Start with a walk alone in nature.
I think that's a great first step.
I mean, you got to have some sort
of connection, I think first and foremost, right,
to a higher purpose, a higher self, as
you mentioned.
So even if you don't believe in an
external force, do you believe in there's the
best version of you that's written for you
that wants you to manifest who you really
(25:29):
are.
Start within, I think.
And then second, you know, you mentioned connection,
community, family, having family and friends that are
true friends that don't want anything from you.
And nothing to gain from you other than
your time and your experience and your love
and your laughter.
Like those are the things I have found
led to the most happy life.
Would you agree?
(25:50):
I actually just did a talk on that
too.
On unconditional love and why that is so
important because it's like also like when you
are giving conditionally, like that can be felt
and it doesn't actually feel good.
It's feels like more of a taking energy
(26:10):
instead of a giving, because it's like when
we are constantly giving and everyone's giving, then
nobody has to take.
We're all just giving.
And there's more and more.
I mean, that's such a visual of the
more we give, the more there is to
be taken or received, better word.
So the more you give, the more there
(26:31):
is in the universe to receive.
Very nice.
So how do you view the connection between
like personal wellbeing and then contributing to the
larger community?
Well, I think that all again just starts
with embracing yourself and then really just doing
that and consistently, like giving yourself that time
(26:53):
and space and energy to continually do the
things that you love and you're passionate about
and just work on really mastering that because
that's really going to be your guidance to
be able to take that and share it
into the world.
Because I don't feel that we'll ever feel
like complete as humans if we don't share.
Like we are all put here together to
(27:14):
help each other.
And it's a reason that you're doing this
podcast.
Like you're here like helping other people like
we are to help other people.
And a lot of times when people say
like what it is they want to do,
you'll always notice that the first thing they
say is they want to help other people
(27:35):
do this.
And that's that's our within our nature is
to help others because again, the more that
we give, the more that we receive.
So we just have to give what we
got.
Yeah, it's true.
A lot of people do leave with that.
Like, what do you want to do?
I want to help blank.
(27:55):
And what what legacy in your field as
a coach and a teacher, do you want
to leave?
I am happy if I help one person
because that a lot of times can be
the most profound.
And I think when you kind of start
with this, like expectation of this, like, I
(28:18):
just want to help.
And if I can totally transform one person
that creates a ripple in itself.
And who knows who this one person is
going to go out and help.
But obviously, I think I meant to help
more than just one person.
Yeah, but I think just as a legacy,
(28:40):
I just, I guess I just hope to
reach as many people that I'm supposed to.
Are you saying that, you know, it's one
person at a time, perhaps, you know, like
this, this conversation that there's one person that
gains from it, then you've done your job.
I feel, I feel that way.
Because I think when we kind of try
(29:00):
to look at it in terms of numbers,
again, it can be kind of limiting because
that's only the mind knows.
So it's like, what if this, what if
this conversation goes out and like a million
people watch it and like everybody gets something
from it.
I don't know, that would be amazing.
But what if I was like, I helped
just, you know, this number, I think when
we put like kind of numbers on it,
(29:20):
it's kind of like almost limiting.
So I think my goal is to just
carry forth everything that I feel called to
do.
And because I feel like that is like
my guidance and direction.
And only time when I'm not going to
kind of reach my highest potential is when
I don't do things because I have doubt
(29:43):
or kind of concern.
And it's like, is this a real, and
I think that comes down to the question,
like, is this a real doubt or concern
or worry, or is this like actually just
me kind of having that fear.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.