When I first decided to create Ina Well Fest, Guam’s first holistic wellness festival, I knew I wanted to create a program that highlighted local practitioners and businesses while offering a fresh and alternative perspective on well-being.

I came across the work of Rosie Acosta through one of my favorite wellness events, Wanderlust. While her story started off as a troubled teen who suffered from depression, anxiety and overeating, Rosie’s titles now include yoga and meditation teacher, host of the top-rated iTunes podcast, “Radically Loved,” and author of “You Are Radically Loved: A Healing Journey to Self-Love.”

When we initially connected, we shared the same passion for making wellness accessible within our communities and empowering people regardless of where they are in their wellness journey.

A few Zoom calls and an in-person meeting later, and Rosie is now on her way from Los Angeles to Guam to share her story with 300+ guests at our first-ever Ina Well Fest.

I sat down with Rosie to hear more about her message for Guam’s health and wellness community.

Q&A

Livia: What drew you to participate as a speaker for Ina Well Fest?

Rosie: Wellness has always been something close to my heart. I grew up in an environment that didn’t have access to healthy food, and therefore caused a lot of chronic illness in our community.

I think that education and access have always been the key to learning what will serve our minds and our bodies. The importance of community and connection is the conduit through which it comes together. I love everything that Ina Well Fest stands for, and I’m so excited to be participating in what I hope will be a yearly event!

Livia: What can attendees expect from your keynote and breakout session at the event?

Rosie: My intention is always to provide insight and give people tools to explore their goals and desires. Oftentimes we get too severely overwhelmed by our current state that it’s much easier to just give up and do nothing.

My keynote will be addressing resilience and our own potential so that we leave feeling a new sense of confidence and sustainability. I want people to leave the event knowing that they can achieve the wellness they want and feel good about where they currently are.

Livia: Many people on Guam struggle with access to healthy food options and overall health & wellness resources. What is your message to them?

Rosie: I get it. I see you and I feel you. Access to healthy food is a major issue, and I think we need to advocate to change this. At the end of the day we need to make the best choices that are accessible.

People sometimes don’t understand what it’s like to not have access to healthy food or even healthy options. I used to get my meals from a 7/11 a block away from school. The choice was between a hot dog and a frosted cinnamon roll. Currently there are few options in Guam, what I would say to everyone is to make sure that these restaurants/stores stay open.

Try to get produce, or food from them so they can thrive and we create a need for more healthier options. We forget the power we have with our dollars, that’s our power. The choices that we make can help create a demand and hopefully filter resources to more of what is needed.

Check out the full article here.

Livia Marati is a women’s holistic health coach and founder of Ina Wellness Collective. You can send her questions and comments at livia@inawellnesscollective.com.