Meet Paula Jane Newman | Comic and Wellness Founder of Rise Up Comedy and Aware Meditation a 501c3

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Jane Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula Jane, how has your work-life balance changed over time?Great question! My work-life balance shifts according to how busy I am, the stress within society and predominantly my mental outlook or consciousness. As my wisdom has grown I naturally have more balance. Knowing oneself on deeper levels is the ultimate solution. The divide between behavior because a culture expects individuals to adhere to and the individual’s truth is where the work-life balance lies.  I love to work but any financial only orientated job has a limited lifespan as it pulls on my mental health. It is imperative that it have a creative purpose or one that I can become creative. Physical boundaries prevent me from behaving in work cultures that in my 20’s were not a problem. The result was an inner journey to discover my own truth and trust I am supported.

As an entrepreneur, I find it very important for me to stick to my own regimen. Walking and being in nature helps me relax and Aware Meditation Inc.’s platinum course of meditation is a steadfast twice a day practice.  Laughter is a huge part of my life and grounds me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
That’s a lot of questions for one paragraph or so, but I’ll do my best to be succinct. I had always wanted to be in the arts and direct or act even as a child which stuck out because I did not grow up in an environment where drama was even a class in my school. I felt that I really needed to get out of my small country town and that gave me the fuel to eventually move to America. I loved growing up by the forest and near the seaside, however, I had challenges with school and always felt like an oddball. I felt like the outlook in life was repressive and I had to edit who I was and not express myself fully. When I would say I was going to move to America and pursue acting, I was often ostracized for being considered a bragger, or a loudmouth. That was not the spirit behind my expression. I loved the concept of being in an environment of exploration and innovation. The idea of doing something out of the box and having confidence behind it was not looked upon from a positive point of you. It was considered brash and too bold, especially for a woman. Therefore, it was important that when my intuition was to move to America that I take that action as young as possible.

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?
Comedy shows for sure – the Improv, 3ES Comedy Club in Colorado Springs (I’ve performed there many times) Rocky Mountains hiking trails – see the beauty of Colorado
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Garden of the Gods is breathtaking and very spiritual
Convergence Station – has super cool art – like being high without the drugs
Dairy Block has a myriad of restaurants for all types of foodies.
Aquarium – I find gosh very relaxing.
Take a pick at the Big Blue Bear – cuz why not eh?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lee Miller whom has passed produced the Jerry Lewis telethon on CBS over Labor Day. He told me upon graduating Drama School that I should go into comedy. Although I had two false starts, it was this initial recommendation from a producer of a telethon for a famous comic made me take note. Dedication to my meditation teacher Maweiyah Claiborne, who has also passed. She was an advocate for underrepresented groups learning the techniques.  I didn’t know exactly how much she was behind this cause, until I had created my nonprofit and was researching her. It is as if I am picking up the baton from where she had left off without even realizing it. It’s very clear that she was meant to be my teacher.

Website: Www.paulajanenewman.com

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Image Credits
Ashley Ware for image standing with black background with white shoes