This is something that was huge in our family and it was a big shock, and it was a big shock for Jessica. Obviously you first handle like what it did to me, like the damage and the healing that I had to go through. You know, a lot of people are also asking me if I knew about this whole thing, And I'll be honest with you, guys. I mean, I'm want to be very transparent and yeah I did. I did know. I want to talk to you about
your fitness journey. I still have my little moments. I'm just like trying to maintain my body and really just take care of myself and make sure that my money is a wasted Hello everyone, and welcome to Cheeks and Chill. If this is your first time tuning in, my name is Cheek Ease. I'm a singer, songwriter, author and entrepreneur. But on this podcast, I'm speaking to you as a woman.
This is a space where I can be really honest and vulnerable with you about topics I've never really opened up about before and I'm really happy you're here, so thank you for joining me. On today's episode, We're going to be speaking with one of my favorite people in the entire world, my sister Jennica. So, without further ado, let's get into today's episode. This is Checks and Chill. So I have my sister JENNICKI here with me today and we're going to be talking about a few topics
she's opened up about on her new podcast. It's called Overcomfort. Welcome Jenny, welcome back, Actually, thank you, thank you, loving here. I call her Jenny, I call her Penny, I call her so many different things. Um, but yes, you have been on here a few times. Are you really do you really like being on Chickens and Chill Jenna, be honest, Yeah, it's all It's nice. It's chill. It's chill. She said,
that makes you happy. People love to hear from you, and now that you have a podcast, like I'm loving it, Jennica. You're getting a lot of love and support. I think it's freaking awesome. You told me when you started your podcast that you wanted to do it for like, to for self heal and to help other people. Is this
this correct? Can we elaborate a little bit on this? Yes, I definitely want to just bring some type of like awareness, awareness to just topics that I guess can be taboo or that are really just not talked about, especially like my generation, people that like my age, that are struggling and just never really talked about or just have anyone
to connect with. And I feel like that's why you know, we are We have the position that we are in like our family, and you know, we have the influence to be able to help people, and I just ultimately want to do that and guide people. I mean, my life is perfect, but I still want to be able to just give advice on how I've overcame certain things.
And I think that's freaking amazing coming from a young lady that was so shy and wanted to hide from the cameras and stuff like that, and just to see you come into your own and really just own that and now doing this, and I think a lot of people. I get so many messages that they love your podcast, that you've really helped them, and that just makes me very proud as a sister slash mom, you know. And and your first episode, Jennica was was I mean a bombshell.
It so for those of you that are listening and haven't heard Jennica's podcast, Overcomforts her first episode and in her first episode, she's telling everyone that when she was twenty three, she found out that the father that she thought was her father for all of her life wasn't. So there's a biological sperm donor that she has, and then she has the dad, Juan Lopez, who basically raised her, and I think that's what she considers her dad without
any disrespect to her biological father. So, um, this is something that was huge in our family and it was a big shock, and it was a big shock for Jessica. Why did you feel that it was important for you to to start this journey with with that topic. Well, like I mentioned in the podcast, I felt like, you know, it gave me the space to be open. I want to be able to be as open and vulnerable with people as possible, like and for guests to come and
feel welcome to feel the same way. Like obviously you first handle like what it did to me, like the damage and the healing that I had to go through when I had that experience. So I just felt like,
you know what, I'm just gonna release it. And it was at the end of the year when I filmed that, when I recorded that episode, I was just like, you know what, I'm gonna leave it in two, like it's just time to just let it go, like stop holding this secret or burden on me, and then I could just like start fresh, right, Yeah, because it was something I mean, this is something we talked about, like about
on your podcast. I was a guest on your podcast, and you know, I almost lost my little sister, you guys, because of it wasn't just this situation that she had was keeping in for like a year and a half, but other things were happening, but I almost I almost lost her, and it was very scary for me. So I'm very grateful for your podcast over Comfort, because this is a wave even holding yourself accountable, you know what I mean, because now you're a voice for other people,
you know what I mean. And this was a very heavy topic. And I saw, you know, we want I Want on a live the other day, you guys. Um I think I don't know, like a couple of weeks ago, and I just went on there and I was just being, you know, act in the full because I had seen some stuff that really pissed me off. Someone that's ridiculous, and was commenting on Jennica's podcast and what she spoke about and thought that she shouldn't that she shouldn't talk
about this because my mom is not here to defend herself. Anyways, I really just really really made me upset. You know a lot of people are also asking me if I you about this whole thing, and I'll be honest with you, guys. I mean, I'm one to be very transparent, and yeah, I did. I did know for a long time. I had heard things here and there. I had had some conversations with my mom that I don't really want to get into right now or or get into detail, but my mom did kind of open it up to me.
And I know my mother would have told Jennica when the time was right. But you guys have to remember that Jennica was fifteen when my mom passed, and she was too young. I think I think if my mom would have been here now, she would have been right there with Jennica on her podcast talking to everyone about it.
Because my mom was went to face her. I don't want to say mistakes, because I don't feel that it was a mistake, but like she was, she the one to face what's the good word for it, true exactly the facts and anyways, I mean I It wasn't necessarily a secret. It wasn't like something I was planning on keeping from Jenica. But if she ever asked me, if it ever came up the way it did, then I said I was going to be honest. I'm not gonna lie to her. And that's how it happened. I mean,
what respond did you get? Like on the comments, Surprisingly, it's a lot normal than I thought it would be, and like people didn't feel alone, but like little do they know, Like I didn't feel alone anymore where. It's like, you know it's been happening. It's like, oh wow, like it's normal. Apparently happens a lot. It happens a lot.
It happens a lot, and which is okay. People you know, have their moments and things happen, and you know, I'm really grateful I did get, you know, all the bad comments. But it's kind of like at the I knew it was coming. I knew at the end of day that it was coming and what they were going to say, and it's like already prepared myself. It wasn't like it hurt me this this and that. It's like it is what it is like and at the end of the day,
it's my truth and and what I feel. And as long as I got your guys support and your support, like, it felt fine for me. Yeah, because your siblings, all
of us definitely supported. Yeah for sure. What do you feel about your mother's extended family or the extended family, because I did see your mother's mother some things that she said, and I you know what, and I some people might talk shit and say, oh my gosh, like how disrespectful, but she really, like she calls us Jenny's kids, So why can't she be Jenny's mother, my mother's mother. So what do you feel about that? You know? Um, I think that's just been so disconnected from that side
that it's just it really doesn't phaze me anymore. And like, respectfully, it's an older generation, and you know, they don't know a lot of things that mom did that we know or things that you know she went through, and it's for us, it's different and it's not gonna get to me because at the end of the day, like they didn't go through it, I did, exactly. I'm very proud of you for that, I mean, and for those of you that may not know, and I'm not trying to
bring shut up. But it is something that to me a little bit, but she was just I guess they asked her my mother's mother. They asked her in an interview, what do you think about Jensica talking about it? And I guess she said, you know, there's something that I would have taken to my grave. But you know what, I this is why it's so important for me and I and I and I think that my mom would have expected me to have my sister's back. That's what
she taught us is to have each other's back. And my mom is no longer here unfortunately physically, so my responsibility as an older sister is to be there for my sister who is here. And if this is going to help her heal, and through her healing, heal other people and help other people, then f what anyone else has to say, even if it's my mom's family. Like, I don't care what they have to say, because, like Jenica just said, she's the one that went through it.
We went through it with her, and never did they come and ask, how are you do you need anything? You know what I mean? Like it's just so it's like you have no room to say anything. So respectfully, anyone that has anything that I could say, suck it. Do you wish that you would have known sooner? Um? No, I think things happened at the time that I have, like for a reason, like maybe when that when I
first found out. Yeah, but I think now that I've found out what I need to find out, Like, I think it happened at the perfect time when I knew too. How old were you? This is like a two years ago almost right, So you're at twenty three when you found out. So talking about that, we call Jennica Bodiqa. She's a vote because her biological father is Puerto Rican. So Jessica, how do you feel about that? Honestly? Like, how do you feel about being Puerto Rican? Like half
Puerto Rican? It's cool, Yeah, it's just what it is. I don't I don't feel it. So it's kind of just there. But do you feel closer to like bad Bunny now because he's yeah, right, yeah, look at it. I wish you to see he's like a huge bad bunny fast I love him. No, but you know I would I would like to tap into that and see, you know, culture wise, like what there is and I don't know it's something I'm interested in, but I'm not like, I'm not gonna change who I am currently, you know
what I mean. Yeah, but one thing I will like. Jennica has like a really like beautiful skin tone like all of us like. And I think that definitely comes from her Puerto Rican side, like she danns so nicely since she was little. So it's like, I feel like that's kind of cool, Like I want to like be Colombian, you know what I mean, Colombian or like I love
you mean you look Columbia. You're like you have a toxic Oh my god, thank you, thank you so much, Shakida, Carol g. You know, maybe in my next life I'll we have Mexican, have Colombian because I love being Mexican, don't get me wrong. But I feel like, you know, like God and you have the ask for it too. But I mean she does. Jennica since she was little has always or younger should I say, Because when she was little with her dad Juan, she would listen to like a bunch of like you know what I called
by some music you know um what I sing? You know um. She would listen to a lot of banda and stuff, but now like you've always been into like Regaton and stuff, like for Christmas, she made coquito, you guys, right, cokito, which is a Puerto Rican alcoholic drink. Dude, she killed it. It was so barm So I don't know. I want to I want you to cook more Puerto Rican food for us. Okay, And we gotta go to Puerto Rico soon, Jenica, I think that was on my Christmas list. I'm like, you, guys,
just give me money to go on a trip. I want to go travel. Okay, I'll take you to Puerto Rico this year towards the end of the year. No, for real, we gotta go. We gotta go to Puerto Rico. I loved it when I went for my honeymoon. Anyway, Okay, So, Jenny, I know you talked about this on your podcast, but do you have like advice for my listeners that are probably going through a similar situation. What's your advice to
to the daughter and to the mother. I definitely think that overall, if any anybody could take anything from this, I think it's like for like the mothers, like you could you could wait, but don't wait too long because then comfort that comes anger and those mistakes and it's okay to make mistakes or to like have a history or have a past like that. That's totally fine. It's
better to know now rather than later. And for the you know, the kids, the sons, the daughters, like, it's gonna be okay, like as confusing as it is, like, don't let it change who you are as a person who raised you, and don't come in with expectations of like these people. It's kind of just you're surrounded with great people already, I know people that have been in the same situation, and you're surrounded with great people that love and care for you, and you're going to be
just fine. Trying to you guys, I'm okay, I'm not gonna get because she hates it when I get like so like, you know, but I'm proud of her. I'm so fucking proud of you. I think that you've come so so far and just to hear you speak and how much here you are. You've always been very mature. But yeah, this, I know is a very tough situation and I think that you came out on the other side of it like even better, like to the point where now you know you can. You have this space
to share these thoughts and this advice with people. So anyways, I'm not going to get all mushy and stuff. But okay, So another thing you opened up about on your podcast is the fact that you attempted suicide, which is something you and I have both attempted. Actually, I attempted suicide once and I thought about it a lot of times. I've been through it a lot and which is really scary you guys, um And unfortunately it's more it's more
common than you think. According to the c d C in there were one point two million people that attempted SUSI, So it happens a lot. And I think that God has given us this platform to talk to you guys, to help you guys, to tell you guys, hey, yes we come out on TV. Yes we're saying yes we do this yet, but at the end of the day, we also are human and we go through these feelings
and we know what you guys are going through. So I just wanna know how you're feeling now, Jessica, Like, how how are you doing now now that you've talked about it, and yeah, have you have you accepted it completely? Like, are you feeling better mentally? Are you still like struggling with the anxiety and like depression, how is that going? Um?
I definitely struggle with anxiety. The oppression has definitely like slowly gone away, and it's it comes like in waves, and I've just learned to accept it and it be there, but not really fully let it overcome my life. And I think that's the mistake a lot of people do, is like when people are having these symptoms or feelings, like you get too much in your head about it, and that's when you start feeling like there's no other way. There's not like there's how is this ever going to
get better? And I think, you know, thank God for therapy and honestly having open conversations with people, letting you, letting them know like, look, I'm going through this is what I'm feeling, Like I want you to know so that you're aware and um, that way you don't feel alone in it. And it doesn't mean that that person has to have like the best advice to tell you. They could just listen. And I think that's what people need, is that people need you to listen instead of talking
back or giving advice. It's kind of like, I just need you to know that I'm going through this and it hasn't been easy, but I want to let you know and be accountable with you so that way you can see and maybe help me or just I just want to feel like I'm not alone. But ultimately, I like I think God, like I'm okay, Like I've I've understood, I've processed that, and you know, it's badly it is.
It is becoming happens all the time, and social media is like a facade and people don't really understand it and like they don't understand people aside from behind the phone. So I think it's just having compassion and being kind to everybody and really just know that not everyone's healing is the same or people grow in different ways in different paths and slower than others, and and that's okay.
It's just being compassionate with people and really just understanding that not everyone has the same path as you, and just being a listener. I think sometimes it just helps to like this, how got it there? And just talk to someone, you know what I mean, I mean talking about that. Are you still in therapy? Mm hmm, yeah,
that's good. I think it's you know, I go on and off on it, Like there's months that I take a break and then I go back on, and I just think, you know, you guys know I always say this. I'm a huge advocate for you know, a therapy and and just speaking to someone like Jennica said, and just
letting your feelings out and letting someone know. And I saw this quote the other day, and I don't remember it word for word, but it was something like, be compassionate, be gentle with other people because you never know what they're going through, you know what I mean. It's kind of like like you just gotta see it that way, Like if someone doesn't smile, someone's route, it's just instead of like cussing them out, it's kind of like, you know what, I'm gonna bless them because I don't know
what they're going through, you know what I mean. So it's just about being compassionate. And you know, if you guys need help, UM the suicide hotline, you guys, if anyone has those thoughts, if anyone has if you're thinking, like I'm telling you I've thought about it, The hotline number you guys is eight. You can call or text that number. Just putting that out there, you know, because I know, um, you know, life isn't oh, it's it's not easy, you know what I mean. So you're not alone,
Like Jennica said, You're definitely not alone. Let's go ahead and shift gear a little bit. I want to talk to you about your fitness journey. I saw Jessica. You guys in the gym this morning. You're on it. You've been waking up at five in the morning. Try. Yeah, today I woke up at six, but it's still early. Have to give myself the time to like meditate and pray before and then okay, because your body is definitely you look great like I saw her today, you guys,
I was there. I woke up really early. I woke up at five and then I was at the gym by like six thirty, a little late because of the rain. But that's that's something that my mom really like instilled in us in a good and bad way, like taking care of us or taking care of our bodies and like our nutrition and everything. And I think my mom for that. Sometimes it affected me in a more negative way, and I think we talked about it a little bit on one of the other partcasts we were on. But anyways,
um so tell me, how is that going. You got your tummy tuck last year, right, it's gonna be a year in April. Yeah, I'm very happy. I'm very happy. I feel lighter. I feel like there was like an energy that I need to just let go of because I work so hard to like to get it off. I'm just like I could breathe and I feel I feel better and even then, like I still have my little moments. I'm just like trying to maintain my body and really just take care of myself and make sure
that um my money isn't wasted. Yeah, I know, I know what you mean, because I'm not gonna lie like I've gotten light bulb like in my life, you know, like a couple of times and anyways, and then you don't take care of yourself. And that's what I love that you're doing. Like you're still on it, you know what I mean. I think that's important because people think, oh, it's just an easy fix, and I could just go and start eating shit again or like eating like ship.
But no, like you have to even sometimes work out harder and take care of yourself more after getting plastic surgery. I'm a huge I love surgery. I I think plastic surgery whatever, like, do your thing. I'm not one that's going to judge you. So if you ask me, should I get a tell me to Should I get my mamma? Tell you yes. But I'm also going to tell you you gotta work out, you gotta eat right because that ship ain't a forever magical fix. Okay. So but right now, okay,
so what are you doing? Tell me a little tell us a little bit about like what you're doing right now, Like, you know, you're doing this thing that I think it's kind of cool and I think you should share it a little bit. What the thing the seventy day thing? Oh, the seventy five days soft? Oh? Yeah, Like what thing are you talking about? Um? Okay, So normally at the beginning of the year, I always like to fast twenty one days. So like I'm incorporating that with just uh.
It's a mental and physical challenge. It targets you mental and physical physically. And what it does is it has these rules. There's seventy five days soft and seventy five day hart. So soft is you work out every day for forty five minutes with one active rest dam which is like cardio or going for a walk or a hype. Right, Okay, Then it's drinking one gallon of water and maintaining a diet, and soft is drinking on social occasions, but I'm choosing
not to. I don't really have like that. Yeah you're not a big drinker. Yeah, I'm not a big drinker. So I'm choosing like, I'm just not gonna drink. And if I if the situation comes up, I'm like, okay, I'll have a drink, but I usually don't. And then it's reading ten pages of a book, so it's also feeding you mentally, like it could be any book that you want. So right now I'm doing a devotional with
a church, so I'm spiritually feeding myself. And then after that twenty one days is over, then I go ahead and start like whatever book I want to Jen Nica, this is me freaking snapping my fingers. That's tight, and she's doing it. You guys. I'm like, damn, look at her. Okay, all right, are you gonna get your books under what? Because you said you want to? I do want to? Yeah,
I think you should. I think it would be it would be because like I think about him, like do I really want to, Like I don't know, I don't know if I want kids, Like i'd rather not. Okay, maybe later, that's something I have to talk with my husband or whatever at that time. But it's like I'd rather adopt first, Like that's me. So it's like I want to get my body done, you know what I mean. So it's like I don't know I would want to.
I would I really want to like get my boobs done. Yeah, because you want to go you want to be a thought? How what do you say a thought in bob or what do you call it? What do you say? I thought and embop it? Yeah, she wanted a thought and embop it. So yeah, I think you should just get your tinsted. Is there anything that you wish you would have known before getting like plastic surgery? No, I feel like I did enough research. I didn't I knew what I need to know. My sister is a pro, so sure,
I am love it. My mom too. It's like it's not it's not something that's like for us, you know what I mean? Yeah? And I dude, I babysat her. I took care of her, and I think I was a very good nurse and she did honestly, though, Jennico, you're very strong. Though you're a very strong young lady. I was like she wanted to do everything herself. Was like, sit your use down. But yeah, I think that if you want to get bobs, and I think you should,
I definitely think you should. Okay so quickly because you know, I know a lot of people like want to know, um, what was the healing process like for you? I mean I saw, like I'm telling you were very strong, but like anyone that's maybe thinking about getting a tummy tuck, like, what was the healing process? Um? Pain wise, I didn't feel any pain. It was just more soreness, like I had worked out super harder, like I got hit by a truck and I was just sore, like super sore.
But it wasn't painful, and like it sounds weird, but it wasn't painful. And I think it's just being patient with yourself, with your body and understanding that things take a lot of time. Like I was already anxious to get back into the gym, and I had to wait to get approved and cleared by the doctor and it's just being really patient with yourself and kind of just
getting used to like your whole new body. Yeah, And I think, just to piggyback on that, I think it's also important that, like Jennico just said, she did her research and she made sure she found the right doctor and her doctor's freaking amazing. So I think it's knowing and that you have a good doctor and he took her his time with her, so I think that also helped with the healing process. I personally feel you had an amazing doctor. Um, how many consultations did you go
to before you had the surgery? I only did one and it was virtually because he was in Arizona, saw how to do with sending pictures. Then he called me He's like, look this is what we could do. This is how much and that was it. And then I didn't see him until like week before. It was like your prep and that was it. Yeah. I know he was good. But I think this guy works like on on curvy women and does like specializes on yeah, on
plus size. So if you ask me, I'm gonna be that person that's going to tell you go for it. It is your life, it is your body and you have all the right to rocket. This is however you want, you know, So anyway, you guys listened to her podcast. It's really good over Comfort, you guys, and um, just for people I don't know, they might already follow you, but can you please just give your Instagram one more time? Jenica Instagram. It's Jennica underscore Lopez. Jennica underscore Lopez, and
you're keeping Lopez correct that we already cleared. Okay, just for everyone that's just nosey and wants to know. Um, but okay, well, Jennica, it's always a pleasure. Thank you so much for always being open to coming onto my podcast. People love you, they really do. We get very good feedback when you're on, so so thank you. And yeah, just on for your podcast. It's just over Comfort, right. Oh yeah, you could find out Spotify, Apple Podcasts and
on YouTube. There you have it, guys, all right, Well, thank you mama. Thank you so much for being vulnerable, for opening up, for helping other people, and you guys know, before we leave, I always have a motivational quote for you and because that's how we do when we do what we do. Oh, I have a few. I'm just gonna read them all right. So the quotes for today are don't adapt to the energy in the room, influence the energy in the room, self confidence is the best outfit, rocket,
and own it. Those are the motivational quotes for this week and they were inspired by Eugenica. So there, there you have it. That's how you know how I feel about you. I love Eugenica. Thank you, Princess. I love you so now, have a great day everyone. Jenica, have a great day. I'll see you later. And um, thank you guys for listening. Mocho and I will see you on the next episode of cheek Ease and Chills. Do
you need advice on love, relationships, health emas. I'm so excited to share with you that my Cheekies and Chill podcast will have an extra episode drop each week. I'll be answering all your questions. Just lead me a voice message. All you have to do is go to speak pipe dot com, slash Cheeks and Chill podcast and record your questions. I can't wait to hear from you. This is a production of I Heart Radio and the Michael Dura podcast Network.
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