In many Latino households, pain is something you power through—quietly. You work hard, you don’t complain, and you certainly don’t stop to heal. But what happens when your body forces you to listen? Jackie Hernandez was raised to hustle, to push, to handle her shit—until grief and a chronic illness brought everything to a halt. Instead of giving in, she turned her healing into her purpose—and built a wellness empire one green juice at a time.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jackie Hernandez, a wellness entrepreneur, public health advocate, and co-franchisee of two Nekter Juice Bars and an EggBred breakfast concept in Whittier, California. Jackie holds a Master’s in Health Administration from USC and spent years shaping obesity prevention and health equity policy at the local and federal levels. A proud Latina raised in Boyle Heights, she draws deep inspiration from her grandfather—a former Bracero worker and activist—who instilled in her the power of education, purpose, and resilience.

Tune in to Episode 234 of Amiga, Handle Your Shit, and prepare to hear one of the most inspiring transformations ever shared on the show. You’ll follow Jackie’s journey from high-impact policy work to battling a debilitating autoimmune disease, and how green juice—and grief—ultimately changed the course of her life. Her healing journey became a springboard into entrepreneurship, rooted in her mission to combat food deserts and uplift her community. Through her wellness businesses, Jackie now empowers others—especially Latinas—to embrace holistic health, pursue their dreams, and handle life with grit and grace. She is also working on a series of children’s books that blend healthy habits with cultural pride, continuing her commitment to impact the next generation.

Episode Takeaways:

• A childhood shaped by family separation and cultural pride (2:00)
• The power of a grandfather’s words (7:20)
• Translating for grandma at age 9 (13:00)
• Fighting big food as a Latina lobbyist (18:40)
• Flat tires, vandalism, and burnout (25:00)
• Losing her father—and her health (31:20)
• Healing with green juice and holistic medicine (37:00)
• Turning pain into purpose: Launching Nekter (42:30)
• Books, business, and handling your sh*t (48:00)

Connect with Jackie Hernandez:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

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• Jackie Tapia Arbonne website
• Buy The Amiga Way's Book

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