Jennifer Nuñez on Love, Growth & Purpose: Discovering True Happiness Within | Episode 14

Imagine working tirelessly for that big promotion, believing it will finally bring you happiness—only to feel unfulfilled once you achieve it. Or pouring everything into a relationship, expecting it to complete you, yet still sensing something is missing. Many of us chase achievements, relationships, and material success, convinced they hold the key to fulfillment. But what if happiness isn’t something we attain—it’s something we find from within?

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Nuñez, an entrepreneur based in Milan, Italy, who has walked the path of personal growth, faith, and transformation. A Certified Public Accountant from the Philippines and a former finance manager, Jennifer took a bold step in moving to Milan, embracing new challenges and redefining what happiness means. Through her journey, she shares insights on love, marriage, spirituality, and the importance of living with purpose.

The first topic we discussed was marriage. After being in a long-distance relationship and eventually moving to Milan, Jennifer and her husband faced inevitable changes and unmet expectations. But instead of letting these challenges create distance, they used them as opportunities to grow.

Jennifer realized that marriage isn’t just about receiving—it’s also about giving. Often, we enter relationships expecting happiness from our partners, but true fulfillment comes when we learn to enjoy, appreciate, and support each other.

One of the biggest lessons she learned is that opposites attract for a reason. If both partners have the same strengths, how can they grow together? Instead of focusing on what her husband lacked, she took time to understand his background, his struggles, and why being a husband wasn’t always easy for him. This deeper understanding strengthened her appreciation for him, allowing her to embrace their differences rather than resist them.

Jennifer didn’t just learn valuable lessons about marriage—she also redefined what it means to be successful.

When she moved to Italy, she struggled with longing for the life she left behind in the Philippines. Despite the opportunities in front of her, she felt unfulfilled. Like many people, she once believed that success was the gateway to happiness. The formula seemed simple: work hard, achieve more, and fulfillment would follow. But as she progressed in her journey, she realized the opposite—happiness isn’t the reward of success; it’s the foundation of it.

Happiness is often seen as something to be earned, but Jennifer’s experience taught her that it is a state of being. True success comes when you stop measuring life by achievements and instead cultivate gratitude, faith, and inner peace. This shift in perspective helped her move from conditional happiness—where joy is dependent on circumstances—to unconditional happiness, rooted in faith, purpose, and embracing the present.

Rather than constantly chasing the next big goal, Jennifer learned that success is about alignment. When you are at peace with where you are, trust in your purpose, and take care of your well-being, everything else follows.

When it came to her struggles and how she overcame them, Jennifer shared valuable insights.

Moving to another country meant unlearning old habits and embracing new ways of living. She had to navigate daily challenges, from learning to cook to adjusting to a lifestyle without the conveniences she was once used to. Letting go of pride was another hurdle—she had to make space for shared decision-making with her husband, recognizing that their journey was one of partnership, not independence.

She realized that focusing on what was missing only created a sense of loss. Instead, shifting her perspective to appreciate what was present allowed her to fully embrace the life she had chosen. Building a support system, welcoming change, and emotionally preparing for life’s transitions were key to making her journey smoother.

Jennifer also realized that taking care of herself was essential to fulfilling her purpose. She believes that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and that maintaining good health allows us to enjoy life longer.

Her wellness journey includes:

Jennifer shared that taking care of her health is not just for herself but for her family as well. After all, she understands that she can't care for others if she doesn’t prioritize her own well-being.

Continuous learning is also something that Jennifer strongly believes in. She sees personal development as essential for growth and believes that stopping means losing one’s drive. To keep growing, she reads books, listens to podcasts, and learns from mentors. She encourages Filipinos to invest in their personal development because life becomes easier when you are constantly improving yourself.

For Jennifer, faith isn’t just important—it’s everything. Her relationship with God provides direction, strength, and wisdom. She believes that obedience to God comes from love, and through trust in His plan, life becomes more purposeful and fulfilling.

She also acknowledges that mental health struggles are real and should not be seen as a weakness. Recognizing the need for help is not a failure but a step toward healing. Through her own experiences, she has learned that every challenge carries a lesson, and difficulties often lead to transformation. By nurturing both her faith and mental well-being, she has found resilience, clarity, and a greater sense of peace in navigating life’s uncertainties.

At its core, happiness is not about location, status, or external validation. It’s about having clarity on one’s purpose, embracing the present, and finding joy in everyday moments. A fulfilling life isn’t built on constantly seeking more, but on appreciating what is already within reach.

By focusing on love, personal growth, and faith, Jennifer has learned that home is not defined by a place—it is wherever the heart finds peace. True happiness is always within reach when one stops searching outside and starts looking within.

Jennifer’s journey is a powerful reminder that challenges are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth. Through faith, resilience, and self-discovery, she has embraced both her inner and outer purpose—proving that fulfillment comes from within. If you want to dive deeper into the topic of purpose, watch or listen to Episode 4 of Realizations with Clarissa.

Looking for guidance in your own journey? Book a free coaching consultation or apply to be a guest on Realizations with Clarissa for a free coaching session. This is your opportunity to reflect, gain valuable insights, and share your story in a supportive space. Invest in yourself, gain new perspectives, and take the next step toward clarity and confidence!

00:00 - Introduction
01:24 - Meet Our Guest!
03:00 - On Love and Marriage: A Journey of Growth
09:16 - What Did You Have to Give Up?
16:57 - Letting Go of Old Beliefs: From Conditional to Unconditional Happiness
19:35 - Understanding Your Inner Purpose
24:10 - Overcoming Struggles and the Strength in Letting Go
30:51 - Health & Wellness: A Foundation for Happiness
38:35 - Personal Growth as a Lifelong Commitment
42:58 - Faith as the Core of Everything
49:03 - On Mental Health Stigma
58:34 - Happiness Starts from Within
1:02:40 - Your Journey to Growth Starts Here