Jessica Mathis on Finding Her Euphoria
#Euphoria2016 was filled with life-changing experiences and unforgettable moments, but one woman's story stood out as an inspiration to us all. Jessica Mathis, a 27-year old nursing student from Fort Worth, ventured to Euphoria after recently beating breast cancer, and pushed the button with Above & Beyond on Sunday. We shared her story on our Facebook in May, but reconnected with her this week to talk about her journey finding Euphoria.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Jessica Mathis and I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. I am a medical assistant at Texas Oncology, ironically; for the past five years. I am working on becoming a nurse and receiving a Bachelor's Degree.
How is your recovery going?
Recovery for me since chemotherapy and surgery has been a process. I have lost a range of motion but it's something I work on everyday. Growing my hair back has been the highlight because I take pictures of progress. Looking back at how fast it grows validates to me that it's growing. I finished my last chemo 6/30/16; and will have my port removed in a few weeks.
Photo Credit: Jessica Mathis' Facebook
How did you end up at Euphoria?
I first heard about Euphoria when I was having problems sleeping and I searched "Texas camping music festival." I wanted to relax and find myself, so what better way than enjoying music outside?
Have you been to any more Above & Beyond concerts or music festivals since Euphoria?
Since Euphoria we have been to a few shows which are fun but nothing has topped what we experienced at Euphoria. What is it like remembering standing on stage and pushing the button? It all feels like it happened so fast. When I looked out at the crowd and pushed the button everyone was in sync. Hands going to the beat of the music and an overwhelming sense of happiness, love, and gratefulness that we were all experiencing this together.
You wrote that Seamus said, "everything I had gone through was in the past and that it's time to embrace the future." Have you been able to live by that advice?
When I met Seamus, he told me it was time to let go of everything bad and I feel like that has stuck with me. Before Euphoria I was stuck thinking how hard it was to connect with others because of what I went through. After being at Euphoria and experiencing the sense of community and love, I realized that I was keeping those connections from happening. You find your Euphoria in your loved ones.
How can others find their Euphoria?
To find your Euphoria, be in the moment with your friends and the crowd. Be open to meeting new friends because you never know what you gain from them and they can gain from you. Know that tomorrow is never promised, so love openly and don't view it as a weakness.
Will you be back at Euphoria 2017?
I definitely want to come back to Euphoria next year. It will always be a part of my life that made a huge impact on me when I least suspected it.