We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Virna Lichter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Virna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I had two studios, a fitness and a yoga studio, and during those challenging days in 2020, I felt the responsibility of helping my clients thrive more than ever. I started teaching online classes for free, and I wrote a book called Beyond Mindset—The Meditation Blueprint to Breaking Free from Stress. The book sold hundreds of copies overnight, making it a bestseller on Amazon. I realized that even though I was helping my community, there were people struggling everywhere. A former boss saw my book and hired my company, Energia Wellness, to provide a mindfulness course to the teachers in our district. Then, from there, it was word of mouth. I went from teaching guided meditations at my yoga studio and online to providing complete mindfulness programs to organizations all over the country. I used to teach meditation as a very small part of my business, and I did it because I loved it and saw how it benefits people. Hardly did I know it was my purpose all along. And when you do something that is in alignment with the greater good, it chooses you and opens paths you never even dreamed of.

Virna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been in the wellness industry for over 20 years. It’s what I do for a living and leisure. I was an overweight child and saw how taking karate lessons in my hometown changed my body and confidence. After moving to the US, I went into corporate wellness, which was such a rewarding part of my career. I had many goals coming into this country, including family, finances, and a house, as well as all the things a young woman dreams of. But when I had achieved all of them, I went into a major depression. Even though I was in great shape I was always fatigued and living in fear, and I could barely function. That’s when I started meditating. I took a weekend workshop, and practiced daily what I was taught, six months later I was depression free. I could finally enjoy the day-to-day life and be there for my little girl. I then decided to open my own business, Energia Wellness, and share the power of mind-body connection through fitness and meditation with my community.

Today, my program has evolved, and I have fine-tuned it to provide more than just individual classes and sessions but to help professional millennial and GenX women achieve freedom from weight gain and overcome depression and anxiety so they can have more inner peace and more self-confidence to attract what they want in life.

We are holistic beings and can’t just work on one aspect of ourselves. Everything we do affects us as a whole. When my clients, with my help, reach balance in mind, body, and spirit, they make better decisions for themselves, start a new business, write a book, or have the courage to end an unfulfilling relationship. It is amazing to watch them not only thrive but uplevel in all areas of their lives.

In the corporate sector, I offer full mindfulness programs to organizations of all sizes.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Empathy. I am in the coaching business, teaching others a skill that I have mastered, but it took a lot of struggle to get here. Today, it might come very easy to me, but I see my old self in my clients. I have the knowledge, but I teach from the heart. People who know me have the conviction and trust that I am 1000% in this with them.

So, if you are getting started, follow your heart and your gut. Be careful with business coaches who tell you that you have to sell your soul to get a sale. That is not true. If it does not align with your core values, it is not the right path.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I was looking at business opportunities, I met a coach who sold franchises. I said I had the passion but had never run a business before. How would I know I would succeed? He said, “If you were successful in your past endeavors, you will succeed; if not, you won’t”. That was the worst advice I have ever received because it is not true. Unfortunately, it stayed with me for a long time. Show me someone who has never failed before succeeding. I am sure he had the best intentions, but it took me years to get over that mindset. I created so much self-doubt, mainly when going through the trials and tribulations of a new business. In reality, all successful business owners have failed many times over before succeeding.
Be mindful of limiting beliefs, and always ask yourself, “Is this true?” whether the comment is from someone else or your own thoughts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.untamedbyautumn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumn_untamed/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2523509841235408
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virna-lichter-mindfulness-meditation-634b3078/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnergiaWellness
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd7Hm8tgVYjR40Txp1RCO5Q
• Other: TikToK. https://tiktok.com/@untamedbyautumn