Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kim Brooks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I’ve taken many risks (or leaps of faith) in my life! I’d say the risks I’ve taken were all at times when my decisions didn’t seem to make much logical sense. They were at times when I felt completely led and determined to go all in on an unforeseeable path. I just knew in my bones it was something I was meant to do or try.

The first “risk” or leap of faith was leaving my 12 year teaching job in Maryland and moving to Morocco to teach at an American school. I was only in my 2nd year of being a reading specialist, which was a job I worked so hard to get. Although, I had no idea what to expect and was overwhelmed by the decision, I just focused on one step at a time. I told myself that it was only for 2 years and that I could go back to my job in MD anytime I wanted. It ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life and led to me teach internationally for 5 years (in Morocco and Taiwan).

In 2021, I returned to the U.S., went back to my former district as a reading specialist. There were many factors involved, but I took another risk and resigned from my 18 year career in June 2022 without a job lined up. I was so burned out and physically sick that year, so I knew I needed to step away completely and put my health and well-being first. I did not intend to start my own business, but here I am. I know once again I’m being led to follow this unknown path, trusting that the universe is supporting me along the way.

Although I’ve had exciting adventures and met some of the most amazing humans, these were not easy choices. Leaving teaching after investing so much time, money, and energy into it was extremely difficult. I had to work through a lot of discomfort, grief, guilt, frustration, and self-doubt. Teaching was my life (and identity!). I truly believe it will continue to be my life’s work, but it just looks a little different these days.

As challenging as these decisions were, I am very fortunate to have always landed on my feet. I am privileged to have the means to have traveled extensively and to have grown up surrounded by supportive family and friends. Even when at my lowest points, I picked myself up, set my mind to moving forward, and just kept going.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

As a former elementary teacher and reading specialist, I worked far beyond my contractual hours ensuring all students had the literacy skills they needed for success. I spent much of my career on the road to burnout, pushing myself through stress and physical symptoms in order to create an environment and learning experiences where students could thrive.

I had a much better work/life balance and access to more resources while teaching internationally, so when I returned to the U.S. (in my early 40’s), I no longer had the stamina or desire to put in the extra unpaid hours I once did earlier in my career. As much as I loved teaching, I was tired, suffering from physical pain, and no longer feeling fulfilled by my job.

I know firsthand how much time, money, and energy teachers put into their students and their jobs and how draining it can be. My mission is to support the well-being of educators and, by extension, their students. When teachers are cared for, there is a ripple effect and the whole community benefits.

I curate wellness experiences for individuals and groups, offering everything from restorative yoga and breathwork to energy healing. These tailored experiences are designed to meet clients where they are, creating a pathway to healing and growth.

My offerings are for teachers who want a more holistic approach to well-being, helping bring their body, mind, and heart into balance. They want to release the pain and physical symptoms they are experiencing from years of chronic stress.

They want to tap into their inner wisdom and intuition, so they can make decisions from a more centered and grounded place. They know that they can free themselves from their symptoms without surgery or taking multiple pills a day for the rest of their life. They want more clarity, confidence, and joy in their life and they are ready to get in control of their future, co-creating something beautiful with the universe.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have had to learn that my time, money, and energy are valuable and should not be given away freely. As much as I wanted to help all of my students and the teachers I worked with, I couldn’t actually do my job in the way I wanted to do it without burning out. My identity and worth were so wrapped up in teaching that it was hard to step away and completely unravel them.

I had to learn (and accept) that at the end of the day, teaching was a job. I did not have to give my blood, sweat, and tears away for free. I had other options and I needed to put my health first. I could see the impact it was having on me and on others I worked alongside.

I absolutely loved teaching and would likely go back someday, but I also learned that it’s ok to try something new and I don’t have to have the same career for 30 years. There’s the famous quote, “growth happens outside your comfort zone,” and I am a growth-minded individual. To be a role model for students, they need to see more people out in the world, learning, growing, and trying new things. They need to see examples of healthy, balanced adults. By helping teachers lead healthier, more balanced lives, I’m in turn, helping students. When they are surrounded by loving adults who are able to regulate their nervous systems, they can relax and learn without feeling like they are constantly in defense mode.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

It takes time, but I’ve been growing my clientele organically, through word of mouth. My main platforms for connecting and sharing information are LinkedIn, my website, and through email. I love meeting new people and being a part of different communities, so I meet a lot of people at events, through meetup groups and participating in the activities I love.

The more I talk to people and share what I do, the more people get to know me. I’ve been asked to be on multiple podcasts and just recently joined the board of a non-profit. I’ve worked with several different coaches 1:1 and invested in multiple group coaching programs to learn more about marketing, who my soul-aligned clients are, and what I want to put out into the world. I had no idea how to start a business, so I’ve been giving myself a lot of grace as I learn and explore what I like and what people need support with. What I feel has worked best for me is to keep doing what I love, meeting people, and working on myself along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kimbrooksyoga-wellness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimbrooksyoga.wellness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mynetwork/discovery-see-all/?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=kimberly-brooks-md
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KimBrooksWellness

Image Credits

Cathryn Fink Photography