We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Athea Davis . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Athea below.
Athea , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Nearing a decade ago, I was working as a certified paralegal in corporate law. I was at the height of my career, and I also hit a career wall. I felt like I was dying inside. I had always enjoyed law, so this feeling was very confusing. I had also gone through a major life change – a divorce, followed by my former spouse’s suicide. We shared a child together and the divorce, followed by the suicide a couple of years later was devastating. It had me question everything. I had already started learning about yoga and mindfulness, and training in yoga during our divorce. These practices saved my life, and naturally I wanted to share them with my son who was also going through this big life change with the divorce.
I spent a lot of time training as a yoga teacher and a kids yoga teacher, and spent many hours practicing and teaching to little ones and big ones. I learned everything I could about yoga, mindfulness, meditation, trauma-informed practices, personal leadership, and the art and science of education.
I left my law career when I had the opportunity to teach young people yoga + mindfulness in schools with a non-profit organization called Pure Edge. They were researching the effects of yoga and mindfulness on the wellbeing of K-5 students, and I was a part of that research project. 8 years later, I’m still teaching yoga and mindfulness in schools.
It was a huge risk leaving my law career, well-paid, top position, etc. to try something completely new with little security to know how everything would turn out. I felt in my gut that I was called to do this work in schools, so I took the leap. 8 years later, I’ve been teaching and training mindfulness + yoga in schools ever since.
Athea , 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?
Pain and challenge led me to the work I do today. I learned how to transform pain and challenge into something constructive, beautiful, and what I like to say, AWEsomeSauce! I shared my story when I shared about a time I took a big risk and something positive came out of taking that risk.
I teach little people and big people how to climb the rocky mountains of their life and to re-ignite their inner spark so they can feel full alive. I use mindfulness, yoga, mindset, and leadership practices to help them get there. I do it through holistic education so the young people, and the teachers, parents, and leaders that I work with feel whole, authentic, and aligned with their best Self. I help them live a life they love, grow to be and become the best version of themselves, and meet success on their own terms and in their own unique way.
The thing that sets me apart from others is the vast experience I bring, the challenges I’ve turned into triumphs, the countless hours of continual practice I put in, and the magnetic energy that I pour into everyone I work with, and every project I work on. I address the mind, body, heart, and spirit in everyone I work with, and everything I do, and I feel those that work with me feel that same committed and authentic energy. They know and feel deeply that I am there to help them shine!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think the thing that helped build my reputation is what I call “boots on the ground” work. I walk the talk. I practice what I preach and teach. I don’t always get it right, but I’m always willing to reflect, get up from my failures, dust off my knees, and try again so I can be the best version of my self to help others do the same.
I’m also authentic and consistent in the content I share. Those that have worked with me feel that authenticity and connect to it.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I think persistence is vital. It’s hard to make your dreams a reality. Don’t give up. You may need to pivot, and that’s okay, but keep growing and glowing strong on your journey. Your spark in action, no matter what, makes the world a few shades brighter.
Also, you do you. Make the time to make your dreams come to life. No one else is going to do it for you, so once you know your “why” behind it all, get busy creating and don’t stop until you’re done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.solsenseyoga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atheadavis/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atheaddavis/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/athea-davis-m-ed-e-ryt-rcyt-09990a81/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/atheadavis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6jDN2GhSR4plg0nOGOqQg
- Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@athea_davis
Image Credits
Headshots courtesy of AR Expressions.