We recently connected with April Fort and have shared our conversation below.

April, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

Time is the one thing that you can’t ever get back, you can’t purchase more, it is a truly finite thing. So why waste it doing something that doesn’t bring you fulfilment. I was in the medical industry for a long time, and wasn’t happy. It wasn’t the job per se- you can have moments of joy in any job whether you like it or not- but a knowledge that I wasn’t creating the life that I wanted to live. Take the time to cultivate the life that you want to live. Your life is a lot like gardening. If a plant doesn’t grow, you have to adjust the water, the amount of sun, maybe you repot it somewhere else. If it stops growing, or grows brown, you have to start the whole process over again. It’s the same for human beings. Sometimes we too need to be pruned of branches that are weighing us down, repotted into new environments to encourage growth. Create a life that you don’t want to vacation away from. Be happy where you are planted.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ll give you a hint, the door is always open. Even when you think the door is locked tight, no way out, completely stuck- it’s open. This is what yoga has shown me, and this is what I want to share with others. The knowledge that you have everything you need at your fingertips and transformation is yours for the taking. That we are all connected on the same journey but different paths. My journey started on my mat, but what I learned while practicing was that yoga never ends there. Each breath you take is pranayama, each movement is asana, your life is a flow that travels with you if you’re present enough to see it. That is what I want to share with my students, with everyone in my life- the ability to be in the moment, to connect, and to live a life you don’t need a vacation from.

I stumbled into yoga at the age of 18, but didn’t make it a career till I had my first kiddo. I realized I wanted to my kids to know that you should live your dream- not be scared of making that sort of leap. So I started working towards finding a school to study with (took 3 years to find the one I liked). By the time I had my second I was on the road to teaching full time. I’ve taught in studios, gyms, my house, other people’s houses, conferences/expos (when they come to Houston- keep your eye out), but currently I’m teaching yoga and running retreats. I teach just about everything related to yoga-but my passion is vinyasa with a lot of laughs. It is common to break out in song, dance, and a little hand holding. I almost always guarantee you’ll walk out knowing your neighbor. My belief is that anyone can practice yoga. It can truly meet you where you are.

Be.Boundless Retreats are much the same. I keep them small because I want it to be about connections. You’ll come to laugh, learn a little yoga, breath together, maybe get into some shenanigans, but mostly you’ll come to make new friends, and find your way back to yourself.

If you see me outside of class, I’m identifiable because my three boys are always with me. They homeschool, so you may even see them in class. Family is so important and I feel like each of the teachers that train with me, the students that come to class become a part of my family.

My goal is to show every person I work with, whether privately, in class, or training, that they are in control of their own life. That by learning to control their breath, by taking charge and disciplining their bodies on the mat, they can take that same energy, that same conviction, to change their lives. That being able to hold their Warrior 1 for five more breaths can give them the strength to take that first step to achieving their dreams. The door is wide open if you chose to turn the knob.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The best way to grow clientele in my opinion and experience is word of mouth. Treat people right, stand by your word, and spend a lot of time looking into your heart. It’s about listening. Not just hearing what people are telling you with words, but being able to discern what your heart is telling you. Listening to yourself when choices come your way. When your heart whispers- sit up and take notice. Make decisions with a foundation of how it feels, then logic your way back. Thinking minds are useful, but feeling hearts see more then the eyes and hear more then the ears. If you show up this way in your life, as authentically as possible, then you make more solid connections. Whether they are students or clients- connections matter most.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

100x over yes I would choose yoga. I love teaching, making connections, and helping people. I wish I would have made the leap early and faster. A lot of times we know what’s best for us. Where we struggle is in the letting go of what we are currently doing to pursue something better. It can actually be easier if you hate your job, the city you live in, etc. It’s easier to leave when you don’t want to be there.
It’s harder when you like your job but don’t love it.
When you are choosing to leave good enough for the potential or hope of being excited to start each day.
I liked working in medical admin/assistance, but it didn’t make me excited.
I dragged my feet leaving, because it was hard to justify the unknown, when the known was okay.
I percolated longer then needed. I wish I would have made the leap sooner. It’s so much better to be passionate about what you are doing every day. If you aren’t waking up excited- if you can’t remember the last time you looked forward to getting up in the morning- it may be time to shift.
My job is to hang with my friends and do yoga, it doesn’t get better then that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aprilfort.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilfort/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-fort/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhmmK1TSRMPCB4QY0B7YFg