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

Crystal , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes, I am much happier as a business owner/being my own boss. I spent over a decade in the magazine editorial corporate world and despite not having the “stability” of a salaried job, I would never go back to a corporate/office setting.

Crystal , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Taking a risk can be scary, yet the rewards are worth it. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. In my book, I wrote on this topic; in my previous role as a full-time beauty magazine editor, I was afraid to take the risk/leap into freelance life. Yet, when timing aligned and the magazine I previously worked at folded, almost at the same time I completed my yoga instruction certification, I was ‘forced’ into taking the risk. Becoming — and maintaining — a sustainable career as an entrepreneur/self-employed is something I never would have done had I not taken risks.

After the magazine I previously worked at folded at the exact time I completely yoga teacher training, I went freelance for writing and began teaching yoga as much as possible, as well as having the blessing of having two amazing yoga mentors that helped me cultivate private clients. My path to teaching firefighters was a result of having dated and been friends with a number of first responders, and noting they all seemed to have similar physical (and emotional) stressors that could be alleviated and helped by yoga. For these classes, I approach teaching differently in a more tactical, task-oriented approach, similar to what they experience at work. For example, if the goal of the day is to work on the back/shoulders and hips, here are the 10 steps and stretches we are going to take to achieve releasing them.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I believe that every obstacle is an opportunity to pivot/redirect and that everything truly does happen for a reason. There have been, and continue to be, many, many obstacles. Yet, life is a constant ebb and flow of experiences that allow us to evolve and lessons to learn.

Without that initial obstacle, I never would have had the courage to shift careers from full-time at a magazine to teaching yoga and go freelance, illuminating that with struggle, comes a redirection to what is truly meant for us. And, without the struggles, financially and emotionally, of being self-employed and always working to gain multiple streams of clients, I learned the strength within myself to achieve my dreams, including a bucket list item of receiving a publishing contract and writing my first book (during COVID!).

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I am a Yoga Instructor, Author, and Freelance Writer. I specialize in yoga privates, working one on one with individuals to truly address their unique needs, as well as teaching first responders, specifically firefighters. My unique teaching style is very alignment and anatomy oriented to address each person’s individual needs in a nuanced way that matches their “energy” ie. when teaching firefighters and other students that are more interested in the physical release and mental relaxation aspects of yoga, I tend to steer clear of any Sanskrit or spiritual mentions v. students that are receptive to more spiritual practice, I will shift my energy and teaching accordingly. As for my book and freelance writing, I cover wellness, beauty, travel, health, wine, and lifestyle content.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Crystal-Fenton/187869918
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cf912
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalfenton/
• Other: https://crystalfenton.contently.com

Image Credits
Teaching Power Yoga for Sports