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

Erin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

A defining moment in my professional career was becoming a mother and moving to Los Angeles. My oldest son was born in May of 2018 and my family and I relocated to LA in December of that year.

This shifted the trajectory of my career as I had a large network and following in Minneapolis prior to moving. In Los Angeles I knew no one, had no family, friends or network in place. I was a new mom so It was an isolating time but also a tender time for me to slow down and be present with my son. In 2020, I pivoted to teaching online, I continued my education and I started naturally sharing yoga with my son. This would be the catalyst to propel me forward and start The MettaPhysical in 2020 and Beach Kids Yoga in 2022.

Shortly after starting Beach Kids Yoga I found out I was expecting our second son.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Erin MacDonald I am a mother and wellness entrepreneur. I have an extensive background in health, wellness, fitness and the arts. I hold a BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota and I am a (ERYT-500) Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching a variety of formats. I am a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP), Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) Pre-K to Teens with a trauma informed approach. I am trained in Stott Pilates (mat, reformer, barre, pre & postnatal work), trained in multiple group fitness formats, pre & postnatal yoga, kundalini yoga & meditation and the akashic records to name a few.

I own and operate Beach Kids Yoga, which uses evidence-based curriculum that meets national standards for physical education and health. We offer baby & me, children and teens yoga and mindfulness classes, workshops, camps, extracurricular after school programs and in school yoga and mindfulness programming for pre-K through 12th grade.

Our goal is to support the development of happy and healthy children and teens with yogic and mindfulness tools for improved wellbeing. We focus on supporting the development of the mind-body connection, self-management, healthy relationships and creative play while connecting with nature whenever possible.

I also work as a women’s yoga & holistic well-being coach under the MettaPhysical. I support women to embody the best version of themselves using my experience to focus on a holistic and somatic approach to wellbeing. I offer classes, workshops, 1:1 and small group coaching. We focus on incorporating practical daily exercises to strengthen their intuition, magnetism, nervous system, body, mind and spirit.

I also volunteer for Hermosa Beach School district’s wellness council and body image committee

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

My business relies heavily on a strong community of supporters and practitioners. Things like word-of-mouth referrals or even a positive Google review work well to expand small businesses. A majority of the new clients who contact me were referred by other parents or practitioners in the community. I am grateful to be based in such a tight-knit community, and I am so thankful for those who help me spread the word about my business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I touched on this briefly in another question but becoming a mother has been so demanding, that it nearly caused me to fold up the business and focus on my kids. Not once, but twice. I think any parent can relate to the energy it requires to raise a young one. Some days you don’t even find time to feed yourself, let alone run a business. I think a clear indication of my resilience is my ongoing balancing act of raising a family and building a business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beachkidsyoga.com/
• Instagram: @beachkidsyoga_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeachKidsYoga
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinreganmacdonald/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/Themettaphysical/

Image Credits
Adriano Santos & Guillermo Madrid