We were lucky to catch up with Jenifer Ezell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jenifer, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
As a curious explorer of life, taking risks along the way has been a huge part of the journey. I took a risk falling into and following love, a relationship that was the catalyst to changing my trajectory in a way I could have never imagined. I took my first studio yoga class after receiving a gift certificate for Christmas 2011 from said love a few months after breaking up. He knew I had always wanted to go but hadn’t been able to afford it. He is a kind, generous soul who I can never repay for the multitude of gifts continuing to pour from the initial purchase. I could never have imagined the places it would take me, the discovery of self the most surprising. I initially went to yoga seeking relief of my chronic back pain, stress, anxiety etc. what I found on my mat was life changing. I knew that if I could help just even one person find what I had, It would bring me immense joy (in addition to being a risk taker I am also a “fixer”). I took BIG risk #2, hopped on a couple of planes, flew to Costa Rica, diving headfirst into a one month intensive yoga teacher training. The experience was more than I could have hoped for, I came back to NE Ohio and began teaching in my home studio where it all began. After a few years of teaching I got the itch to take another risk. I had really big ideas to expand my offerings but wasn’t sure how to bring them to fruition. It was time to hop on another plane, this time I traveled to SE Asia. I had once in a lifetime opportunity. During this 3 month sabbatical I lived, learned and worked in community with 30 other people from all over the world. In this time I created The Hive, the world was my oyster, I felt like there was no risk I wasn’t willing to take, nothing was out of the realm of possibility. The year was 2019…I came back home that summer on fire, ready to change the world. Unbeknownst to me the world was about to change, putting a hard pause on my plans. A lot has happened since then, the risk taking took a back seat in order to rebuild a safety net. Through much persistence, hard work and most importantly a community supporting me every step of the way; I am embarking on my next big risk and betting on myself opening The Hive’s doors to our starter home!
Jenifer, 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?
The Hive is here to help you create your own, unique recipe for optimal health & happiness! I offer private, corporate & group yoga/meditation sessions, massage therapy, empowerment coaching, wellness workshops and retreats. In 2024 the business is expanding its offerings, investing in state of the art equipment to provide immersive yoga and meditation experiences, using technology from Sound Off and Opus. There are a lot of things that are out of control in our daily lives, I want to help people regain control of their own destiny and wellbeing. Not everything I offer will be the right fit for everybody, all that I ask is that they be willing to be open to seeing what happens when you are willing to go all in on yourself, to listen to that little voice inside asking you to pay attention.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
My community is a huge reason why I am have been able to make my dream a reality. If it weren’t for them I couldn’t do what I love most. There have been countless people who have believed in me, took a risk on an unknown when I wanted to try something new and continue to support me through every iteration. People who start as strangers quickly become friends and family. Because of their loyalty, support and word of mouth referrals I am here to tell my story today.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Life is full of twists, turns, falling rocks and slippery slopes, being able to pivot in essential if you want to keep moving forward. One of the biggest lessons I have learned and am still learning is creating harmony between the duality of work and rest. For years I prided myself on being the hardest worker, my entire identity was wrapped up in what I could do for others, putting myself on the back burner to stoke others flames. I wore my exhaustion like a badge of honor. In the process my health suffered, relationships fell apart, I would find myself in major burnout even though I was teaching others how to avoid it.
There is a quote that says “There is no point in hustling if your intuition is telling you that now is the time to rest. Just like, there is no point in resting if the momentum is circling you like a beautiful hurricane.” Recognizing the season of life I am in, leaning into my intuition and finding a way to honor that was a huge pivot point for me. I take a purposeful pause in the “winter”, I still work but I don’t over exert myself, I find ways to live more simply, I slow it down a bit. When the “summer” energy is here I give it my all while still remembering to take time to pour back into my cup, because you can’t drink or fill another’s from the bottom of an empty one. I find that when I do what is in alignment for me, everything else falls into place.
Contact Info:
- Website: rehiveal.org
- Instagram: rehiveal
- Facebook: The Bee Well Hive
- Linkedin: Jenifer Ezell
Image Credits
Ryan Bassett of Ryan Bassett Photo