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

Jenni , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Caught in a cycle of chronic burnout, health issues and failed diets, I felt mentally and physically unwell. It wasn’t until I began being mindful of my habits, meditating and practicing yoga that I slowly started to notice improvement in my well-being. The reduction in stress with my meditation practice improved the health issues I was having. The practice of being present even for just one minute in my morning energized my day ahead. The yoga practice I was growing helped my physical health, but even more so my mental health and connection to self. After many years of small habit changes, I am now passionate about sharing my short and simple tips with women all over the world to help them find energy and relaxation in the midst of their busy workday.

Jenni , 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?

My introduction to the wellness industry began in college when I was experiencing cycles of burnout, weight gain, low energy and more. It wasn’t until a few years after graduating from my studies in Environmental Science and Biology that I became more consistent and dedicated to my yoga practice. That same year, I registered for my 200 hour yoga teacher training in Pittsburgh, PA at Om Lounge Yoga. Right from the start, it felt so natural to be teaching on my yoga mat. Before my training, I was experienced in teaching outdoors as a naturalist in the field of Environmental Education. Teaching yoga felt so different but so natural in a similar manner. After graduating with my 200 hour YTT certification, I excitedly entered the online wellness field and started a Facebook group for anyone looking for short and sweet tips on practicing meditation and mindfulness. I began hosting wellness workshops such as Intro to Meditation, and I hosted a weekly Meditation Monday event, offering just 10 minutes of guided meditation to encourage students to breathe, reflect and relax. Soon after, I began hosting challenges and my first signature program, Balancing Busy with Bliss. Each of my offerings were designed to help busy working women feel empowered to carve out small amounts of time in their day for themselves, to pause, breathe and relax. Since then, I have continued offering challenges as well as a Mindful Book Club, wellness retreats and 3-5 yoga classes weekly. I teach vinyasa, gentle and restorative yoga that each obtain breath work (pranayama), movement (asana), mindfulness and a message weaved throughout. Even after almost 3 years of teaching yoga, I still love preparing for and teaching each unique class of mine, giving my students the time to pause from their busy day, look inward and reconnect to themselves in the midst of whatever they may be going through. Throughout this crazy and exhilarating journey running my online wellness business, I am most proud of myself for not giving up. Any entrepreneur knows the high highs and low lows and the days that feel so hard, but through it all, I’m proud of myself for continuing to move forward, one step at a time, knowing there will be another high around the corner.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Within a year of starting my wellness business, I relocated with my fiance from Pennsylvania to Maine for him to pursue medical school. While this was such an exciting time for the both of us, I was faced with the need to pivot. While in PA, I was already teaching mindfulness online, but I was only teaching yoga in-person at my home studio, while working part-time as a nanny and dance instructor. Moving to Maine, I knew I wanted to continue teaching yoga classes but wasn’t sure how. I started with 1 class a week via Zoom, and I now teach 3-5 classes virtually via Zoom as well as on a meditation app called Insight Timer. At first, I was nervous and unsure how to pivot, but I love my current teaching schedule, especially the fact that I can teach to my students from PA as well as students from all over the world!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Throughout middle and high school and all through college, I felt the need to always be on the go. I was always getting involved in something new, and I found myself back at the same overbooked and overworked state time and time again. While I was genuinely passionate about everything I was doing, it was detrimental to my physical, mental and emotional health. My family, friends and peers always looked at me as doing great things, but I knew the chronic burnout did not feel so great. During the pandemic, I had to unlearn this toxic lesson. I was forced to stop and slow down, and this lesson drives my business today. My mission is to help busy women carve time to take care of their well-being. The tips I teach are the same habits that I practice each and every day to continue feeling my mental, emotional and physical best. Some days, I catch myself comparing myself to other business owners and their “grind” to reach success, but my daily habit of slowing down, being in the moment and taking care of myself drives my wellness business long-term and reminds me daily of how important the work is that I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zenwithjen.net/letsflow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_with.jen/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/moveintomindfulness/
• Other: https://insig.ht/tnpC1ylzeob?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_share

Image Credits
Jenni Urban