We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Laird recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

I think deep down everyone wants to know what they’re doing matters, that it counts in some way. I’ve been blessed in my career to encounter multiple heartwarming stories that affirmed my choice to pursue the health and wellness industry.

I am a small business owner in the health and wellness space and engage in contract work in my extra time. One of my contracts is working with Operation Red Wings Foundation as the Yoga and Modalities instructor for combat veterans. The organization would host retreats or programs for our veterans that would last 6 days at a time.

During this time, we followed a schedule of full of educational resources and activities to include Alpha Stim classes, HeartMath, nutrition, yoga in the mornings, afternoons, and yoga nidra in the evenings. By the third or fourth day when we were bonded and trust was established the veterans participated in guided meditations. The results from these meditation practices were astounding. To witness the tears that followed, the physical release in their bodies, and the deep healing they would encounter from leaning in will never be a feeling or a sight I will ever forget. The following day, I would receive comments on how they were finally able to sleep.

The joy that would fill my heart would spill over into my own tears in private. It was and still is one of the most impactful things of my career to know I am a part of team that makes such a difference in the lives of the the people who gave their all to serve us and this country.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Ever since I can remember I’ve been working at some capacity in the medical field. First in a Psychiatry office, then in a Neurology center, a Cardiology office, an OB/GYN office, and I finally landed in a Physical Therapy clinic where I happily stayed for the last eight years of my time in San Antonio, Texas.

I was doing marketing for the physical therapy clinic at the time and there happened to be a yoga studio that opened up next door to our new space. I decided to venture over and see what this new thing was all about looking for a bit of stress relief and a way to move my body again. I was immediately sold.

During my last few years there I met my now husband, an Active Duty AirForce TACP. I knew I would follow him anywhere, meaning I would have to leave the job I adored and the people that left such a strong impression in my professional life.

Being a single mom at the time I knew I didn’t want to rush back into a corporate job. This gave me the idea to pursue yoga teacher training. I knew this was an skill I could take anywhere we went with the flexibility I so desperately yearned for. I went for it with no clue that this would be the very beginning of my true passion. I graduated as a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher and quickly finished my 500hr training right after in 2019. My husband and I secretly married and moved with orders to the Ft. Bragg area in North Carolina that summer.

We are still here today and in this time I’ve been blessed to teach over 2000 hours of private one on one classes, moonlight a few group classes, and teach hot yoga at a local studio. I’ve been steadfast in growing my knowledge and education throughout this time. I am a certified Warriors at Ease Teacher. I’ve completed training with the Veteran’s Yoga Project. I am now a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider leading our very own yoga teacher trainings. I am Certified Personal Trainer, a Barre Instructor, and I am the owner of Honey Bee Sweat, LLC, a Virtual Barre and Wellness Studio.

I specialize in Adaptive and Therapeutic Yoga and have a bleeding heart for our military service men and women. As a military spouse currently stationed at Ft. Bragg, I know and see every day how much yoga and mindfulness modalities serve this community so they can turn around and fulfill their dreams of serving this country.

When I do step away from teaching virtually with HBS, I work with the Operation Red Wings Foundation serving combat veterans healing and dealing with invisible wounds. I wouldn’t trade this for the world. The connection, the stories, and the healing that takes place within those walls is awe-inspiring and one I am proud to be a part of.

I have a wide range of skills and emotional intelligence to serve a wide range of demographics thanks to my long standing background working in various forms of medical disciplines. Yoga is for everybody, no matter where they’re at in their life. I’m here to support their first step and beyond.

I continue to offer private one on one classes, virtual on demand videos and courses to be done in the comfort of your own home if that is preferred, small group classes, corporate events, and contract work. You can find more information on how to work with me here. www.itsjessicalaird.com

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

Initially, I thought once I graduated a specialty training or program I would know everything I needed to know to help everyone. I carried this subconscious thought for years thinking if I took one more training that would be the one to close the gap. Training after training went by and why they absolutely did help me serve more people it didn’t prepare me to serve each individual as unique and different as we all are.

I quickly had to come to terms with that fact that my profession and/or specialty wouldn’t be the modality for everyone. All I could ask is that they show up and give it a shot and I would, too. If it wasn’t for them I would be the first to connect them with a different specialist best suited for their needs.

This was a hard lesson to unlearn as I truly care for each one of the people I serve. I wanted so badly for this to be what helped them as it was what helped me in my time of need.

Knowing now that sometimes the best service I can offer is a referral to a different specialty still fuels my passion as what I really hope for everyone is that they relentlessly keep their pursuing their health, wellness, and happiness because it matters.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

In my experience the most helpful thing you can do to succeed in the health and wellness industry is to listen first. Always be a student. You are there to learn just as much as you are to teach. If you can adopt a mindset of “always a beginner” you will learn more about your field and the individual person than a training could ever teach you.

This reminds me of a good book on the subject, Rookie Smarts by Liz Wiseman.

Each person is different. They have different perceptions. They have different stories. They have different injuries and ailments. They cope differently They receive feedback differently. They move differently. No two classes should ever be the same. Similar in some ways, yes, but not the same.

Learning about and connecting with your clients will be the catalyst for success in this field. Ultimately at the end of the day, humans need and value connection. To be heard and to be seen is the collective need, and if you can meet that you will be successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.itsjessicalaird.com or https://www.honeybeesweat.com
• Instagram: @itsjessicalaird & @honeybeesweat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.laird88?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-laird-1a735968
• Twitter: @Honey_Bee_Sweat
• Youtube: @honeybeesweat
• Yelp: Honey Bee Sweat

Image Credits
Corry Frazier Kristin Guynn