We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Astromsky. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.

Alright, Karen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Because I was at my gym so frequently, I was noticed by the program manager of fitness classes. She said to me one day–I would love to have you teach here. I had never given it a thought. But then I said to myself–ok–what will I teach? weight training, spin? Or–something I can do forever? I chose yoga! It wasn’t the fastest track, but it took me to five cruises–to learning qi gong as well–to YouTube and to corporate entities. I can honestly say–I chose right, although I never expected teaching mind/body classes would be such a big part of my life. Ten years ago, I started teaching one class a week and then two. That lasted for several years. Presently I teach eight classes a week, and every class I teach is different. I bring my life coaching and motivational speaking skills to the mat as well. My students truly get a “mind, body, spirit” experience from someone who is cheering them on every single class. My teaching has evolved too. My body has changed in these past ten years, and I had a major knee surgery. My students saw me through all of that rehabilitation and how I had to modify my own poses. It gave them even more permission to be themselves in class.

Karen, 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?

My second daughter, Natalie was born with serious health issues that involved open heart surgery and a cancer diagnosis all before six months of age. Those crises took me away from my career (university administration) and put me in Children’s Hospital with Natalie fighting for her life. When she finally came home after six months to begin her long, long recovery, I was wiped out with PTSD. It was years before I could even think of doing something beyond taking care of her needs. When I did find something–weight loss coaching–it was very part time, and I discovered how much I loved public speaking and cheerleading and coaching my members. I love helping people with problems discover their inner strength to meet their challenges. I provide tools, skills and mind/body experiences to my clients so that they can create the life that means the most to them. I advocate for changing direction, which can sound scary, but actually it creates freedom for my clients to move their lives towards what they want now and let go of what isn’t working for them. I coach in a holistic way. If the mind is spinning with unhelpful thoughts, the body is not doing much better. They are so interconnected, so I address all of this in my coaching practice. I am in the business of putting myself out of business. I coach my clients to their clarity, newly created boundaries, self care, limitlessness, freedom and thrivership.

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

When I started on my own path to solopreneurship, I had NO idea what I was getting into. I wanted to write a book for years, but it took me years to get over myself–and the fact that even though there are lots of books out there about self improvement, mine mattered, and I had to do it. That’s when I learned about the importance of marketing. I had NO idea that marketing was the name of the game in every single thing you do as an entrepreneur. I was a French and Linguistics major in college. I had no clue, so, like many people, I went online. Yes, there are thousands of people who want your money and want you to follow their program. Yes, I paid a lot of them. I also discovered in my journey that I have to enjoy what I am doing. I have to like the way I work and how I deliver my content. I am working by myself most of the time–of course I have peers, but they don’t sit next to me in my home office, so it can be a lonely road where I have to trust my instincts, ask for help when I need it, reality check with my colleagues and keep going. So many ups and downs with a small business! This is not for the easily frustrated. In the last five years, I went from quitting a job that became soul sucking, to writing a book, starting a coaching practice, creating a 3 month group coaching program, incorporating my yoga, qi gong and meditation into all of it and expanding my teaching–and I am presently applying to TEDx stages for my talk about going BOLD in midlife.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn is that there is NO single “right way” to run a small business. The one that works for me is the right one, and even that is up for renegotiation as times change. Every single coach or program or speaker on the internet has their own theory about what has to be done to make six figures, have six figure months, become a millionaire, etc. The fact is, those ideas are their opinions. And for them, their plan may work well, but for ME, I have to do what feels aligned with who I am and how I want to serve my clients. I am honest, transparent and authentic. I don’t want people coming to me simply so that I make money. I want people coming to me to create transformation for themselves. Then I make money.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karenastromsky.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenastromsky
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenastromskycoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/karen-e-astromsky
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/karenastromsky-coachkaren