We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leigh Ann Root a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Leigh Ann , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
I had a solid middle-class upbringing where I was loved, supported, and protected. This was not a stated thing; it was felt. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized this was the foundation for my well-being and good relationships, and it helped when faced with challenges. I was born in 1968, the youngest of three, with two older brothers (6 & 8 years older). My position in the family was advantageous and comfortable. I grew up knowing that I was loved no matter my missteps or mistakes, it was unconditional. The best gift I was given growing up was their time. My parents weren’t philosophical or highly emotional people; they were everyday people who instinctively knew how to raise kids with common sense, humility, and kindness. This, in turn, became how we live and raise our kids. Not everything was perfect or cookie-cutter, but it was simple and supportive always. I have never felt as though anything is impossible.
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.
Fitness and wellness have been at the forefront of my life and businesses throughout the last 30 years. My husband and I owned and operated a health club for over 17 years, and we also had a yoga studio for three years of the 17 years. We had a difficult time exiting this life financially, but it is what carved our next chapter so well. Almost 12 years ago, we started back from scratch with two young children in tow, telling ourselves – that we are workers and not hindered in any other way, the sky is the limit. With lessons learned, we sculpted a life we are proud of. During this time, I began my traveling yoga business, Sunapee Yoga Company. This has been a side hustle ever since. I recently resigned from my ‘real job’ as an Executive Director at a non-profit to pursue my yoga career full-time. Over the last decade (+) I have taught yoga on top of mountains, lakesides, on top of boats, in many other locations, and for many different reasons/events. This is a calling that I’m answering on a full-time basis now. I love people and motivate them toward deeper happiness. I’m a natural cheerleader of spirits and feel most at home when doing this. I’m also a writer and write to inspire.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I alluded to this in the last question. My husband and I bought and grew a health club in our hometown in 1998. We grew the membership from 150 to almost 1,000 members over a decade and a half. At that 15-year mark (or so), our hometown opened a community center with a fitness center component. This center offered all we did and more at a fraction of the price. Taxpayers carried some of that burden, which we were. We owned two downtown historic buildings (a 10,000-square-foot foot health club and a cute little yoga studio across the street), a two-family (where my mom lived), and a family home next door where we lived with our two children. We grew our health club to a 24/7 business to compete, We began racking up credit card debt to survive, canceled our health insurance, sold what we could to stay afloat, and eventually experienced a financial collapse. All that we had built, we lost. We closed the business and the bank took back the commercial building and all of the contents, We declared bankruptcy. We eventually sold all of our other buildings and any profit went to our business debt. We found a home to rent with an option to buy – a fixer-upper (my husband is a contractor), it was up the road from a beautiful lake and many mountains, 30 miles from our hometown. The summer before moving into our new home we lived at the campground we had enjoyed with our kids, not far from our old home. It was an embarrassing and challenging time and one that we would do all over again as it grew us into different and better people. It was emotionally difficult as we realized who did and didn’t belong in our lives. When you’re successful, donating to many causes, giving discounts and free memberships to people – what’s not to like? When you’re prickly and mad (sad’s bodyguard) your true tribe surrounds you. It was life-changing and we rose to every occasion as we rebuilt the life that we enjoy today. Without this experience, life would not be as sweet. Lessons were learned and change was beautiful.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My reputation has been built through creativity, consistency, dependability, and authenticity. I teach yoga from my heart, which means being myself and not trying to be something I am not. I want to help people feel better about themselves, and this happens when people show up for themselves and prioritize their health and well-being. I create environments where this is possible, on a regular basis, with just enough change to keep them interested.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunpaeeyogacompany.com
- Instagram: sunapeeyogacompany
- Facebook: Sunapee Yoga
