We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lesli Lancaster a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lesli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My first thought into turning my yoga practice into something that could actually become a profession did not just come over night. I contemplated and thought through what it would actually be like. What would people think, would it be worth my time, my efforts and in the end actually work out the way I expected it to. It wasn’t until I finally realized that my choice to become a yoga instructor genuinely made me happy. It brought me closer to myself and helped me connect to others. The ball started rolling when I realized that I actually had a skill and a passion that could work hand in hand and become something. Then I built up the courage to take that leap and started progressing to becoming an instructor and share my love of yoga to anyone who would listen. I learned and saw that I could actually make an income off of this practice and then it just snowballed from there.

Lesli, 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?

I first started simply because I was in such a deep hole within myself, feeling very low and struggling with mental health. I was a young mother who was never taught to take care of my mental health and to push through pretending everything was ok. When in reality it wasn’t. Yoga was suggested to me to help with anxiety and depression and my first class led me down this path of openness and safety that I didn’t know I had within myself. I felt this heavy cloud begin to lift off my chest. From there I started practicing not just physical movement but got heavily involved in healing my mental health. It has not been an easy journey and I feel I’m still on the ride, but with the amazing, loving support of my husband, I knew I wanted to give others what was given to me through the practice of yoga, meditation and mental health. That is why I became a teacher to give back what I could. Yoga saved me. Physically and emotionally. Now I get to return all of that love to my students. Teaching classes in person, private sessions and online. Meditation classes are also offered and just letting people have a listening ear. I love that I can give people the real me, to be vulnerable with them and relatable. So many of us are fighting the same mental battles and it helps knowing you are not alone. It helps being understood. That is what I try to give to my community.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

What I want most out of what I share is to let people know they are not alone. To let others know their feelings are validated and giving them permission to express those feelings. I strive for more mental health care, understanding ourselves and finding tools and resources that can help us both physically and emotionally. If I can make one person feel good or better in a day than I feel like what I’m sharing and practicing is worth it. People just want to be heard, and have a safe space to share thoughts and feelings without being ridiculed or put down. Not feeling like a burden. That’s huge for me. I open my heart, my ear, for those who need it. I want all to feel like they are of worth.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social Media has been a rollercoaster of opportunities, frustrations, happy moments and discouraging ones. I have loved connecting with so many people that relate to what I love to do. But it hasn’t come easy. I started my account thinking of what people expected to see on my page, but I later learned I was not showing up as my true authentic self. I ended up taking a solid two year break from social media just because I felt burnt out and not doing what I love. After that break I promised myself that I would show up only as me!! And it was the magic key to social media. People want real, relatable content and a face that they are comfortable with. I finally showed up as me and it has been the best thing ever. I’ve made amazing connections, friends and opportunities I didn’t think possible. It’s been a game changer letting go of those expectations and showing up as my authentic self.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @lesforyoga
• Linkedin: Leslilancaster
• Youtube: @lesforyoga

Image Credits
All photos are mine, rightfully owned