We recently connected with Mintyce Ealey and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mintyce thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

A defining moment in my professional career actually happened after getting into a car accident. At the time I was working as a manager at a hair salon. After the accident, I had to do months of physical therapy where yoga was introduced to me as a way of rehab. Six months after the accident, I decided it was time to leave that job and do something that actually fulfills me. Fast forward to me leaving the salon, COVID lockdown came the following month; giving me time to focus on me instead of just moving on to the next thing. During that time I proceeded to do my 200hr YTT. Although I did it originally to deepen my own practice, it soon became a doorway for more. Throughout my teaching training and after I really fell in love with movement on my mat. About a year and a half later, I began doing mat pilates at home led by the amazing Jungle J0hanna. I quickly fell in love with the modality, the strength it gave me, and the way it changed my perception of my body. I should also note that I was in the modeling industry for years so often my view of my body image was influenced by those around me. Pilates put me back in control and made me fall in love with my body and its capabilities. I later went to Miami to get certified in Mat Pilates and a few months later began teaching private classes. I did that for about a year then came opportunities for group class and studios. Through all of this yoga and pilates became apart of my routine, a way for me to connect and listen to my body. Nine months into teaching at studios, I ended up in the hospital after fighting a fever on and off for a couple of weeks. That hospital visit would later lead to a diagnosis of Lupus SLE and Nephritis. While it was very unexpected and has been a lot to take in, I realize that all of this has been happening for a reason. Yoga and Pilates gave me a deeper understanding for my body and that daily movement has helped me get through Lupus flares. This lifestyle of mindful movement, eating and living found me and made receiving this diagnosis and living with a chronic illness a little easier. According to my doctors, I live the ideal lifestyle for someone with the disease which is comforting to hear. The diagnosis thankfully didn’t turn my life upside down like it has others, it made things more clear to me. It made me understand that my certifications and the way I desire to live has all been for a reason.

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.

I am a certified yoga and mat pilates instructor. I have been teaching group classes and in studios for just over a year now. I love helping others feel good in their bodies and realize the strength within them. Not only am I an instructor but I am also the Executive of Operations at a new studio, MuVe Studios in Alexandria, Virginia where I am able to put my passion for wellness and mindful leadership to use. I love clients leaving my classes feeling confident, strong and also mentally relaxed and at ease.
I currently teaching at LUMA Wellness Studio in Navy Yard, DC. I am there Mondays at 5:30pm teaching Hot Pilates, Thursdays at 4:25pm teaching Hot Pilates and Sundays at 10:20am teaching Release and Renew.
I teach at MuVe Studios Fridays at 8;30 Mat Pilates and 10:00am for restorative yoga.
I also teach at private events and will be hosting international retreats in the near future.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what helped build my reputation in moving authentically. I have always had a very calm energy, one that allows people to feel at ease and I love being able to bring that to my classes and events. I always show up when I say I will, I’m respectful of everyone I meet, and I genuinely support those around me. In a market where things may feel oversaturated, I live and move knowing that there more than enough for all of us to succeed.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My resilience has been shown, especially over the last two years. What I thought was me “doing too much” or “overworking” was actually Lupus flares. Of course since I didn’t know it at the time I continued to push through with my same teaching schedule. After my hospital stay, receiving the diagnosis and being out for almost two months, I came back to the studios ready to teach. Although my schedule may not be as packed with classes as it was before, I am still back to moving and guiding others. My doctors and support system are impressed with how I was able to bounce back so quickly especially given the damage that done during that flare.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mintyce

Image Credits

Te Johnson @nrmlphoto
Yogi Shields @yogi.shields
Telly @tellyvision__
Nesha Torres @shotbynesha