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

Alright, Mya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I was passionate in health and wellness and was dedicated to my yoga practice. I had dreamt of sharing my love for yoga and wellness with others. I have an autoimnune disease of type 1 diabetes, where my pancreas no longer produces insulin and dependent of insulin for the rest of my life. This disease is not cureable and is out of my control. I have learned to cope with it it by embracing that this is part of my new life style and this is when I started to practice yoga. Yoga has changed my life positvily not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I decided to take a leap of faith and create my own yoga business a year after I recieved my 200 hour teacher training. Many have doubted me but it only motivated me to see that I can! I knew that starting a business was a risk, but I believed in myself and in the tranformative power of yoga. I have reached out to my friends, family, and local community organizations to support and spread the word. I began promoting yoga events by bringing the yoga experience to the community. Not just a business owner and a yoga instructor,I love creating a beautiful sequence, intenional playlist, and themed yoga. I became my own marketer, motivational speaker, digital creator, and utilized social media platforms to showcase my unique teaching style and the benefits of practicing yoga.
Although, I faced challenges. It was not easy to compete with the well-established yoga studios in the area. However, I remained resilient and focused on my vision by bringing the yoga experiece to the community.
Finally my risk-taking paid off. My yoga business flourished, and I was able to expand my offerings to include workshops, specialized classes, host events, kids yoga and teach on mindfulness, and where it opened doors to oportunities to be able to do private yoga practice for senior citizens, athletes, and a diverse group of students.
My risk had not only created a business but had also positively impacted the lives of many. Taking risks can lead to incredible rewards. By following my passiion and believing in myself, I was able to create a thriving yoga business that brought joy, health, and peace to countless individuals. So, if you are considering taking a risk on your own business, remember my journey and have faith in your abilities. Who knows, you might just create something truly extraordinary.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

One of the things I want my readers to know about my and Thrive Yoga is my unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive yoga for a diverse community. At Thrive Yoga, I believe that yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, body type, or level of experience. I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where individuals can explore the transformative power of yoga and discover their own unique path to well-being. Beyond phyiscal fitness, I recognize that yoga encompasses much more. I aim to culivate mindfulness, self-acceptance, and inner peace in my students. I offer tools and techniques to help indivduals thrive both on and off the mat. At Thrive Yoga, where connections are formed and personal growth is celebrated. I encourage students to embrace their strengths and challenges, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-discovery. So, wheather you are a seasoned yogi or someone who has never stepped onto a mat before, I welcome you with open arms. At Thrive Yoga, I dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring space where you can explore the tranformative benefits of yoga and ultimately thrive in all aspects of your life.

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

Resilience oftent manifests as the ability to bounce back, adapt, and remain committed to the practiec even when faced with difficulties. It is showing up on my mat, even on days when motivation is low, and finding the strength to persevere. My type 1 diabetes is a setback for me and has been very challenging for me. I will have good days and bad days, but I have learned to reflect on my challenges and found the determination to keep going. By acknowldeging and celebrating my own resilience, I inspire others and remind them of the power they have within themseleves. I remind myself, resilience is not about never falling down; it’s about getting back up, learning from the experience, and continue to thrive.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Local community partnerships; being able to collaborate with local businesses, such as coffee shops, wellness centers or health food stores. this way I can tap into their customer base and attract potential clients to my business and vise versa I am able to help other small businesses gain customers. Social media marketing is a great way to utilize platforms to showcase my business and events and will attract clients that maybe interested in trying out yoga by creating healthy habits for their self care.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thriveyoga_mya
• Facebook: Mya Evelyn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mya-fillingham/
• Other: linktr.ee/thriveyogamya

Image Credits
@lexi_lakotaphotograpy