We recently connected with Tammi Sheridan and have shared our conversation below.

Tammi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I was a high school teacher for 18 years. I taught Spanish, AVID, and co-developed a Mindfulness program. I loved the youthful and high energy from guiding teenagers and tried to be as creative as I could be in the classroom. Ironically, developing a Mindfulness program is what sparked me to leave the profession and build a wellness business of my own. Once I started a regular mindfulness practice, I realized how much tension I had been holding onto and how much compassion fatigue I was suffering from. So I dove deeper into my own self-care practice and got certifications as a Registered Yoga Teacher and Mindfulness Instructor. Simultaneously, my mother’s health was declining and was put on hospice. Seeing her transition sparked my fascination with altered states of consciousness and psychedelic healing. I began a certification program using cannabis in both yoga and a ceremonial setting for somatic healing. Shortly after her death, I used some of my inheritance to buy a property in the Joshua Tree area, which has always been a sacred place for me. I had a vision to build a space for healing, connection, and relaxation. Flutter Space was born out of my love for guiding others, creating community, and giving people an unforgettable experience in the desert. My vision and passion for all of this gave me the courage to leave public education and re-write my narrative.

Tammi , 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 greatest inspiration comes from my ancestry. My parents are Belarusian WWII immigrants who endured a lot to get to the United States. Their cultural activism cultivated compassion and global awareness within me. It’s also been a personal journey uncovering generational trauma and transforming it into gifts of joy and resilience.

Teaching high school for 18 years was highly rewarding, but left me burned out and frustrated with the red tape surrounding any idea I had. During COVID I originally built Flutter Space as a teen life coaching business to offer help to teens during such a crazy time. But, as my own mindfulness practice transformed, so did my business. My vision sharpened enough to gain courage to leave the profession.

Flutter Space is a place for reconnection, recharging, and fun in the Joshua Tree area. I bring people out for weekend camping style retreats and getaways. There are shared rooms, campsites, and RV friendly parking. It’s a “best of the “Hi-Desert” weekend with hiking, sound healing, yoga, freshly prepared meals, and free time. I also create custom retreats or getaways for groups of 6 or more people. I can tailor Flutter Space Experiences to be around psychedelic healing, yoga, or affinity groups that come in search of connection and freedom. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories and connecting in simple ways.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I was unaware of my generational trauma until I began practicing and teaching mindfulness. Fear of losing everything was always in the back of my head no matter what I did. I always pushed myself to my edge out of fear of the unknown. I also recognized that I didn’t really know what joy and relaxation felt like. I was either working myself too ragged as a high school teacher, or rushing home to tend to my family or squeeze in a yoga class. I realized I was carrying the burdens of my parents and ancestors ALL THE TIME. I was always in fight or flight mode.

I had to unlearn fight or flight and override my own nervous system. That I am deserving of happiness and joy without having to prove it. My fear based conditioning was keeping me in a holding pattern of anxiety and anger. I finally began to make decisions on behalf of myself and my vision for a fulfilling life. It was so scary. But each time I made a new move in designing our property in the desert, I noticed I could begin to feel love and joy in my heart space – and therefore could show up more presently for myself and my family.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

When I first started Flutter Space as a life coaching business, there weren’t too many costs involved. I had a built-in network of parents from teaching high school that reached out to me, and I had a friend build me a website. But I knew Flutter Space was meant to be a place, a physical offering. I inherited money from my mother’s death in 2020 and was called to buy property in Yucca Valley to turn into a retreat space. This move reflected letting go of old narratives around fear and money and holding on to any and everything. I am so lucky that my inheritance was enough to build Flutter Space. Because of my rich cultural heritage, I wanted to honor my ancestral roots and also pay it forward. So people can really let go and relax when coming for retreats or weekend getaways. Our house is filled with my mother’s artwork, old books, and other family heirlooms like my grandmother’s sewing machine. This is how I pair the lessons from my family with guiding people to feel connection, love, grounding, and joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://flutterspace.co
• Instagram: @flutterspace
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094619899863

Image Credits
Jessie Zahner @athletchic (IG) Jody Roses Joshua Tree Photography @joshua_tree_photography (IG)