We were lucky to catch up with Victoria Chestnut recently and have shared our conversation below.

Victoria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

The life-changing moment is definitely credited to Derek, my (now husband). At 28 years old, he encouraged me to pursue yoga; observing how I naturally helped people with their practice while at the gym or in other fitness settings. I was uncertain about it, but he believed in me. I earned my 200-hour certificate (in Houston, TX) in 2019, and began teaching shortly after. Most recently, I earned my 300-hour advanced certificate (in Thailand) in April 2022.

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

Of course! My name is Victoria Chestnut, from Houston, Texas. Let me start by saying I feel like a late bloomer in life. Maybe you do too. I’ve spent pretty much my entire life not knowing (exactly) what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to end up. Model. Architect. Veterinarian. I was all over the place!

I followed the cookie-cutter guidelines of what society said would bring success. Went to school, made the grades, went to college, worked in corporate… the whole shebang; office cubicles, water cooler chatter and…a slow death of the soul.
I left corporate to work for my uncle, who owns a website, graphics and IT security company based in Pearland and Los Angeles. I still work for him to this day, but am actively building my brand off-the-clock. And my uncle encourages this, which is awesome.
On January 26, 2019, FlowEtry was born, and I’m beyond excited to see where this journey takes me. I work much harder now than I have in the past, but you know what? The days end differently when it’s building for yourself.

My clients are predominantly retired pro-athletes and bodybuilders, but I have a special place in my heart for teaching beginners. Ultimately, I will host yoga retreats (in the states and abroad) and conduct workshops in collaboration with other yoga teachers.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I would definitely say knowledge of self. You need to know who YOU are before you present yourself to the world, Else…the world will “create” its idea of you and push that narrative onto you. What are your ethics? What is your code of conduct? What lines will you not cross? Who are you trying to impact?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, the world will (proverbially) smack you around, molding you into someone unrecognizable. Know yourself.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Absolutely. I would choose yoga again and again. The path of yoga saved my life, as I went through my 20’s broken and emotionally damaged from childhood trauma. I can’t think of another path that would have, or could have, provided the energetic space to heal, grow and flourish.

I’m still learning. Still growing. Still figuring out how to take what I learn in yoga and translate it in modern, digestible ways. But I DO believe this path can help others heal. And healing is part of my Swadharma (Swadharma means practicing one’s own dharma which includes individual`s unique duties, responsibilities and righteousness. It is unique because everyone is born with their own innate traits, nature and capacities).

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @flowetrycollective
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi7yYwq2K8_k3dY_SzY2aNA

Image Credits
Professional Photography done by David, aka Kane of Kre8tive (Instagram handle: @iamkre8tiv)