Meet Tori Washington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Washington.

Tori, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in and around Detroit, Michigan. And my spiritual journey began at a really young age – I was 15 years old when I discovered the book “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson. At the time, she was the minister at a denominational church I attended for a couple of years. It’s crazy, now she’s running for president!

But, her talks and books helped me understand for the first time that I was more than just a physical body which changed the game for me. I experienced a lot of Catholic guilt growing up and I found that I didn’t resonate with traditional religion. Through the teachings of A Return to Love, I learned I didn’t have to subscribe to any specific label of religion to be loved or a good person. I was able to let that go and pave my own way so I could see the Universe/God within myself.

And through that, I could love myself and others more fully. I could create the life I wanted versus following the path of “right” vs “wrong.”

In college, I started teaching yoga and that became an outlet for me to share the spiritual principles that were transforming my life and my perspective.

After I graduated college I thought to myself, I need to get a “real job” that pays actual money. My spiritual practice dwindled away as I moved to Chicago, IL to start a life in the city. I jumped right into the grind and found myself sitting behind a desk — I was a project manager at commercial real estate firm. While I was getting paid more than I ever had before, I was deeply unfulfilled and lost touch with my purpose. I declared January 2015 I would quit so I could redefine my career.

From there, I taught yoga again full-time and eventually began managing yoga studios. I led workshops and talks around the city and hosted underground women’s circles. At the time, Chicago didn’t have a big spiritual or self-development scene so a lot of women were in the spiritual closet trying to figure out life on their own.

After one of my workshops, it hit me…

I’m most lit up when I’m speaking in front of big groups of people – leading them through transformational experiences that wake them up to their brilliance. I didn’t know how to make it a business but I was determined to figure it out.

I resigned from managing studios and decided to go full time in my business in 2017.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s been a series of challenges along the way. I’ve overcome some big obstacles – divorce when I was super young, debilitating anxiety in my teens, addiction in my early 20’s and an un-engagement. When I list them all out here it sounds kind of crazy and ridiculous – like, how did I get here?

My years in Chicago were some of the most magnificent and most challenging. I moved there with my partner at the time in 2012 after we both graduated college. It’s where our relationship grew and it’s where our relationship ended. It’s where my career kicked off and where my career took a huge shift. When we decided to call off our engagement, it was the same month I’d decided to resign from my corporate job. So far when I look back on my life – 2017 was THE year. Everything changed. As my corporate life ended so did my relationship and, life felt like it was completely falling apart at the time.

In the process of healing and rebuilding, I learned that I carried a lot of co-dependent habits from my childhood that contributed to my relationships and career in an unhealthy way. It was a huge wake up call and revealed to me what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be in the world. For the first time, I took responsibility for my life.

I know a lot of people that stay in relationships and jobs just because it seems like the right thing to do or they’re scared to start over. I decided to do things differently and while it wasn’t easy, it was the greatest lesson I’ve learned so far.

So that summer, I sold my things and booked a one way ticket to San Diego. I landed there with the intention to pause and then keep traveling but loved it so much I ended up staying and essentially rebuilding my life.

And, I’m still here today! About two and a half years later I live here now with an incredible man that I get to share life with. My business is on track to hit it’s most successful year yet. It’s wild.

But if it weren’t for those challenging moments and decisions, I truly don’t believe I would be able to show up in the world the way I do today. I wouldn’t be able to teach and share the work I do today.

I believe each of us has the gift to turn sh*t into gold per-say. You get to either struggle through it or choose to see it as an opportunity to grow.

One of the laws of the Universe is the Law of Relativity which states that every single person on this planet will move through a series of challenges for the purpose of strengthening the inner-wisdom and light that lives within them. The road hasn’t been smooth and I’m okay with that.

Please tell us more about your work.
I’m a traveling speaker and spiritual mentor. I create courses and experiences for humans to activate their intuition and soul purpose so they can confidently create a career and lifestyle on their terms.

I’m known for my no-BS approach to spiritual living — I’m a blend of practical and galactical haha! I’ve found over the years that my superpower is mixing practical mindset strategies with spiritual principles to help men and women amplify their purpose and impact on this planet.

I’m fascinated by the human mind and obsessed with human potential. I see you and me and everyone as limitless. We’re spiritual beings that can create the impossible. I think what sets me apart is that I tell people to go do the thing that they’ve been told their whole life NOT to do.

When people attend my workshops or go through one of my courses, they experience a breath of fresh air in my presence because I mirror back to them what’s possible when you trust yourself.

Most people come to me because they’re interested in living a life beyond just “wake up and go to work.”

And I’m most proud that my business has created experiences for hundreds of humans to wake up more alive every day. That’s what it’s about. Truly waking up to your human potential and actually using it to change the world.

My goal is to reach millions. I’m really just getting started and it’s beyond exciting.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was born in Connecticut and every Summer we would go back to visit. That’s where my mom’s side of the family lived – specifically my mémé (grandma in French.) Every time I arrived at her house I just simply felt at home. I don’t have many childhood memories, but in this moment I can smell her house and the feeling of her work clothes against my cheek as we hugged. She was so sweet, so fiercely full of love.

In her house, I learned what love was. She also made life-changing pancakes. The last time I saw her, which was over ten years ago, I knew it would be the last time. She and I were/are very connected. I still feel her every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.toriwashington.com
• Email: info@toriwashington.com
• Instagram: @iamtoriwashington
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsatori

Image Credit:
Luna Munn Photography

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