Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy McCarthy.
Stacy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
From an early age, I’ve always followed my passions, which as I matured turned into my life’s purpose. I grew up in Florida and was a complete water girl, surfing, sailing, and swimming every day. In high school, I was a national champion and an All- American Swimmer. I went to college in Colorado, on one of the early Title IX full ride athletic scholarships for women in swimming. While I was working on my degree in Exercise Science, I took up an alternative sport called Freestyle Frisbee. I became a 10 time world champion and after college spent several years, traveling the world teaching and sharing this grass roots sports.
Once I married and started a family, I wanted to stay closer to home. I got a job as a group fitness instructor and worked my way up to Chief Operations Officer of a popular chain of health clubs. During this time, I hired a yoga teacher to the class scheduling who really changed my life. I began studying with him and eventually with his teacher from India. Having come from competitive sports and gym workouts, I had a lot of judgment about how I looked and how well I could perform. Under my yoga teacher’s guidance, I gained the knowledge and insight that yoga is about getting rid of the mirrors and judgment of how I look, turning down the music so I can hear myself breathe and getting connected to how I feel. My daily practice over the past 25 years, has kept my body, lean, strong and healthy, and my mind focused and clear. However, the greatest gift yoga has given me is a deeper connection to myself and everyone around me.
After three decades in the fitness, health and nutrition industry, I’ve seen all the fads that have come and gone. One thing still sticks: I believe that long term health is guided by the harmony of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I believe no matter what your age or background, you can have a powerful body and peaceful mind without excessive exercise or dieting. My passion and purpose is to teach simple, life-long rituals to live in harmony with mind, body and spirit.
I teach these rituals at A Day of Namaste, my transformational wellness retreats. Guests master the big three, how you move, how you eat and how you think. The day consists of two yoga and meditation practices, a Beaming Superfood Cleanse (I’m one of the owners), renowned keynote speakers and a Pay It Forward Charitable Initiative.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My struggles have been my greatest gifts. I love to create mantras for myself to help me get through life’s ups and downs.
Straight out of college, I got my first job as an “aerobics instructor”. I was fired after two weeks. Although disappointed and embarrassed, I asked my boss an important question, “what are three things I need to do to get better?” I understood the importance of seeking feedback from those who have been where you want to be.
When I had kids, I struggled with the time requirements of my work and wanting to be home for my kids. I walked away from a position with many perks, and started my own business. I became the master of my schedule, designing my business around what was best for my kids. The mantra that helped me make the decision, ‘if I screw up my kids, nothing else matters”.
Two years ago, my parents had health challenges and I had to move them in with me. Although my Dad passed away recently, I still take care of my Mom, who had a stroke and is on a walker. There are days, I have to work at night or early in the morning and it can be challenging, but I know spending time with your parents is time you’ll never get back because you never know when they’ll be gone. My mantra for this stage of my life, “For every burden, there’s a blessing”.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Yoga Namastacy story. Tell us more about the business.
I started my business, Yoga NamaStacy, over 20 years ago, and have been fortunate to see it grow and flourish. With an unyielding vision and earnest dedication my work has been at the forefront of the yoga, fitness and health industry. Through my business, I’ve developed a collection of best-selling DVDs, books, and trainings, and have
contributed to countless media outlets and conferences that have allowed me to take my teachings globally. At it’s core yoga is a lifestyle, and I am passionate about how the way we eat relates to that; so I am also a partner at Beaming Superfood Cafes. Additionally, I act as a consultant to numerous yoga studios and fitness clubs, and am an active Professor of Yoga Studies at MiraCosta College. My most recent endeavor is the creation of my seasonal wellness retreat, A Day of Namaste, which offers rituals that help you master The Big 3! How You Move, How You Eat, and How You Think.
My specialty is teaching women no matter what their age, how to have a powerful body and peaceful mind without dieting or excessive exercise.
I’m most proud of teaching thousands of students to have more joy in their life, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, as well as certifying hundreds of yoga teachers and mentoring them to create a thriving and sustainable integrative wellness business.
Having a long term career in yoga is still new in America. The following are three things that have helped me create a thriving and sustainable business.
Most people beginning their yoga journey start because they want to feel better in their bodies. My formal education in human anatomy sets the foundation for keeping my clients and students safe in their yoga poses and sequencing.
Traveling, teaching and studying around the world with master teachers in yoga, meditation, and personal development secured a sense of how to work with a variety of people, using proven techniques and tools for accessing and sustaining mental and emotional well-being.
Having over 25 years of daily yoga and meditation practice, has cultivated an empirical knowledge that I have embodied through my own yoga journey. This allows me to share the wisdom that comes from direct experience with my clients and students.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am incredibly lucky to be where I’m at in both my personal and professional life. I get to live each day with passion and purpose doing what I love. I also know that the more people I meet and help, the luckier I get. Every single day I wake up with this mantra, I’m so happy and grateful for all that I have, all that I am and all that I will be. When you live your life in gratitude, every day is a lucky day.
Pricing:
- A Day of Namaste, Transformational One Day Cleansing & Yoga Retreat
- Sunday, April 8th, 2018, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
- $229. full registration, check Yoganamastacy.com for early bird specials
- 2 Yoga + Meditation Practices, Lifestyle Cleanse From Beaming Superfood Cafe, Maditation Mala from Bali, Renowned Speakers.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.yoganamastacy.com
- Phone: 858-922-7809
- Email: Stacy@yoganamastacy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoganamastacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StacyMcCarthyYogaNamastacy
- Twitter: Yoganamastacy
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/yoganamastacy
Image Credit:
Epic photojournalism, Micaela Malmi, Danielle Schaffer, Robert Grubbs
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