We’re looking forward to introducing you to Valerie Garcia . Check out our conversation below.
Valerie , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think everyone is struggling to find balance and meaning. There seems to be this endless expectation that we put on ourselves for how we’re supposed to live, when in reality other people don’t really care how we live because they’re so busy trying to figure it out for themselves. We end up spending countless years in pursuit of these expectations and struggle with identity in the process.
We make all these concessions for our relationships, thinking that as long as we’re achieving something, in a career sense like a degree, a job title or a salary, that we’re being noble, but it often comes at the cost of our relationships or potential relationships even. We put off things like having a family or taking a trip and all of this takes the dimension out of life.
Everywhere you look there’s false programming about time and how much we have left and age, as if we’re inevitably useless one day or less fit or less beautiful, but the opposite is true. You become more knowable with time, more skilled and aware. Our appearance ripens in new ways that tell the youth which way to go.
When you live full it shines all over and is nothing to be feared. Not everyone has the gift of time and we take that for granted. I think we all struggle to find the balance and are in search of meaning.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Valerie, I teach yoga and lead women’s gatherings. I also offer prenatal and mother programs as well as kids’ yoga. I’ve been teaching all over the country and internationally for 15 years.
My main source of income, however, comes from the branding and web development company I run with my Mum. We specialize in creating online programs and lead-generating tools for small businesses. We educate our clients on how to duplicate positive results with tangible outcomes. Most of the tools we use are free, we do all the installation while showing how to use and operate. We find people really like this style because once our task is complete, they can be independent and don’t have to pay maintenance.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I saw myself was with my father-in-law. For so many years, I had this story about myself, where I came from, what I had been through, and it hardened me. I was wearing my hardships like a badge that demanded respect. I was so used to being hurt that I cut myself off from the joys in between like this life warrior.
It was when I was planning my wedding that this shift happened. So many people that I wanted to be a part of the day were not going to show up for me and it broke my heart. One in particular was my own father, he had been out of touch and an invisible element in my life for years. I kept thinking about how uncomfortable the idea of walking down the aisle made me because who is going to be by my side?
It was my father-in-law who walked with me, and instead of being “given away,” I was accepted into a new family. To this day, it makes me emotional. While I was so busy focusing on the pain and the disappointment, I almost missed all the love that WAS showing up for me and wanted to be a part of my life that I just wasn’t seeing.
I stopped identifying with this broken person I believed myself to be and opened myself up to the enchanting, delightful person that many people want to be around. Maybe not everyone can see it, but I no longer focus on those who can’t and I now see the ones that can; they help me to see it in myself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that things don’t get easier, you just get better at dealing with it. Success makes you think you can solve all the problems or pay them away. There are things in life that just suck and there isn’t anything you can do but let it be what it is. Not a great thing to face but it’s reality. You just become equipped.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That AI will take all the work. Maybe that’s true in some things, but human creativity and empathy will always be in demand. Connecting with one another is a survival instinct that is not easily replicated. All species in the wild that live in solitary go extinct. We like to downplay our pack mentality but it’s not going anywhere and we’re not meant to do it alone.
We need each other and in community we find healing and support.
Competing for resources may continue to drive innovation, but when we work together we achieve greatness.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When my time is over, I hope people say they were inspired by how fiercely and authentically I lived through every stage of life. That they felt love in my presence and that I was a safe place to share thoughts and feelings. I hope they tell stories of how something I said or did sparked change in their lives—and encouraged them to create that change for others too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ThatYogaLady.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/that_yoga_lady?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie1page
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogalady?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
