Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Spence.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. I’ve kept journals. As a small child, I made up cartoon characters and dialogue. As an adult, I’ve worked in radio, TV and films. I created my own publishing business, where I also served as the editor. I’ve written for magazines around the world. I created a documentary film. I’ve written plays and screenplays. I’m essentially a communicator. I’m also a published author. My book was given a very prestigious award, The Nautilus Books Award.
I’m proud to say I’m an activist and creative leader. I also happen to be a certified yoga teacher. I have an empowering approach to self-inquiry and personal development. I am committed to helping ignite the desire for others to create a life of health and joy for themselves through a sustainable practice of yoga for a lifetime of transformation. This is my dharma: To educate and inspire. My soul’s purpose is to be a powerful source of love on the planet.
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?
No, it has not been an easy path. In fact, I encourage people to embrace the challenges of life. For this, I know for sure: it is a unifying principle of life that at some point in your life you are going to be met with what appears to be an insurmountable challenge. No one escapes this. I used yoga to move through a very low point in my life. The journey through this painful time was part of the inspiration for my book. After escaping an abusive marriage, I was treated for PTSD. Though the ugly transition, I made a conscious choice that I was going to be the driver in the car of my life journey. That deliberate choice – that moment – changed my life.
I embarked on a 4,000 Yoga Road Trip up the west coast of the United States from southern California up into Canada in a rented RV. Before glamping, Instagram, and at the birth of social media, I was blogging (and then video blogging – vlogging) about the transformative power of yoga. On the road, I redefined and rediscovered by lost self and realized that it was part of my life’s purpose to share what I had learned from my “crash” to help others move through a challenging time in their life. On the road, I practiced with and interviewed 100’s of yoga teachers, where I gathered their wisdom to share with my readers. This trip became my book: “Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat,” which I’m proud to say has been incredibly well-received.
“I reclaimed my lost self on the road. I understood for the first time how to thrive instead of merely survive. I regained my unique power and my voice. And most important, I had a road map for physical, mental, and spiritual health to give others. The impressive souls I met on my Yoga Road Trip, and those I have engaged with as I continue my journey, are at the heart of my book. I became a Warrior when I embraced the understanding that I had to crash so I could transform my life.” You can manifest everything you need to make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. I’m proof of that.
Think bigger. Take more risks. Aim higher. Push yourself more. Move-in the direction of your dreams. Small steps, taken over and over with passion, produce results. Focus on pleasing yourself, instead of seeking the approval of others. If I could tell my 20-year-old self one thing, it would be this: “You’re going to accomplish 99.9% of what you set out to do. You’re also going to achieve more than you’re even dreaming of now. So why not think bigger? Think globally.”
In 1965 I knew at a very early age (five years old) that the world I was growing up in was not set up for a female. I had two older brothers and I lived in Houston, Texas. I wrote a letter to NASA that said I wanted to be an astronaut and got a typed letter back saying, “There are no women astronauts.” I became very interested in the women’s movement when I was holding my first issue of Ms. Magazine launched in 1972 (when I was 12 years old) by American feminists Gloria Steinem, Patricia Carbine, and others, that was the first nationally circulated women’s magazine to bring feminism and the issues of the women’s rights movement into the mainstream. Little did I know at 12 that I, too, would become a magazine publisher. Little did I know then that I would be able to use my voice to effect change, to inspire. You, too, have a voice. You, too, have a platform. Figure out your part in moving the needle forward for equality. Speak out. Figure out what you stand for and get behind that—support other women.
Monitor your screen time. Don’t allow your life to be reactionary. Plus, even if you cultivate healthy boundaries with your technology Practice Digital Detox. You are stronger than you know – Physically and Emotionally. I just trekked to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Even a world-famous soccer player turned back. I’m not any stronger than you. What I do know, though, is that I am designing my life. She who controls her thoughts controls her life. Find a practice (yoga, mindfulness and/or meditation) that will help you cultivate that. It’s a learned skill.
I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t encourage you to find a body/mind/spirit practice that you can use your whole life. Weight training, sports and functional fitness is important, but yoga is something you can do your whole life. You are going to live a very long time, and you want the quality of your years to be determined by you. Don’t settle. In a world that tries to value you based on the “rules of” the culture you grew up in, determining your own set of values is priceless. But no matter what you strive for remember that you are perfect, as is. If you don’t think so, take the time to figure out why.
I could write for months and months about people living at their highest potential! I’ve got many more thoughts and advice around this subject: it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about. You can connect with me to hear my daily advice on social media @Stephanieyogini or better yet on my website at stephaniespence.com (Which has buttons for all of my social media platforms. I’m loving Instagram and LinkedIn most right now.) It’s my opinion that ultimately social media will morph into something entirely different, so if you want to keep up with me drop off your email address on my website. I don’t send newsletters, sales pitches of any kind or share your information. I only share good vibes and positive thoughts. I would rather be “annoyingly” positive and optimistic than destructively negative and hateful. I am steeped in gratitude and love. I share that daily.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m in the process of writing a screenplay at the moment. My mantra for 2020: “If what I’m doing seems reasonable to most people, I’m not working in a space that is creative or innovative enough.” As an artist, I’m always interested in not accepting the norms of my time and pushing my creativity to the next level. I just returned from an around the world book tour for eight months. I practiced yoga in 15 countries in seven languages. I’m working on my next book inspired by this trip.
What do you do, what do you specialize in?
From public speaking to teaching yoga, I focus on all the eight limbs of yoga. Yoga is for everyone. Anyone can do yoga. I focus on everything other than the poses (which of course I also teach) because I feel like that is where my passion is. Anyone can teach a pose. I focus on helping people take their practice off the mat and into their life.
What are you known for?
I’m well known for my publishing company, community and philanthropic work, and I’m currently most well known for my book. I’m the Traveling Yogini. I hope you’ll check it out.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud as a person that I have integrity, wisdom, and boundless love to share. I’ve moved beyond achievements into a life of service. I’m proud to say I’m living life on my terms. I’m most proud of the fact that I am dedicated to leaving a legacy of love.
What sets you apart from others?
I have not focused on the commodification of yoga. I have a much bigger vision. I am committed to helping ignite the desire for others to create a life of health and joy for themselves through a sustainable practice of yoga for a lifetime of transformation. I am also focused on helping women radically rethink how we value women (and ourselves) in society. I want every woman to know their value. I want every woman to understand that she can leave a bad relationship. I want every woman to know that the future is female. It’s not an I, it’s a WE. Women excel in collaboration and community. Women are born leaders.
I have suffered great loss and moved through it to be able to share with you that you are powerful beyond measure. I have become so strong and know that I have so much to give. It would be negligent of me not to give back because what has been given to me. Yoga gave me a great life. It’s my honor and privilege to give back. My healthiest lifelong companion, my greatest love story, my best friend has been yoga.
“Yoga has helped me create the most incredible life. I’ve been healed by yoga. I’ve been blessed by yoga. I’ve connected with others through yoga. I know and dwell in Divine grace because of yoga. I laugh and love and cry through yoga. Healthy, balanced, and positive things are in my life because of my relationship to yoga. I yearn for you to share in the wisdom and love. I trust and hope that you will.”
Contact Info:
- Website: stephanespence.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieyogini/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniespenceauthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephanieyogini
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-spence-30003110/
Image Credit:
Photo credit: Amy Goalen
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