Debbie Williamson was called the "CEO" in the early days of Baptiste Yoga and owned affiliate studios until she was forced out by Baron in 2011. She had trained with him and loved his style of yoga since her first "Bootcamp" in 2003 and went on to open one of the first Baptiste Affiliate studios and become a "Master Baptiste Teacher" as appointed by Baron. She worked as his right hand person during programs (then called bootcamps), conferences and at managing his studios in Boston during those years as was on call for him by phone every day many times a day even on Holidays. One day Baron decided she should not host other "big name" yoga teachers at her studio, even though the other affiliates were. He bent his own rules until he found a way to force her out and then told the other Baptiste teachers and affiliates that she had quit and stolen his contact list. But wait, there's much, much more...

As evidenced by Debbie's story, there has been a lot of "odd" stuff happening in this organization for many years!

***The views and opinions expressed on Journey Into Yoga Cults are just that: views and opinions; and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast or the hosts. Stories told by hosts and guests are their own personal experiences, viewpoints and perspective. Any content provided by our hosts, guests, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, institution, corporation, business, individual, anyone or anything.*** (thank you @alittlebitculty for letting us borrow your very awesome legal disclaimer)