In this week’s episode, I sit down with Andrea “Dre” Pavela, a Certified SmartFLOW® yoga teacher and dedicated student of Annie Carpenter’s method. Dre shares her inspiring journey of living an inside-out life—listening to her higher self and aligning her choices with her true purpose, rather than succumbing to external pressures.

We dive into Dre’s transformative shift in how she approaches yoga and teaching, from a place of overwork and burnout to one of balance and nourishment. She shares how she created healthy boundaries, allowing her teaching to support her life instead of depleting it. Her philosophy of letting yoga serve her—rather than the other way around—offers a powerful perspective for any yoga practitioner or teacher.

Dre also opens up about her journey into motherhood and how it has reshaped her priorities, her teaching, and her own practice. She beautifully reflects on how the interconnected aspects of her life—motherhood, partnership, teaching, and practice—now nourish one another, creating harmony and fulfillment.

Tune in for an honest and heartfelt conversation about finding alignment, practicing self-compassion, and creating a life where yoga truly supports the soul.

Connect wtih Dre:

www.andreapavela.com

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In this episode, I sit down with Gwen, a business mentor and mindset coach for wellness experts and coaches. Gwen has helped countless wellness professionals create authentic, simple online businesses that generate six-figure incomes while supporting financial independence and freedom.

What stood out to me in this conversation was how Gwen has crafted her dream life on a stunning island in Indonesia, balancing her thriving business with a lifestyle of ease and intention. She shares invaluable insights on setting healthy work-life boundaries and how she instills these practices in her mentorship clients.

If you're looking for inspiration to scale your wellness business or to design a life filled with freedom and balance, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with Gwen:

Connect with Gwen:

Instagram: ⁠@businesswithgwen⁠

⁠FB Group⁠

Website: ⁠www.businesswithgwen.com⁠

Sign up for the newsletter: ⁠https://businesswithgwen.com/newsletter⁠

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In this special episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Erica Hartnick, the inspiring founder of Yoga Trade. Erica’s grounded, humble nature shines through as she shares her journey of creating a global platform that connects traveling yoga teachers with transformative opportunities. Growing up in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills, Erica’s love for nature, adventure, and mindfulness led her to establish a life between Lake Tahoe and Costa Rica, where she facilitates nature-inspired yoga experiences and wellness retreats. In our conversation, she offers a raw and honest look at what it takes to run a meaningful yoga business, balance the demands of entrepreneurship, and live a life of exploration and connection. Erica’s story is a powerful reminder of the beauty in following your passion, living your truth, and building a community that uplifts others.

Connect with Erica:

Email: [email protected]

Erica's IG: @tahoeoutdooryoga

Yoga Trade IG: @yogatrade

Yoga Trade Website: ⁠http://yogatrade.com/⁠

Erica's Website: http://ericahartnick.com/⁠

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In this episode, I sit down with Claudia Vas, who shares her inspiring journey of leaving a 20-year career to follow her passion for yoga. Claudia opens up about how the stress and unhappiness of her previous job even affected her physically—and how, remarkably, her chronic back pain disappeared once she made the brave decision to pursue yoga full-time. Claudia is now an E-RYT500 yoga teacher and educator focused on physical and mental health, stress management, and mindfulness. Her approach centers on careful anatomical alignment and adapting yoga to fit each individual, guided by her belief that “yoga should be adapted to the person, not the person to yoga.” Claudia’s story is a powerful reminder of the transformation that’s possible when we follow our true calling. Tune in to hear her journey of growth, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Connect with Claudia:

Instagram: @claudia_vas_yoga

Facebook: Claudia Vas Training Seminare Yoga

Website links: www.claudia-vas-yoga.de &

Claudia's Upcoming events/workshops etc.:

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In this episode, I sit down with an inspiring teacher, Arbely, to hear about her remarkable journey as a full-time, traveling yoga instructor. She shares the highs and lows of her global teaching adventure, including an unforgettable story about getting arrested in Thailand—a true insight into the challenges of a traveling teacher's life. We also discuss her move to Bali, where she now teaches in Ubud, a shift from the constant travel that once took her from Canada to Peru, Thailand, and beyond. With a background in rhythmic gymnastics and over a decade of teaching experience, Arbely’s approach to yoga is both compassionate and disciplined, rooted deeply in her Ashtanga practice, which she maintains daily no matter where she is in the world. I admire her dedication and resilience, and it was inspiring to hear how she’s built a life and career around her passion. Tune in for Arbely’s story, full of wisdom, adventure, and the courage to live her path.

Connect with Arbely:

Instagram: @arbss

Website: www.yogawitharbs.com 

Facebook:  https://facebook.com/arbely

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In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing my dear teacher, Joan Hyman, someone I deeply respect and admire. Joan shares the story of building her thriving yoga career globally and expanding it to lead beautiful yoga retreats and trainings around the world. As the founder of The School of Yoga™, she delivers high-quality teachings, staying true to the authentic principles of yoga. Joan's journey is a testament to honoring her teachers and lineage while creating a global yoga school that inspires students everywhere. Listen in to hear how she balances the art of teaching yoga with a commitment to the roots of this ancient practice.

Connect with Joan:

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In this episode, we welcome Jo-Jo Jackson, a certified yoga therapist, and Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor. With a rich background in therapeutic yoga and sound meditation rooted in Nada Yoga, Jo-Jo combines her knowledge from an MS in yoga therapy with the principles of Ayurveda to empower self-healing through compassionate self-inquiry.

Join us as Jo-Jo shares her journey from a part-time yoga teacher and touring bassist, to working on a clinical team at JourneyPure, an in-patient substance use rehabilitation facility. She discusses her unique approach to wellness, the challenges she faced early in her teaching career, and how her experiences shaped her into a more equitable and compassionate teacher.

Tune in to learn about Jo-Jo's insights on success, the power of intention in yoga, and the transformative impact of sound on mental health.

Connect with Jo-Jo:

Instagram: @jojo_totayhma

Resources:

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In this special 40th episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, I’m celebrating with a solo Q&A session where I answer your questions! I share my journey into yoga, how I found the confidence to start an online studio, and whether I plan to open a physical studio in the future. I also dive into my top recommendations for yoga continuing education trainings and offer tips on teaching multiple classes—like maintaining your health, avoiding repetition, and becoming comfortable walking around the room while instructing. From weird self-care rituals for yoga teachers to advice on memorizing Sanskrit, this episode is packed with valuable insights for yoga teachers and practitioners alike. Thank you for your continued support, and I’m excited to celebrate this milestone episode with you!

Resources:

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In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Kelly Smith, a global yoga and meditation teacher, author, and host of the chart-topping podcasts Mindful in Minutes and Meditation Mama. Kelly shares her inspiring journey of building a successful, location-independent yoga business long before online classes and yoga podcasts became the norm. We dive deep into her approach to creating opportunities and navigating rejection, where she emphasizes the importance of persistence and being told "no" on the path to success. Kelly also opens up about how she balances her thriving yoga career with family life, raising two children while remaining a full-time teacher. Whether you're a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, or simply curious about balancing passion with family, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration!

Connect with Kelly:

Instagram-@yogaforyouonline

Website- https://www.yogaforyouonline.com

Podcast- Mindful In Minutes Meditation

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Connect with Reika

Instagram: @reikayoga

Website: www.reikayoga.com

In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Ali Temple, a global yoga teacher, retreat leader, and wellness business mentor who has been traveling full-time for the past four years. Ali's story is incredibly inspiring—she had the courage to leave behind her life as a full-time yoga teacher in Los Angeles and began traveling the world right in the middle of the pandemic. What sets Ali apart is that she didn’t rely on finding jobs as she traveled. Instead, she built her own remote business from the ground up.

We talk about her journey of creating a sustainable, location-independent yoga business that gives her the freedom to work from anywhere while mentoring other yoga teachers to do the same. Ali shares how she runs sold-out retreats, offers online courses, and mentors yoga teachers and spiritual entrepreneurs to achieve time, location, and financial freedom. Currently living in Bali, she continues to inspire others to follow their dreams and build a remote business that truly aligns with their passions.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about building independence, pursuing your passion, and crafting a business that works for you, no matter where in the world you are.

Connect withy Ali:

Instagram: @alitempleyoga

https://campsite.bio/alitempleyogateachermentor

Ali's Podcast where she interviewed Reika

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: @reikayoga

Website: www.reikayoga.com