In episode 35 of Greenfork’s Food for Thought podcast, Stephen sits down with Saratoga Sweat owner Kat Stack as she shares how discovering Bikram yoga transformed her life. Stephen and Kat dive into the mental, physical, and spiritual power of hot yoga, why discomfort is essential for growth, and how the practice improves life far beyond the mat.

Connect with Kat and learn more about Saratoga Sweat at saratogasweat.com.

0:00 Introduction to Kat Stack and Saratoga Sweat

4:08 Discovering Bikram yoga for the first time

8:05 Knowing she wanted to teach yoga

12:00 The real purpose of yoga beyond the physical practice

16:05 How yoga helped during dark times and depression

20:15 Getting comfortable being uncomfortable

24:30 Why showing up to practice matters

28:40 The discipline and consistency of yoga

33:00 Meditation and daily routines

37:15 The connection between mental health and movement

41:30 Teaching yoga vs. practicing yoga

45:40 Building community through yoga

49:50 The challenges of running a yoga studio

54:00 The mental shift from ego to awareness

58:10 Yoga as a spiritual practice

1:02:20 Advice for people intimidated by hot yoga

1:06:15 The benefits of pushing your limits

1:10:30 Finding balance through different wellness tools

1:15:00 What yoga teaches about life

1:19:20 Final reflections and closing thoughts