Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jodi Ashbrook.
Dr. Ashbrook, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At the age of 24, my life had become a string of negative thought patterns and, “why am I even here?” moments.
I tried to ease my pain and find comfort in food, which lead me to an 80-pound weight gain. I found myself disconnected from all my relationships, debt up to my ears and feeling lost about who I was and my purpose for existing.
The anxiety and emptiness grew larger and the self-inflicted thoughts of feeling worthless took over and pulled me into my darkest hours one night that has changed my life forever.
As I lay there, ready to take my own life, I realized what I was missing, and wanted more than anything to connect to a purpose for being alive.
Fortunately, a force much higher than me intervened that night, and I made the decision to stop feeling sorry for myself and take responsibility for creating the life I knew I wanted. A few short months after this dark moment and making the choice to take control of my thoughts and my life, I discovered the connection in my work through a love for developing others as a leader and coach.
Taking control of my thoughts and pushing myself beyond my pre-conceived limits gave me a sense of purpose and direction. However, over time, I realized I had allowed my fears to get me stuck in a rut, and I was afraid of making choices and changes I knew I needed to make to create the life I yearned so deeply to experience.
I have come to believe that the universe always delivers the people and experiences one needs to for growth and expansion. Just as I was becoming comfortable on my new-found path as a coach and leader, the universe delivered another wake-up call that changed the way I choose to live my life forever.
On day seven in the hospital, escaping death from two blood clots in the lungs, I made a promise that I would no longer make decisions from a place of fear or playing life safely. As I laid in the hospital bed, I made a commitment to myself that no matter the situation, I wouldn’t live my life holding myself back with fear. I promised myself that I would find the courage to say, “yes” to taking risks and opportunities— no matter how scared I might have been… and saying “yes” is exactly what I have done moving forward.
My commitment to “yes” led me to two promotions and my first move across the country. The transition across the country and experience of letting go of everything I knew as “home” helped me to build the courage I needed to begin to let go of the extra physical and emotional weight I had become used to carrying as a method of protection. I began taking 2-3 yoga classes per week to improve my physical wellness. What began as an exercise routine became a spiritual evolution.
The re-building of my self-worth continued for the next seven years, through coaching and developing leaders. I learned invaluable lessons, yet deep in my soul I longed for more. After time, I listened to that quiet roar and began writing an inspirational blog. Soon after, I launched my first business, The Be Brand® —an inspirational product line where fashion and purpose unite. Two years later, I became a yoga teacher and studio owner. Each time I listened to the call of my soul, I grew stronger and more complete. Most recently, I’ve let go of my beloved studio thanks to my internal call to action to hand-deliver the benefits of yoga and meditation to schools, corporations, studios and communities across the globe via The Yoga Movement and my new ZenLeader program launching in spring 2018.
Today, as an inspirational thought leader, yogi, educator and entrepreneur, I am continuing to discover myself and find my path. I believe that the experiences on our path help to form us into the person we become and guide us through the process of exploring the gift each of us uniquely have and are meant to share with the world.
Has it been a smooth road?
My journey to entrepreneurship, leaving the corporate world behind, has been a winding road of triumphs and failures, all of which have taught me valuable lessons on what kind of leader I want to be, and has helped me establish a vision for each of my educational ventures.
Firstly, one of my major struggles from the beginning has been finding the courage to move past my own personal fear of the unknown and accepting the fact that having a general direction and a vision is often enough—as I am a firm believer that the future will unfold as it is meant to be, and I’ve learned to trust the universe accordingly.
Another business challenge that I’ve faced is embracing the chaos of entrepreneurship. As a business owner who has intentionally dedicated my life to travel, I left behind a rigid corporate routine and have learned to adjust to new environments and circumstances in the moment.
I am fully mobile, so I realize the importance of accomplishing my professional goals in a timely manner, no matter where I am whether that’s in a car, airport, foreign country, etc. This new approach to life and business reflects that you in fact CAN have it all—creating your vision as a professional, while still fully enjoying the ride as a voyager.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a serial entrepreneur, I serve as a Speaker, Author, Yoga Teacher & Educator, owning & operating ventures that offer holistic wellness and professional development tools: The Be Brand ®, The Yoga Movement, ZenLeader® and Elevate Higher Ed.
The Be Brand® is an inspirational retail line tied to The Yoga Movement, my global nonprofit mission to deliver complimentary wellness tools to businesses, institutions, and studios. I’m also endorsed by Kulae Yoga as a global Diplomat Ambassador, driving their “Real Good Karma” corporate mission to create a more sustainable world.
In addition, I’m excited to share that I’ll be launching my new ZenLeader platform this spring, which will offer professional development tools for the enterprise to elevate and transform how leaders operate in their roles daily.
As Co-Founder of Elevate Higher Ed, my team offers consulting services that help institutions advance in academics, student support, enrollment growth and improve the overall student journey.
I’ve also self-published, “Looking at Life through the Lesson Lenses”, and will be releasing my newest book later this year: Breaking through the Box—which inspires people to follow their dreams and embrace their own unique, purpose-filled life journey, as an alternative to the conventional “beaten path”.
Across all my current ventures, I’m most proud to be able to share my passion for education, that in turn helps others navigate their own unique personal and professional journey. My major differentiator as a leader is the custom and white glove approach I take in serving all my clients, whether it’s in a yoga studio or in the enterprise and higher education landscape. My goal across the board has been to create a memorable experience for those I partner with, and to instill a system of belief in others.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, Boston has so much to offer for any entrepreneur looking to build a brand in the Innovation, Education, and/or Wellness space.
Not only does Boston have renowned colleges and universities offering top notch education, but also Boston.com recently shared that the city was ranked amidst the top 10 in the country for fitness, proving the market here is booming and the local audience is genuinely interested in health and wellness.
Lastly, Boston has a culture of grit and a collective mentality that we must do whatever it takes to get the job done, which has always inspired me personally as a business owner.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jodiashbrook.com
- Email: jodi@jodiashbrook.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodiashbrook
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/drjodiashbrook
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jodiashbrook
Image Credit:
Greene Peas in a Pod Photography (For BE KIND + Headshot Photos only)
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