Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenna Matthews.
Brenna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve spent a lifetime running myself into the ground. Chasing an elusive end result that never felt satisfying or complete. This pattern was true in my time as an elite athlete playing Division 1 college soccer, and as a young woman trying to fit a certain beauty expectation. When my soccer and academic life ended, I found the yoga practice. It helped soften me and gave me an opportunity to consider myself beyond my physical capabilities. I began teaching almost ten years ago and it’s been my full time job ever since–I lead teacher trainings, workshops, retreats and offer massage therapy and energy healing. It’s an amazing job, but it’s a hustle. As a yoga teacher you are your own small business. No health insurance, paid time off, sick leave, etc.
About two years ago, I started feeling tired in a way that I’d never experienced. I’d become so versed in beating back exhaustion, that not being able to will myself through was unsettling. My resting heart rate doubled. I’d lost 25 pounds, I started shaking and getting adrenaline rushes every few minutes. I told myself I’d just been working too much (I was always working too much). I called my doctor who sent me to urgent care who sent me to the ER. There I found out I was having a thyroid storm and that I have an autoimmune disease called Grave’s. The doctors were shocked at my lab results, especially looking at a fit, healthy 29 year old health professional. They couldn’t figure out how I got to this point. Neither could I.
My first reaction was shame. How can I be helping people be well when I can’t do it for myself? Then I was angry. How is it that I have to deal with this when I practice healthy habits? Then finally, accountability. I had to really look at how I was living. I’d taken the same patterns I’ve had since adolescence and recycled them into my new ‘healthy’ life. I was running myself into the ground trying to help people. It never felt like I was doing enough.
As an independent contractor and being incredibly passionate about my work, it was hard to step back and consider the sustainability of how I’m operating my business. Because my business is so entwined with how I live and who I am.
So, I stepped back and got very quiet for about 6 months. In the quiet I was able to hear with deep clarity. I’ve had to change. To adapt. To actually address and work through old patterning. I found my teacher and the practice that has given me tools to do so. I’m able to now offer some of those practices and tools to my students.
In many ways getting sick and being in and out of the hospital and having fertility issues has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through. There were days and there still are days I can’t get off the couch, or I’m at the mercy of my hormones. However, I now see it as divine intervention, a loving slap in the face. I want to be of service for my whole life, and the only way to do that is to make my life balanced and sustainable.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not a smooth road at all. It’s been a huge financial burden, not having paid time off or sick leave and having to scale back my schedule for a while. I also was planning my wedding during the time I was in and out of the hospital. Leading up to my wedding my weight was fluctuating massively and I’d have days I had 10 things on my to do list for the wedding and I couldn’t move from the couch. Luckily, my family helped immensely and it all worked out but that was a huge struggle.
Brenna Matthews Yoga and Wellness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is yoga, massage therapy, and energy healing. Like I mentioned before, I lead and am on the faculty of teacher trainings around the Northeast (Boston Yoga School), offer workshops, lead retreats, work in home with private clients, go to offices for corporate yoga sessions, and do massage therapy and energy healing. I would describe my approach as helping people experience themselves from the inside out, rather than outside in. The practices I offer are meant to bring the practitioner higher clarity and deeper connection to their own vitality and resilience. Because of the chaotic nature of the outside world, especially now, I feel it’s so important to find true internal freedom.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Being on your path, in alignment with cosmic order, and doing the work you’re meant to be doing in this life. We call this Dharma.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brennamatthewswellness.com
- Email: brennamatthewswellness@gmail.com
- Instagram: @brenna_matthews
Image Credit:
Hannah Cohen Photography (@hbcohen)
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