Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lizzie Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lizzie, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
When I was young, probably about 12 years old, I was approached by a guidance counselor at school. He was expressing concern because he thought it odd that I was so positive. He asked me, “How are things at home?” to which I responded with some of the challenges I was facing with my family. These ranged from conflict between my parents to financial trouble– things that I perceived then and today as common challenges that are part of the human condition. Then I explained that I had everything I needed and didn’t feel particularly stressed about it. I believed (and do still today) that in spite of the hand I was dealt, there was so much in life I could choose to appreciate and that made me feel happy.
I believe we all have the ability to cultivate optimism. It is a state of happiness that we can practice and reaffirm daily if we choose as such. That said, by no means do I believe it’s easy. I am also not suggesting we pretend “everything is OK” when it is not. But I do think that most problems are perceived as worse than they really are. You can either believe things will work out, have faith in people, the process, a God/ess if that’s what helps you, or you can believe things will not work out and get in your own way or worse, let others get in your way. I think my optimism is very much tied to my sense of independence and inner confidence. When you believe you can, you will. (But you really have to believe it.) All this reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite humans, Maya Angelou (we also share a birthday.) “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Right now what I am really excited about is diving deeper into the world of sleep.
Years ago with my husband Joaquín, we started the Yoga Wake Up app. Think of it like a mindful alarm that turns your favorite yoga or meditation teacher into your very own personal, motivational wake-up call. It’s audio-only, mostly hands-free, and features hundreds of short (5-15 minute) practices including breathwork, gentle stretching, and affirmation, all tuned to carefully curated stimulating or relaxing beats. We’ve had more than 1 million downloads and been featured by Apple in “New Apps We Love”, “App of the Day” and “Developer Spotlight”. Reviews like “This is a game-changer for mornings” make the trials and tribulations of running a small business worth all the sweat.
But in these last six years since I started getting to know people’s sleep habits I learned that most people simply do not get enough sleep or they have habits in place that make restful sleep really difficult! That’s why we have started adding new features in Yoga Wake Up to support healthy sleep habits in the evenings and throughout the day, approaching sleep as something on a 24-hour cycle that can be improved with better habits, mindfulness, yoga and improved routine.
Download Yoga Wake Up and make yoga and meditation part of your daily routine. Join us for mindful breaks, set “notifications” to ON to be reminded when to practice and when to wind down for bed or wake up. We’ll help you improve your routine so you can start getting the rest you deserve!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My background is in PR and I believe in the power of people! In the words of Ram Dass, we are all just walking eachother home. When you approach life in this way there’s a sense of compassion and togetherness that makes any achievements not just your own. And you can celebrate and find joy in the achievements of others. This is also why I am not afraid to ask for help and I prioritize helping others. We are all part of a collective. To me, this is critical to my success and the contentment I feel with where I am in life.
Also, there’s a real, tangible gift in celebrating small wins, and being able to see the silver lining in failures, roadblocks, or whatever you want to call “life’s curveballs”. I think we all have to learn how to not be so hard on ourselves and cultivate balance. It may mean changing your definition of success. I am OK with that.
Lastly, hold yourself accountable in all of your life — how you show up for others and how you show up for you; I believe in the adage how you do anything is how you do everything, and it’s not always easy, actually, it’s usually harder but it’s about integrity and it’s just important.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Thanks for asking this question! We are seeking partners in employee wellness (for example benefits consultants, HR, PEOs) to pilot Yoga Wake Up’s new sleep and wellness content to improve the health and well-being of their employees. With so many mental health and wellness resources popping up, it can be difficult to navigate. Yoga Wake Up’s corporate offering is unique, affordable, and offers something novel for organizations of any size. Our users report improved mood and productivity, reduced stress and anxiety, and better sleep. The app’s hands-free/audio-only format supports those with chronic illness and related pain. Featuring more than 75 teachers from diverse backgrounds and locations, Yoga Wake Up is now offered in Spanish or English. If you want to offer Yoga Wake Up as a benefit or perk at your company, reach out via our website https://www.yogawakeup.com/corporate-wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yogawakeup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogawakeup/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yoga-wake-up/
Image Credits
tymerkel.com
