Meet Rachel Ross

We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Ross recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My journey to finding my purpose in helping women and men embrace healthier beliefs and behaviors has been marked by significant personal and spiritual milestones that reshaped my understanding of self-worth, body image, and fulfillment.

Growing up in a rural town in upstate New York, I faced relentless bullying because of my mixed heritage and lack of baptism. My classmates made sure I knew I was different and often reminded me that, according to their beliefs, I was going to hell because I wasn’t baptized. This early trauma instilled in me a deep sense of inadequacy and betrayal. Feeling alienated and alone, I often wondered why my parents had brought me into a world and community where I felt so diminished. I agonized on why God would let me wither and be discarded based on something I couldn’t control.

Books became my escape. I immersed myself in the Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High series, which seemed to hold the key to being accepted by the world. Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield were twins living in sunny California with perfect size 6 bodies, and that image stuck with me. Somewhere in my consciousness, I anchored the idea that acceptance would come much easier if I could master perfection. This led to disordered eating as I tried to fit into societal ideals.

As I grew older, I developed other coping mechanisms. I turned to cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol, believing that being fun and pretty was essential for acceptance. But every time it seemed people didn’t want or accept me, the suicidal tendencies would emerge. My beloved grandmother’s suicide when I was 19 only reinforced the idea that maybe this was in my genes.

After college, I became a personal trainer. I was often irritated by clients seeking superficial solutions for “how to get rid of this right here.” My own yo-yo dieting left me struggling with body image issues. I had moved to California to become free, but I found myself still trying to validate and monetize my looks. However, I also found Agape, a non-denominational church that inspired me to become more politically active and to strive for integrity and right action in my life. I had a baby, which introduced new responsibilities and a need for stability, pushing me to reevaluate my priorities and the ways I sought validation.

My spiritual journey deepened when I discovered yoga. Yoga spoke to my soul in a way that felt right, and I decided to undergo teacher training. I also went to Ayurveda school, which helped me understand that my deep-seated beliefs were still determining my destiny. Despite this understanding, I found it challenging to change these beliefs. I continued to value aesthetics and strive for the best body I could have.

Reflecting on my life, I began to contemplate the harmful belief system that had dictated my actions. My journey through various forms of spiritual and physical healing highlighted the need for self-acceptance and inner strength. Recognizing the destructive patterns in my life and the lives of those around me, I felt compelled to help other women break free from the pursuit of aesthetic perfection. My experiences equipped me with the empathy and knowledge to guide others towards healthier beliefs and behaviors.

This realization led me to start Club Prana, a dynamic growth club based on Ayurvedic wisdom. Club Prana is dedicated to helping both men and women find authentic happiness in their self-care. By integrating ancient practices with modern insights, I aim to foster a community where individuals can pursue holistic well-being and embrace their true potential. Through Club Prana, I strive to inspire others to shift their focus from external validation to cultivating inner strength and genuine self-acceptance.

Through my own transformative journey, I found my purpose in helping people embrace healthier beliefs and behaviors, shifting the focus from aesthetic perfection to holistic well-being and self-acceptance.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Club Prana is the online wellness club I created. Club Prana is grounded in the ancient yet revolutionary wisdom of Ayurveda. Accessible from anywhere in the world, Club Prana also offers live events in Los Angeles and retreats in beautiful locations, making holistic health both universal and personal.

What We Do:

At Club Prana, our mission is to maximize your potential by integrating time-honored Ayurvedic self-care rituals into your daily life. We believe that everyone has the capacity to uncover their most vibrant selves, and we’re here to guide you on that journey. We address the body, mind, and spirit, providing a comprehensive approach to wellness, and utilize the science of behavior change to create engrained healthy habits of self care.

What Makes Us Special:

What sets Club Prana apart is our commitment to ancient wisdom and modern accessibility. Ayurveda, a system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago, offers profound insights into living a balanced and healthy life. We’ve adapted these principles to suit contemporary lifestyles, ensuring that our members can easily incorporate these practices no matter where they are in the world.

Our focus on community support and upliftment is another unique aspect of Club Prana. We believe that wellness is a collective journey, and our community provides a supportive environment where members can connect, share experiences, and motivate one another. Whether you’re participating in an online workshop or attending a live event in Los Angeles, you’ll find a network of like-minded individuals who are all dedicated to living their best lives.

What’s New at Club Prana:

We are constantly evolving to better serve our members. Here are some exciting developments:

Global Accessibility: Our online platform makes it easy for members to join us from anywhere in the world. With a variety of virtual classes, workshops, and webinars, you can immerse yourself in Ayurvedic practices from the comfort of your home.

Live Events in Los Angeles: For those who prefer in-person experiences, we host regular live events in Los Angeles. These events include yoga sessions, wellness workshops, and community gatherings, offering a chance to connect with fellow members and our expert instructors.

Exclusive Retreats: We organize wellness retreats in picturesque locations, providing a perfect escape to rejuvenate and deepen your practice. These retreats blend yoga, meditation, nature excursions, and Ayurvedic cuisine to create an immersive and transformative experience.

At Club Prana, we are passionate about helping you realize your full potential through holistic health practices. We invite you to explore our offerings and become a part of our vibrant community. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or looking to enhance your existing knowledge, Club Prana offers the resources, support, and inspiration you need.

Join us today and embark on a journey towards a more balanced, vibrant, and fulfilled life.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, there are three qualities and areas of knowledge that were most impactful in shaping my path: resilience, a commitment to ever evolving wellness, and a strong sense of the value of community. These elements not only guided me through personal challenges but also inspired the creation and growth of Club Prana.

Building resilience is crucial. Life will inevitably present difficulties, but viewing these as opportunities for growth can transform your mindset. Practice self-compassion, set realistic goals, and remember that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to success. Consistency over time is one of my most powerful mantras.

Experiment with different wellness practices to discover what resonates with you. Prioritize self-care and listen to your body’s needs. Again consistency is key.

Seek out communities that align with your values and interests. Surround yourself with positive, like-minded individuals who uplift and inspire you. Participate actively in these communities, whether online or in-person. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support and offer your own help to others. Community is a two-way street, and your contribution is as valuable as what you receive.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

Badass go getter adults who want to explore their health and wellness potential. These people already have some solid self care routines and activities in place, but find themselves defaulting back to unhealthy habits or outlooks. These adults are seeking empowered strategies to hack the mental belief system that keeps them attached to habits that they know are dampening their vibration and vitality. Adults who feel stuck and out of integrity with themselves. For people who want to break free from feeling stuck in patterns and beliefs that aren’t working anymore. For people who want to unlock their true potential. For people who want to join a non judgemental vibrant community. For people who want to embrace a life of balance, and to discover the unique balance that works to nurture their mind, body, and soul. Those who want to maximize their warriorship badassness physically, mentally, spiritually.

What problems do they have?
They lack the community that supports their healthiest lifestyle. They crave depth in their relationships but often end up setting for volume over depth, and thereby say yes too often to social endeavors that are not deeply fulfilling. They lack consistency in changing habits, and tend to vacillate back and forth between feeling like they are on the right track, and feeling like they are treading water or flying by the seat of their pants. They want to improve their relationship with time, so that they consistently feel like they are getting what they need to be balanced and healthy. They may be struggling with low energy or chronic health problems, and lack solutions that work for the long term.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rachelrosswellness.com
• Instagram: @rachelrossfitness
• Linkedin: Rachel Ross
• Twitter: @rachelrossfit
• Youtube: @rachelrossfitness5120
• Soundcloud: Rachel Ross
• Other: TikTok: @rachelrosswellness

Image Credits

no other info