Meet Amy Walton

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Walton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.

Amy, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?

I used to “hide” my communication skills in drama class in high school.

I could act and loved every moment, but there as no way I would have spoken as myself in front of a crowd.

Fast forward to a teaching position at a junior college in SC… I had heard of Toastmasters International, so I invited an officer in the local club to speak to my class about the importance of communication skills. His presentation sparked my curiosity, so I went to a meeting. I ended up becoming a member for 12 years, leading one of the two clubs I was in, winning statewide speaking competitions, and writing articles on public speaking. I developed the first public speaking course for the Adult Learning Center of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

The experience of Toastmasters grew my confidence as a speaker and leader tremendously!

Additionally, a certain high school English teacher inspired my writing skills, and I am a published author of many decades.

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?

I have a calling in my life to encourage others, especially in the areas of body awareness, grief, and living with purpose.

My work involves teaching both private and group yoga classes–including Holy Yoga– and coaching women who need help moving forward in their lives and on their grief journeys. I also present seminars for major Employee Assistant Programs in the areas of stress management, self-care, and communication skills.

I’m excited to offer a four-session online class in November called “Growing Through Your Grief!”

I just get so doggone excited about helping people realize their potential and living lives with little stress and lots of purpose!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Wow…

I think my top three qualities/skills/knowledge are teaching, public speaking, and encouragement.

I am a firm believer that those who are early in their career journeys should really hone their oral and communication skills. Look at memes on social media: Most I see are so poorly written.

One can have all the knowledge on a topic, but if the communication skills lack, that knowledge may be largely buried.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My late husband, Russ, inspired me so much with his athletic discipline and his encouragement.

He always inspired me, and he was super goal oriented. He lost his right leg in a head on collision with a dump truck in 1988, but he went on to become a master scuba diver, won a gold medal in bench pressing at the National Amputee Games, learned to ski on one leg, played wheelchair basketball, and pushed himself from Miami to Virginia Beach in a custom wheelchair racer.

Four years after that accident, he and his father were killed in a boating accident. Russ’s body was never found. Two weeks after this, I found a letter in our safe deposit box that he’d written a couple yeas earlier. It was a letter to me in case something happened to him. He outlined many things for me to do, including making sure our sons stayed fit, went to college and got an education, and to follow my dreams.

Check, check, check!

His inspiring spirit is with me everyday!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Kacie Steinmetz-yoga picture

Echard Wheeler–Headshot

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