Meet Chris Gilmore

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

Chris, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

After over a decade as a successful trader in Chicago’s bustling financial community, I moved home to help my father deal with the challenges brought on by a 19-year battle with stage 4 throat and neck cancer. While initially believing we would have only a month or two together in the final stages of his life, it ended up being three years of 24/7 care. During that time, I gained 100 pounds and was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and PTSD. While I focused every day on my dad’s challenges, I put my career, fitness, and general well-being on hold, as many caregivers do. When he passed away, everyone in my life had continued to make progress, leaving me behind without support to deal with the mental and physical fallout on my own. I had been put on various medications to address the mental health issues that arose over the previous years and found myself physically and mentally unfit to return to the life I once knew.

One fateful morning, I decided to try a hot yoga class in the hope of finding something to help me shed the 100 pounds I had gained while caring for my dad. As the class began, I sat on my mat, watching people move and breathe together while tears streamed down my face. I was unable to engage in any of the physical movements others seemed to flow through effortlessly. I saw people decades older than me moving, doing handstands, and enjoying life at a level that had eluded me for years. At that moment, I committed to coming back to class and trying to understand what this practice was doing for the other students. I knew that, at the very least, moving in a 100-degree room for 90 minutes would help me start to get back in physical shape. What I didn’t anticipate was how yoga would connect me with like-minded souls and create a pathway for reviving my life.

For the next two years, I attended one or two classes a day religiously. I shed all the weight while developing tools to combat my daily battles with depression and anxiety. I began connecting with people from all walks of life who were using yoga and mindfulness to overcome their own adversities. I realized that every student was trying to improve their present moment while releasing attachments to past traumas. When I saw that a teacher training program was being offered at the studio, I decided to dive in and learn more about the practice. Little did I know where this first training would take me! As soon as the training ended, I began teaching yoga classes as much as I could. This inevitably led me to try more studios and teach at multiple locations. If I could help one person avoid the issues I faced after caregiving, teaching yoga seemed like a noble cause.

In 2017, my teacher informed me that she was closing her studio to start a new life in Hawaii. Without thinking too much about it, I felt compelled to buy the studio and continue her legacy while adding my own mission of helping one student at a time. I made the studio more accessible to people of all physical and mental fitness levels while staying rooted in the traditions of the established business. As I continued to heal, the studio began to grow. Running the studio became a part of my wellness path rather than just a job focused on financial gain. Eventually, I not only achieved my first yoga goal of losing 100 pounds but also was able to stop all medications and create a diverse community of amazing people. I no longer felt left behind by those three years of caregiving and the associated traumas. Once again, I felt part of something bigger than myself—the Lab Yoga community.

In the past 6.5 years, we have welcomed thousands of students through our studio doors, trained many people to become teachers, and even traveled the world on retreats as a community. Students continually share their challenges with me and express that the Lab Yoga studio is a place of healing for them. There is no greater reward than hearing these stories and knowing that I am helping others on their journey. Each day is a new journey where we leave behind the unchangeable past and try to avoid anxieties about the unpredictable future. This is the work we do in becoming more connected to ourselves and others.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the lead instructor and programming curator at my yoga studio, the Lab, in Chicago, Illinois. I teach multiple yoga classes each week to a diverse range of individuals. From first-day students to experienced teachers, our studio offers a framework for peace of mind, physical strength, and community belonging. We host a variety of special events that span the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our community. Over the past two years, we have experienced tremendous growth. This growth has provided me with the opportunity to connect with countless people, organizations, and communities. These connections have allowed me to share my journey and skills on platforms I never thought possible. From corporate events to private sessions to international retreats, my mission continues to expand and reach new audiences.

As a small business owner, I embrace the excitement of unpredictability. A few years ago, I could not have predicted what my business would look like today, and I love not knowing exactly what it will look like a few years from now. The mystery of what is next keeps me motivated to share myself fully and without reservation. Going forward, we will seek opportunities to expand our physical locations and offerings. As society learns more about mental health and wellness, new tools for healing continue to emerge. One day, the Lab Yoga studio will evolve into a space that incorporates all available tools for self-exploration and development under one roof. We are also preparing to start our 2024-2025 teacher training and look forward to taking 30 people to Southwestern Mexico in March 2025 for a revival of spirit and inner fire.

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?

Relatability—Growing up in a home with a Chicago Public School teacher (Mom) and a corporate and civic leader (Dad), I had the privilege of gaining many experiences early on. Spending time in the inner cities of Chicago with my mom, when she brought me to her classes, allowed me to see communities vastly different from the one I grew up in. Watching my dad effortlessly combine corporate success with charitable giving and civic duty instilled in me the true meaning of giving back. From their examples, I was fortunate to earn multiple degrees and begin a successful career in finance. However, that all changed when I became a caregiver, sparking a profound transformation in my life and leading me to where I am today. Every day, I encourage people to bring their life experiences into each conversation. We all have a wide range of experiences. By remembering our impactful life moments, both comfortable and uncomfortable, we can better connect with others and create something larger than ourselves.

Persistence—We all go through periods where we want to give up, often when we are holding onto past burdens or anticipating negative outcomes in the future. The truth is, we can’t change the past or predict the future, so showing up today (right here, right now) is all we can do! If I hadn’t committed to attending a second and third yoga class at the beginning of my journey, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I remembered how I was before gaining 100 pounds and doubted I could ever get back in shape. I looked forward and thought losing the weight and feeling better would be impossible. Once I committed to making progress each day, I began showing up for myself and my overall well-being. Each day, I sought small bits of progress, which gradually grew larger. As progress became evident, my persistence shifted from struggling to a purposeful drive.

Honesty—While we often think of honesty in terms of communication, it is most crucial to find the truth within ourselves. Until we can honestly assess our individual situations without negative judgment, we won’t be able to progress out of difficult circumstances. When we find ourselves at a low point, the easiest thing to do is procrastinate and wait for change. This waiting can become difficult and depressing due to the lack of progress. Honest self-assessment through a compassionate lens leads to action, and action leads to progress. If you’re struggling with truthful self-evaluation or taking action, focus on always doing the next right thing. Ask yourself questions like, “Should I get out of bed today? Should I connect with others? Should I open the door for someone? Should I help the person who dropped their groceries?” By consistently doing the next right thing, you’ll uncover your truth and discover what you need to improve each aspect of your life. Once you start knowing, you start growing—again.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

The ideal client at the Lab Yoga studio is someone facing their own obstacles who recognizes the need for something larger than themselves to overcome challenges. Having the self-awareness to understand that situations can’t be optimized through isolation allows the door of self-discovery to open. Once that door is cracked open, it can remain open, and the benefits are endless. An open heart, open mind, and open soul enable clients to access the abundant benefits of yoga, community, and life. I serve as a guide or silent driver on each student’s journey to a more meaningful experience. One of my favorite quotes that reminds me of my role with my clients is, “The best leader is the one who leaves the people thinking they did it all themselves.” —Lao Tzu

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.labchicago.com
• Instagram: @chrisgilmoreyoga AND @labchicago

Image Credits

Scott Shigley and Jackie Trezzo