We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mishayla Twyman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mishayla, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
When I was younger, I thought finding your “purpose” was something that happened overnight. Like one day, you’d just wake up and know. And once you figured it out, that was it.
Growing up, it felt like everyone around me had a very clear idea of what that looked like. By the end of senior year, my classmates already had their majors picked, their future careers lined up, and stories about how they’d known all along what they wanted to be.
Me? When I was a kid, I wanted to be an archaeologist. Don’t ask me why, and no shade if that’s your path. Then I went to college thinking I wanted to be an athletic trainer, even though I didn’t really understand what the job involved. After my first year, I realized it wasn’t for me.
What I did know was that I cared about people, especially the ones who were hurting. I was working through my own mental health struggles at the time and surrounded by others going through similar things. I didn’t want to just get through it. I wanted to understand what was really happening. So I switched my major to psychology. And for a while, that felt like purpose.
After college, everything shifted. I knew I didn’t want to become a therapist, and I didn’t want to go back to school. I felt lost. People always say college is the hard part, but no one really tells you how disorienting it can be when it’s over. What I didn’t realize then was that I didn’t need to go searching for purpose. It had already been showing up, quietly, in the things I kept coming back to.
I’ve always been drawn to creating spaces where people feel comfortable and connected. That started back in college, even when I was still thinking I’d work in sports. I used to host weekly fitness bootcamps on the basketball court at my apartment complex. I called it Workout Wednesday. I’d lead 20 or 30 people through exercises, make playlists, and design little invite graphics. Something casual turned into something consistent. People kept showing up, and it became a space where they felt seen. Later, during quarantine in 2020, I brought Workout Wednesdays back on Zoom. It was one small way to keep people active and connected during a time when everything felt uncertain.
At the time, I didn’t realize that by building these small communities, I was also building marketing skills. I was learning how to create experiences, spread the word, and make people feel excited to be part of something. The events started growing on their own, and I began to understand how to keep that momentum going. That interest in creating experiences led me to the work I do now in marketing. These days, I work in the health and wellness space, which really aligns with what I care about and that same energy is what inspired me to start something of my own: Your Local Book Club.
What started as a small idea has grown into a community of over 1,600 readers here in Austin. This kind of work fills me up. It gives me energy. It reminds me that I’m doing something that matters to someone.
I’ve always been someone who likes to plan ahead. For a long time, I was trying to force my purpose into a job title or a checklist. But I didn’t need to look so far. I just had to pay attention to what I was already doing and what I kept coming back to.
My purpose has been here the whole time. It just hasn’t always looked the same. If you’re still trying to find yours, start with what feels right. Write down the things that make you feel like yourself. You might be closer than you think.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a creative marketer and community builder. For my 9 to 5, I’m the Marketing Director at an awesome medical device company called NeuFit. We make an e-stim device called the Neubie that’s used for both rehab and performance, and we work with everyone from physical therapists and athletic trainers to chiropractors, occupational therapists, and even personal users.
No two days look the same. One minute I’m building out email campaigns, the next I’m managing events, creating content, running social, or writing up a press release. It’s a hands-on, fast-moving environment, and that’s what I love about it. The most exciting part, hands down, is the stories I get to hear and share. We’ve had people use our device to get out of wheelchairs, regain movement after strokes, or finally find relief from chronic pain. It’s incredible to know the work we’re doing is actually changing lives.
But that’s just part of my story. What I like to call my 5 to 9 is growing this incredible community of readers through Your Local Book Club.
As I mentioned earlier, Your Local Book Club is a community based in Austin. It’s part book club, part social club, and all about real-life connection. It’s the thing that keeps me up at night (in the best way). What I love most about it is seeing the relationships that have come out of it and making people feel welcome in a city that may not be theirs. That’s what keeps me motivated. It’s what pushes me to keep hosting events, trying new ideas, and finding more ways to reach people. Whether it’s a book swap, a local partnership, or a book discussion meetup, everything we do is about helping people feel connected.
Most recently, I launched something called The Reading Room, a small review collective within the club where selected members read and review books from indie and debut authors. It’s been such a fun way to support new voices and give our readers a more intimate experience with the stories we feature.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Lifelong Learning: I never stopped learning. After college, I explored a lot of different paths before I found something that really felt right. Each experience taught me something new and helped me build skills I still use today. I’ve taken personal training certifications, graphic design classes, and additional marketing courses. I wasn’t always sure where things would lead, but I kept following what felt interesting or useful. Over time, those choices shaped the kind of work I do now.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Keep learning, even if it feels like the pieces don’t fit yet. They will.
Being Present: This is something I’m still working on, but I’ve learned that staying present makes a difference. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about what’s next or comparing your life to someone else’s. But when I focus on what’s right in front of me, I do better work and feel more connected to it. Some of the best things I’ve built happened when I wasn’t thinking about where it would lead. I just showed up and gave it my full effort. That mindset has helped me feel more grounded and more confident.
You don’t need to rush. Be where your feet are, focus on what you’re doing now, and do it the best you can. That’s usually what opens the next door.
Consistency: Consistency isn’t something you master once. It’s something you keep choosing, over and over again. I work a full-time job, and when that’s done, I spend most of my evenings working on Your Local Book Club. I’m sending emails, planning events, and doing everything I can to keep it moving forward. It takes a lot, but I keep showing up for it because I care about what it’s becoming. I’ve also seen how staying consistent helps in other parts of my life. When I move my body regularly, I feel better. When I eat food that gives me energy, it shows up in my mood and focus. These things take effort, but they really do build over time.
I really believe the universe notices when you’re putting in the work. Even if it doesn’t show up right away, something always comes from it. You don’t have to get it perfect. Just keep showing up. Do the work when it’s boring, when it’s quiet, and when it feels like no one’s watching. That’s where the growth happens.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always open to collaborating, especially with people who care about what they’re building. If you’re locally owned, if you love supporting women or BIPOC-led businesses, or if you’re working on something you believe in so much it makes you want to shout about it, I’d love to connect. I like working with people who are all in. People who want to build something that brings others together and makes a real impact. If you’re an author, a venue, an artist, a musician, a marketer, or something else entirely, I can probably find a reason for us to work together.
If that sounds like you, reach out anytime at mishayla@yourlocalbookclub.org. Don’t be shy. I really do mean it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yourlocalbookclub.org
- Instagram: @yourlocalbookclubatx
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishaylamarie/
Image Credits
Jon Scotty
Mark Pearson
Drew Elaine
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