An Inspired Chat with Ivory Howard of Columbia

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ivory Howard. Check out our conversation below.

Ivory, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I started a garden for the first time this spring. I grew and harvested strawberries, green peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, green onions, basil, tomatoes and hot peppers. This fall, I’m looking forward to a garden filled with carrots, onions, spinach, peas, lettuce, fava beans and wax beans.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I help busy women workout consistently and reclaim their health with ease.

As a yoga instructor, my classes are diverse and full of students of color. I make an effort to ensure that reach diverse group of people. I have an opportunity to provide what wasn’t available to me when I started practicing yoga and to help others who have ever been intimidated in “traditional” yoga classes with women who didn’t look like them. All welcome and can now experience yoga in a safe and welcoming space.

One of my students shared the reason she traveled for a class with me was because she didn’t think she, as a person of color, fit in at yoga studios in her area. It breaks my heart to hear this because yoga is practiced by many different people with different body types and that diversity should be welcomed, visible and celebrated so that everyone feels welcome in this community.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
As entrepreneurs, we must constantly kill our darlings, the offerings that we worked so hard to develop, to adjust to the current market and provide our clients with what they want now. Those offerings served their purpose and now we get to move on to something else. If anything, we struggle to do this as quickly as necessary.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep going.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m on a mission to make sure that more women know that exercise and a plant-based diet can prevent many chronic lifestyle diseases and leading causes of death in the United States. I want to continue to make it easier for women to be active to help them avoid preventable chronic diseases like stroke, diabetes and cancer. And if you have a chronic disease, I want you to know that it’s not hopeless. You can live a long, healthy and active life.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
There are two things we must remember as working adults: 1. Exercise isn’t optional. It doesn’t have to be boring. It doesn’t have to take forever. You don’t have to go to the gym. There are lots of options. But it isn’t optional. 2. Rest is essential. It doesn’t need to be earned. Slow down and protect your time so that you can rest, recharge and reset.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ivoryhoward.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbellypilates
• Twitter: https://x.com/flatbelly
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatbellypilates
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flatbellypilates
• Other: https://www.threads.com/@flatbellypilates

Image Credits
Focused Minded Photo