Meet Billie Smith

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Billie Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Billie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When I first started my business I jumped in without thinking too much about it. Covid had just been the cause of both of my jobs closing and my whole future plan went out the window. So when I started my business originally because I didn’t want to stop teaching; and I’m pretty grateful that I took that approach, because I know how easy it can be for impostor syndrome to convince you not to do it. It’s really easy to feel like you need ‘just one more training’ before you launch your business, and I think I avoided a lot of that at first because I didn’t really have it planned, it was a jump out of necessity. Imposter syndrome came up for me a bit later, and for a while it really seemed to take over for a while. I signed up for a marketing training course within the first year of my launch, and in that class the instructor asked anyone who felt imposter syndrome to put their hand up, and every single person raised their hand. I felt so much weight lift off my shoulders when I realized that imposter syndrome was much more common than talked about. To me that meant that it wasn’t as personal, meaning it wasn’t a personal failure, or anything I lacked.
The other piece of overcoming imposter syndrome was healing some things I’d learned from my upbringing. I grew up in an abusive house and was often gaslit, which meant that on a deep level, some part of me believed that it wasn’t safe to take up space, or use my voice. (which is often needed for teachers, and business owners alike) I’d been healing from this already, but it fueled my imposter syndrome in the first few years of my business, especially as I began to speak up more loudly about the impact of diet culture, importance of pronouns and social justice issues. For me, overcoming imposter syndrome was made up of a lot of tiny steps, moments of big vulnerability, and reminding myself constantly that those beliefs are not true, that I’ve always deserved to take up space. It does get easier with practice, and a lot of self-compassion. Some days it meant showing up and using my voice to market my business even if I felt nervous, some days it looked like self-care and reminding myself that I am not the things impostor syndrome tries to convince me of.

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?

I am non-binary (they/she pronouns), diet culture, eating disorder & abuse survivor who is going against the grain in a lot of big ways. I think that diet-culture is bologna, based on false, oppressive data, and that we deserve better.

I specialize in helping folx heal their relationship with their bodies, and movement practices after leaving diet culture & recovering from eating disorders. I do this through virtual movement classes, movement teacher workshops, and 1:1 coaching. (I do teach in person as well) My values are a big part of how I operate as a person, teacher and business, I believe in creating a safer space for all folx, walking the walk, learning to do better, leading rebelliously, among others.

I use what lived experience, along with hundreds of hours of training & teaching experience to help folx feel better in their bodies for longer, feel safe in their bodies & rebel against the diet-culture norms they’ve been taught.

Along with my virtual studio membership, and 1:1 clients, I’m also offering movement teacher workshops starting in September 2024. In September I kick off my first workshop called Anti-Diet Teaching, which is eligible for 5 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance. I will also be offering one in January 2025 about teaching Queer Inclusive movement classes.

I host Rebel Movement Podcast, a podcast for all rebellious conversations, such as social justice, trans health care, menstrual cycles, running ethical business, and starting your own movement business.

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

Looking back, the ability to be vulnerable, compassionate and resilient have been extremely impactful in my journey. Vulnerability and compassion allow us to connect more deeply to the folx around us, and amplify any impact we might already have. Just being honest about your story can help other people around you feel seen and understood. Resilience, or continuing growth has been instrumental to getting me to where I am today. There were many times throughout my life where I didn’t know if I’d survive, if my business would succeed, or I could be a good teacher. No matter how well we prepare ourselves, life always brings us change, challenge and opportunity for growth. I don’t mean to just ‘get over it and move on’, I mean the opposite: I mean give yourself space to feel your feelings. Be compassionate with yourself, validate that it sucks but you’ve been through so much already, but also look for the good. Look for the things you love, the things that bring you joy, the moments that made your heart light up. When you feel like you have your feet on the ground again, try to learn more, the more we learn, the more we can do better.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always looking for people to collaborate with! Whether it’s guesting in trainings, guest teaching, or pod-swapping, or pumping each other up. I am looking for people who are diet-culture drop outs, who are actively standing up for queer, and BIPOC rights. People who are working rebelliously, and always trying to learn to do better.

I’m also looking to fill a couple of 1:1 client spots, if you are looking to start a movement practice that makes you feel like a bad*ss (empowered, if that’s a better word for the artice), rather than one that fills you with shame, send me an email to [email protected] or follow me on social media.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Billie Smith

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