We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brendan Gallery. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brendan below.
Brendan, 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.
I love this question, although I would not say I have actually overcome imposter syndrome, it is something I face daily and likely will to some extent as long as I live. I would say, however, that I have learned how to live with my imposter syndrome and how to lessen its debilitating grip over my life. Imposter syndrome is something that so many of us face to some degree in this shared human experience, so how could it be possible that we are all imposters? The answer seems obvious, that of course we cannot all be imposters, yet in the face of these clear cognitive distortions I would double down and convince myself that I am the one true imposter among us all. This pattern was overwhelming, exhausting, and fueled many self-limiting beliefs I had about myself and my potential, and kept me in a stagnant, safe path, where I avoided any and all risk. In turn I was avoiding truly living.
My many years of practicing yoga and mindfulness, which I started initially for the physical health benefits alone, actually became the keys that unlocked my awareness of my true values, intentions, and potential. Once I found the space between my egoic mind that was fueling the imposter thoughts, and found my inner voice it became quite clear that we are ALL one, all connected, and we have nothing to hide, nothing truly worth being afraid of or holding back from, as we are all perfectly imperfect just as we are. What a sigh of relief and tremendous weight off my shoulders, off all of our shoulders! Unfortunately this mindset is tough to stay in, and that’s where it becomes a daily practice. I have found it helpful to fall back on a list of questions when the imposter voice starts to get louder, such as is this based in reality or fear? How would I look at these thoughts if a friend were having them? Even if the thoughts come true and I fail, will I be okay down the road? Can I remind myself that it will be worth the risk just to have tried? If I am living out my truest intentions and values, can I really ever truly fail? Is failure anything more than an opportunity to grow stronger? From there, I’ve found it empowering to practice repeating mantras or simple positive affirmations such as “I am enough” and practicing self-compassion by reminding myself that I am human and I will make mistakes just like everyone else, which can never tarnish my inner light.
Since then my life has consisted of taking one huge risk after another. I left my stable corporate career path to start over and follow my passion for Yoga, Mindfulness, Fitness, and Mental Health striving to tie everything together in one community. A few years later my wife and I opened our own Hot Yoga and Wellness Studio – YoGallery Wellness here in Superior, CO shortly after moving. We sold our home in California to fund our dreams, and with the generosity of our family who took us in, we built a new life in CO, where I enrolled back in school and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Additionally I have become a Certified Professional Life Coaching offering holistic wellness support throughout our community. Our schedule and offerings are growing and evolving each day here at YoGallery Wellness, and although my inner imposter voice tries to tell me it is crazy, it will all have been worth it just to have tried and that is enough!
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?
As a co-founder at YoGallery Wellness, I focus on guiding groups and private clients through a variety of Yoga asana flows, postures, stretches, Yoga philosophy, and mindfulness exercises. At Impact Sports Performance, our partner fitness center I also offer personal training, and teach HIIT and Bootcamp style classes. Part of our dream with bringing YoGallery Wellness to light was to incorporate holistic well-rounded wellness. So in addition to being a full schedule hot Yoga studio, I also offer Wellness Life Coaching as a Certified Professional Life Coach (CLC). I am also working towards my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a focus on mindfulness and a variety of mindfulness based psychotherapy modalities.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, it has actually been a bit surprising to reflect upon the qualities that have been most impactful along my journey. Surprising in the sense that without my intense anxiety, fear, and self-doubt I don’t think I ever would have embarked on the truly liberating and transformative life journey I feel lucky to be connected to today. Previously I would have looked at these qualities as flaws or “negative” traits, when in reality they became my greatest teachers, by biggest sources of growth and my fuel for deeper self-awareness. These qualities have paved the way for me to learn how to be compassionate and patient with both myself and others. I’ve felt the benefits of practicing acceptance and forgiveness, which has given me the space and energy to embrace change and take risks. All of which started by fully embracing and learning from my own fears, doubts, and self-limiting beliefs.
With that, I would say my advice to those early in their journey would be – if something brings you joy and peace, start taking steps to practice it, and protect it each day. Be kind to yourself along the way, give yourself space and grace to feel scared, hurt, down, lost and remind yourself the destination may change or evolve, but on the path is the only place we need to be.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My wife, Kelsey Gallery has been beyond helpful and supportive through every step of this journey. She has been my rock in so many ways as we have worked together as a team to overcome challenges, build each other up, cultivate physical and mental resilience and to embark on our new journey making each decision as a unit, without ever looking back. I have learned so much from her, from bearing witness to her vast openness to love, growth, learning, vulnerability, and to expressing her true raw emotions and opinions in the most beautiful ways. Her determination, strength, and passion to live out her values and goals motivates me each day. It is her passion for what she does that reminds me our validation only needs to come from within. Living this way is also much easier said than done, as social emotional beings we strive to connect and please others. Kelsey lives with such a graceful balance fueled by her own inner guide, and in a way that others can connect with to truly share everything she has with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yogallerywellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogallery_wellness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendangallery/
