We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christy Hughes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I was a shy and fragile child. I saddled myself with the label of “low self-esteem”, which made me feel defeated every time something happened to reinforce that belief.
It wasn’t until I stopped drinking in 2018 that I began to create a new belief. My mentor told me “self-esteem comes from esteem-able acts.” I began volunteering for Meals on Wheels every week, forging a bond with my clients that brought us both an unmatched level of joy. It reminded me that I was important in their lives, even if I didn’t always get my own way in mine.
I began diving into Brene Brown’s work around the same time. I learned the true meaning of resilience and began practicing it. I was able to bounce back from disappointment and take it less personally. This pivotal shift helped me go on to become a retreat host and published author.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I practiced yoga for over ten years before finally taking Yoga Teacher Training. I had heard it would be a transformational experience but I didn’t see myself having the time or confidence to teach. When my online teacher, Allie Van Fossen, decided to offer a 200-hour training, however, I jumped at the chance to train under her. Her journey from physical to holistic yoga, with slower, gentler practices, mirrored my personal journey after a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Just a few months into training, I jotted in my journal: “does Hico need a yoga studio?” The town of Hico was about thirty minutes from our home in Hamilton, Texas, another small rural town with limited yoga offerings. I let the idea simmer until I found the perfect space in Hico. The answer became a resounding “yes.”
I signed my lease in October 2023 and held my first class in January 2024. Many people in the area had an at-home practice and were happy to have a physical studio. It has helped bring together a community and create a safe and inviting space for all body types and physical levels.
I’ve been so overwhelmed by the response that I will be hosting the first ever wellness festival in town from April 4-6, 2025. I’m excited to tap into other holistic health practices and create community for those of us looking for more mindfulness and alternative solutions for chronic stress.
In addition to the yoga studio, I opened an activewear boutique in the space next door. Inspired by several friends involved with sustainable fashion, and utilizing my ten years as an apparel buyer, I focus my assortment on eco-friendly fabrics and high performance products. I also carry aromatherapy items like candle and bath salts made by other small businesses. It has been fun to curate this assortment of items that make people feel good about their purchase.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I began hosting retreats in 2022, my business was called The Brave Kind. I taught the pillars of courage and compassion, two qualities I had to strengthen in order to be a leader.
Courage must be forged by consistently stepping out of your comfort zone, even if they are baby steps. Trying something new, even if you aren’t good at it or decide it isn’t your cup of tea, helps temper the brain’s fear response, at least in my experience. It also helps pave the way for bold acts of bravery, like getting up on stage for a speech, something I was able to do in spring 2024 at a major conference.
Compassion, which is about alleviating others’ suffering, can be as small as offering a kind word or as big as a weekly volunteer opportunity. Selfless acts distract us from the endless chatter or rumination that can happen in our own lives. Start small and you will find over time that thinking of others first alleviates worry and becomes a beautiful way of life.
In addition to these two, I pride myself on exemplifying tenacity. I never would have described myself that way, but after someone said to me “I applaud your tenacity,” the idea stuck. Tenacity means holding fast to an outcome. It means that no matter how many hurdles stand between me and a goal, I view every setback as a detour, not a dead end. On the flip side, you are allowed to change your mind. If you decide that ‘thing’ you are pursuing is not going to light you up, it’s okay to walk away. But don’t give up just because it is difficult; find a way around!
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I do not come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so learning to manage the daily operations of my business while holding a full time sales job has been challenging. One of my biggest areas of growth over the past year has been learning to receive help.
At the times when I needed it most, other people have come forward to help teach classes at the yoga studio. During special events, my teacher training cohorts came to visit, roll up their sleeves, and volunteering to help with everything. I’ve learned that as a helper myself, I bring joy to others by allowing them to GIVE help! It is the only way I can continue to preserve my energy and succeed without burnout.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therootedsoul.com
- Instagram: @therootedsoulyoga
- Facebook: @therootedsoulhico
Image Credits
Cassidy Menger
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