We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mckensie Kirchner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
McKensie, 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.
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been a transformative part of my journey as a yoga teacher and entrepreneur. When I co-founded NOLA Vibe Yoga in 2016, I was firmly in the business role while Baye, my incredibly talented partner, led the teaching side. But the constant need for class substitutes pushed me to consider teacher training—even though I questioned if I was doing it for the “right reasons.”
Initially, I struggled with thoughts like, “Who am I to teach yoga?” But during training, I realized my authenticity was my strength. I knew what it was like to be skeptical of yoga because I’d been there. That connection allowed me to create welcoming, fun experiences for students.
Letting go of perfectionism was key. I focused on helping people feel comfortable, laugh, and flow freely without judgment. Imposter syndrome still pops up occasionally, but showing up authentically and prioritizing my students’ experience has been the best way to overcome it.
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?
NOLA Vibe Yoga is about creating joyful, inclusive, and soulful experiences where yoga meets the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. Co-founded with my best friend Baye Tilson in 2016, our mission has always been to bring powerful #NOLAVIBES to every class—whether it’s an upbeat outdoor flow at a brewery or under the Spanish moss-lined oak trees in City Park. What sets us apart is our community-focused, fun-loving approach that makes yoga accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
What excites me most about our work is seeing people who once felt intimidated by yoga discover that it can be fun, creative, and freeing. We welcome everyone and we emphasize connection over perfection.
We also launched Bride Vibe Yoga alongside NOLA Vibe Yoga in 2016, which has grown to become an incredible part of our business. Bride Vibe Yoga offers custom yoga classes for bachelorette parties and wedding days. We now have a network of over 100 instructors in 40 cities and have hosted more than 4,000 classes, helping brides and their loved ones find joy, connection, and calm during these special moments.
Another exciting milestone was hosting our first retreat in Tulum. It was a beautiful experience that brought together our vibrant community in a stunning tropical setting for yoga, relaxation, and connection. This retreat marked the beginning of many more to come as we expand into offering more opportunities for our community to gather, vibe, and grow in unique destinations.
We’re continuing to innovate and expand. We’re beginning to stream online classes for those that can’t join us in person for class, and we’re launching college ambassador partnerships at Loyola and Tulane to bring yoga directly to campus communities.
At NOLA Vibe Yoga, our goal is simple: to help people vibe, flow, and feel amazing—on and off the mat. We’re grateful to be spreading this energy and continuing to grow our vibrant community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities have been instrumental in my journey:
Adaptability: Things rarely go as planned in business or life. From last-minute instructor cancellations to New Orleans unexpected rain storms rolling in during an outdoor class, staying flexible and solution-oriented has been crucial. Also if you let your community “in on it” and keep the struggles light-hearted and transparent – they will be willing to forgive and forget.
Authenticity: Leaning into who I truly am—a fun-loving, hyper-analytical business owner who just wants to help others feel good—has been transformative. In a saturated wellness market, being genuine creates a stronger connection with your community. For those starting out, trust that your unique voice and personality will resonate with the right people.
Community Building: Success for NOLA Vibe Yoga wouldn’t have been possible without focusing on building and nurturing community. Yoga is about connection, and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment has been key to our growth. My advice? Show up, engage, and genuinely care for the people around you.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
One of the current challenges we’re navigating at NOLA Vibe Yoga is hiring additional support staff to assist with check-in processes and operational logistics. As our community continues to grow, streamlining these processes is essential to maintaining the high-quality, welcoming experience our clients expect.
This difficult transition isn’t just about bringing in new team members—it’s also about helping our current clientele adapt to a more structured check-in practice. For a long time, our vibe has been very laid-back and community-driven, and we want to maintain that while ensuring smoother operations.
Our approach involves clear communication, setting expectations, and educating clients on new processes so they feel empowered rather than inconvenienced. We’re excited about building a stronger operational foundation that will support future growth while keeping the heart and soul of NOLA Vibe Yoga intact.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nolavibeyoga.com; www.bridevibeyoga.com
- Instagram: @nolavibeyoga, @bridevibeyoga
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NolaVibeYoga
Image Credits
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