Meet Nancy Travieso

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nancy Travieso. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nancy, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I developed my confidence by realizing that no one is more worthy or powerful than anyone else.

I believe we’re all human and we all have access to the same inner greatness. The individuals we look up to or admire as great aren’t above us. Instead, I see them as people who’ve allowed themselves to fully step into their power. That reminds me I can do the same.

Confidence, to me, comes from staying true to yourself. When you commit to doing the inner work and align with your values, the self-esteem builds naturally.

That awareness helped me stop comparing and start looking inward. I began to understand that whatever exists in them also exists in me. Anything that exists within another person or even within the universe also exists within me. It’s just a matter of doing the work to access it and staying aligned with who I really am.

That mindset aligns closely with the teachings of yoga — the idea that we are already whole, that we are connected to something greater, and that everything we need is already within us. The practice helps me stay grounded in that truth. When you move and breathe with presence, you quiet the noise and remember who you are underneath it all. For me, confidence is a byproduct of that remembering. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real and staying connected to yourself.

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’m the founder of Yoga Baddies, a community-centered yoga brand focused on creating space for people to move, breathe, and be fully themselves without needing to fit into a certain aesthetic or mold. My approach to yoga is rooted in presence, accessibility, and self-remembrance. I teach classes that range from slow, restorative practices to creative flows that encourage self-expression and grounding. Sound healing is also an important part of what I offer, both in classes and in community events.

What excites me most about this work is watching people reconnect with their bodies and remember that they are already whole. I’m not here to fix anyone. I just want to hold space where people feel safe enough to let go, feel deeply, and maybe even surprise themselves. I think we all carry the same potential. Sometimes we just need the right environment to access it.

Yoga Baddies is still growing and I’m intentionally letting it unfold in a way that feels honest. Right now I’m teaching public classes, hosting monthly events, and offering sound baths. I’m also working on some new collaborations and creative workshops that blend movement, stillness, and self-inquiry. It’s important to me that this work stays grounded in real connection, not performance. I want people to come to class and feel like they belong, not because they look or move a certain way, but because they showed up as themselves.

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?

Looking back, three qualities and skills have been most impactful in my journey. First, my experience teaching adult vocational (English as a Second Language, GED) classes in Miami public schools gave me a strong foundation in working with diverse learners and understanding how to guide adults through new material with patience and clarity. That experience taught me how to hold space for growth, no matter where someone is starting from.

Second, immersing myself fully in yoga by attending many different classes exposed me to a wide variety of teaching styles. Rather than focusing on exactly what instructors say or do, I learned to observe how they structure their classes, how they move through poses, and how they create flow. This helped me develop my own approach, finding what feels authentic and effective.

Third, cultivating a mindset of curiosity and openness has been essential. Instead of trying to copy anyone, I watch for patterns in what works best for students and what flows naturally in a class. Over time, your own voice will emerge. The words and cues come with practice and presence.

My advice for those early in their journey is to be patient with yourself and be a careful observer. Show up consistently, listen deeply, and trust that your unique voice will develop. Focus on how you can hold space and guide others with compassion more than on perfection. The rest follows naturally.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m looking to expand Yoga Baddies by creating more digital content including on-demand classes, instructional videos, and creative workshops. This is just one part of a much bigger vision to make the practice feel more accessible, expressive, and real. I’m looking to collaborate with talented and open-minded individuals who feel connected to what Yoga Baddies stands for. People who are passionate about the practice, grounded in something spiritual, and want to express themselves freely even if their yoga doesn’t look like what’s usually shown on social media.

I’m also working on a merch line that includes athletic wear, stickers, and other fun pieces that reflect the energy of the brand. Bold, playful, rooted in authenticity. I have a few creative workshop events coming soon that I’m keeping under wraps for now but I’m really excited about the direction it’s all moving in.

If you’re a videographer, editor, designer, yoga teacher, musician, or someone with a creative eye who wants to bring something meaningful to life, I’d love to connect. Whether it’s co-creating content, helping behind the scenes, or dreaming up new ideas together, I’m open to building with people who care about creating something honest and powerful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yogabaddies.com
• Instagram: YogaBaddiesLLC