We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Noël Murray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Noël , so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
Whenever I feel stuck creatively, the best thing for me to do is step away. I find that when I try to force it, I just end up getting frustrated and wasting time. Instead, I try to get out of my head and get into my body and senses. This could be going for a walk, rolling out my mat for a short Barre session, giving myself a self-massage, or even just sitting in stillness outdoors and observing what’s around me. When I stop trying to think so much and just observe, I realize how much inspiration there is around me. For me, creativity is about creating the space to allow inspiration to flow back in.
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?
I wear a few different hats, but they all come back to one thing – helping people feel more connected to their bodies. I’m a certified Barre Instructor, Ayurvedic Bodywork Therapist, Retreat Chef, and as of late, I also manage a yoga studio. My work blends movement, healing touch, and nourishing food in a way that feels both grounding and energizing.
There’s something really special about watching the shift in someone when they step into a class, a massage session, or come to a retreat; when you can see their shoulders drop, their breath deepen, and their energy soften. You can quite literally see their day shift in your presence. I love creating spaces that feel like a warm hug and an empowering reminder of their own strength – spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and leave feeling stronger, lighter and more at peace.
Right now, I’m expanding through private Barre sessions and creating a downloadable workout guide specifically for teachers. I’m also planning a variety of wellness events and retreats that combine movement, healing tools like sound therapy, and self-care rituals. On top of that, I offer Ayurvedic Bodywork sessions that support relaxation, restoration, and connection with the body.
One day, I’d love to have my own studio where I can bring all of these elements together in one welcoming space. For me, this work isn’t just a career – it’s a way of living, and I’m passionate about sharing it with as many people as I can.
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 things that have really shaped my journey: self-awareness, consistency, and willingness to keep learning.
Self-awareness has been major. Understanding what makes my body feel good, what it needs, and how my mind responds to different environments is my guiding light. It’s what pushed me to leave many jobs that didn’t feel right in the past and take the leap to invest in myself. Now, I’m grateful to work for myself, focusing on the things I love and that inspire me every day.
Consistency has helped me build trust with myself and with the people I serve. Showing up regularly – even when motivation dips or I’m having a rough week – has been how I’ve gained so much self-trust.
And finally, a mindset of curiosity and growth keeps me open to new techniques, ideas, and ways of learning. I like to call myself a “student of life” because I feel there’s so much we can constantly learn from, and that excites me!
For folks just starting out, my biggest advice is to do it scared. It’s okay to feel uncertain or nervous – that’s part of the process, but it’s also where we grow the most. When you push through those feelings, even when you don’t feel 100% ready, you start to build confidence in yourself. It’s in those moments of discomfort that we discover how strong and capable we really are, and that’s when we begin to envision bigger and greater things for ourselves.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was always making me believe in myself by believing in me first. Even now, they’re still my biggest supporters, cheering me on in every venture. Growing up, they encouraged me to try everything – putting me in every sport to help me explore and discover what I loved. They never told me a dream was too big or discouraged me from pursuing something because they feared I might not make it. Instead, they pushed me to try every single thing I was interested in and fully backed me every step of the way. That kind of support has meant everything to me and has helped me build my own self-confidence. When you know you have a solid support system behind you, it really gives you the courage to take risks and follow your passions without fear.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/noelmurray
- Instagram: noels_nook_
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