We were lucky to catch up with Karen DeMamiel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karen, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Growing up, my dad was an entrepreneur. He started his own business in the spare room of our house when I was four years old. He was a hard worker and went after the things he wanted in life. My mom would tell me that when he was starting out working at home, he would wear a suit and tie even though he was in a room at the end of the hall in our house. I asked him why and he said because for one it made him feel important and more productive and two, it made it so that if he happen to have a chance to meet with a customer, he was dressed and ready. My dad ended up building a thriving business that soon needed my mom, another person, and an office outside our home. Whenever I would have a performance at school or start a new job or hobby, he would always say his famous line. ” Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp”. My dad never went to college he just worked really hard at every job he ever had. He also was always trying new hobbies, some he got really good at, some not so much. It didn’t matter, he was having fun and making new friends. He also would have me try all kinds of new foods wherever we went. I am an only child and I was shy and very timid. Academics didn’t come easy to me and often I would have to try harder at certain things than my peers. But my parents always encouraged me and helped me find ways to figure out what I was struggling with. They encouraged me to try different things or go to new places. My mom would say ” life is a buffet, sample it all”. When I didn’t make the cheerleading team in high school, I became the mascot instead. I ended up having the best time and my parents were my biggest cheerleaders. Now that I am a mom, I strive to be like that with my kids. My husband is such a great teacher and encourager and it makes me so happy to see my kids learning from him. Since I have become a yoga instructor in the last few years, it has been a passion of mine to help kids, teens, and adults feel confident.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have always enjoyed working with people, from babysitting when I was a teen, to working at the community center out of high school. I always knew any job I had, it would have to be moving my body and with people. When I was a young adult, in my free time I enjoyed group fitness classes and would attend them whenever I had time. When I was 21 and newly married I got a job as a children’s snowboard instructor for the winter season and had a blast. as soon as the season was over and we moved back to our old town I became a group fitness instructor. I loved teaching fitness, I even taught during my pregnancy and then went right back when my body was ready. I became a mom for the second time, still loved teaching group fitness, but my body was sore. That is where I found yoga. I always thought yoga would be boring and I wouldn’t get a “workout” Little did I know that yoga was not only good for my body but my mind. I was hooked and so I went through the training and in 2018, I became a registered yoga teacher. I began teaching at the same clubs I taught indoor cycling at and some new studios as well. In 2019 we decided to homeschool our now 7th and 4th graders. I had to give up all my classes that I had loved so much. But I was excited about this next chapter, traveling with my family. Well, we got to do that until 2020. And now we were not the only ones doing school from home. So I took what I loved to do, exercising and working with kids, and put it to use. My daughter and I started doing live yoga classes on Facebook. It was a hit. I look back at those videos and just smile, it was such a good time. I then taught myself zoom and offered classes to my mom’s friends in the evening. I then decided to record a few yoga classes and started a youtube channel. Now two years later, my oldest is enjoying attending High school and my daughter has continued homeschooling. And I still do my weekly yoga classes on zoom for adults. Now I teach homeschool yoga, host a hiking group, and have a running club in the works. I am passionate about kids and wellness. I am so excited about this year. I also have the privilege of teaching private yoga at different vacation rentals in my beautiful town. My family has accumulated a few farm animals and I get asked all the time if I will do goat yoga. I am a firefighters wife and recently have been taking training on trauma, compassion fatigue, and PTSD. I am looking forward to what the future holds with working with first responders. I have also recently started working with a friend who is a grief coach and we have held some events and have a few coming up this year.
I feel so grateful to do what I love, to be with my family, and constantly learn and grow with each year.
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?
First would have to be, finding like-minded people. I met one of my now dearest friends during yoga training. We were roommates for multiple weekend trainings. We were able to study together and practice together. It helped me learn and really become a yoga instructor. The second would be time management. I had and have to, really carve out time to prepare, practice, and study. Sometimes it takes a great deal of planning, but without I would not be successful at all.
Thirdly for me would be trial and error. I once heard that a no or closed door can fuel you for your best work yet to come. I have and still do offer free classes with any new format(class) I am wanting to try. I am always asking for feedback. It is better to try and fail than to not try at all. It is all practice, making you better at what you do.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I love connecting with people. In my homeschool world, I am always looking for charter schools or organizations where I can bring kids yoga to them. I would love to collaborate with therapists, and people who work with teens, bringing yoga to them.
I have a passion for the outdoors and adventure. I want to get kids and parents outside and adventuring together. I would love to work with people who have the same passion.
And lastly, I love my farm animals, and living outside. I would love to partner with people who are passionate about those things as well. Yoga on a farm of rescued animals ?? yes please 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karendemamiel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karendemamielcreative/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-demamiel/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnXCpd0_QUSvpayLI0-ZmlQ
