Meet Gwen Lawrence | Yoga Coach, Mindfulness Teacher, LMT

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gwen Lawrence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gwen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was never asked this before and it is really quite simple. Whether it is considered a good thing or a bad thing, I have never been able to work for someone. The concept of helping another person get rich or fulfill their lives in their way is ridiculous to me, and my brain. Believe me after college I tried, I worked with others in my field under a chiropractor, health club, spa, and even in a restaurant, and it was a clear no go for me. I just had to start there to understand my business and then find my unique niche and forge on, my own way, my own time, my own mistakes and my own victories. I even tried a partnership later in my career and it turned into an epic business failure and physical and emotional energy suck.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I built my yoga business around teaching athletes, from little league to Professional for decades. I have worked with 7 professional teams in New York and over 3,000 professional athletes. I pride myself in being successful in this field for a very long time, being a pioneer in this field and the longevity I withstood in terms of being a woman in a mostly male line of work.I was not easy, in sports coaches come and go and as well the people that surround them come and go, so every year and season was volatile and I never took it for granted. I planned routines, strategized travel, organized long days and drove 33,000 mile a year. The reason I stayed so long was because I created a system nobody else had done. I created my company Power Yoga for Sports from nothing. I did not have a business background, sports management background or anything like that, I was gifted with intuition like no other. My business focused on the whole athlete, by using 6 trademarked facets teaching balance, physical and mental, strength, flexibility, mental toughness, focus and breath. Not only that my company, PYFS< believes that you must create routines and training that is relevant not only to specific sport but to position played in the sport. Each player on the file or court has different jobs, different common injuries, different use of body and that must be reflected in their training. My team is taught to inject themselves into the world of the athlete not expect the athletes to become yogi’s, that is why we are an invaluable part of their training. I was a one woman show and not only trained over 3,000 pro athletes, I have created a school so I can mentor other to do the same things I did and have trainees in 19 countries and 29 states. I am very proud of that, and still love watching these people learn and get excited. There have been many many tiring days where I questioned if I was doing the right work, or was it worth it and inevitably on those down days a trainee would send an email about a landmark goal they reached, or how happy they were that they trained with me, and that kept me going!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Funny enough I a at this point in my life more of a hermit : )
I have seen a lot traveled to teach a lot and I find solace and sanctuary in my home. However if I were to show my best friend a great time I would take them to Sedona Arizona. This town is filled with creative happy, spiritual well adjusted people. It has great food, shopping, crystals and above all red rock glory. We would get up early to go hike to a great red rock landmark, like Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock, then of course visit a vortex to recharge, I am most connected to the airport road one. Magical things happen to me there. We would eat at one of the great Mexican restaurants. Once done take a ride to Amitabha Stupa, Peace Park to take time to meditate and find inspiration, the best way in my head to finish a day would be a heavy duty crystal shopping trip. Once I left Sedona, after teaching at a festival there and have 70 pounds of crystals in my carryon bag. The perfect day‼

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt my Husband and best friend deserves a huge shoutout, he has always supported my ideas and endeavors. He has never to this day stifled me in the least. He lets me be me an untethered soul and person who is not easy to be around. He is my sounding board, support structure and soft place to land when I fall. Another shout out would be Coach Tom Coughlin. I had the honor of working with the New York Giants for 16 seasons as their yoga and mindfulness coach and doing massage for the athletes. Coach Coughlin always supported my ideas, encouraged me to think of new strategies each year, and instilled a pride in myself in terms of never being late, confidence in my ability, and understanding my position among the players was an important part of my job and the team.

Website: https://coachtube.com/users/gwenlawrence

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