Meet Margy Goodman | Women’s Empowerment Coach & Yoga Teacher

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

Hi Margy, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Showing-up, in its many forms, has been the biggest factor behind my success. I’m using this as an umbrella term to encompass authenticity, consistency and genuine support.

So first, showing up authentically. Being true to myself and my values I think makes me more relatable and accessible to the people I serve. I’ve gotten over some really difficult things, and I’m very open about it. I’m vulnerable and take “imperfect action” often, because I want others to know that I’ve been where they are and they don’t have to have it all figured out. Social media makes me super uncomfortable, so I just show-up on there as my awkward self because I value being down to earth and approachable.

Second, showing up consistently has built trust around me and my brand, and has helped create real community and fostered personal growth for many. In yoga, sticking with a set schedule gives students a reliable space each week to get on their mats and work through their mental and physical stuff. In the women’s group/programs I run, people know that I, along with our whole community, will be there for them each week–to hold space and do the personal work.

Lastly, showing up with genuine support keeps people coming back to me. Service is the keystone of my business, so when I’m running a women’s circle or program, people get my all. I make sure everyone feels seen, heard and supported. I do my best to make sure that everyone I come into contact with in these spaces leaves feeling more empowered and transformed in some way.

What should our readers know about your business?
I got to where I am in my business today by being dedicated to entrepreneurship and driven by service, and by taking the leap and fully committing. I began volunteering at an early age and knew that my future would be based in direct community service. Yoga has transformed my life, and I always wanted to work for myself, so I knew that by going off on my own to offer yoga and coaching I would wake up excited to “go to work” everyday.

The journey hasn’t always been easy, although the biggest thing that hindered my initial business growth was me getting in my own way. Fears, doubts and insecurities kept me playing small for years. Finally, I realized that I was doing the community a disservice by not going all in, at which point I effectively said “screw it” and did the networking and put the groups and programs out there. The fears and such didn’t exactly go away, but I was able to change my perspective and mindset around it all–something yoga and receiving coaching have helped me do.

There are a ton of lessons I’ve learned along the way (which is why I’m a coach!). One of the most meaningful is about self-sabotage. I played small for years because I was afraid of being seen, subsequently judged, and possibly rejected. I also was afraid of what success might mean for me! Like more attention and more responsibility; maybe relationships would change or I’d have less freedom. I think most of us sabotage some aspect of our lives at some point, whether that’s in relationships, career, finances, whatever. I’ll ask readers: have things ever started going well and you do something, even a small thing like not return a phone call because you “forgot”, and you lose out? Or your relationship is healthy and smooth, so you pick a fight? This is why I love supporting my clients in cultivating self-awareness–so they can step into their full potential and stop ruining things because they’re scared.

What sets me apart is my ability to show up fully for others. I’m great at connecting with people, regardless of background or where they are on their journey. I also have a deep, genuine sense of caring and tend to go above and beyond for loved ones and clients. I naturally have a lot of energy, so I’m able to sustain myself while being in support of others. The last big one is that I get my people results, through kind yet direct accountability.

I’m most excited about the women’s empowerment group I started in July 2021 and the group coaching program I’m launching in March 2022. The group was born out of a desire to bring women together in community, intentionally, with an emphasis on personal development. As of this publishing our group has 600 members and meets twice a month “in-circle”, where we come together to connect, support one another and grow. I’m blown away by the feedback about how helpful and transfomative this group has been for so many women. And the level of support for this group really speaks to how much we’re in need of these kinds of mindful communities right now. If you identify as a woman and are interested in joining the circle or program, we’d love to have you! Links to the Meetup page and Facebook group are below, or reach out to me directly.

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?
To show a friend my idea of the best San Diego has to offer, we’d walk the boardwalk in PB, and hit up the OB farmers’ market and check out La Jolla cove (so they could get a feel for the wildly different vibes among the beach towns!). As for activities, we’d do a morning hike, maybe Iron Mountain or Three Sisters if it’s been raining, and either kayak or bike Mission Bay. I’d of course lead us through a morning yoga session at Law Street Park, and a picnic at Kate Sessions park is also a must. Torrey Pines might make the cut, as well as the Self-Realization Fellowship and Meditation Gardens in Encinitas. We’d hit up a couple vineyards in Escondido and discover new restaurants together!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom, Audrey Himelhoch, and my dad, Wayne Goodman. I’m grateful for their love, support and the examples of service and entrepreneurship that they set for me. Also, my coach Katie Brauer.

Website: www.margyroseyoga.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margyroseyoga/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5321283

Other: Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenrisingsandiego Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-womenrising/

Image Credits
Gerald Villanueva