Meet Laura Monk | Yoga Instructor, consultant and entrepreneur

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

Hi Laura, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a perennial challenge in our fast-paced and demanding world. Juggling career aspirations, personal relationships, and self-care often feels like a delicate dance. As I get older, and as I realize that burnout is a real thing and extremely prevalent in the fitness and wellness field (how ironic is that), I have come to the following guidelines to keep boosting morale all the while still being able to pay the bills.

The Value of Boundaries:
I bring a strong emphasis to the importance of setting boundaries to create a clear separation between work and personal life. I work a traditional 40-hr/week job in software sales, and also hold down 6+ yoga classes per week, meaning my phone is constantly going off. DND is your best friend in terms of keeping those buzzes at bay when you need to be focused, or maybe even sleeping. Many well-intentioned colleagues of mine assume firing off a group text at 5am is acceptable. I make it a practice to keep my phone on DND until working hours have begun.

Prioritizing Self-Care:
Self-care should never be compromised. Engaging in activities that nurture physical, mental, and emotional well-being is crucial for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout. Whether it’s exercising, practicing mindfulness, or pursuing hobbies, incorporating self-care rituals into daily routines is vital to replenishing energy levels and fostering a positive work-life balance. These days, it’s walks around my beautiful University Heights neighborhood with mushroom coffee in the mornings that keep me clear-headed. Pro-tip: Insight timer has some wonderful “Power walk meditations,” that get you set up and ready for your day.

Embracing Flexibility:
Flexibility in work arrangements has become increasingly essential, especially in the wake of remote work trends. I began a remote job in April, and it definitely took some getting use to while I streamlined my schedule. I am blessed in that I work for such a great company (TeamUp), that encourages us to live our lives and adjust our schedules to maximize our energy and time. Being able to be an instructor is incredibly important to me, and a non-negotiable. If that means I work later some days, and start earlier others, then that’s what it takes to find the balance.

The Power of Effective Communication:
Expressing needs, expectations, and concerns openly can facilitate mutual understanding and support. Honest conversations about workload, boundaries, and personal commitments can help create a supportive work environment and maintain healthy relationships. This goes for both inbound and outbound communication. If I’m being honest, this is one I need to work on the most, and probably the one that has the capacity to be the most impactful on finding that perfect balance. (note- there will never be perfection, but we can at least strive to keep it in that direction)

Setting Realistic Goals:
Striving for ambitious career goals is admirable, but it is equally important to set realistic expectations and avoid overextending oneself. I have postponed a few events this year (in a timely manner, of course), due to realizing either my heart, energy or wallet was not in the right place. If packing my calendar with events or classes is going to overall tank my desire to keep building, then it’s not worth it.

Unplugging and Reconnecting:
I am definitely guilty of being on my phone all the time, but it’s a work in progress. Turn off notifications after a certain hour, and continue to hold on to those response time boundaries, and the cord begins to not be so tight. Most of my reconnection comes when I am in nature. Just a couple hours hiking, playing in the ocean or just going for a walk can usually ease any feelings of overwhelm on the work side.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Soulfish is a business dedicated to fostering mindfulness, movement, and personal growth. With a focus on helping individuals find balance and inner peace, accepting of who they are and where they are at in their life, Soulfish offers various services and resources aimed at cultivating a mindful, fun and adventurous lifestyle.

One of the core objectives of Soulfish is to help individuals integrate mindfulness into their everyday routines and wildest adventures. By emphasizing the importance of present moment awareness, self-reflection, and compassion, Soulfish encourages individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and clarity. Through its offerings, Soulfish seeks to create a supportive community where individuals can learn and grow together, all the while experiencing connection with incredible humans.

Challenges and Growth:
Like any business, Soulfish has encountered its share of challenges. I began Soulfish just before Covid, which isn’t exactly the best time to start an event pop-up. As the essence of Soulfish goes, I went with the flow. Those hard and challenging times is exactly what shaped my business to what it is today. Maintaining a client base, the ins and outs of the business, navigating the oh-so-fun California business landscape have all had it’s very frustrating moments. These days, the cost of services, rentals and spaces have all impacted my offerings. I see it as an opportunity to gain sponsorships and build partnerships to keep these events thriving.

Impact and Success:
This past May I became a lululemon Ambassador, and it might have been the first time since I started Soulfish that I actually cried at the recognition. I try to stay away from terms like “validation,” but I am human, and it was truly a moment of realization for me. Being an Ambassador is all about the ability to inspire people around you, and create powerful connections within the community. Having this support and platform furthers my reach to continue to bring good energy to the community, encouraging everyone to find their flowstate.

Upcoming events I’m excited about:

SoulStoked; Yoga on the Sea; Yoga-strology Aug. 30
SoulStoked; Yoga on the sea; Local’s Summer Sept 10
Find Your Flowstate 2.0; Playa Gigante, Nicaragua Movement and Adventure Retreat. Nov 12-18

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I tend to try and cram a lot in when people come to visit. This is San Diego, so the influx of guests can be pretty constant! Different guests would require different forms of entertainment, but just as it’s all about balance, so would the itinerary. The perfect blend of fun, drinks, chill, and, of course, adventure

Day 1:
Airport pick up
pitstop at Queenstown in Little Italy to check out the scenery and have a snack/cocktail
Twilight concerts in one of the neighborhood parks or Balboa
Dinner at my favorite neighborhood joint- Madison

Day 2:
Yoga in Palisades park or if I am teaching, I love to bring guests
Coffee from Mystic Mocha or a delicious Blue Moon smoothie from Palmy’s
Resort Pass (maybe one day the newly revamped Lafayette Hotel), or Paradise Point – paddle boarding is always on option from there as well
Dinner at Coco Maya or Seneca

Day 3:
Up early for a hike in the Elfin forest
Winery tour in Escondido – Orfila and Hungry Hawk are two of my favorites
Catch Sunset

Day 4:
Boat rental or beach day. Boat rental on Mission Bay, on the Alana
If in the mood for a beach – Swamis or Windansea would be a favorite
An awesome dinner at Mabel’s Gone Fishing would be suggested

Day 5:
Since we have so much ocean, and so little time, whale watching would be on deck. My favorite is the America Whale Watching boat. Tip: You can bring your own food/coolers on board. They also sell drinks.
The evening would consist of a walk around the neighborhood, and then grabbing a drink at Polite Provisions before heading to Fortunate Son for eclectic Chinese.

Day 6:
The last day would consist of a morning beach walk with coffee (or kombucha from Tapshack) in Ocean Beach. Some last minute surfing is always an option, before heading towards the airport. My family and I have the tradition of stopping by Ballast Point as the planes fly overhead.

Alternate hikes include: Mt. Laguna (option to camp!), Cedar Creek falls, Three sisters – a stop in Julian at Julian Beer Co for THE best pizza (and this is coming from a Chicago girl)

Alternate day trip: Safari Park. When I first went here, it blew me away how much they do for conservation and helping to reintroduce animals to the wild. They have contributed to getting several species off the endangered list. It may be a bit pricing, but it’s going to a good cause!

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?
The fitness community, with an emphasis on the yoga community, in San Diego, is by far and away my greatest mentor, drive and masters of encouragement. There is so much saturation of fabulous instructors in this region of the country, and it’s important to remember there’s enough yoga and events to go around. A few names I shall mention are all incredible people I have co-created with on events: Whitney Riggs, Anjali Samant, Elyssa Swan, Kinsey O’Leary, Tiffani Farrington, Kate Clements, Ashley Turevon, Gretchen Walker, Sheryl Paulino, Blue Wesley, Rafael Peterson, Mango Dass, Mary Capp, Brooke Jaffe, Jordan O’Hara, Pineapple Live, Sunset, Yoga and Bonfire. I want to grow this list, and continue to co-create with fabulous and rad humans, as the best way to keep work/life balance thriving is to partner with the right people.

Website: www.soulfishevents.com

Instagram: @soulfishevents @soulfishmonk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulfishmonk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulfishevents/

Image Credits
Blue Wesley/ Polarized Studios Rafael Peterson Skateheadz Photography