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

Hi Nicole, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe risk taking is essential to growth, success and happiness… and the bigger the risks, the bigger the rewards! I have taken risks of various magnitudes to get to where I am today, some of the biggest being investing in real estate while living abroad and entrepreneurship.

Back in 2011, I decided to buy a house, put everything in storage and fly me and my dog to Australia for 5 years. This was not only so much fun, but the financial, personal and professional development that I experienced was on another level. The learnings about myself, others and the world were magical. Then fast forward to 2020, I decided to take a leap of faith and leave a remote digital marketing job to pursue my dream of entrepreneurship, online course creation, and international yoga/ charity retreats. Leaving a stable paycheck during a pandemic to self employment was not easy, but I wake up everyday excited because I know I’m on my soul’s path now. It feels damn good.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m not sure this sets me apart from others, since many people around the world were faced with similar challenges AND opportunities during COVID… but I take pride in the fact that I transitioned from teaching in yoga studios as an employee to running my own online yoga classes where people can join in from all over the world in about a month. I planned to do this for most of 2019, but it was finally prioritized and accomplished in a way that would have never happened so fast if the need wasn’t so great.

Creating an online yoga business was definitely NOT easy! Even with a ton of business, digital and marketing experience it took many, many hours of research, testing, trying, and trying again…and I don’t think this will ever end. I continue to refine and improve daily. Current online offerings include morning and evening Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga + Meditation, and Yoga Nidra. My schedule can be accessed on my website here: www.nicoleturneryoga.com/schedule. In the near future, I hope to add Sound Healing and Chanting Mantras, as I am currently teaching myself how to play the harmonium.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is to embrace each challenge as a chance to improve, and it sounds cheesy, but NEVER give up. One of the business leaders I follow on social media says, ‘You want to f-in win at life? Fall in love with losing, because most people are scared of it.”
In addition to online yoga classes, I also have a permit for outdoor yoga classes in San Diego at De Anza Cove Park in Pacific Beach. It’s a beautiful park, right on the water, with bathrooms, playgrounds and tons of parking. This was also something I ALWAYS wanted to do, even pre-COVID, but again there wasn’t the urgency back then.
Other than outdoor and online classes, I also offer specialty classes that include: Standup Paddleboard Yoga on Mission Bay, Kids Yoga, Family Yoga, Corporate Yoga, Special Events where I partner with musicians and other healers and Private Yoga sessions for individuals and groups that want to either take their practice to the next level, celebrate an occasion, or just simply create a bonding experience to help everyone feel energized, cleansed and relaxed.
In 2021, I plan to release my first online yoga course that aims to help people that are unmotivated, disconnected from self and others, stressed and in pain learn how to use the 8 Limbs of Yoga to enhance their lives, the lives of others around them and the planet. They will evaluate their daily schedule and incorporate philosophy, movement, breathing, concentration and meditation techniques, so they can feel better physically, mentally and emotionally and find deeper connection with themselves, their loved ones and uncover their purpose and passions. This course is the accumulation of my 16 year yoga practice, over 500hrs of yoga trainings, travel, giving back and what I’ve learned along the way about health, wellness and creating my dream life and business. In the future, I hope to share this experience as an in-person, international retreat in various locations around the world, where part of the proceeds will go to support charitable organizations in the communities we visit.

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?
I worked at Jordan Restaurant/ Tower23 in Pacific Beach while attending SDSU, so I still think it’s a great venue, ocean views and awesome food for all my out of town friends and family. There are so many cool spots in San Diego to grab a beverage. I’m a big fan of all the wine bars and anything with an ocean view. A little hidden gem is the Barefoot Bar at Paradise Point Resort in Pacific Beach for sunset drinks in the summer. I also teach SUP Yoga classes in their cove on Sundays at 1030am, so you can come for a great mind/body workout and stay for lunch and drinks. My favorite spots to visit are Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Balboa Park, Downtown, Little Italy, Old Town, Coronado, and Mexico!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say it definitely takes a village for anyone to have success and feel supported to pursue their passions as an entrepreneur. Credit can be given to my friends, other entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, previous managers and bosses, colleagues, schools, university, professional development, personal development, trainings, workshops, continuing education, and really being passionate about continuous growth, learning and always being a student of life. I try to learn something new each day, and that keeps things exciting and moving forward.

Website: www.nicoleturneryoga.com

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

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisWAJGP0EDKXCiAwkSvL-A

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