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The Entrepreneur's Secret Ingredient: Bringing Nature into Your Workday
Lindsay Coward of The Yoga Nut
Ever notice how your best ideas seem to strike when you're nowhere near your desk? There's a reason why some of the world's greatest thinkers swear by nature's power to inspire and enlighten.
It turns out, the key to unlocking our full entrepreneurial potential might not be found in endless hours of screen time, but in the great outdoors.
Enter Lindsay Coward, founder of Yoga Nut, who's made it her mission to bring mindfulness and movement into the workplace. Her journey from stressed-out corporate drone to zen master of workplace wellness is a testament to the transformative power of stepping away from the grind and into nature.
The Corporate Hamster Wheel
Picture this: Lindsay, fresh out of college, trapped in a soul-crushing corporate job. Long hours, high stress, and a workplace culture that could make even the most optimistic person consider a career in hermitage.
Sound familiar? It's the all-too-common plight of the modern worker.
But Lindsay had a secret weapon from her college days - yoga. As a student-athlete, she'd discovered the power of mindfulness and movement to excel both on the court and in the classroom.
Faced with the corporate pressure cooker, she dusted off her yoga mat and got to work.
The Yoga Epiphany
Here's where it gets interesting.
Lindsay didn't just use yoga as an escape from work stress - she brought it back to the office with her. Suddenly, she was showing up to work with a clearer head, ready to tackle the day's challenges without wanting to hide under her desk. It was like she'd discovered a superpower, and she couldn't keep it to herself.
So, like any good superhero origin story, Lindsay quit her job, became a certified yoga instructor, and set out to save the corporate world from itself. Yoga Nut was born, bringing yoga and meditation to conferences, meetings, and workplaces everywhere.
But Lindsay didn't stop there. She went back to school, got a Master's in Public Health with a focus on stress management, and expanded Yoga Nut into a full-fledged workplace wellness company. Because why settle for helping people touch their toes when you can transform entire company cultures?
Nature’s Boardroom
Now, you might be thinking, "That's great for Lindsay, but I can barely find time to eat lunch, let alone do downward dog in the conference room."
Fair point.
But here's the kicker - you don't need to be a yoga master to reap the benefits of nature and mindfulness in your work life.
Lindsay's go-to move when she's stuck on a problem? A simple walk outside. No need for a scenic hike or a meditation retreat - just step outside and let your brain do its thing. Within minutes, those elusive "aha" moments start flowing like a mountain stream after a spring thaw.
The Science of Stepping Out
Why does this work so well?
Our brains and bodies function differently outdoors. The change of scenery, fresh air, and natural light all contribute to resetting our focus and sparking creativity. It's like hitting the refresh button on your brain, but without the frustrating spinning wheel of death.
Lindsay's work with Yoga Nut is bringing this outdoor magic into sterile office environments. By introducing yoga, meditation, and stress resiliency workshops into corporate settings, she's helping teams boost focus, enhance connection, and improve overall well-being. It's like she's smuggling little bits of nature into the workplace, one deep breath at a time.
The Bunny Breath Revolution
For those of us who can't exactly roll out a yoga mat in the middle of a board meeting, Lindsay shared a quick and easy breathing technique called the "bunny breath." It's exactly what it sounds like - three short inhales followed by one long exhale, repeated a few times. It's perfect for when you need to feel more grounded or energized, and it's a lot more socially acceptable than actually hopping around the office like a rabbit.
The Ripple Effect
What's truly impressive about Lindsay's work is the ripple effect it creates. When companies invest in their employees' well-being, it doesn't just benefit individuals - it transforms the entire work culture.
Teams become more connected, creativity flourishes, and suddenly, those impossible problems don't seem so daunting anymore. It's like the whole office got a group hug from Mother Nature.
Taking It Outside
Inspired by Lindsay's approach, more and more companies are looking to bring the outdoors in - or better yet, take the indoors out.
Imagine brainstorming sessions in natural amphitheaters, team meetings on scenic hiking trails, or quiet reflection spots nestled in company gardens. It's not just feel-good fluff - it's a strategic move to boost creativity, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
The Next Step
So, the next time you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, remember that your next big breakthrough might not be found in your office, but in the great outdoors. Take a page from Lindsay's book and let nature be your guide to understanding everything better - including your business.
Ready to bring some outdoor zen to your workplace? You can find out more about working with Lindsay and Yoga Nut at yoga-nut.com.
Who knows? Your next great idea might be just a bunny breath away.
P.S. Lindsay’s just “over the mountain” from Idyllwild Woods Retreat Center, in Asheville, NC. So… [wiggly eyebrows] I’m thinking when we’re ready to start hosting retreats, it’ll be a great add-on option for retreats… and maybe we even host yoga retreats, too!
Wanna Manifest Mo Money?
I interviewed a very interesting guy recently on the podcast. Joel Salomon - you’ve got to check out his TEDx talk.
He’s got this group called the Money Miracles Membership, in which they keep a running tab of… well, money miracles. To date? Members have created $2,311, 529 in windfalls. Cool, right?
Anyhow… Joel’s part of this Pathways to Paydays Summit taking place online from January 2-4. It’s totally free. You can join it (I’ll be watching, too), right here.
Is Podcast Guesting Part of Your Growth Plan?
A week ago or so, we had a Podcasting Party in the Entrepreneurs Gone Wild community.
Why?
Because being a podcast guest is a fantastic way to get in front of new audiences, meet potential collaborators, clients, and even investors… and also to get practice sharing your vision (one of the most important tasks of a founder, by the way).
But there are a few little hurdles to clear to make guesting a regular and powerful piece of your marketing strategy.
That’s why I created this little guide - AND a handful of helpful ‘bots’ that can help you streamline the process of finding great podcasts, applying to be a guest, telling your story, answering questions that are likely to come up again and again, and following up with the host… the easy way.
Grab it here. Merry Christmas!
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