Women of Austin Podcast
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MAY 23, 2024
Overcoming Loss and Finding Purpose: The Inspiring Journey of ATX Yoga Girl Cynthia Aguillón Bernard
Welcome to another episode of The Women of Austin Podcast! In this installment, host Mindy Hofman engages in a heartfelt conversation with ATX Yoga Girl, Cynthia Aguillón Bernard. This episode delves into Cynthia’s inspiring journey, beginning with the origins of her memorable name and her previous career as a corporate trainer for Estée Lauder, which involved extensive travel. Cynthia shares a pivotal moment in her life—losing a partner to an overdose—which led her to reevaluate everything. A friend introduced her to yoga, sparking a transformation that would reshape her future. This journey took her to Indonesia and Bali, where she immersed herself in yoga and meditation, returning with a renewed purpose: to help others through yoga. Embracing her newfound passion, Cynthia began teaching yoga to children, tapping into her desire to support the younger generation. She pursued her teacher training in Costa Rica, where she also met her now-husband. Cynthia explains her decision to become a mobile yoga instructor, allowing her to reach a wider audience. She teaches yoga to everyone, from toddlers to adults, and even shares her unique experience with Goat Yoga. Host Mindy Hofman asks Cynthia about her favorite teaching locations, and Cynthia highlights her free sound bath meditation sessions at Peace Park, open to all. She also shares the unusual experience of teaching yoga inside a brewery. Cynthia discusses the challenges of teaching yoga in the Texas heat, noting that she often schedules outdoor classes in the morning or takes breaks during extreme weather to rest and recharge. Finally, Cynthia expresses her love for partnering with non-profits to give back to the community. If you want to connect with Cynthia, you can find her at the links below. We love you for watching! 🎙️🌟 About Cynthia: Cynthia is a Certified Adult & Children’s Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Retreat Guide, Mindfulness Facilitator and Sound Alchemist. She is the creator of the Cosmic Nap, a Sound Bath Journey connecting you to the cosmos and inward with the help of frequency + vibrational healing. She enjoys sharing a combination of these holistic practices as a way to help you invite more presence into your daily life. Cynthia holds a conscious space for her clients to go deeper into recognizing their own gifts and open up to their true loving self. She devotes much of her time leading our next generation of conscious change makers through movement, mindfulness, and FUN! Sparking joy wherever she goes. She is also a Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher for children through teens with Yoga Ed and completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification program under Hali Love in Costa Rica. She is a featured online kid’s yoga teacher for Yoga with Adriene’s Find What Feels Good Community. Cynthia became a Certified Coach of Presence after completing the Eckhart Tolle School of Awakening in 2019 and now shares his teachings on helping you live a more conscious lifestyle. You can find Cynthia teaching in various iconic spaces in Austin like Soho House, Pease Park, ACL Festival or volunteering for a non-profit supporting her community, listening to live music and hiking with her husband + dogs. Connect with Cynthia: ATX Yoga Girl Website: ➡️ https://atxyogagirl.com/ ATX Yoga Girl Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/atxyogagirl/ Episode Sponsors: (Thank you!) Amplify Credit Union: ➡️ https://www.goamplify.com/ Community Sponsors: (Thank you!) Joel Richardson - Prime Lending: ➡️ http://myfinanceteam.com/ Dave's Ultimate Automotive: ➡️ 
23 MIN
MAY 10, 2024
Heather Emerson: My 'Eat, Pray, Love' Journey - From Fear to Freedom & Finding Myself
Welcome to another episode of The Women of Austin Podcast! In this installment, Host Mindy Hofman engages in a heartfelt conversation with the remarkable Heather Emerson. While Heather is no stranger to the podcast, having graced our airwaves twice before, this episode takes a more intimate turn as she takes center stage for a solo exploration of her journey. In this enlightening episode, Mindy and Heather delve into the pivotal moments that have shaped Heather's life, starting with her transformative "Eat, Pray, Love" adventure in Tel Aviv. Heather shares her post-college odyssey to New York City, driven by a thirst for personal growth and a desire to break free from the shackles of fear and attachment. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps, Heather's chance encounters and backpacking escapades paved the way for profound self-discovery. As she recounts her time in Israel, Heather reveals how immersing herself in a new culture and language provided the perfect backdrop for shedding old paradigms and embracing a more authentic way of living. From spontaneous adventures to daily yoga rituals, Heather's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of exploration and self-reflection. Transitioning to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Heather shares her decision to make Austin her home base alongside her husband, where they are both driven by a shared vision for their business ventures. She offers sage advice for listeners seeking change, advocating for a compassionate approach and trusting in the universe's guidance. In addition to her inspiring journey, Heather introduces her latest venture, Offshore Launch, a platform dedicated to helping entrepreneurs streamline their operations and reclaim their time through strategic delegation. If this episode resonated with you, don't forget to show your support by liking and subscribing. Your encouragement fuels our mission to empower and uplift women everywhere. Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery and growth! 🎙️🌟 About Heather: • Accidental entrepreneur creating businesses with impact and intention. • Classically trained vocalist performing soul and folk music in true Texas form. • Recovering celebrity stylist who never turns down an opportunity to get fancy. • Dedicated to changing the stigma associated with incarceration. Connect with Heather: Heather Emerson LinkedIn: ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emersonheather/ Heather Emerson Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theheatheremerson/Offshore Launch Website: ➡️ https://www.offshorelaunch.com/ Episode Sponsors: (Thank you!) Amplify Credit Union: ➡️ https://www.goamplify.com/ Community Sponsors: (Thank you!) Joel Richardson - Prime Lending: ➡️ http://myfinanceteam.com/Dave's Ultimate Automotive: ➡️ https://davesultimateautomotive.com/ Warren Kalyan Mattocks: ➡️ https://www.warrenkalyan.com/ Connect with Women of Austin: JOIN THE COMMUNITY: ➡️ https://womenofaustincommunity.com INSTAGRAM: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/women_of_austin FACEBOOK: ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfAustin...
28 MIN
APR 5, 2024
Unlocking Transformation Through Dance: Melody Afkami, Founder of Melody Dancefit and Dance to Heal
Welcome to another empowering episode of The Women of Austin Podcast! Join host Mindy Hofman as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with Melody Afkami, the visionary behind Melody Dance Fit and the transformative Dance to Heal program.Discover what propelled Melody to courageously depart from her corporate career to pursue her passion for dance. Through Melody Dance Fit, she crafted a space where self-acceptance, joy, and personal metamorphosis converge in the rhythm of dance.Explore Melody's latest endeavor, Dance to Heal, a virtual six-week program designed to harness the power of dance as a catalyst for profound transformation. Melody eloquently unveils how Dance to Heal serves as a gateway to recovering from burnout, rediscovering joy, finding grounding amidst anxiety, and reclaiming control over the nervous system—all through the transformative art of dance. Visit the link below to delve deeper into Melody's empowering journey and to learn more about Dance to Heal. Don't miss out on our upcoming episodes! Stay connected with Melody and our sponsors by following the links provided below. About Melody: Passionate about teaching the life-changing power of dance–– CEO and founder of Melody DanceFit, Melody Afkami has pioneered a new class experience that transcends traditional fitness and dance. Notorious for her humorous and inspirational message to focus on the mental release of dance, Melody’s online community has now reached millions. Melody DanceFit was the first dance fitness brand in Austin to rent out local concert venues and bars in lieu of the traditional studio. What started out as a small ten person class quickly grew into events of a hundred plus people–– selling out venues all over town. From her disco-lit classes to flashmobs around the city, Melody has cultivated a following that is hooked to her message of self-acceptance, joy and transformation. With an emphasis on women empowerment and philanthropy, her company, since its founding, donates to the international nonprofit Dress For Success. Afkami has been named ClassPass “Instructor Of The Year” four consecutive years and has been featured on CBS News, Texas Monthly Magazine, TEDxUT, and Huffington Post. She has taught for international conferences and festivals, including SXSW and Austin City Limits Music Festival. She’s also been hired to teach for companies such as Lululemon, Facebook, Bumble, and Google. Melody’s life mission is to take the intimidation out of dance to help people unlock their power within, and her viral YouTube video ‘Havana‘ boasting over 39 million views certainly proves that. Connect with Melody: Melody Dancefit YouTube: ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/user/MelodyDanceFit Melody Dancefit Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/melody_dancefit/ Melody Dancefit Website: ➡️ https://melodydancefit.com/ Episode Sponsors: (Thank you!) Amplify Credit Union: ➡️ https://www.goamplify.com/ Community Sponsors: (Thank you!) Joel Richardson - Prime Lending: ➡️ http://myfinanceteam.com/ Dave's Ultimate Automotive: ➡️ https://davesultimateautomotive.com/ Warren Kalyan Mattocks: ➡️ https://www.warrenkalyan.com/ Connect with Women of Austin: JOIN THE COMMUNITY: ➡️ https://womenofaustincommunity.com INSTAGRAM: ➡️
19 MIN
MAR 15, 2024
Revolutionizing Banking: Stacy Armijo and the Journey to Equity at Amplify Credit Union
Join us on The Women of Austin Podcast for a special bonus episode featuring Stacy Armijo, Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union, in conversation with host Mindy Hofman. In this powerful discussion, Stacy sheds light on the systemic inequities in banking and how the Amplify team recognized the urgent need for change. Discover how Stacy and her team confronted the harsh reality that banking systems often exploit those who can least afford it, perpetuating cycles of financial inequality. Hear how their commitment to equity and fairness drove them to challenge the status quo and prioritize the needs of those traditionally marginalized by the banking system. Explore their determination to create a more equitable financial landscape, where the burden of fees no longer falls disproportionately on those already struggling. Learn how their understanding of the inherent biases in banking fueled their relentless efforts to build a system that serves all members of the community, regardless of their financial means. Gain insights into their unwavering dedication to making banking work for everyone, not just those with means, as they dismantled barriers and championed financial empowerment for all. Join us as we celebrate their groundbreaking achievements and the transformative impact of their efforts. Tune in and ignite the power of women's voices with The Women of Austin Podcast! About Stacy: I believe that reputations are built on experiences, not intentions. That's why I'm passionate about tying together the promises we make as marketers, employers and leaders with the experiences brands deliver to customers, employees and communities. I use my skills in team leadership, strategic planning, marketing, communications and social impact to lead teams in doing that. About Amplify Credit Union: Established in 1967, Amplify Credit Union’s 200+ employees serve more than 55,000 members and steward almost one billion dollars in assets. Offering a full suite of services for mortgage lending, consumer banking, wealth management and commercial banking, among other services, Amplify Credit Union is committed to improving the lives of our members and the strength of our community. Join us at www.goamplify.com. Connect with Stacy: LinkedIn: ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyarmijo/ Location: Picturesque Point: ➡️ https://www.renters-club.com/vacation-rental/picturesque-point/ This special episode was sponsored by Amplify Credit Union! (THANK YOU!) Thinking about moving to Austin? Get to know some of the women in Austin by watching our episodes! #Vulnerability #Authenticity #Empowerment #Inspiration #AustinWomen #WomenEmpowerment #AustinCommunity #AustinPodcast #AustinInfluencers #WomenSupportingWomen #CreditUnion #Banking #Growth #Mindset #Leadership #Equity
24 MIN