Today we’d like to introduce you to Mel Afflerbach.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, my story starts about 16 years ago when I stepped into the hottest freaking yoga class of my life – Bikram Yoga. It was hot, my body was dripping more sweat than I could have ever imagined, each posture my heart was pounding out of my chest, the instructor was yelling at me, but I came to the realization, “If I can get through this hot heated yoga class, I can do anything!” That changed it for me. I felt a huge shift in my physical and emotional self that day, it’s what inspired me to teach yoga. I had to share this “shift” with others, especially women.
Years of teaching, I started leading International Women Yoga Retreats. We’ve traveled to places like Positano, Italy, Tulum, Maui, Hawaii, & Southern France. A week-long adventure and self-growth with a bunch of women, oh we’ve had some stories to tell you… you leave the week with practicing yoga every day, eating amazing food, experiencing workshops, and absorbing from one another, it’s a magical experience. You leave with life long friends.
Let me put on another hat for ya, the holistic health coach hat. I’ve been guiding folks in their nutrition and health journey for about 10 years. Helping folks detox their bodies by eating REAL FOOD, folks! Juicing, eating in the rhythm of your digestive systems, Food Combing, Alkalining their guts, Healing from illness, Anxiety… are all topics that we learn in my programs. Bottom line, yall. Everyone’s body is different, you cant make this fad diet plans a religion it isn’t sustainable, you have to connect & understand your body.
All this is leading to what I feel is my purpose, the Green Juice + Tequila Podcast. Yes, I know, it’s the perfect combo. Green juice in the morning and a little tequila a night, it’s all about balance, yall. Actually, it’s not about the physical qualities of green juice or tequila but what these glorious drinks represent real, imperfect stories. I want to give WOMEN a platform to share their stories, to be real and vulnerable. I want listeners to get some informative topics like the latest health nut craze or how to handle anxiety. I am so excited and scared as hell to share my own experiences but also my mistakes and to laugh about it.
So, in a nutshell, that’s my story. I’m married to the most patient and supportive man (god bless him), I’m a mama to two beautiful girls who couldn’t be more opposite of one another (anyone have an advice for the emotional pre-teen? send me a message) and I’m a dog mama, to two clumsy, silly goldendoodles.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s through challenges that we find growth. Of course, life is going to throw you a couple of curveballs, and if it hasn’t you not being honest with yourself.
I have that personality where I say “YES” to everything, because of the fear of missing out or the fear of disappointing someone. This has caused a lot of burnouts, confusion and frustration but ya know, Im grateful for the experiences. I’ve learned a lot about setting boundaries and balancing. I tell you what, it feels good. It was hard at first to say “No” at first but dang, yall, when you start saying no to stuff you really dont want to be doing, you have way more energy to do the things that are important to you.
Well, here we go! We’re diving into the ANXIETY topic. I’m going to be real with yall. Anxiety freaking sucks and for some of us, it may never go away. BUT there are tools to help manage it.
Do you ever feel like anxiety is just sitting in your chest, throat, or gut? That “high vibration” you’re feeling, you just want it to go away? I feel you! In response to that, you may go take a bunch of cardio classes or go for a run to feel better. Do you know why you want to do this? When you exercise, your body creates Endorphins. That flushes cortisol (“the stress hormone”) and makes us feel better. Or maybe when you have anxiety, you want to go EAT chocolate or sugar. You know why? Because when we eat sugar, our body produces dopamine which gives you a physical high like what cocaine does, it can be addicting and not the best habit to get into.
I have personally struggled with anxiety and I work extremely hard on a day to day basis to manage and live with it. Yoga, Nutrition, Mediation, and just expressing it, has all helped me.
Start small. Sometimes, you have to reach a place of total exhaustion in order to realize what’s really worth your time and energy. You just accept what is and focus on your PROGRESS.
Mel Afflerbach Yoga | Health Coach | Green Juice & Tequila Podcast – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is yoga + wellness. The umbrella of wellness can be a lot of things and a lot of confusing things. The umbrella of offerings I share are Women’s Yoga Retreats, Yoga, Nutrition Coaching, and Reiki. It’s hard to set yourself apart in the wellness community, its kind of a saturated market these days. Ive been in this industry for over 15 years now I think what offer is experience and knowledge. I am not one of those yoga teachers who sits on a comfy pillow at the front of class mastering a class, I wanted to be “touchable” and “relatable” to students. You can come to ask me anything, I’ll share my honest feedback. The styles of yoga I embrace and teach are meditation, yoga therapy (yin, restorable yoga), Yoga Medicine, and Power Vinyasa. I’ve taught at studios in Colorado, Utah and Texas, and taking roles like managing, marketing, and training.
What I am most proud of our my Women Retreats. I built that baby from the ground up and have learned a TON about traveling with large groups of women. I made a lot of mistakes but also took some amazing risks that all ended up enriching the yoga retreat experience.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Thats a great question. The entrepreneur’s side of me would say, ” Success is measured by what you’ve accomplished.” Having an idea, setting goals to that idea, and creating action around that idea are some of the markers I set for myself when I am trying to have a successful Yoga retreat, for example. But, yall, trying something out whether it ends up being successful or not, or throwing yourself out there, taking a risk is a success. Being happy is a success. Working hard at something you’re passionate about, it’s a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melafflerbachyoga.com
- Email: melyoga.affler@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melyogamama/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.christopherafflerbach
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/green-juice-tequila-podcast/id1484196798
Image Credit:
Laura Morsman Photography
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