Video Interviews

Written Interviews

HOW DO YOU DEFINE HEALTHY? Healthy is when you stop thinking about food 24/7, it's when you don't say no to invites because you don't like the way you look or how much you weigh. Healthy is celebrating your body and not wishing for someone else's, (not saying I've never wished for J.Lo's legs or Britney's body).

WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? I see a curvy woman doing her best and trying to be kind while healing from a C-section. When I was a teenager to my mid-twenties, I saw cellulite, legs that rubbed together, acne and chubby cheeks. Life is freaking hard, your body will change along with your life. Acceptance and celebration is key!

WHAT'S YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR FEELING HEALTHY, HAPPY + AT HOME IN YOUR SKIN? Sit down and think about when you were your happiest and felt the most at home. Are you doing those things and surrounding yourself with those people? Be honest with yourself and remember that you get to be weird and go against the grain, no need to be cool. Just do you.

HAS THERE EVER BEEN A TIME WHEN YOU LACKED CONFIDENCE, OR DIDN'T FEEL AT HOME IN YOUR BODY? HELL YES. Like right now. I feel disconnected from my body because it won't do what I want it to do. I can't do any yoga yet, just short, slow walks because of the c-section. I've lacked confidence for the majority of my life, it runs in my family. All of these big personalities with rooms filled with people who love them, but struggling with the inner demons.

HOW DID YOU RISE ABOVE? I work a lot on my mindset. I can easily psyche myself out about going places and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I remind myself that when I follow through, I'm so glad I did!

HOW DO YOU PRACTICE SELF-LOVE? Treating myself to pedicures, group classes, massages + connection offline.

WHAT SHIFTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE FITNESS + DIET INDUSTRIES? Less telling, more sharing. I'm stubborn and don't like to be told what to do. I like reading about people's experiences, rather than why I should drink wheatgrass.

IF YOU COULD HAVE LUNCH WITH YOURSELF 5 YEARS AGO, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE? I would say not to fear making decisions. Don't be scared of what people are going to think, just go for it. Say yes more, stay focused and allow your brain + heart to set sail. Stop thinking so much and do more.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO FOOD. HOW DID YOU ARRIVE TO THIS PLACE? I don't have any issues with food. And it took me a long time to get here. I was bulimic as a gymnast starting around age 15 to 24 or so. I had no idea that I had a problem. I thought it was a way women dealt with their issues. Feeling low? Feeling unworthy? Feeling like you suck as a human? Stuff it down and then get rid of it. I went to Thailand for just under a year in 2009 and learned a ton about myself and health around the world. It was there my love of yoga evolved. It was my Eat, Pray, Love journey and that's what I did.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR MISSION IN LIFE. I created Fearful to Fit for the different phases in life. Right now, I'm in the Fearful phase because I'm a new mom trying to figure things out, but when I'm in the Fit phase, I imagine standing in a power pose. To sum it up, I'm not trying to force anyone to be anything or anyone they are not, I love to celebrate women + their unique gifts to the world.

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON? I'm leading women through 90 day and 6 month programs and LOVING IT! I'm also hosting 1 - 2 retreats per year and being a Mama and Wifey pretty much takes up all my time.

AUGUST TEACHER REVEAL from Yoga West of the Narrows Blog August, 2016

Meet My Galentine: JJ Muenz