What is Meant for You...Will Find You

Speaker A: Awkward time to ask this, but. Hey, did you download the trail map?

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker C: No, I don't need to.

Speaker A: I don't understand. You're trusting your signal out here.

Speaker C: I'm trusting T Mobile. They have the best network.

Speaker B: And if we end up in bumtots

Speaker C: nowhere, well, we've got T Satellite for backup.

Speaker B: Whoa.

Speaker A: I don't trust my carrier that much.

Speaker C: We'll just use your phone as a flashlight.

Speaker A: With America's best network and T Satellite, we're keeping you connected in places you never thought possible. And if you switch today, you get free phones for zero down and only 25 bucks a month per line for four. Find out more@t mobile.com or visit your local store. Best Mobile network Based on analysis by Ooklev Speed Test Intelligence data to age 2025 with 24 monthly bill credits and 4 eligible port ins on essentials for well qualified customers with autopay plus taxes, fees and $35 connection charge per line credits and imbalance 2 if you pay off earlier, cancel contact US Finance Agreement example $299.99 Moto Edge 5G required T Satellite available with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the US where you can see the sky included with experience beyond or $10 a month. However, news monthly cancel anytime visit t mobile.com hey there.

Speaker C: Welcome to the Power of Her Podcast. I'm Dawn Sinkula, and I'm so glad that you're here. This space is where we get to get real about highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to being a woman in business. Every week I'm sitting down with some incredible women who are doing their thing, building businesses, breaking barriers, and showing up as their true selves. Whether you're just starting out or you've been at this for a while, I promise you, you'll find something here that lights you up. So grab your coffee or your wine, get cozy, and let's dive in. Welcome everybody, to the Power of her. Today we have a beautiful guest, Jocelyn Kilpatrick, who is my own personal yoga instructor, mentor, teacher, and, um, the owner of Willow Soul, the most wonderful, I would say, yoga studio that I've been to here locally. But welcome, Jocelyn, to the Power of her podcast.

Speaker B: Thank you for having me.

Speaker C: Okay, so we're going to get started by hearing Jocelyn's story of how she got into this yoga space and the entrepreneurship space. Because it is, uh, a journey much like all of ours, and where we didn't start in this field or we didn't start doing what we're doing. Today we kind of, you know, evolved there. So Jocelyn, tell us how you got to this place where, you know, yoga is now your full time job.

Speaker B: Well, um, my, so my passion for yoga started I think over 10 years ago now. I was working in corporate America, um, and I was pregnant with my daughter Willow. Uh, and I started seeking out yoga classes because I, um, I was having, you know, this discomfort, my body was changing.

Speaker C: Mhm.

Speaker B: And I went to a yoga class. Um, and at the end of the class we, we ended in tree pose and I had this rush of chills that just came over my body and I, you know, I've done several different types of exercise throughout my life. Um, but I never had that deep connection before.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: So it was like this ping, you know, it was like I knew there was something more and I had no idea what that, what that meant. Um, so then fast forward. Uh, after having my daughter, that really changed my life, changed my outlook on life, as I'm sure it does for many women. Right. And I ended up going through a divorce. And when I went through my divorce, something was just poking like, hey, you should go to yoga teacher training. And I had no idea why. I mean, I barely had a, a yoga practice. You know, I just knew I loved it. I didn't, I wasn't consistent. I went, but I wasn't consistent. So, um, that's where my journey really started. And it deepened within my 200 hour. I gave myself a lot of time to get through that program. And um, I wasn't even sure if I was going to teach.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: And then I started coming to Live true yoga in St. Michael. Met Nicole and she, she wouldn't let up. Uh, she, she pushed me, you know, out of my comfort zone to do it and she hired me. And then there was just this voice inside my head that just kept saying, keep going, you know, And I was working full time, raising two kids. Um, I remarried. So I had help. I wasn't alone. Um, yeah. But I was teaching yoga really as much as I could.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: And uh, as I continued to teach, you know, there were times where I thought about stepping out, but there was still that little voice that said, keep going. And then before I knew it, I just had this impulse to open a studio. And within two to three years of that little nudge, it evolved. And here you are. Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker C: Wow. So what? Shifting careers and starting a heart led business. Right. Takes a lot of courage. Right. And, and what do you think has been one of the hardest parts about stepping into entrepreneurship and kind of how did you manage moving through some of that? I mean I don't think that that journey is over for anybody right at this point. It's an ongoing journey of entrepreneurship. But like myself, I was also in corporate.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: And then switching to uh, you know, a. Where you're self sufficient, you're the one responsible for all the things. Mine wasn't necessarily a heart led business. Right. It was more, yeah, I'm good at this sort of thing. But tell me a little bit about that hardest part, stepping into the entrepreneurship. Especially when it isn't something that maybe you've done all your life or something that you've, you know, kind of grown up doing.

Speaker B: So when I made the choice to open the studio, I was still working for corporate, um, and I worked in higher education for a majority of my career. At the end, end of my career and at corporate and higher ed, uh, it was more of a sales based type role and I was lacking that heartfelt connection that I had had before when I was more student facing.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: So I had to work both, um, and I worked really hard. So I worked full time but it was from home, which was helpful. Um, but I taught, you know, when I opened I taught anywhere from 12 to 15 classes a week because I was always trying to keep overhead costs down.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: Um, so it was pretty stressful. But the hardest part was my heart wasn't in my corporate job anymore. I m felt like I was just showing up and going through the moves like a puppet. Um, my heart was fully in the studio so I would, every morning I taught all the 5:15am classes, I would come to my mat and I would pray and I prayed for a solution. And um, it was really interesting because shortly after I opened, I think it was about four months after I opened, we learned that our positions at corporate were being eliminated. And I could choose to either apply for my job, uh, at the university or I could take a severance. And so I took that severance and that was a big leap. But I, I was sure, you know, um, just as sure as I was when I made the decision to move to Minnesota from Michigan. As sure as I was when I opened up the yoga studio. I KN in my heart it was like this. I can't be the only person that feels this when, when it's a solid yes. And I'm a libra. So I'm constantly like, I don't know, weighing between you know, two things is really hard. But yeah, there's been a few times in my life where there's Been a solid yes. And this was a solid yes for me just to transition into my role full time as a yoga teacher and it. In a yoga studio owner. And it took, um, faith and it took courage because I was so, I've been so responsible since I moved here for the most part. Um, and having that comfy corporate paycheck and the Benefits and the 401k, letting go of all that. Was it still this day? I, it's been what, almost three years? And I'm still, there's still times where I'm uncomfortable and I kind of crave it and there have been times where I thought about going back and still doing both. And um, I have it. Yeah, I just keep trusting and going.

Speaker C: Well, that kind of, that kind of leads me to my next question about sort of the soulful side of your business, right. And the work that you do and holding space for teaching and guiding and you know, you said you're a Libra, but how do you sort of do that while still having the practical side of running a business? Because you do have to pay the bills, you do have to do all the stuff, right? And, and there's a lot of things, you know, we call them left brain, right brain type of things that are required. And a lot of the yoga practice is, you know, holding space and teaching people and guiding people. And it's a little bit more of those softer skills. How do you sort of balance that soulful side of your work with those other softer skills?

Speaker B: Well, balance is, should be my middle name. That's what I, that is my life. Um, and that's a great question. Um, I think that my business oriented mind and my uh, tenacity, uh, I've always been one to show up, um, and make it happen. Um, I've started my career in sales and uh, it was a sink or swim type of sales position. So I learned a lot about swimming. Uh, so I know that, uh, you know yoga, there's a lot of yoga businesses that fail and it's because they just, you know, they're about love and if it, if it works, it'll work. But you can't, you have, you can't, you can't live like that. You have to have that side where you're focused and it's hard to focus sometimes. It really is. Especially just being your own business owner and having, you know, uh, flexibility. But I know what needs to be done every week. I know that I have to do my marketing, I know that I have to show up for my classes. I know That I have to, um. You have to push. As a yoga studio owner, you can't just sit back and hope that it all work out. It's a constant push. I don't think I realized that when I stepped into this business how much of a push it it is. But I love it so much. I love the yoga and I believe in what it does for people and how it transforms lives, that that's what helps me to keep pushing and keep showing up on the business side in the way that I need to. Does that answer your question?

Speaker C: Yeah, it does, it does. It makes sense. And I think, um, you know, you're absolutely right. I think a lot of people in the yoga space, or in the woo space I call it, uh, oftentimes just hope that it's all going to work out. They have this kind of like. And I love that about people, you know, I wish I could be more that. That's why I did a lot of the yoga stuff and why I do yoga and why I go to. Went to the teacher training because I need to work on the other side of myself and kind of slowing myself down. But there's got to be that balance between the two. And I think that, um, you know, you've clearly done that and you've been able do that and be successful at the same time. And I think it's going to kind of lead me into my other question around creating that space for other people to really help them with this. And so, you know, as you've gone through your own journey at, you know, figuring out the corporate, and now in this space, how do you sort of intentionally cultivate that sense of community with Willow Soul or within your sphere, let's just call it that, because there's going to be some online things you're going to be doing eventually as well, but creating safe space for other people to grow and heal and in cultivating that sense of community, when so many of us come to yoga trying to find something that may or may not be there.

Speaker B: So the words that come up for me are surrender, for one, um, but also peace. Because in order to cultivate peace, and cultivate peace within a yoga community where people can come and let go, I have to own that peace within myself. So if I don't show up for myself with practice, and I don't mean the physical practice, um, yes, the physical practice is also important to me, but it's more of, uh, for me, it's starting my day intentionally with grounding. Um, and it doesn't, I'm not going to sit here and pretend like it happens every day, because it doesn't. But I do try, um, almost every day to ground. Whether it is sitting in front of my window in my bedroom and lighting a candle with Palo Santo and just quieting my mind, um, reading something that is, you know, more spiritual, um, or it's me stepping outside and feeling my bare feet on the ground, um, and closing my eyes and having my prayer. You know, I have to have some sort of a prayer and a calm, a way to calm down my nervous system every day. Because if I don't do that, then I'm just. I'm. I'm faking it. Yeah. People can feel that when, when it's. When you come to a yoga class and your teacher is frazzled, everything is energy.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: Those. Your, Your students feel it. Um, so that's important to me because I take this very seriously. Uh, even though I tell people not to take life so seriously, but I take my job seriously. Yeah, of course. Yeah. And I, I want. I don't want people to just come in here and get a workout. Yeah. You know, I want people to come in here and connect to the truest, most loving part of themselves. So I have to facilitate that in my own way through my energy, through my own prayer, through my. My connection and, um, and love.

Speaker C: Yeah. That's great. And I know you've shared stories that I've heard, but share some stories here with us of people or things that you've witnessed in your students that continue continually inspire you to kind of keep going without giving names or anything like that. What, what have you seen work? Well, when people actually do, to use your word, surrender or have that peace and, and how do you see that kind of playing out in your students?

Speaker B: Uh, so as a teacher, I can, I can witness it. I can see it in them, uh, when they're, you know, fully in it. There's a look, you know, there's. They're not listening to even anything that I'm saying. They got to wherever they got to in their pose on their mat. But I could say something hilarious and they're likely not even going to hear me. And that, uh, I love, I love that, uh, when I can witness that as a teacher, um, I've had, I mean, so many experiences where. Because one of the biggest challenges as a yoga teacher is when people leave, you're like, well, did they like that? Or.

Speaker C: But where are they going? Right.

Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. Um, but I have had, um, you know, a lot of people cry, um, and share with me how, you know, the impact that it's had in their life and you know, what they, they're going through and that means the world to me. Um, I don't expect it. I don't expect that their life is going to change from a class that I teach, but if I can help them get to any sort of release of emotion or connection within themselves, then I feel like you've done it.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: Mhm. Like my job.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: I feel my purpose.

Speaker C: And it's so hard I think too when, you know, we're in such a fast paced, tech driven sort of world where there's just not a lot of space or time for yoga or mindfulness. I think it's important to experience those one to keep yourself going. Right. But then also to ensure that people have that experience and are able to see even just a little glimmer in themselves when they come to practice or you know, like you said, they kind of get into their own space or they are sort of like, you know, in the woo woo world. Right. I've had it happen to me many times where you know, somebody's said something in the studio and I'm like, what we're saying, you know, because you are in your zone. Right. And I think it is amazing to be able to do that. But okay, I'm going to shift us a little bit to um, some things about, you know, life lessons and things like that. And um, you know, I think for a lot of our listeners, you know, timing doesn't always make sense to things.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: And you talked about that too and like, trust the timing and you know, something said yes to you and things like that. What advice would you give to someone who maybe has that pull or is having that sense of doing something different but not really understanding how to hear themselves or how to take advantage of that calling, whether it be in yoga or otherwise.

Speaker B: Keep seeking, keep listening, keep moving towards what lights you up. Uh, if you're in, you know, not everybody has to go to work every day and feel this sense of purpose. Yeah, they can go to work and they can collect their paycheck and they can feel fulfilled and take care of their family and find fulfillment and purpose through other aspects of their life.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: If you are the type of person that wants to feel fulfilled through the work that you do every day, get quiet, Keep listening to yourself internally and keep listening out and know that every conversation that you have with another person is a mirror, it's a reflection back to you. Um, and trust in that. I, when I, the First time that I thought I was going to open up a yoga studio, I, uh, was obsessed, okay, Pushing listening. I was listening to all these podcasts and I was thinking about my purpose and what am I doing here? And this isn't right. From my job isn't right. I can't live my life like this. And I was chasing, chasing, chasing for like two and a half years. And finally I just had to check myself and say, knock it off. Because timing is everything. Timing is key. And I actually heard that once in a meditation. And what is for you, what is meant for you will not miss you. Trust that and you will find your way. Um, and be patient, because the more you push, the more, the harder it's going to be when it's meant to be. You're not going to be pushing so hard. Things will start to fall into place and you're. It's going to be divine timing. And I trust that. And I witnessed it for myself.

Speaker A: Yeah, awkward time to ask this, but. Hey, did you download the trail map?

Speaker C: Yeah, no, I don't need to.

Speaker A: I don't understand. You're trusting your signal out here.

Speaker C: I'm trusting T Mobile. They have the best network.

Speaker B: And if we end up in bumtots

Speaker C: nowhere, well, we've got T satellite for backup.

Speaker B: Whoa.

Speaker A: I don't trust my carrier that much.

Speaker C: We'll just use your phone as a flashlight.

Speaker A: With America's best network and T Satellite, we're keeping you connected. Connected in places you never thought possible. And if you switch today, you get free phones for zero down and only 25 bucks a month per line for four lines. Find out more@t mobile.com or visit your local store. Best mobile network Based on analysis by Ooklab speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 with 24 monthly bill credits and 4 eligible port ins on essentials for well qualified customers with autopay plus taxes, fees and 35 connection charge per line credits and imbalance do if you pay off earlier, cancel contact US Finance Agreement example $299.99 Moto Edge 5G required T satellite available with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the US where you can see the sky. Included with experience beyond or $10 a month auto news monthly cancel anytime visit t mobile.com a burst pipe, a dead water heater, the AC calling it quits. Who do you call? Homeserve is an easy way to handle unexpected home repairs with plans covering stuff basic homeowners insurance usually won't. Instead of scrambling for a contractor, you make one call to get the repair process started. Join the millions of customers who trust right now. Go to homeserve.com podcast for 50% less your first year. That's homeserve.com podcast savings compared to renewal price void in Florida.

Speaker C: Yeah, that's amazing. I like what you said.

Speaker B: What will.

Speaker C: What is meant for you will not miss you. I think that should be the name of this podcast. I mean, that is great. I mean, and I don't think a lot of people get quiet enough in their own self to be able to recognize that we are all very driven to hard, you know, want this or, you know, something kind of lights us up and we go, go, go. Not all of us, but a lot of us that are entrepreneurs do that. And you know, it takes a special kind of person to be able to quiet things down and to be able to listen. And I know you're really into, um, doing a lot in addition to yoga. You're into doing a lot of breath work. And I, um, know that that is a big part of your practice. Can you talk a little bit about what breath work is and why that has helped you so much? I don't know if a lot of people understand what breath work is and I'd love to just kind of explain that piece of it.

Speaker B: Sure. Um, so breath work is, is wide open there, but it's essentially sitting down and following, um, different ways of breathing. So for example, um, it could be, um, breathing in through the nose, breathing out the mouth for a period of time, and then doing some breath holds where you, you know, inhale, you hold it and then you exhale and you hold it at the bottom of the exhale. And in those moments where you're holding, I personally find clarity. Sometimes I feel things like it's a rush, it's the it. In my opinion, it's the best high you can get. It's getting high on your own supply. It's free. There are numerous YouTube videos out there that you can look up. I, I love, personally, I love Breathe with Sandy. He's my absolute favorite because he does all his own music. Uh, but that's become my way of meditating almost because I'm focusing on my breathing. And it's like, you know, when you're having a rough day, you know, they always say, well, just take a deep breath and let go. Yeah, yeah, that makes you feel better. So when you allocate five to ten minutes a day to just focus on your breathing, yeah, it's going to help the rest of your day run smoothly or in the, in the middle of the day, if you're tired, you can do breath work and you can feel like you just had three cups of coffee and it's nasty and you're not gonna have to crash and burn afterwards, you know, so it's just so healthy and it's changed my life. Um, and when you do it consistently, it's, um, it becomes addicting in the best way. It's something good to be addicted to.

Speaker C: Yeah, I love that. And I think that's part of a practice that helps you get quiet and hear those voices sometimes or hear that calling that maybe wasn't there before. Right. Okay, so I'm going to push Jocelyn to do her own breath work and get it out on YouTube so she doesn't have to push it to somebody else. But that Jocelyn gives her own breath work that we can all follow. That would be a good thing because Jocelyn's really, really good at this. So I want her to do her own breath work, um, YouTube video so we can all follow her in that process as well. But we'll get to that soon enough.

Speaker B: So.

Speaker C: Okay, let's, let's talk about this as we kind of wrap up. So if a, if a listener is in the middle of change, okay, maybe it's a career shift, a personal transition, or just simply a feeling of being lost or whatever. What would you want them to hear from you today specifically?

Speaker B: Don't give up on your dream. Uh, and trust, Trust the process, trust the timing, and try to surrender to the timing of your life. Uh, for me, the word surrender helps me to just kind of let go and allow what needs to happen to happen. And I know that, that there's, that can be conflicting for go getters, for people who are entrepreneurs, when they're like, well, no, I have to show up, I have to make this happen. Yes, you show up. But if something doesn't go through, surrender, know that that right there was a blessing. If something doesn't happen, it's a blessing. And everything that does happen should be for your highest and best and set that intention. And when your intentions are good.

Speaker C: Mhm.

Speaker B: And pure, the good and the pure will follow.

Speaker C: Yeah, that's great. That's amazing. That's a great way to end. And I think all of us, um, can learn a lot about just being still and surrendering and calming our mind and doing breath work and all of the things that you've mentioned today. It's been so helpful and I think there's a lot of listeners out there that are in that space. And they need something to anchor themselves to. And I've personally found that yoga has been that for me. I went through Jocelyn's, um, 200 hour this last year and, um, it's just been life changing. And I think it's really helped me sort of, um, get a practice of calming and being able to settle myself a little bit so that a lot of things have come to me. Just what you said. And I don't know that I would have had some of those aha moments had I not been able to surrender or had I not been able to. And I don't think you have to go through yoga teacher training to get that level of surrender. I think you can do that with a mindful practice, your breath work, your yoga practice, however it works, meditation, whatever works for you. But I think you've given us some great examples of, of. Yeah, you can go from corporate to being yoga. You can be in corporate and still do mindfulness. You can be in yoga and still have a push. You know, like all of these things I think are really important. And, um, thank you so much for sharing your story.

Speaker B: Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Um, and if anybody has any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I can be reached at, um, reached or reached? Yes, at. Hello, Willowso yoga dot com. All my contact information is at willowso yoga dot com so you can reach out to us anytime. We have, um, we offer yoga, fastest bar, strength Pilates. Um, we also offer lots of workshops for, um, this whole purpose that we talked about today. Getting quiet, getting connected to yourself. Um, I have a workshop coming up on Friday. I think it's rituals, Virgo ritual.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: And, um, it's breath work, little bit of gentle yoga, movement, meditation, and a gong healing. So.

Speaker C: And I love the gong healing, so

Speaker B: we have them every month. And one of my favorites.

Speaker C: Yeah, it's amazing.

Speaker B: Amazing.

Speaker C: We will drop all of her contact information in the show notes so that you can reach out on social media platforms, you can reach out via email. I definitely encourage you to follow on social channels because she's got a lot of really good stuff on there as well. Um, and we are encouraging Jocelyn to get into the online space so she can share even more of this with the world. And I think this is, is something that we'll see in her future as well. So thank you so much for joining us. This has been amazing.

Speaker B: Thank you so much, Don. Have a great day, everybody.

Speaker C: Thank you.

Speaker B: All right, bye.

Speaker C: Thanks for hanging out with me today on the power of her. I hope you're leaving with a little more inspiration and a reminder that you've got what it takes. If today's episode hit home, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. It really does help. And of course, don't forget to hit subscribe so you never miss out on more real talk and empowering stories. Keep owning your power and I'll see you next time. You want to get your backyard summer ready, but you don't want to break the bank. Wayfair gets it Planning on dining al fresco or relaxing poolside? Wayfair has everything you need to prep your space. Shop now and save up to 70% off during Wayfair's 4th of July clearance. Score huge deals on outdoor furniture, area rugs, and more. We're talking thousands of products for every style and budget, plus surprise flash deals. July 6th don't wait. Shop Wayfair's 4th of July clearance, now through July 6th at, uh, Wayfair.com Wayfair Every style, every home Tired of your car insurance rate going up? Even with a clean driving record, you're not alone. That's why there's Jerry, your proactive insurance assistant. Jerry compares rates side by side from over 50 top insurers and helps you switch with ease. Jerry even tracks market rates and alerts you when it's best to shop. No spam calls, no hidden fees. Drivers who save with Jerry could save over $1,300 a year. Switch with confidence. Download the Jerry app or visit Jerry AI Libson today. That's J E R R Y AI LibSync.