Yoga, Resilience, and Self-Discovery: A Journey of Growth
Photo Credit: Donna Gaddie, 2023, Montauk, NY – my morning yoga on the beach.
Yoga has been a part of my life for the past 14 years, though our relationship began under less-than-ideal circumstances. It started with an injury during the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. By the 12th mile, I had shredded the fascia in my left foot. Determined to finish, I kept running, crossing the finish line in 4 hours and 7 minutes. The cost of that determination? A year without running to allow my foot to heal.
At the time, my physical therapist suggested yoga to keep in shape and prevent future injuries. I wasn’t exactly thrilled. I wasn’t flexible, and the idea of holding poses and finding stillness felt daunting. But if I was going to commit, I wanted to truly embrace it. So, I enrolled in a yoga teacher certification program—not to teach, but to immerse myself in the practice, ensuring this investment in healing would yield lifelong benefits.
That decision changed everything.
Yoga became more than just physical therapy; it became a metaphor for resilience in every area of my life. Like many, I’ve faced career setbacks that required deep self-assessment and an investment in growth. Each time, I evaluated where I stood, identified the gaps, and committed to learning—whether through yoga, professional certifications, or personal development. These investments have not only shaped my future but have also positively impacted the people around me: my family, my colleagues, and my community.
Learning is growth, and growth is the greatest gift you can give yourself.
When I moved from New York to North Carolina, I didn’t know anyone. Starting over as an adult can be daunting, but I leaned into the things I loved. I joined a yoga studio, drawn by the community of like-minded individuals. When they offered a yoga instructor program, I jumped at the chance—not just for the certification, but to deepen my connections.
Over the years, yoga has given me so much: mental clarity, physical healing, and emotional resilience. My daily practice is my sanctuary, helping me navigate life’s challenges. Recently, though, a tibia plateau fracture sidelined me for almost four months, making even the simplest poses feel impossible as I struggled with significant loss of muscle strength and limited mobility.
Last week, I decided to try a full hot yoga sequence for the first time since my injury. It wasn’t perfect—my poses were heavily modified, and my muscles protested—but I completed it. The emotions at the end of that session were overwhelming. I thought about our students at Nebula Academy and We Connect the Dots, many of whom begin their bootcamps feeling unsure of themselves. We teach them to silence self-doubt, embrace the difficulty, and trust the process.
That day, I lived that lesson myself.
Pushing past your comfort zone is never easy, but success starts with mindset. I reminded myself to focus on progress, not perfection, and to trust my body’s ability to rebuild. Completing that sequence reminded me that small victories are worth celebrating—and that resilience isn’t about avoiding adversity but navigating through it with grace and determination.
This experience has led me to reflect deeply on how I spend my time. Balancing my health, personal growth, and professional commitments requires intention. My injury has also taught me to notice the small details in others—to be a better listener, a more empathetic leader, and a more grateful human.
This week, I celebrate being able to complete a one-hour hot yoga sequence. It’s a small milestone, but the gratitude I feel is immense—both for my body’s progress and the clarity yoga brings to my soul.
Life is a roller coaster of challenges and celebrations. The key is allowing yourself the opportunity to grow and to bring others along with you on that journey.
To learn about our investments in communities around the country and perhaps invite us to your community, explore our America Tour site here: https://www.we-connect-the-dots.org/america-tour-2025 or email us at tour@wctd.org
Interested in being a sponsor to support workforce development in communities that need it most, reach out to us at sponsor@wctd.org