Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Linda Wheeler, Founder of Mindful Alignment with Linda, located in Madison, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Low back pain is one the most common causes of disability and missed work days in the United States, affecting 80% of adults. Nearly 3 out of 10 adults develop chronic pain. Many suffer for years without relief while limiting activities, fearing that their pain will increase. That’s why I created Mindful Alignment combining key elements of yoga, meditation, breathing, and movement to help sufferers of back pain relieve the stress and tension on those pain points.
Tell us about yourself
My talent is how I compose custom solutions for people that have back pain because I have been there too. In 1999, I experienced two serious falls, which caused severely restricted mobility and body changes, leaving me feeling hopeless and discouraged. Little did I know that those two falls would lead to several life-changing moments, not just for me but ultimately for others as well. To help me regain some mobility and improve flexibility, my doctor recommended yoga. Reluctantly, I followed that advice attending my first yoga class the same week!
That class was the beginning of a path to healing for me and in supporting others in their healing and wellness journey. Practicing yoga changed my outlook on life, and over time, I regained my mobility, strength, and flexibility. I also experienced an overall restoration of my mind, body, and spirit, regaining energy, clarity, and positive emotions. Life was truly enjoyable once more.
I understand — firsthand — the changes a body goes through as it suffers from pain and stress, and the ‘Mindful Alignment’ approach assists YOU to feel good in YOUR body and mind and thereby, once again, live an active, engaged life.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Unlike many other approaches, ‘Mindful Alignment’ is personal. Every client is unique, so each program is customized for their needs and with an accompanying regime tailored to realign their body and mind. To create each custom program, I dive in to understand specifically what is required for YOU, the client, to experience the optimal outcome. When we realign the body and mind, the results are a reduction of back pain, better sleep, and a more active life — a journey to thriving again.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Helping the clients understand the importance of moving more and sitting less. Many people spend most of the day sitting, and some spend 4-5 hours a day hunched over technology, causing the neck, shoulders, and back to become tight and misaligned. When your head and shoulders come forward, the space needed for the lungs to expand is reduced, resulting in less oxygen in the vascular system. Less oxygen in the lungs leads to less energy.
As the muscles become tight, the spine changes shape and becomes misaligned, causing its muscles to become tighter and more painful. Spine flexibility is, therefore, reduced, restricting rib cage movement and causing the lungs to inflate less.
In a healthy lifestyle, improved strength, flexibility, and better alignment are essential for the entire body and very positively affect energy and a healthy, active lifestyle. The less one exercises, the weaker and the less flexible the body becomes.
Combined with spinal stiffness, back pain contributes to less oxygen in the lungs again, resulting in less energy. The foregoing process both reduces one’s energy and is circular. Experiencing less and less energy over time is not how you want to live.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Being a business owner takes commitment. Following your passion will help you push through challenging times.
- Have a business plan: This plan will serve as your roadmap and help you stay focused on your objectives.
- Conduct market research: It’s essential to research your market to understand your customers’ needs and preferences. This will help you tailor your products or services to meet their demands.
- Embrace technology: Technology can help streamline your operations, improve productivity, and enhance customer engagement. In the beginning, you will wear all the hats.
- Stay adaptable and flexible: Markets and customer preferences are always changing. Be willing to adapt your business model and strategies to meet the needs of your clients.
- Focus on your mental and physical health: Starting and running a business can be stressful and demanding. Take time for self-care, so you have the energy to drive your business forward.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mindfulalignmentwithlinda.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulalignmentwithlinda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindamwheeler/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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