SPOTLIGHT | Lindsay Umlah
Lindsay and I met almost two years ago through her sister who taught me how to Swing Dance many years ago now. Lindsay and I share the same passion for a balanced and whole lifestyle and featuring her this month is a pleasure! Her passion and joy is infectious. Catch more of her here: http://lindsayumlahrhn.ca
1. How would you describe yourself?
It's always so strange to try and describe yourself, but I find as a creative, and especially as en entrepreneur it's a constant request, and something that I've had to get quite good at. I'm a fiercely driven, wildly passionate, wholeheartedly authentic, and fiery woman on an empowerment mission. I live life freely, boldly and unapologetically in a constant desire to inspire others to do the same. I'm deeply rooted in my core desires, which can result in me coming on quite strong and confident. I've spent a lifetime building a relationship with myself, which gives me a firm foundation to stand upon, as I connect and reach others through my work.
I'm a wild hearted warrior, natural leader, freedom seeker, magic believer, badass mama, nutrition geek, and yoga goddess.
2. What role does creativity play in your life?
Creativity not only allows me to be in constant connection with myself, through play, work and life, but it also provides me opportunities to deeply connect to the world and those around me. As an entrepreneur I have to rely heavily on my creativity, it's the bread and butter of my business. From creating daily content that can meaningfully connect with my audience, to speaking engagements, class and workshop development, to writing content for programs. It's intertwined in each aspect of my business, and it allows me the freedom to show up in this beautifully authentic and true way, that speaks profoundly to who I am and what I have to offer.
I also find myself flexing my creative muscles daily when it comes to my daughter. Having a little mind that's being shaped before your eyes encourages you to bring out your inner wild child and tap into your creative genius. Be it coming up with new games or ways to play, exploring arts and crafts, or tactfully coming up with creative ways to navigate the fast approaching terrible twos, it's always coming in handy.
3. What are you currently working on?
I'm working on heaps of things right now, from piecing together exciting workshops and collaborations, speaking and education events with my Healthy Halifax Tribe, continuously creating fun and exciting new yoga flows, and a few new freebies for my Instagram crew, I'm definitely not at a lack of creative projects. That being said the thing that I'm most excited about is the work that I'm currently creating and piecing together for my Loving Myself Loudly Yoga Retreat. This has been a longtime dream of mine, and I vibrate with excitement even just thinking about it. Crafting the most impactful, magical, soul nourishing week, for a group of 15 people ready to make massive changes towards developing a loving relationship with self. Seriously my life's work right here. Also who doesn't love an excuse to travel to exotic places?
4. What was the last book/movie/podcast etc that left an impression on you?
This will probably be a strange answer, and I could easily dive into the traditional nuggets like Danielle LaPorte, or Gabrielle Bernstein, which are always soul nourishing and life altering, but the latest thing that I watched that left a massive impression was actually A Chefs Table.
It's no secret that I'm a total food addict, and I adore watching anything and everything to do with food, but this particular documentary series takes it to a whole new level. It's not only wildly fascinating as they introduce you to a chef, their story and how/why they've pieced together the menu that they have, but it's some of the most beautifully shot film I've ever seen. There's something so captivating about slipping into the mind and passion of a chef, and watching them put that raw passion and heart into a dish. Seeing and hearing the stories of what they've overcome to get where they are, and how the truer they were to themselves the more impact they've been able to make. I just find the whole series wildly inspiring, and definitely drool worthy.
5. What advice would you give to other creatively driven people?
Stop thinking and start feeling your way through it! I find so many of us get caught up in the logistics that we can lose sight of why we do what we do. The more rooted and connected we can be with why we choose to create, and allow ourselves to flow from that, the more magic we can create in this world.