We chatted to the yoga instructor and entrepreneur about beer, chips and having no regrets.
Each week in LYMA Lives we speak to thought leaders, wellness warriors, business pioneers and entrepreneurs from around the world to find out what motivates them, how they got to where they are, and what they would have done differently given the chance.
This week we chatted to entrepreneur, yoga instructor, blogger and writer Julie Montagu about consciously creating and committing to happiness, cultivating compassion, and how moving from the USA to the UK helped her develop a penchant for evening baths.
1. When did you last feel true happiness?
Okay, so to be completely honest, since the pandemic started, I've made a choice to create some form of happiness every day. Whether that’s practicing yoga, making rose hip syrup, going on a long walk or plunging into our ice cold, frogs and all, au natural pool. I made a commitment to find and feel happiness every day.
2. Has there been a moment in your life when you realised you needed to make a change?
I’m a real believer in New Year. So at the end of every year, I take stock of what worked and what didn’t and what I can change for the year ahead. I’m a New Year resolution believer.
3. When was the last time you did something that truly challenged you?
Over lockdown I took an online Cultivating Compassion Training through Stanford University, and those meditations really challenged me. The course as a whole challenged me, but it changed me for the better too. And that right there illustrates why we, humans, enjoy challenges; challenges shift and spark something within us, for the better.
4. Have you done anything in the past that you wouldn’t do again? Any regrets?
I don’t regret my life experiences that were hard, because I’ve not only learned from them but I’m able to pass on what I learned to my children. But of course I do sometimes regret small, insignificant things like not taking an umbrella because I thought I knew better than the weather forecast!
5. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Life has given me so many gifts! It would be my four children of course.
6. What would be the one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Time heals. This is just a moment. This moment will eventually pass and you will learn from it.
7. What difference has LYMA made to your life?
Oh my gosh. Where do I start? I’m obsessed. I take it everywhere I go. For starters, energy and mood - just wow. It’s like I’m high on life every second of every day. My hair also is significantly prettier than it was before!
8. How do you wind down at the end of a long day?
I might be an American who grew up with showers, but I’m English at heart and love a good evening bath.
9. How do you cope with the low moments in your life?
I remind myself that I have a choice. I can stay like this or I can do something about it. And that something might be something as simple as a walk outside, but boy does it help.
10. What's your guilty pleasure?
Beer and chips, definitely.
