'This one... this one has an appetite for risk.'

 

I was a manager in a not-for-profit organisation, overseeing a number of community services and a sizeable team. The HR department had brought in a risk management consultant to assess our management team.

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And he was pointing at me. 'This one' was me.

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That I took his comment as a compliment probably tells you something about me... although the organisation I worked for may have seen it differently ;)

 

My 'appetite for risk' could also be described as optimism. My default setting is to expect the best... of myself, of others, of life.  Of course, life doesn't always go the way I hope but I still naturally tend towards positivity. My friends tease me for it, but hey it works for me. It keeps me up for trying new things, and open (and usually a bit excited) to change.

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For as long as I can remember, I've sensed that I am a leader; that leadership is one aspect of my part to play in this life, and I've always taken the responsibility of that seriously. I've wanted to do it well.

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I'm a people-watcher. An observer. I learn heaps by watching other people. When I see someone I respect or admire, I pay close attention. And then I take what I see, and apply it in my own way. Of course I also learn what not to do by watching others too!

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You can spend heaps of money on books and courses and mentoring sessions to help develop yourself as a person and a leader, but there are free lessons everywhere if you're paying attention. I mean, I love a good book and a great course, but they're not the only - or even the main - way I learn.

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I live on Wurundjeri Country  in Naarm (Melbourne). I was born here and it has always been home. I'm seeking to live in a way that offers ongoing acknowledgment and respect to the people whose home has been here for millennia, long before my ancestors arrived and colonised this country.

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Kind of out of the blue, I became a Christian when I was 14, and dived really deep into it. That decision changed the course of my life. I went on to complete a degree in theology at university (I was the youngest student there) and my faith was a huge part of my life for years. Although it has shifted to the point that I no longer call myself a Christian, the essence remains and expands in new ways for me these days. My faith, though expressed really differently, is still central for me.

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It might seem strange, considering the fact that I teach yoga and train yoga teachers, but for years I never really liked yoga. I used to go along to classes every now and then and wonder what everyone else saw in it that I didn't. I always felt like I'd rather go for a run or hit the gym. As a workout, yoga left me wanting. Then one day I came across a strong, dynamic style of asana (yoga poses) that left me dripping in sweat, and I was hooked! The powerful physical practice kept me coming back for a while, and as happens for so many of us, I started to see the teachings and practice of yoga showing up in other areas of my life. Over time I stopped seeing my yoga practice as a workout and largely moved away from the super-intense asana classes, becoming much more interested in the more subtle yet powerful practices like pranayama and meditation. I still have so much to learn, and that's part of why I love it so much.

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I have always worked with people, often with women, and I've loved creating spaces for people to come together, to be seen and heard, to share and grow together. And I've always valued depth and realness. I'm not much of a small-talker, but I relish a good D&M.

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In 2014 I opened my business, Eve Studio, a space for women to come together for yoga, movement and community. Since then, it has grown and flourished beyond what I'd ever imagined (and that's saying something, because I tend to imagine pretty great stuff - I'm an optimist, remember!)

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I love so much about Eve - the team, the community of women, the beautiful earthy spaces. I love that it keeps me interested and growing and challenged. And I love that I get to live my values in how I run the business. In that way, it feels like a canvas on which I'm painting my expression of how things could be, and I love when that picture inspires others too.

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I believe that women have a vital role to play in healing much of what's wrong with the world, simply by showing up as we truly are, no apologies. Getting to know my menstrual cycle, and aligning my life with its ebbs and flows has been an absolute game-changer for me, and I am passionate about sharing this with other women.

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I'm married to Abdo, who has the kindest heart and the sexiest voice, and who also runs his own business. He's pretty special.

 

I'm a sister and an auntie who loves her nieces and nephews so much I've actually imagined kidnapping them on more than one occasion.

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In case you're looking for more of a CV-style 'About' page... I worked with young people for years, in schools, churches, festivals and events. I travelled to the UK every year for about a decade to speak at huge youth festivals (and got to enjoy lots of fun side-trips on the way). And I spent five years in the not-for-profit organisation (the one where I was marked as a risk-taker) managing community services.

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I have a post-grad degree in counselling (psychotherapy) and I'm a 500 ERYT Yoga Teacher, a qualified Personal Trainer and... wait for it... Zumba instructor! (One day, let me tell you the story of my Zumba training. Spoiler: it involves very bright-coloured clothing with asymmetrical cuts and styling, and much enthusiastic yelling of the word 'Zumba!')

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Reading back over this, it's funny to see the things I've decided to mention, and all that I've omitted. It's as though a few old photographs fell out of a box, and I've picked them up and given you the story of each one. There are so many more photographs. I hope I'll get to share some of their stories with you in time.

And to hear some of yours.

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much love,

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Annie

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