From Hot Mess to Hot Yoga: How My Mat Made Me a Better Leader

Let’s talk about that moment when you realize your “outside of work” passion isn’t just a hobby—it’s your secret career superpower. For me? It was hot yoga. (Yes, really!)

Picture this: There I was, a sweaty disaster trying to hold a pose in a 110-degree room. Not exactly your typical leadership training, right? But here’s the plot twist—those 90-minute sessions became my masterclass in professional growth.

At first, I was that person who couldn’t make it through class without collapsing in a puddle of defeat. Sound familiar? Maybe not with yoga, but we’ve all had those moments where something feels impossible.

But here’s where it gets interesting: The skills I developed on that mat? They’re the exact same ones that saved my bacon when a crisis hit at work. When a devastating fire shut down our global business for six months, guess what helped me lead my team through it?

That same ability to stay focused under pressure. The energy management that got me through those brutal yoga sessions? It’s how I kept my cool during back-to-back crisis meetings.

The best part? You’re probably already doing something that could be your professional secret weapon. Maybe it’s parenting (hello, negotiation skills!), running marathons (anyone say perseverance?), or even gaming (strategic thinking, anyone?).

Here’s your challenge: Take a fresh look at your personal passions. What skills are you building without even realizing it? Those “just for fun” activities might be your ticket to becoming an even more awesome remote leader.

Remember: The best remote workers aren’t just good at their jobs—they bring their whole selves to work. And sometimes, that means bringing a little bit of your sweaty, determined, slightly chaotic personal growth journey along for the ride.