This week we’re joined by Danielle Barbeau, owner of The River Yoga in Denver, CO. We first met Danielle virtually during a team meeting, and later in person when we traveled to Denver to teach at her studio, where we also recorded an episode that (tragically) didn’t sound great. But the conversation stuck with us… so we’re back for round two.
At the center of this episode is a deceptively simple question Danielle asked: “Do you feel like you’ve arrived?” And honestly… it sent us spiraling (in the best way).
We talk about what it actually means to “make it” in the yoga world- from teaching full-time to running a studio, navigating burnout, and building something that’s sustainable long-term. Danielle shares her path from young teacher to studio owner, what it looked like being thrown into leadership early, and how she navigated the uncertainty of the COVID years while keeping her community intact.
We get into the real side of the business: getting paid, doing the paperwork, making hard decisions, and learning how to lead. We talk about building trust with teachers, creating jobs that are actually sustainable, and the constant dance between supporting your team and running a business that works.
There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at how things evolve- bringing on support (hello COO), shifting roles, and creating space to actually enjoy what you’ve built… whether that’s being more present on retreats or focusing on the parts of the job you love. And then we come back to it—arriving.
What does it actually mean? Is it owning a studio? Teaching full-time? Being “known”? Danielle’s answer is simple, grounding, and unexpectedly emotional in the best way. While Bradshaw and Giana think about what this means for them individually and together professionally.
Also… we couldn’t resist. We close with some very necessary comic relief: overheard student conversations, Bluetooth mishaps, and a rogue cat moment you won’t forget.
Find Danielle Barbeau and The River online:
https://www.weseektheriver.com/
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🌊 Upcoming Retreats
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