In early March, I entered into a competition known as Yoga Warrior 2021, sponsored by Yoga Journal Magazine. I didn’t think I would make it that far in the competition for many reasons, not least of which is the size and shape of my body. But the winner would earn the title, a double page feature in Yoga Journal Magazine as well as $10k. From day one, I knew that if I would be lucky enough to win that the money would be directly donated to Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, where I have been volunteering for the last 4 years.

This was part of my profile for the competition.

I also wanted to win because yoga can be very intimidating for bigger bodied people, because that is generally not how yogis are represented. For the longest time, I didn’t practice in a traditional studio because I was too scared to walk through the doors. I knew I wouldn’t see anyone who looked like me, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up, so I practiced in the comfort of my trainer’s house, where I knew I was supported and never judged. (Below is a glance of Yoga Journal Magazine covers, none of which feature a yogi who looks like me!)

Additionally, I wanted to raise awareness of chronic illnesses and bring the conversations about them to the forefront. Ultimately I had the support of friends, former students, family, and perfect strangers who agreed with what I stand for. (Here is where I say thank you to all who supported me and who connected [or re-connected] with loved ones near and far, and I apologize for the daily text blast reminders to vote!).

I never expected that I would place 2nd in the quarter final round, after making it through five rounds of competition. I can’t be ashamed of placing there, as the quarter finals represented the top 1% of competitors worldwide. But in the back of my mind, unlike when I started the competition, I actually believed I had a chance at winning the whole thing, thanks to the encouragement of some of my favorite, most inspirational yogis (you know who you are!).

My final placement in the competition… if I could have made it just two more rounds…

I did a live video where I cried, not tears that I had been eliminated, but tears that there was a lot of un-yogi-like behavior among the people in my bracket, and also because I felt like I had lost this huge platform to show that anyone can do yoga, that chronic illnesses need to be discussed (and how yoga can help manage them), and the cash prize that would have been donated to Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary was seemingly stolen right out of my hands.

While the competition left a sour taste in my mouth, and I certainly won’t enter it ever again, I feel like I won. Those re-connections I talked about are real, and I treasure them. And I felt so loved and supported by my people. And I’m actually thankful for it because it had led me to bigger and better projects in the works!

This is just one example of the love I was shown… This was from a former student who is now a full-grown, married man in his 30’s, ut clearly still so dear to my heart.

I’m not sure if the competition had anything to do with it, but I was contacted by the Director of Communities of the amazing Lyfebulb. Me, being skeptical because I had a mailbox full of requests in my DMs everyday asking me to buy their “service” to get votes, I asked her what the catch was. Her response was simply “literally nothing”.

Fast forward to interviewing with her, and then interviewing with the FEMALE CEO and founder (hallelujah for girl power!), I am officially the newest ambassador, which means I can affect true change in the world of chronic illnesses and making that world more patient-centered. Holy cow! How perfectly aligned with my own personal mission!

And the title? Well screw the title. I have been living with the title of Warrior since long before I was practicing yoga. And a competition where votes can be purchased doesn’t necessarily make the winner a Warrior. Not winning the competition does not strip me of the title Warrior, which I wear proudly every damn day of my life, not just during a silly competition. The true rewards were really the connections re-established and the support of so many.

And as far as my dogs at Marty’s Place go, any opportunities with Lyfebulb that are paid ones, I have already established that those funds will be sent directly to the sanctuary. I know it’s not $10k but it’s what I can do with this present opportunity.

Marty’s Place will always have my heart and I will always do what I can for these special senior dogs.

And more is happening that I am not at liberty  to discuss just yet, but it is equally as exciting, and I’m pretty sure that putting myself out there for this competition made things happen.

It just goes to show that even when you don’t win, you really do. It’s just a shift in perspective and recalling your purpose to help you understand it. And it’s always in hindsight, because hindsight is always 20/20.

This is the true meaning of my blog… making lemons out of lemonade. I could have been sucking on those lemons when I was edged out of the competition. But instead, I am grateful for it because now my glass is overflowing with the sweetest lemonade I have ever tasted.

Cheers!