Today we’d like to introduce you to Gustavo Padron.
Hi Gustavo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After growing up in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, and then Presidio, Texas, I relocated to Austin in 2008 to attend the University of Texas and pursue a degree in pre-med and Psychology. I was never much of an athlete until I arrived to Austin. The active lifestyle of the city, paired with its breathtaking trails, inspired me to get outside and move my body. I chose running as a form of movement and as a way to cope with stress, but after a hamstring injury, I had to put running on pause and find a different way to move and heal my body.
This is when I rekindled my love and respect for yoga. I had given yoga a try a few times before, once with my mother and another time with a friend, but I was never really into it. It wasn’t until my physical therapist recommended I started implementing stretching and yoga that I finally gave yoga a chance. I followed his suggestion and I’m so glad I did. Yoga has helped me heal my hamstring injury and my heart. This practice has given me tools to cope with stress and anxiety while reminding me to love, accept and appreciate my body.
Upon graduating college, I heard a loud voice during savanna (the final pose in yoga) that said, “rest, take some time off, you have been working so hard, it’s time to let yourself have fun.” I took this as a sign and an opportunity to reevaluate my career path. I love yoga and I love helping people heal so I ultimately chose to practice and teach yoga and meditation over traditional medicine.
Fast forward to ten years later, I am so thankful that I listened to that inner voice. I am so thankful that I get to share this message of health and well-being with the world through public classes, workshops, teacher trainings, international wellness retreats/festivals, and live/ on-demand online classes. I am forever thankful for this practice and all the students and teachers that I have learned from and have influenced my journey. Thank you for your love and guidance. Here’s to many more years of teaching yoga, meditation and mindfulness!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a career in the health and wellness industry has been really rewarding and while there have been a few bumps along the road, I am so proud of myself for trusting the process and staying the course. Teaching yoga as a new instructor is not lucrative and you have to work extra hard to hone in on your craft and constantly expose yourself to a wide audience to build a reputable brand. I remember teaching yoga at a donation-based studio to a very small group of people at 6 am and making $10 after the split. It was tough to wake up at the wee hours of the morning and constantly feeling worried that I would not be able to make ends meet.
But I stuck with it, I kept showing up for my students and my community and I kept trusting this inner knowing that the Universe would support me. These days, I continue to show up with the same fervor and trust, knowing that my teachings and mentoring is meaningful and impactful and that the Universe is always on my side no matter what I do or where I go. If you are starting a new endeavor, please know that moments of uncertainty and thoughts of scarcity will always be present, but you get to choose how much energy you give to these thoughts; I encourage you to keep showing up and trust the process, if it’s meant to happen you will find a way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Teaching yoga and meditation for the last ten years has been an absolute honor. I am a nurturer and an empath and I love helping people feel good. I am using yoga and meditation as a vehicle to hold space for my students to explore their strength and confidence, to remind themselves that they have got what it takes to move through life feeling supported, strong and empowered. I am so proud of myself for all that I have accomplished in my short life and so eager to see how I continue to grow and evolve. Stay tuned!
How do you think about luck?
I do not believe in luck but I do believe in synchronicities. I believe that what’s meant for us won’t miss us. I believe that we get in life what we have the courage to ask for; I believe that if you are clear with your intentions and your aspirations, the Universe (or whatever source of your own understanding) will support you. My advice for someone who is just starting something new is to stay consistent and constantly remind yourself of why you started, especially when things get tough. Above all, do not forget to have fun; when you are having fun, you become a magnet for good things!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@gustavopadron.com
- Website: gustavopadron.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gustavoapadron/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/gustavoapadron
Image Credits
Keelyn Costello (Images 1 and 8). Neil Gandhi (Images 2, 3 , 4, and 5). Chris Olfers (Images 6 and 7) Patrick Schecht (image 9).
