Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Lehtonen.
Hi Carrie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire. I earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and started my career in Human Resources. In 2005, I moved across the country to Colorado for a fresh start. I was busy climbing the corporate ladder and working long hours.
After surviving a heart attack at 31 years old, I learned that heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States and that 80% is preventable with lifestyle changes. I saw that as an opportunity to make a difference. I chose to pursue an education in health and wellness. I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I was trained in more than one hundred dietary theories and studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods, to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. I also trained to become a Registered Yoga Teacher and Educator (E-RYT500).
After over 18 years working in Human Resources, I left my corporate job to focus full-time on my own business, Firefly Community LLC. My mission is to help others uncover their passions and live inspired lives. I’m committed to reducing the impact of heart disease and love seeing people light up when they learn something new, challenge themselves beyond what they think they are capable of, and tap into their purpose.
I’m a life-long learner and love to travel to experience different cultures and see diverse natural environments. I live in Evergreen, Colorado with my husband, two dogs, and two cats, where I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, trail running, paddle boarding, and writing. My writing has been featured in Elephant Journal, Yoga+ Life, and Well magazine, and I just finished writing my first book.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been a long, winding road, and I’ve experienced setbacks along the way. Being a solopreneur comes with many challenges and requires adaptability. I’m responsible for all of the roles, even the ones that I didn’t know were going to be part of my business. For example, when COVID shut down my main source of income (yoga retreats), I had to pivot and move my services online. I started teaching yoga classes via Zoom and spent the summer learning video editing so that I could create an online version of my coaching program. That was a big learning curve!
As a small business, it’s often one step forward, two steps back. Finding what works requires testing many different things to see what sticks and what best serves our clients. It takes a lot of trial and error, making it seem like I’m not progressing. One of the hardest parts for me was recognizing my achievements, so my husband created a poster board to serve as my “Wall of Recognition.” I would put a star up whenever I achieved something (big or small). This provided me with a visual representation of the progress I was making. As someone who is goal-oriented, it helped motivate me to have this reminder that things were moving forward even on the tough days.
In addition to business challenges, I’ve also experienced personal setbacks. An ongoing knee issue led to me having a partial knee replacement in March, which meant a couple of months of not being able to teach yoga or lead retreats. I struggled with my mental health during this period because my usual forms of stress relief were not accessible to me. I focused my energy on finishing the edits of the book that I started writing months before.
As you know, we’re big fans of Firefly Community LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Firefly provides services and events for individuals, wellness leaders, and groups. We’re known for leading and coordinating transformational yoga and wellness retreats internationally and domestically, and providing a supportive community and resources so our clients can thrive at home. We do this by offering one-on-one coaching programs, yoga classes, and wellness workshops. Firefly serves the corporate community by offering virtual and onsite yoga classes, wellness program consulting, and workshops focused on nutrition, mindfulness, and stress management.
Our clients and students feel supported and cared for because they are not just a number, they are part of our community. We believe that being in a community supports its members in living their passion and purpose because they have support and a sense of belonging. We cultivate community via our private membership group, and local and online events and workshops. I send a weekly newsletter with health and wellness tips and upcoming events.
On retreat, Firefly’s goal is to create an environment for transformation and connection. Firefly’s retreats are capped at 12 to 15 people depending on the location to ensure participants receive personalized attention, and the opportunity to truly connect with the retreat leader and fellow travelers.
Through our retreats and services, we aim to help our clients develop a deeper connection with mind, body, and spirit, ignite their souls, and provide them with opportunities to connect with other people, get out in nature, and improve their relationship with what nourishes them.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
After my heart attack, I recognized the importance of slowing down and making time for self-care. I started practicing yoga and meditation. I changed jobs, which allowed me to work at home, and have the time and flexibility for a healthy morning routine. I would sit quietly for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning before looking at my phone or computer.
I used to think I didn’t have time to take breaks during the day, but now I set reminders to get up and move every hour. I go outside to get some sun on my face and reset before going back to whatever project I’m working on. These breaks make me more productive because they allow me to step away for a moment. When I return, I have more clarity and a fresh perspective, which enables me to pick up on any mistakes and make better decisions. I get more done in less time, because I take care of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fireflycommunity.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fireflycommunity
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/fireflyyogacommunity
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-lehtonen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fireflycommunityllc
- Other: https://insighttimer.com/carrielehtonen
