Story & Lesson Highlights with Carrie Hoffman

Carrie Hoffman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Carrie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
People think of yoga retreats as just a vacation with some yoga classes thrown in. However, an intentionally-crafted yoga retreat is way more than that. It’s a journey, with a philosophical theme that can run through the yoga classes, the carefully-selected activities, the food, and more! On our retreats people truly bond with each other and form long-lasting friendships by going through the same retreat experience together. The experience should help you learn new things about yourself and this world, and help you get out of your comfort zone in some ways!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Carrie Hoffman, the trauma-informed yoga teacher and retreat leader behind Bigger Life Adventures.

We host trauma-informed yoga and adventure retreats in the US and abroad. All our retreats are alcohol-free, plant-based, and supportive of people in recovery from addiction, stress, PTSD, or anything else! Our retreats are also eco-friendly, supportive of locals, and as sustainable as possible. They are trips you can feel great about taking!

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I’ve sat in plant medicine ceremonies several times now and the lessons I get from those medicines are always very profound and valuable. Last time a big download I received was that I needed to “flow not fight.” Since then I’ve been trying to find more faith in the universe and let the abundance and retreat bookings flow in and out without stressing as much as I had been.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I grew up in an intensely evangelical Christian home and was taught that I had to stay in that world if I wanted to be a good person. So now being a yoga teacher who is open to all forms of spirituality means that I’m not very accepted by my family of origin.

I’ve realized that I am meant to be a trailblazer, even if it’s lonely sometimes. I’ve created a new family of good friends and students and retreat guests who support and validate the work that I do.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! Authenticity is one of my highest values. I think we’ve gotta show our flaws in order to help others realize that it’s okay to have them.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Worrying about how to ever retire! I’d pull that money out of my IRA and go travel!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.biggerlifeadventures.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerlifeadventures
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biggerlifeadventures