Today we’d like to introduce you to Maeve McCaffrey.
Maeve, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started teaching fitness classes and training clients when I was 20. I was in between my sophomore and junior years of college and was transferring schools. As a result, it was my first year not playing competitive sports. I had started working out in gyms when I was 16 or 17, so I was no stranger to the fitness world, but it wasn’t until college when I wasn’t playing a sport every season that I became impassioned with fitness. I was taking group fitness classes in my hometown during the holiday break and the group fitness director approached me, suggesting I become an instructor. It was that moment, which probably didn’t mean that much to her, that sparked the idea that I could do it. A half a year later, she had hired me and given me my first class.
I didn’t start teaching yoga until a few years later. After a year off between schools, I transferred to Emerson College in Boston and really started teaching a lot of fitness classes. My body was wrecked! One of the gyms I taught at added a yoga class after my fitness classes on Monday nights, and I decided to stay. I had been exposed to yoga my whole life through my mother, but hadn’t really dug into it. At this time, it was exactly what I needed and I was soon a regular practitioner and from there I started taking teacher trainings and eventually added that to my roster.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I was very fortunate to have support and encouragement along the way. From the first teacher who suggested I become a teacher myself, to the subsequent teachers who saw something in me and took me under their wing when I was very young, it all happened quite organically. It wasn’t actually my intention, so I think it didn’t feel like a struggle because it was all a bonus experience as I was also working in other fields. With that said, I was not a good teacher initially! When I got the bug to become a teacher, I thought, “I can do this!”
Then I got up in front of the group and could barely find the words to be a leader. Like anything else, it takes practice and knowledge and passion.
Maeve McCaffrey Yoga & Fitness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I teach classes and train my clients in a way that meet people where they are but encourage them strive for more. I teach primarily alignment based vinyasa yoga and functional fitness, both are intended to make people feel better doing everything else they need to do! I believe I create a safe space of self-discovery and growth. My community of students have given me the gift of watching their journey over the years.
I also consult with teachers and yoga and fitness businesses on branding, programming, operations, etc.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I believe happiness and helping others is at the core of success. I have been outwardly, visibly “successful” with a good title, lots of responsibilities, lofty goals and numbers that would point to successes, but if you aren’t doing something to actually help others and if there isn’t happiness at the core of those metrics and responsibilities, are you really successful?
Contact Info:
- Website: maevemccaffrey.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @maevemcc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaeveYogaFitness/
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