Q&A-ish: Addressing the elephant in the room
I’m answering a rhetorical question because I think it’s worth bringing up to address the elephant in the room. And while we’re at it, let’s talk about feeling worthy…
Over to you! As I said, I love hearing from you. So let me know what unique things would be helpful to your practice in the comments below 🙂
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34 Comments
Melissa Smith
May 31, 2017 at 6:53 amErin you shouldn’t ever have to justify that! Everyone needs to earn a living as well as take pride in their creations. You give so much of yourself to this community, and provide so much free content. People should not expect everything to be free! Even yoga!
Laura
May 31, 2017 at 7:02 amI actually like that you keep mentioning PBYP. It kept it in my mind. I “discovered” bad yogi in January, and each month I’d tell myself I was going to buy PBYP and get serious. Each month I had an excuse not to. A few weeks ago you posted a coupon on a day I wasn’t feeling so great and motivated about much and decided that it was time, that was the day to get my butt in gear and committ. It took a few times on FB that day seeing the coupon, but I did it. I am now on week 4, and loving it. Having a little tough time cutting the sugar this week( darn graduation parties!) but I love it! Thank you!
Erin Motz
May 31, 2017 at 7:50 amSo happy to hear this, Laura. I’m also really happy that you took that next step! The sugar thing will get easier after grad season is over 😉
Jennifer Clarke-Hines
May 31, 2017 at 7:15 amHi Erin, I owned my own business for years. Telling an entrepreneur not to promote their work is like telling a parent not to brag about their children! Love your positive attitude! Love your PBYP videos and community! I am working thru tier 1 for a second time and I think I am getting more out of it than I did the first time. You are doing a fantastic job building this community. Keep up the good work!
Denise
May 31, 2017 at 7:49 amHi Erin, You ABSOLUTELY should be proud and promote your program! I can’t purchase your program now (University is draining my money 😉 ) But I never ever think you are mentioning the program too much (what is too much anyway). Sometimes I get a little jealous (not so yogic of me haha) when you mention the program but I get also excited knowing I am almost close to purchasing the program. Bad Yogi is a business and you still are very generous with your prices and your free classes, so keep up the good work!! I follow bad yogi from the beginning (you introduced me to yoga and I am very grateful for it) and I can only applaud your growth and the values you articulate. Can you tell more about your book? That is excited isn’t it?!
Keep up the good work!
With love
Denise
Taryn
May 31, 2017 at 7:59 amHi Erin- I can’t thank you enough for creating PBYP, I got it when it first came out last year and it has changed my life in so many ways! I now exercise regularly and for the first time in a long time I make time for myself, I put myself first. The results have been widespread throughout every aspect of my life and I truly believe that it is because of your amazing program. You have created something that is life changing and as far as I’m concerned you should be shouting it from the rooftops every chance you get!
KathyB
May 31, 2017 at 8:23 amYou are a business owner and PBYP is your product. Why WOULDN’T you promote it? I bought it last year, and I’ll be honest…I have yet to complete it for a few reasons, mainly unrelated injuries. But I love being a part of the PBYP community. The FB group is amazing, and so supportive. You can’t please everyone..there will always be people who are unhappy in their own lives and want to make others unhappy…and/or they are jealous. Keep doing what you’re doing. Bad Yogi is amazing, and is the reason I got back in to yoga after being on and off for many years. Thank you for bringing PBYP to us, and I can’t wait to see what you have for us next!
Nikki
May 31, 2017 at 8:25 amThis chat was such an inspiration. Thank you for saying worthy over and over and over. I feel like you’ve created a new mantra for Tier 3! 😉
But in all seriousness, what you’ve said made such a difference in a week when I’ve been soul searching for some answers. I can’t thank you enough for that perspective.
You deserve the right to brag, for everything you have done for others in the PBYP community. Keep on girl, you earned it!
Jenn
May 31, 2017 at 8:38 amYou should be SO proud of yourself! Just looking at the community you’be created with PBYP proves that you did something BIG. PBYP was so worth it, keep promoting it! You rock!
Melanie Gibson
May 31, 2017 at 8:52 amI think you are right about the negative commenters really having an issue with their own self worth but it is easier for them to point their judgmental mental finger at someone else. As the saying goes, when you point a finger at someone else you always have three pointing right back at you. Your video got me wondering, “What is my product? I may never get to a place where I start a business, but I still have something that drives me each day…hmmm.”
BTW, France appears to agree with you -you have been glowing!
Hannah Harding
May 31, 2017 at 9:31 amI love your free videos. I love your paid videos. I love PBYP. I love your random weird videos and your “fail” videos. You are the most “human” of all yogis online, reminding us all that nobody is “perfect” 100% of the time, that’s why after 5(!?) Years I still want to listen and Learn from you. Just keep doing You 🙂
Ps…. could you do some breathing practices? Just a thought.. it’s something I’ve always skirted around (even as a yoga teacher 😮), I would just love to see your take on them
Kelly
May 31, 2017 at 9:40 amI love this video, Erin. I think you’re right, when people question “why” we are doing something we love or are talking about something we care about/have worked hard on, it’s too often met with judgement. It’s important to talk about the hard work we do and support each other. So so so many things/people in our lives (including ourselves so often) will try to make us feel less than or unworthy. Being proud of what we do and sharing it with others is so bold and so important in validating our own awesomeness.
Nicole PT
May 31, 2017 at 9:51 amI was shocked to hear that you’ve received criticism for promoting PBYP. It would never even occur to me to question why you would do so…you’re trying to make a living! I’m sorry to hear that any negativity is directed your way, and hope it doesn’t affect you. I’m so thankful for PBYP and everything this community offers. Much love to you!
Marybeth
May 31, 2017 at 10:07 amI’m not sure why I am always surprised when I hear about this type of negativity. I love this community…thanks for all you share with us!!
Rachel
May 31, 2017 at 10:18 amI would venture to guess that those folks that question why you promote pbyp probably do not work for free themselves. I wonder how you’re supposed to pay for decent cameras and sound systems with yoga? Can you pay your electric bills with asanas? No really, can you do that, ’cause I wanna get on that plan.
As a very satisfied customer of your paid content and regular follower of your free content, think I’m going to go shamelessly promote some pbyp on Insta later today 😉
Jodi
May 31, 2017 at 10:58 amAs a business owner myself…. I really needed that! Xoxo
Michelle Brock
May 31, 2017 at 11:08 amI love your PBYP program! You put so much into it, and it really come through in every class. I did not stop talking about it after it came out, that my husband surprised me with it for Christmas 🙂
Never apologize for promoting yourself or the work you have done – this is your business, and you are seriously putting yourself out there, that takes guts! Everyone in the Bad Yogi community is there because of you – your work, your passion, your blood, sweat and tears, your sense of humor, and of course, the messy hair 😉 ha! Thank you for all you do – you make a difference.
Eck
May 31, 2017 at 11:55 amYogi’s got to live!!! Thank you for all you have given and continue to give. People can be so “entitled”! Thank you also for reminding us that we too are worthy x
Mer
May 31, 2017 at 12:23 pmI haven’t logged in a while… life is like that… Erin, you are still my inspiration. I consider your opinions and views as I use your creations to help me but also I spread your word…..
Why do you promote your work?????? Why people spends thousands in hiring people to promote their work???? It is a question that answers itself. when you have something as important as you do to transmit to others, there is no possible “questioning”
PBYP (which for different reasons I have not completed yet) is an example to follow.
Namaste
Richard
May 31, 2017 at 12:38 pmPart of it might be that pbyp has a price to it, so talking about it becomes selling it. It becomes “marketing “. So WHAT? Erin needs to eat, have a home and have clothes to wear. Bad Yogi is her job! Selling her work is okay. Right?
Jane
May 31, 2017 at 12:48 pmErin, keep on doing what you’re doing! You can not please all the people all the time. Heck, it’s hard to please some of the people all of the time! PBYP is an amazingly awesome program. If people want more free yoga programs they can search the web!
Trude
May 31, 2017 at 2:10 pmExellent pep talk! Ty :*
Kay Smith
May 31, 2017 at 2:42 pmOh good grief — one word for those who are complaining — IGNORE
I love this PYBP and all also your free classes — Love ya Erin
Ayala
May 31, 2017 at 3:03 pmI’m sorry you had to even justify promoting PBYP. It’s an awesome program!
Thank YOU for all that you do!
<3
Roger . Dutchie
May 31, 2017 at 3:57 pmThanks Erin . I hope,with pos pep talk ,thanks .Every wednesday. You gives so much energie with your ease . You makes many people happy. Groetjes also on franchie . Dutchie .
Katherine
June 1, 2017 at 5:14 amI agree with most everyone here. Girl’s need to make a living! Life isn’t free so we all appreciate what you do share. As in some of your comments you feel year-round etc. But you are part the brand. You can’t get everyone to like you all of time,but by being genuine you will bring and grow your flock to keep trying and growing. Stay strong. Enjoy your upcoming nuptials and everyone here will be happy to share your joy & happiness!
Liz
June 1, 2017 at 10:39 amI can’t believe people are being so negative about something like this – it’s their loss! The PBYP is such a great program! I have to share a quick story about my experience with it – so, I pre-ordered it and was so excited to get going! I think it was about 4-5 days before it came out when I BROKE MY FOOT. I was heartbroken! I had to wait several weeks before I could do most of it, but it was definitely worth the wait. I was so excited about it that I actually tried to do some of it in my aircast and made some modifications for myself so I could do it. 🙂 It’s the Perfect Body Yoga Program and also just the perfect yoga program, and I completely understand why you’re so proud of it. Thank you for making it!!!
Paula
June 1, 2017 at 4:32 pmErin you are the BEST! I love your videos, your attitude and PBYP! I bought this last November and worked my way through it in eight weeks. It was tough and I had a love/hate relationship with it but now at 53 (soon to be 54) I am stronger than I was in my 30’s and 40’s in no small part to this program. Of course you should promote this and be paid for it. I can’t even begin to imagine the number of hours you spent putting all of this together and all the trial and error that went with it. I also have tier 2 and will be working my way through that this November – I want to see how far I’ve come in a year. I have watched a lot of yoga videos on-line because I practice only at home – of all the teachers out there you are by far one of the most down to earth and giving yogi. You don’t push your programs, your clothing line, your nutrition program nor do you ask that people “support you by joining the tribe, listening to your podcasts, etc.” I also have two Bad Yogi t-shirts and several of your other classes that I purchased and downloaded so I can have them with me all the time. I am not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram so I don’t know what people have been saying, but I do feel bad that some people under-appreciate you and what you do! Never feel bad for promoting your awesomeness!!
DH Parsons
June 2, 2017 at 5:18 amDo what you do because you do it well. In fact, you do it better than most. Ignore those who are jealous of your hard work and move forward. They will drop to the wayside and you will soar.
Rebecca
June 2, 2017 at 7:28 pmYou have to earn a living. Haters are always gonna hate. 🙂
Christin Slyngman
June 5, 2017 at 10:49 amGood for you, Erin! I’m a “Mompreneur” so this resonates with me! I am grateful for my supporters, but sometimes the haters get me down…at the end of the day though, they aren’t the ones helping me live my dream, paying my rent, or supporting my kids. You shouldn’t feel like you have to justify what you do for a living, especially because it is helping so many people! Sending you hugs and encouragement!
Yana
June 6, 2017 at 1:58 pmThank you for rescuing from overabundance of free stuff! I was sort of drowning there. There is a beautiful plenty of those on your site already. Now I can focus on PBYP Tier 2 instead of spending precious time in the morning trying to decide what do I feel like. We don’t always need more when we have so much already. Love you.
Sabine
June 9, 2017 at 12:07 pmWould these people also expect the baker to only give away free cookies and not encourage the customers to come in and buy his delicious bread??
All the people who think that you should be putting out only free classes should be prepared to sponsor you on a monthly basis. You offer something that is worth money, you put your heart, soul and time into it. Want it? Pay for it. OF COURSE you use your free classes for promotion.
Rachel
June 16, 2017 at 10:20 pmI truly love your videos and you as an instructor! If I could come to a live class with you I totally would!! It would be totally awesome for everyone if all your classes were free all the time, but then people would probably tell you that you SHOULD charge for at least some of them. You deserve to profit from the labor and passion you put into your work that makes it superior than others out there (in my opinion), and anyone who says otherwise has probably never tried to create something that helps other people. This is your career, it’s not just a side gig that gives you warm fuzzies, so I think you should ignore all those complainy Janeys out there and keep doing what you do!