Podcast with The Model Manifesto.
In the deep dark depths of lockdown I was lucky enough to be able to live for a few weeks with a wonderful friend of mine, the author and ex-model Leanne Maskell, from whom I learnt SO many mind-blowing and horrifying things about the fashion and modelling industries. The fashion industry is one of the biggest and most influential when it comes to modelling how we all view and feel about ourselves and our bodies, and we have reached a point in time where body image is causing millions of mental health problems around the world.
Leanne’s work and tireless campaigning, to help support models and prevent them from being exploited, as well as holding the fashion and wellness industries to account to help undo the damage that their lies, photoshopping, bullying, exploitation and unrealistic expectations have inflicted on us all.
You can listen to the podcast with Leanne here and learn more about Leanne, her work and her book here.
About the episode: Emily Harding (@yehyoga) talks to Leanne about everything yoga, side hustling, social media & body image!
We talk about:
0:40 - an intro to Emily!
2:40 - branding and setting up a business - (as well as public classes, Em started @yehyogaco, bringing yoga to offices)
4:21 - getting into yoga and everything to do with teacher training, including finding a studio to train with, how much it costs & what it involves.
17:20 - how to make the leap from student to teacher
20:00 - all of the weird & wonderful kinds of yoga classes on offer (Em teaches everything from strong abs classes to nude yoga!), including finding the balance between cultural appropriation and bringing yoga to a wider range of people, including making all classes accessible to everyone regardless of level which underpins Emily's teaching.
25:18 - smashing Emily's scales in the street and the INSANE weight pressures during lockdown!
30:30 - Em's philosophy of #YEHNOTMEH - which is all about searching for the things in life that make you feel yeh and not settling!
34:00 - how to go for what you want whilst living in the difficult reality of life - always having your purpose in mind (don't quit your job to be a full time yoga teacher just yet!)
38:11 - the ups and downs of self employment - and figuring out your career path!
45:00 - selling yourself on social media (a feeling models know well!) - how to find the balance amongst a sea of insta-yogis and models
52:23 - a philosophical chat about what yoga 'is'
58:00 - snaps
