Most of us will run into unexpected setbacks in life. Today's guest Megan Kearney knows plenty about using those situations as opportunities to learn and grow stronger. An admitted type-a personality and “recovering triathlete”, Megan has been in the health and wellness industry for more than 20 years. She is a Yoga Medicine therapeutic specialist with additional trainings in mental health and traumatic brain injury resilience and iRest Yoga Nidra. When COVID-19 hit, Megan’s previously successful yoga studios closed, and her marriage ended. In this episode, she talks with Rachel Land about turning these, and other, setbacks into success by practicing relentless realistic optimism. She also talks about the importance of self-care rituals, movement, getting outdoors, gratitude, relationships, journalling, therapy, and other practical ways to make space to feel and process both good and bad experiences until we feel ready to move on. Listen in to learn how to pull yourself out of 'the suck’, and how to turn what we learn in that struggle into the source of our future success. Show Notes: Megan’s journey to yoga starts with meditation [4:13] From Bikram yoga, through sports injuries, to yoga as a source of healing [6:29] The transition from practicing to teaching yoga [14:32] Opening two yoga studios [18:29] The professional and personal impact of the pandemic [19:58] Key self care techniques to create space to feel in times of crisis [23:08] and [31:51] The power of gratitude and ‘Five Things Friday’ [33:05] The importance of connection and relationship and Megan’s ‘Areas of Inquiry’ [35:40] Journalling, therapy and movement in nature to help us process our experiences and shift perspective [39:09] Megan’s Yoga Rx program and honest consideration of readiness to change [42:56] Final thoughts for anyone currently in ‘the suck’ [48:43] Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Yoga & Mindfulness 101 for Physicians & Healthcare Providers Online Course Myofascial Release Teacher Training Connect with Megan Kearney: LinkedIn | Instagram | Pinterest | Reset With Megan You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at http://www.yogamedicine.com/podcast-13. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at http://www.yogamedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.