Meet Chantill Lopez | Co-founder of The Embodied Business Institute, Author, Podcast Host, Nervous System + Organizational Development Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chantill Lopez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chantill, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I wouldn’t have always answered this question this way, but yes, I’d say, ultimately, I’m a risk taker.

I think taking risks has been a subtle but consistent recurring theme in my life and in my career: step TOWARD what’s hard, scary, unknown, and uncomfortable because…why not?

Apply to all the colleges I don’t think I’ll get into? Sure, why not?
Move to Hawaii and help start a business at 24? Okay.
Follow my passion and refuse to work for someone else ever again? Mmmhmm.
Start my own business at 25? Seems right.
Open a second business at 27? Yup.
Write a book, start a podcast, create an international educational company? Sounds good.
Become an adventure motorcyclist at 39? I could probably do that.
I guess I’m just a “yes” person…

I’ve always been drawn to answer the question, “I wonder if I could do that?” I never would’ve said I was a risk-taker, but instead, I thought of myself as curious or driven or perhaps even a bit reckless.

And yet, over the years risk has shown up in big and small ways. My sense of risk has mostly been hidden within a belief that I can do whatever I’m inspired to do.

I look at life and business from a very wide-angle. I have an idea, see my way to “why” it’s important or powerful or inspiring, and leave the “how” for later. I leap. I don’t wait to have all the pieces in place. I just…go for it. I imagine a lot of people would call that risky.

I have always thought it’s just the way you get things done. Do what others hesitate to do. Do what others spend too much time thinking about. Do what others think they can’t do, so they don’t. Risk the doing and at least you have no regrets.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
A friend recently told me about a book called “Range – Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World”, and I immediately thought, “That’s it! That’s me.”

My career has not necessarily been all over the place, but it has not been entirely linear.

I followed my heart right out of HS to pursue a degree in journalism and creative writing. I loved journalism for a moment and have never stopped loving to write, but my body and my soul needed more.

After some floundering, and a move to Hawaii to try a hand at starting a business, I decided to follow my second love, dance. Although I knew I didn’t want to make a living as a dancer, I did want to explore the realm of anatomy, movement therapy, and somatics so I could help people feel as good in their bodies as I knew they could.

Fast forward a few years, I had multiple certifications under my belt and had built and grown three different Pilates studios in Sonoma County, CA. I realized early on that I was meant to be a teacher. I started a company called Skillful Teaching and began to develop and deliver advanced functional anatomy and movement curricula online and internationally.

My career as an educator continued to evolve into a book about teaching called, “Moving Beyond Technique”, a podcast called, “Thinking Pilates Podcast”, and a new business called, The Embodied Business Institute, founded with Anne Bishop M. Ed.

Our business serves small and large businesses, organizations, and founders in navigating change, transition, and reorganization, from a brain-based, nervous system, and Polyvagal-informed perspective.

We specialize in building cultures of psychological safety and helping leaders and facilitators learn how to leverage nervous system-based behavior change for the long-term sustainability and resilience of their business structures and the health and wellness of the people who work for them.

My personal passion lies in supporting driven and high-achieving leaders, who also live full and varied lives, in creating businesses that thrive because they thrive. Using the nervous system and cutting-edge behavior change science, we literally have an opportunity to systemically shift how we build, connect, communicate, tap into flow, heal, and expand joy. Work and life are not separate and your nervous system is the link.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I spend most of my time in Fort Collins, the first thing I’d tell people is to head north. My favorite place to stay is the Armstrong Hotel in old town Fort Collins, next to Mugs coffee shop where you can find fabulous coffee, yummy food, and a cocktail if you’re in the market.

Next step is Horsetooth Reservoir for a hike, a swim, a mountain bike ride, or just a sit to enjoy the view. I’ve seen some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets here. You don’t want to miss it.

Because I’m in love with a wickedly talented musician, most of what I do is listen to great music. Some of my favorite spots are The Magic Rat, Salt Road Brewing, Wibby Brewing (great stage), and even Panhandler’s Pizza for Tuesday night Open Mic night. You can head back down to Boulder to the St. Julien for some great music, too. Make sure to check out the Grateful Dead cover band, Peak 2 Peak.

Outside of that, as a motorcyclist, I’m a fan of a drive/ride up Poudre Canyon for breakfast at Glen Echo or along the Big Thompson for a cinnamon roll at Glen Haven General Store.

I’d end my visit with a trip to the Bizarre Bazaar bookstore, epically fun and weird, and a beer at Maxline Brewing.

I could go on, but I think that’s a good start for newbies.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well…how much room do I have? Ha. There are too many people to mention, but of course, the first one’s that come to mind are my folks, Constance Besotes and J.W. Hickman.

I tell people my mom is a “big heart with legs.” I inherited her capacity to love and listen and to push my limits. And my dad, he’s taught me not just how to work hard, but smart, and to laugh big as much as possible.

I have been incredibly lucky to have wonderful partners in my life. From my ex-husband, Carlos Lopez, who supported me unfailingly for 20 years no matter how crazy my ideas for building my business or traveling the globe were, to my first business partner, Kristen Iuppenlatz Grech, who shared my passion for helping people improve their lives and loved me more than I realized.

My current co-founder, Anne Bishop, has helped me temper my bullishness and forge an inspired path within our business with absolute grace. She’s also always there to say, “I got you” when things get tough, which they inevitably do.

Some of my oldest and dearest friends, Cori and Josh Martinez, who have essentially lived my life with me and only ever added to it.

And of course, my partner Max Mackey, a dedicated Northern Colorado musician, who inspires me every day to live with my eyes wide open to all that I have and all that’s possible.

So many friends, family, and mentors have shared their wisdom, kindness, and inspiration along the way.

Website: https://theembodiedbusinessinstitute.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantilllopez (and) https://www.instagram.com/embodiedbusinessinstitute/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantilllopez/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantill.lopez (and) https://www.facebook.com/EmbodiedBusinessInstitute/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/N3KMGg0IygM?si=vj7YalKaKnts0kSB

Image Credits
Amber Weir, Weir Photography