Meet Celestia French | Holistic Brand Strategist & Yoga Therapist

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

Hi Celestia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
After my Mom passed away early last year, it made me realize just how fleeting and precious this life really is. It struck me that we each have so much potential to fulfill during our lifetime, and what a gift it is to discover and share it. The experience of losing her so young jolted me awake that each individual has much more power than we often realize to co-create a more creative, joyful, sustainable, and equitable world, and that it’s our sacred duty to utilize our gifts rather than allow them to go dormant.

That realization continues to fuel my passion to help the world’s luminaries to achieve their own definition of success by identifying their potential and sharing their gifts in an aligned way…essentially to create a ripple affect of inspiration. So to me, success has been a natural result, because it is not about me. It is about helping to lift up those around me, so that we can all thrive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have had such a winding and unconventional career path. This is probably in large measure because neither of my parents have had traditional careers. By and large, they both followed their curiosities, and have led what they would call “hand-crafted lives.” I feel very fortunate to have had such non-traditional career role models who always encouraged me to follow my interests, and pursue my passions at every turn.

This has resulted in a multi-faceted career with many meanderings such as writing and editing, modeling and photo shoot production, yoga and wellness, parenting, and most recently within the last few years, brand strategy and elevated content creation. It has taken me quite some time to see how all of these tributaries contribute a cohesive career path. But I realize now that each of these have allowed me to develop very particular skill sets and build wonderful relationships with clients and colleagues that span all industries, and to make meaningful contributions to any team or project.

Having such a non-linear career path, I once viewed myself as a square peg in a round hole. But now realize that I’m more like a Swiss Army Knife that can meld into any team to create elevated brand narratives and content, and strategic framework that convey my deep love for storytelling.

I’m particularly excited about recently launching my new website because it shares my multi-faceted approach to brand strategy, content creation, and modeling. It feels like a perfect place to highlight the skill sets I’ve developed over the years, and show others how they can can potentially utilize me as their “secret weapon.” It’s a really exciting time, and I’m overjoyed to help luminary entrepreneurs in a more public way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So many places to see in the Durango, CO, area! First off I’d check in to one of the historic downtown hotels like the Strater or the General Palmer, then peruse the adorable downtown. Lots of cool boutiques and crystal shops, and some lunch at the Himalayan or Seasons Rotisserie and Grill. Then whisk off to see a little live music at The Office Spiritorium over some delicious appetizers.

Day two I would spend the entire day at the Durango Hot Springs, then swing by the idyllic James Ranch for some farm fresh dinner, live music, and unparalleled views. Maybe a mocktail or cocktails and appetizers that evening at El Moro!

Day three, I would take a really long hike along the Colorado Trail, then head back to the hot springs for a soak and massage on the way back to the hotel.

Day four, I would take a day trip out to Mesa Verde (just a thirty minute-ish drive away), then onward just past Cortez to the exquisite Sutcliffe Vineyards, where I’d enjoy my fill of charcuterie and wine against the backdrop of the astonishingly beautiful Battlerock.

Day five, I would stick closer to home and peruse all of the bookstores in the area, namely Maria’s Bookshop, The White Rabbit Books and Curiosities, and the Second Story Books, just off main street, and punctuate my literary exploits with a chocolate treat from Animas Chocolate Company and lunch or dinner at Primi Pasta and Wine Bar.

Day six, I would enjoy a yoga class at one of Durango’s myriad yoga studios, and hit the Sky Steps for a scenic vertical jaunt, then head to my favorite part of Durango’s River Trail, Oxbow, to lounge on the river beach and watch the rafts and paddle boarders float by. That night I would enjoy Durango’s impressive music scene and listen to whatever acoustic delights were being served up at IAM Music’s Indigo Room.

Day seven, I would head back to the hot springs for another soak and a spa treatment, and relax among Durango’s pristine scenery and reflect on what an amazing place this is!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a gratitude shoutout to my family: starting with both of my parents who always supported me on my path, even and especially during those moments when I so heartily rebelled against the constructs of society. Also to my amazing husband and children, who love me so fiercely and unconditionally no matter what. And also to my band of magnificent friends who lift me up, make me laugh, and inspire me to keep going even on days when putting one foot in front of the other feels challenging.

I have been extremely fortunate build a deeply supportive network of friends and family who keep reminding me to show up as the best version of myself every single day, and who remind me that that may look different on any given day. We really can do it all….

Website: https://www.celestiafrench.com

Instagram: @celestiafrench

Linkedin: Celestia Loeffler French

Image Credits
Please credit Allison Ragsdale Photography for all images.
Thank you!

And please feel free to make the autumnal hued pictures black and white if that makes them more workable. I know it’s jarring to have images from green and lush to autumn in one article. 🙂