Meet Jillian Gordon | Health & Wellness Coach | Yoga Teacher

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

Hi Jillian, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My views on work-life balance has changed a lot over the years. In my 20’s I ran myself into the ground trying to have it all. It lead to my diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder, as well as anxiety and depression. Instead of listening to my body and mind, I pushed myself to the brink. I was working full-time while dedicating my weekends to my art and candle making business. Unfortunately, I was also in a very toxic marriage that would eventually lead to divorce. At the time it was complete devastation, but looking back it was the exact path I was meant to follow.

To ensure my physical safety, I had to leave everything behind when I left my home. My art studio, my candle making workshop, investments, all of it. The only thing I kept was my job. That is until COVID-19 came along. My entire life had been turned upside down, then it happened again to the entire world just a few months later. This complete reset allowed me to find deep healing through yoga, meditation, therapy, and coaching. For the first time in my life, I allowed myself to rest and restore without judgement. I started listening to my mind and body and honoring those needs. My intuition began to guide me toward my purpose in a way that is mindful instead of destructive. Most importantly, I started to detach my self-worth from my productivity. As humans we are equally valuable no matter what, regardless of what or how much we produce.

Today, I don’t see work-life as needing to be balanced, but instead aligned. If my work is in alignment with my life and vice versa, then I am promoting well-being. I started Spark Your Inner Light as a response to what I am in alignment with. Service to others, creativity, freedom, honesty, and connection are core beliefs that are integrated in both my business and personal life. As a Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher, I get to help other people improve their work-life alignment, reduce chronic pain, and manage stress. It’s a dream come true.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started Spark Your Inner Light during a period of deep healing. After leaving an abusive marriage, I had to start my life over from scratch. I lost my art studio and candle making workshop, I lost my home and investment property, and just a few months later COVID-19 hit. I quit my career as a dental hygienist due to burn out during the pandemic and was lost as I searched for my purpose. As devastating as all of this was, it was leading me to my true path and passion. Through yoga, meditation, therapy, coaching, and other healing modalities, I came to know myself more intimately and what I was put here to do.

In my search for the next steps in my life, I found YogaMedCo, a program founded by Dr. Suzie Carmack. Accredited by both the National Board for Health & Wellness and Yoga Alliance, I was excited to be accepted into an evidence based program that also took a holistic approach to health. After completing the program, I took the boards to become a Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) as well as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200).

I knew my entrepreneurial spirit would not be taking me back to the workforce in a clinical setting as a health coach, so I went to work building my business, Spark Your Inner Light. As a healer, I am beyond grateful that I can serve others while doing what I love. Through health coaching and yoga, I help people reduce chronic pain, achieve work-life alignment, and manage stress.

My personal journey with my health has given me unique insight into the struggles of chronic pain and stress. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia along with anxiety and depression, I wasn’t surprised as I had been dealing with symptoms since I was a teenager. It took many years of trial-and-error to figure out what lifestyle changes I needed to make to feel my best. It wasn’t until I worked with a health coach myself that I was really able to dig in and figure out what I needed to be healthy and have a sense of well-being. It feels so good to be able to give that back to others and empower people to change their lives.

I firmly believe that there is no “right” way to do things, and each person has a unique vision of what they want their life to look like and what their abilities are. My job as a health coach is to help map out personalized goals, then provide unconditional support in achieving them in a judgement-free space. What works for me isn’t going to work for everyone, so customizing a plan that is based on the individual is how to make lasting positive change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m fairly new to Denver, so I haven’t had a full taste of the city yet. But first I would go to Olde Town Arvada and have tacos at Teocalli, then see live music at The Bluegrass Coffee Lounge. I would definitely spend a day at The Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Museum of Nature & Science. A concert a Red Rocks is a must for a visit here, and try to squeeze in another show at the Mission. For brunch and drinks, Avanti is the spot with many different foods to choose from, a great beer selection, and stadium seating with a view of the mountains. Last, I’d head to RiNo at the Denver Central Market for food and shopping.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe all of my success to the support and love of my family, friends, and partner. I have some of the best humans in my life that anyone could ask for. They encourage me, give me insight, nudge me out of my comfort zone, and have held me up in my darkest moments. No matter what my goals and dreams are, I feel fully supported.

I also want to give a shoutout to Gin Burchfield of Pure Life Massage & Ayurveda. She has been my coach throughout the process of becoming a Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach myself and starting my business. Gin has been an integral part of my personal growth and expansion. She has helped me tap deeper into my intuition, address deeply held limiting beliefs, and create the life I want. In working with her, I’ve also become a better coach myself.

Website: https://www.sparkyourinnerlight.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkyourinnerlight/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SparkYourInnerLight

Image Credits
Jacqie McKenzie