Meet Kelly Klus | Yoga Teacher, Ski Instructor & Director at Amazing Brains

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

Hi Kelly, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want my legacy to be one of kindness, generosity, and connection. I want people to leave my presence and feel seen and known. I think we’re all on this journey, to know ourselves, love ourselves and then to know and love one another. I want my life to be full of curiosity and awe; to be rich in moments of silliness and belly laughs. I want to be rooted in compassion, sit with people in their hardest moments and their best moments. I want my career to be part of this mission– can science be an integral part of our path to ourselves and to each other?

What should our readers know about your business?
Amazing Brains is a brain performance practice that leverages neuroscience to support its clients.

I’ve been a huge nerd for brains and brain science since I was gifted neuroscience books in early middle school. The fact that one of our “last frontiers” in science is inside our own skulls, and we have to use our brain to understand itself– makes neuroscience both poetic and irresistible to me. I’m passionate about disseminating brain science to people– the better we understand our brains and nervous systems, the more we can do to navigate life’s challenges.

I’ve gotten to be where I am business-wise with a lot of support. Mentorship is so important in this space– as with any space. Currently, I’m most excited about the journey I’m on to understand the interpretation of EEGs (electroencephalograms). This is also the space where I’m leaning the most on the wisdom of mentors.

EEGs look at the electrical patterning of the brain. Our brains run on chemical and electrical signals; these electrical signals can be captured at the scalp. When we look a these patterns of electrical signals, or brain waves, a whole narrative emerges about an individual’s brain functioning and their tendencies. By teaching a person how to regulate and change their own brain waves, they can recover better from concussion, sleep better, reduce depression/anxiety, and navigate life with more ease.

I feel most privileged in that I get to sit with people and listen to the things that are most important to them. It’s a great joy to show up to work and get to connect with people on a deep and meaningful level. I continue to learn, day in and day out, that humans are complex and beautiful beings, each with our own stories, challenges, and passions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question! I feel incredibly privileged to live in Breckenridge, Colorado. It is my absolute favorite when I get to host people and show off our community and the folks who make living here magical.

I think the best breakfast spot is Cool River, locally owned and operated breakfast spot. They make GREAT breakfast burritos and delightful coffees and pastries– and have curated a friendly vibe. Diane, the owner, goes out of her way to take care of her staff and people in the community.

After breakfast, I would take my visitors to a yoga class at Meta Yoga. With studios in Breckenridge and Frisco, the teachers at Meta know how to hold inclusive space. Whether you need to wind down after a day on the mountain, have a quiet moment of movement, or amp it up with some powerful flows, there’s a class to meet your needs. I have found clarity, connection, and peace in this community.

Two of my favorite activities are mountain biking and playing hockey. In the summer or fall, I’d get my friends on wheels and on the trails! Breckenridge has some of the most beautiful and playful mountain biking trails in the country (I’m only a little biased!). VNTRbirds offers group bike rides and coached experience for women and femme bikers and I could not recommend an experience with them more. Want fast friends, laughs, and extraordinary coaching? Go out with VNTRbirds.

If it’s cold and the ponds are frozen, let’s skate! Pond hockey is a fun and silly way to be outside. Keystone has a pond with skate rentals and I love bringing people there for a friendly game. (Bonus when total beginners are willing to be humbled by how HARD skating can be!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In every aspect of my life, I have counted on people around me to be guides, mentors, sounding boards, compasses and friends. I think every person needs a whole counsel of advisors, guides, and listening ears.

Professionally, one of my great mentors is Micah Shanser. From Micah, not only have I learned an immense amount about brain science and performance coaching, but I’ve also learned about how to be an kind and generous leader. Micah disarms people quickly with humor and humility, and his compassion leads him towards lasting friendships and professional connections.

Academically and scientifically, I have many mentors who have spent time, effort and energy in the realm of neuroscience and have been willing to impart wisdom, advice and perspective. Specifically, Jordan Hirshon at NY Neurofeedback clinic and Katie Gregg at OPTML have both spent many hours with our team, nerding out on EEG patterns, neuroanatomy and reviewing case studies. It’s always an inspiration to be among people who are both knowledgeable and generous with their knowledge.

What keeps me balanced in my life, what brings me equanimity of mind is yoga– and the community of folks around me who curate beautiful spaces to go inwards. One friend and absolute Alchemist in the yoga community is Cherise “Cheese” Gary. She’s inclusive, thoughtful, and incredibly talented in leading yoga and sound healing. Each class with her is a ceremony of sorts, where you’re invited to be with your whole and true self. I’ve been blessed to not only call Cheese a yoga teacher, but also a friend, roommate, and source of admiration/inspiration.

Website: https://amazingbrains.com

Instagram: @amazingbrainsperformance

Facebook: Amazing Brains Performance

Image Credits
Tanja Sussman