The TeleWellness Hub Podcast

Finding Your Soul's Fire: Elizabeth Rogers on Community, Transformation, and Authentic Living

• Martamaria Hamilton

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Elizabeth Rogers, CEO of PopLife wellness space in Cleveland and certified yoga instructor, shares her transformative journey from law and investment banking to creating a community-centered wellness space that blends creativity and personal growth.

• Recognizing at age 31 that she was living someone else's life, just "checking boxes"
• Finding herself with an unfulfilling marriage, demanding job, and only valuing her title
• Experiencing multiple life changes in one month – miscarriage, marriage issues, job ending
• Moving back to her parents' house at 31 before deciding to pursue yoga teacher training in Bali
• Discovering that relinquishing control brought freedom rather than fear
• Learning from others' trauma stories that shame and guilt serve no purpose
• Creating PopLife as a space where "everyone has something to offer, everyone has something to learn"
• Establishing a holistic center with nutritious food, fitness classes, and community spaces
• Emphasizing the correlation between community connection and happiness
• Encouraging meditation as the first step to embracing personal change

If you're interested in learning more about PopLife, check out their Instagram @poplifecle or email poplifeconnection@gmail.com.


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Speaker 1:

Welcome, friends, to another episode of the Telewellness Hub podcast. Today, I get to speak with Elizabeth Rogers, ceo of PopLife, a wellness space in Cleveland, and also she's a certified yoga instructor. We're going to get to talk a little bit about the wellness space that she has that blends creativity, community and personal transformation. With a background in law, investment, banking and operational strategy, biz transitioned from a successful legal and finance career to entrepreneurship and in 2018, she became a certified yoga instructor in Bali, which deepened her passion for wellness and reshaped her leadership approach At PopLife. She combines her diverse professional experience with a commitment to empowering individuals through holistic programs and transformative experiences. Welcome.

Speaker 2:

Thank you, thank you, I'm so glad to be here.

Speaker 1:

Yes, before we hit record, I was already really getting excited to hear it. That is a big leap from this law, world and industry to what you're doing now, and so I can't wait to hear a little bit about that transition. And before we do, I want to know a little bit more about why do you do the wellness work that you do?

Speaker 2:

Yeah. So I guess, to kick it off, everyone in their lives have these journeys that you kind of go on, and sometimes, for me personally, it was one of those things where when especially when I turned 31, I started to realize my life was not necessarily my life. All of these decisions that I'd made up to this point weren't because I wanted to make them, it was just because it was like checking the boxes. It was the right things to do, and I was in at that point in time, a marriage that was very unfulfilling, a job that was really demanding. But the only thing that I liked about it was my title in it, just not the work, nothing really else about it.

Speaker 2:

So for me it was the start of this journey to be the happiest, healthiest person I possibly could be on this planet. And once I started really going down that path, I realized that, while it might look different for every single individual, we all have the capacity, the ability, the propensity to be our happiest, healthiest selves. So it became this thing I was really passionate about, you know having this wellness space for myself, having the ability to search for health and wellness for myself, but also to really introduce people to the thoughts to the mindset really that, um, you know they can be, do, have anything and achieve anything. So yeah, that's where it all started.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's incredible. I I appreciate you sharing because I think, um there, everyone's journey into like the decisions they made right and to the space that they're in, especially a wellness space it comes from. I've learned over the time of this podcast, like from their own transformation and a deep intention and a passion. I think that's something that you keep hearing and I love hearing the story behind the passion, Like why are you doing this work? And there's always this passion. I love hearing about that. And just, it was so cool to hear you talk about like being okay, diverting from the things that check the box. Yes, I feel like I bet that's really empowering for your own clients, for you to like model through that right Like to for you to be able to know what it looks like to make decisions, to follow a different path, because it can take a lot of courage, I think.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely, and for me personally. So I grew up in a really big Irish Catholic family. We were one of seven kids, so something that was instilled in us was financial insecurity at a very young age. So, you know, wanting to pursue things that provided stability, security in ways that you think like, oh, this is important, this is what success looks like in society, this is what, you know, we should really strive for.

Speaker 2:

But then realizing, you know none of that matters. Money is energy. You know everything that we do is actually, in fact, energy. And when you start to really take a look around and realize you know, listen to yourself, listen to whatever you know, your inner voice is saying. I think powerful, magical things do happen and it is difficult to make a big life change just because the unknown is the unknown. You don't know what you don't know and you know. For that reason it can be scary, but I also think it's one of the most powerful, impactful things that you can do is just really tune in and start to follow. You know what your own soul is saying.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I love that. That's so powerful. One of the things I really wanted to talk to you about in this episode is just your own experience and insight, with your background, on like this idea of taking control of your life. With so much uncertainty, so much, you cannot control what that looks like. So I don't know if you can share with with listeners a little bit about what that process looks like. So I don't know if you can share with listeners a little bit about what that process looks like. I feel like that segued a little bit into it right, like taking control of your life, like what that looks like and what are some of the major blocks that people typically have when it comes to that and how to overcome it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. So for me at least, and especially in the industries that I started cutting my teeth in, it was just super demanding and there was such a box that you needed to really fit into and it was just well-established and well-understood. These are the behaviors you exhibit, this is the work that you do, these are the hours that you spend doing it, and everything's just very work that you do. These are the hours that you spend doing it and you know, everything's just very contrived and, in a way, very controlled. So you know, when I got to the point where I started realizing this is not what sets my soul on fire, this is not, you know, fulfillment, which to me is doing the things that make your brain buzz, doing the things that really feed you. And it doesn't matter what those things are. You could be a mathematician and you could be sitting at a computer, you know crunching numbers. If that sets your soul on fire and you are fulfilled, that is truly worth pursuing, you know, and that's where passion kind of comes into play.

Speaker 2:

But for me it was one of those things where, when I was on my journey, my life kind of kicked me out of it. So I was in a marriage that was not in any way serving me. I was living, actually, in the location of my ex-husband, surrounded by his friends, his family, and he also just wasn't very nice. Things were his way or no way. And then my job was just one of those things where I found fulfillment in certain things, like in my title. But then I realized, like none of this matters, like none of it, none of it matters.

Speaker 2:

And we to get a little personal were trying to have kids and I ended up having a really horrible miscarriage and being told you might never be able to have kids. And all at once I realized, um, and I mean, everything's okay, I actually have two lovely daughters now, and like things are fantastic. But, um, I really realized that my ex-husband was not this person that I wanted to have kids with because I didn't want them to be like him. And then I realized you know my job, I just didn't care about it. And then I realized you know my environment, like all of these things you're kind of like hanging your hat and identity on were not things that I necessarily wanted to identify myself with. So I distinctly remember the day then my company that I was working for sold, so they called me, and this was all within a month period of time.

Speaker 1:

This is a lot for one person.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, and it was all within a month where you know all these things kind of started happening. And so my company called and they said we are selling, so you know, we're giving you a great severance package, but you're going to have to find another place of employment. And I just sat and like laughed. I wasn't upset, I didn't cry, I just realized like my universe was kicking me out of it. But I actually had been manifesting that all along, because I think I realized like this was not fulfilling. This wasn't you know what I was looking for.

Speaker 2:

So I ended up moving back home to my parents' house that I hadn't lived in since I was 18, just starting college, and it was one of those things where it was somewhat humbling, but also just exactly where I needed to be. And in losing control, I think I gained my sense of self and realizing that you know you can't control anything, but your mindset truly, and your mindset is where everything stems from. Uh, it was the most freeing thing in the entire world and I still look back. I was only there for three weeks before I decided to move to Bali, get my teacher training and just kind of look at my life differently. But yeah, I just look back in that time with such fondness, because it was such a just relinquishing of control. But instead of bringing in fear, it actually brought such relief. It was really empowering, I guess.

Speaker 1:

That is incredible, and also I. I find it amazing that I didn't know any of this in your background when we got connected. But I we have so many parallels. Because I went through a divorce, I found myself moving in with my parents. I had not lived with them since I was 18, you know, college, grad school, like was in my ex-husband's world a little bit before and found myself doing yoga teacher training after my divorce.

Speaker 1:

It's kind of not in Bali, that would be incredible but really like kind of starting all over and I could relate and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of like sometimes things are destroyed so you can put them back together yeah in like an incredible way. I I had a an amazing colleague who told me once like stained glass windows can only be made from pieces of like broken glass right, yes, I love that too.

Speaker 1:

So, just like, what a testament to you creating this amazing life from what some people could consider like okay, like like things fell apart, but you like created something beautiful from from it and having peace, and probably having peace while relinquishing control in a sense. Right Like, in the sense of letting go of of certain circumstances and doing what you could to to make decisions in your life, because I think that's not an easy thing to do. So.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, no, not at all. You know, and it was within that journey that you know, like, obviously I was focused on myself at that time. But, you know, when I started sharing my story, like especially when I was doing the yoga teacher training year, I was with people from all over the world and started realizing, like everyone holds on to trauma right, like we all carry things that have happened to us and some things that have happened to people are truly objectively awful and it's really interesting to see you know what happens after to this individual. Do they, you know, what happens after to this individual? Do they, you know, kind of succumb to it or do they, you know, take it and grow from it? And it was also one of those things where I realized that shame and guilt just have no place in this world for anything, for anyone, in any circumstance.

Speaker 2:

And I truly think that, just because you know even the most awful things, the most awful people, all of it stems from experiences. We are the sum total of all of our experiences that have led us to being. You know exactly who and what we are at this point in time. I also, like my own personal belief, is that we are all one. So you know all of our collective experiences. There is a place and there is, you know, a scientific basis behind our connections together. So you know, looking at all of us differently or saying in a really judgmental way, I wouldn't do that or I wouldn't do this, it's like, no, you actually probably would, had you taken that walk through life that you know that other individual did.

Speaker 2:

So it was really starting to listen to all of these other experiences that people had that I truly started to heal because I realized, like I didn't, I don't need to hold onto this because I'm not judging them for what happened to themselves. So why am I judging me, you know, and, um, I didn't have to. Or you know, like you hear other people's stories and you feel just, uh, like I can't believe that happened to you. That's really awful, but you feel still love for them and it's like, oh my gosh, you know if I can feel that for someone else, like they can feel that for me, or like I can feel that for myself. So, yeah, it was truly like in the context of other people that I started realizing you know more about myself.

Speaker 1:

Yes, and that that brings me to this really key thing that I'm hearing like when the sense of community right Like it sounds like you were surrounded by others there's this interconnectedness that is core value of your beliefs, this sense of community and collaboration and learning from others. Share with us a little bit about how you see community. Others share with us a little bit about how you see community. It sounds like you're even you built a community right With there now in Cleveland and through your business.

Speaker 1:

So, yeah, talk to me a little bit about how community can help, because I think now with technology is incredible, because we can have these digital communities we can have in-person communities, and I think at the same time, there's research that we are feeling more isolated than ever, and so I think, there's like this transformative power in community I've never talked about on this podcast, so I'd love to hear your perspective on the importance of community.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah. So I mean, I think it is one of those things where you know we are, in general, like innately, biologically, beings that gravitate towards other beings, and I feel like the more we isolate and especially you know we saw with COVID kind of the worse it gets. It's almost attractive, in a way, to not have to go out, to not have to do things, to not have to be busy, and like there's something to be said for taking true rest and relaxation and time for yourself. But there also is just such immense power in support and, you know, higher vibrations with other individuals. And so, like I said, for me personally, on my own healing journey, it was one of those things where I feel like I started actually healing when I was surrounded by other people who were very supportive of me and very understanding, and so I think it's like such a buzzword, right, like we say things like community, we say things like passion or wellness. What does that even mean? And I think, like you know, there might be similar connotations that we all have in our brains when you hear those words. But, um, you know, to me community is truly just, uh, a group of individuals, like-minded or not, uh, who are, you know, there to support each other, there to um, grow in different ways. Uh, and one of the things that is a core ethos, at least at Pop Life, and what we're trying to build together, is that everyone has something to offer. Also, conversely, everyone has something to learn. So we're really trying to make it a place where you have the table to offer what you can. You have the place to, you know, really list out your passions, to explore them, to talk about them, to discuss the things that you're good at, that you have knowledge about, you know, and then, to the other side of it, a place to really learn and grow in those ways that you're interested in doing. So, and I think so. For me, it's community is one of those things where you know you're building something together and you're really creating a new social construct. You know something that our social construct, you know, if we look at it on a more high level, to me it's it's kind of in trouble. Right now, our country is, you know, more divisive and divided than ever, but, you know, unfortunately, I think we're just not realizing that we have more that connects us than you know, we're willing to acknowledge and to look at. So, yeah, that's just, you know, wanting to build something together and also really wanting to support each other in a way that's not just word salad, it's not just you know words just to say it, it's actual, actual support. And what that means is, you know, celebrating victories when someone else achieves something, and that is, you know, if somebody needs something, being there to provide it.

Speaker 2:

There's this documentary called Happy that I talk about seriously, probably once a week. It's my favorite documentary of all time. I have not seen that. Oh, it's so good.

Speaker 2:

It was on Netflix for a while I don't think it is anymore, but, um, so it's the study of human happiness, and they went through all different cultures all over the entire world, uh, and they gave people just kind of the opportunity to ascribe a level of happiness to themselves.

Speaker 2:

So some people, for example, they went to Wall Street and they would ask people what makes you happy, and everyone that's walking by says money, money. But they look very miserable, they don't look happy at all. And then there was, for example, this man who literally lived in a hut and it had a mud floor and he was so happy. You could just see the joy radiating from his face, like you could feel it and you know, even through the camera, and you know he described his life and he's surrounded by friends, family, community, and that was everything he needed. So the documentary itself made no conclusions but it did give an opportunity to kind of look at all of these different cultures and they found cultures that focused more on community, on building things together, on not dividing, you know, by even by family, necessarily like the groups and communities that would do dinners together and, you know, group activities. They rated themselves as much happier than you know these other communities where people were just kind of isolated in their you know, separate little boxes.

Speaker 1:

I need to check out the documentary, but, yeah, I love that and you bringing up that we have more that unites us, then divides us and really looking at like that key to the happiness, I think that's that's huge. Yeah, no, I think it's so inspiring and to be able to create a space where that's available for people, right, that's what, like it sounds like you've created this, like through your background, your training, your leadership skills. Before recording, I know you mentioned like you used to talk in front of like hundreds of people, right, so like, yeah, taking like all your experiences, right, and like transforming into this, like pouring it into this opportunity to bring like healing and happiness, right, and wellness, um, for others. I think that's incredible. So I just I, I love this opportunity to connect with people that are like lights in the world, right, like being a light and like amplifying that light, and you know you're amplifying the lights and others. I think that's great.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, well, and that's the goal I mean. So the center, it was this idea I would talk to. So, like I said, I'm one of seven kids, you know huge family and a few of my siblings and I would. I was working at an investment bank at the time and it was just really long hours, really difficult work, and I would just talk to them about doing something that was just completely positive.

Speaker 2:

Because there's so much, I felt like I was just surrounded by a lot of negativity, even in the workplace. It would just be like silent all day. People would just be head down, work, work, work, work, and it was like this. But this is life, you know, like this is our lives and what are we doing. And so we originally were talking about starting something like an app that would be like Reddit, but for just purely positivity. You are not allowed to like almost like a mental diet as well. Positivity you are not allowed to like almost like a mental diet as well. Like we're not allowed to say anything negative or think anything negative, but you really like train yourself to not look at things, um, you know, from a negative way, and once you start doing that for a while, everything changes. You know, like the world kind of opens up, um so for. So for me, you know, I started really thinking very seriously about opening a center that would kind of take everything holistically so mind, body, soul, but a little bit more than that, wanting to focus on the physical, the mental, emotional, spiritual, like all these aspects that comprise a happy, healthy human being, with the belief that if one of those areas is truly lacking or, you know, there's something that's like kind of off or imbalanced, you know you're not going to be able to achieve your most fulfilled, satisfied, happy self. So the center started as, kind of, you know, first an app, and then we were like, well, what if we had a place? You know that people could go to that. It would be the physical manifestation, yeah, and then, um, so, you know, long story short, I ended up individually stumbling into this building that had been created, uh, you know, with the concept in mind. It was a little different. It was more along the lines of artists to create and become fulfilled through that avenue.

Speaker 2:

But in my eyes, everyone is an artist. You can be an artist, like I said, bringing up math or anything that's even very analytical. Everyone is an artist in their own ways. It truly is just putting out what makes your soul get set on fire, what really feeds your brain, what really makes everything just kind of buzz and align and resonate. So, yeah, like the center that we have has a cafe with food that is 100% nutritious, all we want is clean, healthy, down to the energy that's put into it while it's being cooked. All of it is really thought of and just wanting it to be the cleanest possible fuel that we can have for an individual.

Speaker 2:

And then we have our studios upstairs where it's just wanting non-denominational fitness. So obviously I love yoga. That's how I connect to the flow state, but that's not the only way to connect. You can connect your mind, your body, your soul through, you know, breathing techniques, through running, through boxing, even anything that you're really have practiced with your body enough that your body is able to forget your mind and you can just, you know, truly meditate while you're doing it. And so we do have, you know, pit classes, kettlebell classes, just dance, like all different kinds of things we're wanting to bring in and start to like inculcate into the community. And then we have a really big downstairs space where the hopeful, you know, extension of it will be something that is similar to meetupcom, but in real form.

Speaker 2:

So here's our community. You can have clubs, you can have groups, you can have anything that all members can really join and you're able to do and wanting to do TED Talks. So we want to have people that are all in the community that can just teach people different things. So, for example, one of my brothers, his soul is set on fire with tax law and I mean he just is. You know my last name's Rogers. He is Mr Rogers, sounded like the same, you know, but, um, you know like I would love to have him come in and do a discussion on how do you do your taxes? How does it work? Yeah, Right, like whatever it is that people can offer and want to offer, just having a place to do that. Yeah, we're really just here to facilitate other people on their journey in a way that is as non-denominational as possible, as like not prescriptive or directive, just really giving people the tools and letting them, you know, find themselves through it.

Speaker 1:

This is incredible. I wish you were in, like every city. I was like this would be incredible. Maybe that's like a dream, I don't know.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that actually, that actually is the dream. And even just having it be almost like like the pay it forward effect, right, like having it be something where it's like no, it's truly. I think that there is a huge yearning in people for community, for connection, for nourishment. So I think there is a place for positive communities everywhere.

Speaker 1:

Yes, this is amazing and that this is now your workplace, like I'm just picturing, like the contrast right From like before, like this is your place of work too. It's just so many things for so many people. I think that's incredible. Well, I think my last question. You know we're talking about this like change and like things that you know when you made changes in your life and as change is happening internally or like with the mind, you know changing our mindset different things like that for people who are going through a change right now.

Speaker 1:

I think there are a lot of people right now, um, going through some kind of transformation, going through changes or wanting to create a change in their life. What would you share in terms of how to embrace the change, how to start the change, embrace the change, adapt to change or respond to change? What would you share about that?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean, I think there's all different kinds of tools that can really help to facilitate it. Changing anything is very difficult because by the time you're 30, your pathways and the way you think and the way you interpret the world, and even down to the patterns and the habits that you engage in on a day-to-day basis, are really well-defined. So, for our bodies, even needed change, even healthy change, feels really awful sometimes. That's why it's hard to create a physical routine if that's not something that you've done or been doing. It's hard to create a healthy mental routine, it's hard to do anything truly if it is a full change, and so I think my best advice, or what I would say, is truly trust yourself, let yourself.

Speaker 2:

I would start with meditation, because to me that is has always been the most impactful thing that I ever do, and meditation comes in all different forms and what resonates for some people resonates differently for others. Um, but truly, what it boils down to is quieting your mind and letting yourself speak, so you know, and just really being able to hear yourself. So it it would be to give yourself the time and space to think about who you are and what you are and what do you want to be and a lot of times you know when people are unhappy and they want to change. There's a lot of environmental factors, you know that surround that. So sometimes it's requiring you to remove yourself from an environment that is a very ingrained, that has, you know, a huge overreaching web of. You know different factors and ramifications from that change. So it's just trusting in your gut that it will all be okay and it always is right, like there's time is infinite.

Speaker 2:

You know in one year from now if you do or say something that won't matter, then you know, don't hold onto it, don't have anxiety over it. Just you know tell yourself like, look in a year you you might not even remember that in five years where do you want to be and what do you need to do now you know to get there and, um, you know a lot of times people know that. But that first step is always the hardest. It's a what do they say in business? We fly wheel or the mill wheel. I always get this wrong, but it's really hard to start. But once you start moving it goes faster and faster and creates more and more friction. Right and so trusting in that as well, the hardest step is the first one. That's why getting to the gym I think it's like the 40% of like the hardest part is just getting there, just showing up.

Speaker 1:

You know, I love that and showing up with your like there's so many paths like you mentioned, like getting understanding that and showing up with your like there's so many paths like you mentioned like getting your understanding, like showing up for yourself. Really, it's like showing up for yourself. Yeah, I love that. I love that being in tune. What is the best way to get a hold of you? This for those listening and they're like, oh my gosh, I want to learn more. How do I um fly out to Cleveland, ohio or?

Speaker 1:

like how do I connect? How? Is the best way for people to reach you.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so, uh, you can check out our, either our Instagram we're at pop life, so P O P L I, f, e, c, l E or or you can reach out to me through email at poplifeconnection at gmailcom. And yeah, our website also, like any form of connect to us, will get to me. That's awesome.

Speaker 1:

I love that. I love that. Well, biz, thank you so much for being a part of our wellness journey today. I feel like this is so encouraging and so needed right now for a lot of people feeling like divided, lacking community, like needing to make shifts. There's change. How do I embrace it? Learning to really also be okay with thinking of like, how do I look at my own wellbeing, like, how do I prioritize my wellness? How do I embrace change? How do I take control of my own life? So thank you so much for for your insight, you sharing your vulnerability, like your authentic story, with us too, and just thank you so much for being a part of this wellness journey.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. Thank you so much for having me and, yeah, if anybody does have any questions, issues, you know anything, please feel free to reach out. I'm always here, even as just an ear as well. All right, thank you, thank you.