For Mandi Sheridan, community is not about proximity — it is about purpose. It is the experience of people from different backgrounds, ages, and identities coming together to work on themselves in a shared space of growth. While yoga first entered her life as a physical practice, it became something far more meaningful during a challenging season that reshaped her perspective. What started on the mat evolved into an anchor — one that grounded her mentally, invited her into the present moment, and ultimately softened the way she moved through her career and her life. In this conversation, Mandi reflects on how yoga deepened her understanding of community, redefined her view of success, and guided her toward a more authentic, intentional path.
Where Different Lives Meet With One Shared Purpose
What does community mean to you, and how has it shaped who you are and the path that you’ve been on to this point?
Community to me is seeing people, regardless of their background, age, color, or gender, coming together in a room and working on themselves. It is bringing people together in a simple way, but with a shared purpose for why they are there. In my experience, that purpose is often yoga.
The Practice That Brought Her Back to Herself
When did yoga become a part of your life, and in that, did you find a sense of community as you developed this passion for yoga?
Yoga started as an individual experience for me, mostly focused on the physical aspect. But then I hit a really tough period in my life, specifically from 2018 through 2019, and I gravitated more and more toward yoga. It became this anchor for me. I started realizing that yoga is so much more than the physical aspect. It supported me mentally and helped me understand what yoga truly is, because it is not just physical. It is mental.
It also taught me how to incorporate breathwork in a way that creates internal calm, so when you leave your mat, you can experience situations through a new lens.
I really anchored myself in yoga. I am not very consistent with most things in my life, but yoga became the one thing that was consistent. I told myself that if I stayed consistent for a full year, I wanted to do more with it. And I did. I started taking classes, sometimes up to six days a week, because I felt this pull to learn more, not just about the practice, but about myself.
It became this really beautiful experience. What I thought was just a physical workout became something much deeper. Things would come to the surface when I stepped on my mat. Different feelings, sensations, and emotions. Yoga brings me into the present moment, which I have always struggled with.
I felt this shift and realized that if yoga could support me through hard times and help me overcome challenges, why would I not continue doing it?
From Climbing Faster to Finally Slowing Down
When you think about designing a life you love, what do you envision, and are you living it?
I previously worked in a fast-paced, high-volume role where I did not make enough time for myself. I also was not making enough time for my family and friends. It was just work, work, work.
When I introduced yoga more consistently, I started realizing I was climbing the ladder so intensely, but where was I really going? I thought I knew it was the top of the ladder, but as I climbed, I realized I was actually tired of climbing. Each step felt like I was losing my purpose and losing myself.
When I began integrating yoga more deeply, and eventually guiding others, I noticed that hardness in my life started to soften. I entered a softer space where I became okay with being content and not always climbing.
I am still focused on maintaining stability and living comfortably, but I am also giving myself the mental and physical space to explore what comes next.
I am on the path toward living the life I want. It is a softer life. It is a life where I appreciate the present moment more and embrace the journey instead of constantly focusing on the next step.
Sometimes I imagine sitting on the ladder and looking around, realizing how far I have come, and appreciating the view.
I am embracing this softer phase of my life, trusting that it will continue to evolve into something meaningful, even if I do not know exactly what that looks like yet.
Why Authenticity Matters More Than Achievement
What is your definition of success today?
Success for me is living as authentically as possible. It is being happy and surrounding myself with people who align with who I am and the phase of life I am in.
Success is no longer about money, titles, or roles. It is about being happy living the life I have right now.
It is also about having people in my life who allow me to be myself completely. Success is authenticity. It is living for myself and finding genuine happiness.
The Power of Intentional Pauses and Daily Space
What are the habits that allow you to reach that definition of success?
My habits center around creating intentional pauses in my day. Taking a lunch break. Committing to at least 30 minutes for myself every day. Ending my workday at a reasonable time whenever possible.
Having clear stops and breaks in my day helps me stay mentally balanced.
When I take proper lunch breaks and prepare for them, I eat better. I am not rushing to grab something quickly or skipping meals entirely. Instead, I give myself the time to sit and eat.
It may sound simple, but these small habits have made a big difference. Taking breaks, ending my workday, and creating space allows me to teach yoga, practice yoga, and engage in other meaningful activities.
Simply creating structure and intentional pauses throughout the day has been transformative.
The Quiet Voice of Self-Doubt That Questions Worthiness
What do you think keeps women from taking opportunities that might be presented to them?
I think what often holds women back is self-doubt. Sometimes we question whether we are worthy or capable, even when we are.
Women often take a more emotional approach, which is not a bad thing. But it can lead to questions like, am I worthy? Am I capable? Do I have enough knowledge to take this next step?
That internal questioning can sometimes prevent us from moving forward.
Why Seeing Someone Like You Changes Everything
How do we help women move past that self-doubt and step into opportunities instead of holding back?
I think it starts with visibility and representation. Seeing other women who are relatable and who have done what you aspire to do can be incredibly powerful.
Even sitting here today, I questioned whether I was worthy of being interviewed. But I felt inspired by this community of women and wanted to be part of it.
In my own career, a woman leader believed in me and advocated for me. She helped me reach my next role and earn the salary I had been working toward for years.
I truly believe in women lifting other women up. Not that men cannot do that, because many men have supported me as well, but there is something uniquely powerful about seeing someone you relate to succeed.
It reminds you that you can do it too.
Fear exists for a reason. It keeps us safe. But moving past fear can also be empowering.
It comes down to recognizing what you have already accomplished and trusting that you are capable of taking the next step.
Holding Onto Fearlessness While Continuing to Evolve
What advice would you give younger you?
I would tell her to keep that desire to do more, regardless of what other people say.
When I think about my younger self, she was fearless. Maybe even too fearless at times. She had dreams and did not let anything stand in her way.
I lost some of that along the way, but I still carry her with me. She is still there.
My advice would be to never stop dreaming, to keep evolving, and to never be afraid of taking the next step, no matter what anyone else thinks.
About Mandi Sheridan
Mandi Sheridan blends 10+ years of sales operations leadership with her passion for yoga and holistic well-being. Known for her empathetic, people-first leadership style, she empowers people to drive results and build trust. Follow Mandi’s yoga journey at AwakenYourFlow.
