For our 18th episode, I had the pleasure to sit down with Maris Degener. Maris is a yoga teacher, mental health advocate, artist, and writer. I met her on Instagram and we became friends. I loved the way she approached mental health and eating disorders, having my own history with these issues. A beautiful documentary was done on her and I went to watch it at the Mill Valley Film Festival. As I laughed and cried, I thought she would make a great guest for the podcast.

Listen to the episode here :

Thank you so much for listening and being part of our 18th episode! We have other great guests lined up for you so make sure to subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen!

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QUESTIONS SHE ANSWERED

• Can you tell us a bit about your story?
• How did you get to where you are today? How did you find yoga?
• How has yoga impacted your mental health and your life in general? When you got approached to do the movie, how did you first react to the offer? Once you accepted, what was your hope?
• How was the process of making that movie?
• How involved in the storytelling were you?
• Why do you think it’s important to share our stories?
• What does fierceness authenticity means for you?
• What has writing your blog, given you?
• Why does it matter, why do you continue to do it?
• How do you balance supporting others and protecting yourself and your energy?
• How do you feel that you can help other people?
• Is there one tip you often give to people?
• Why is the movie called I am Maris? Is the title about exposing and accepting everything that you are?
• Why did you choose to focus the film on recovery instead of on the challenges and the darkness?
• How do you feel when you look at older art pieces you’d done?
• What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned through this journey?
• What one silver lining you can see from these years of suffering?
• If you had a magic wand and could erase those challenging years of your life, would you or would you choose to relive them?
• You’ve been touring film festivals, what are some of the best questions you got at the end of the screenings from the crowd?
• What’s next for you? Any big projects coming up?

ABOUT OUR GUEST

An East Bay Area native, Maris Degener is a yoga teacher, mental health advocate, writer, and UCSC student. Since becoming certified in Vinyasa at 16, Maris’s love of yoga and passion for sharing its offerings has only grown. Using the physical practice of yoga, Maris’s classes allow students to access the internal strength and power within themselves. Maris’s classes are empowering, loving, and push students to find their own unique edge whether that be physical, emotional, or otherwise. Maris’s teachings and writings have been recognized by CNN Health, Seventeen Magazine, Girls’ Life Magazine, and others.

Find more about her here: Blog: yogamaris.net

Instagram: @yogamaris

Follow what’s happening with the movie : Movie: iammarismovie.com