Building Community and Connection in Business with Deborah Miller

**SPEAKER_2** (0:06)
The Bliss Business Podcast, the show about empathy, connection and consciousness in business. Today's episode is brought to you by Zero Company, your paid search, social media, and programmatic ad experts.

**Stephen Segasch** (0:20)
So yeah, I'm no longer allowed to wear this costume anymore. I had this parasitic twin that is on my shoulder, and so I'd go as like good cop, cop, and I did the pirate, and I put a little beak on it, so it was a costume with the costume, and so it was my little parrot. But yeah, my daughter, when she was like, this was maybe too young, she was like six, seven, eight. She was like, we named it Ted, and she's all, you aren't wearing Ted this year, are you? So I've no longer, I've been banned from wearing that for years. Ted has not come down from the attic, and I think that's still kind of frightens her. But anyway, hello, hello.

**Deborah Miller** (0:59)
It's always the wedding, someday.

**Stephen Segasch** (1:03)
Welcome back to the show, everyone. It is Halloween, but we are exploring something entirely different. We are talking about the impact of community, wellness, and connection in business. I'm Stephen Segasch here again with Mike Lusky and our special guest. We are live. So if you have questions or comments, send them along and we'll try to get them in the mix during our conversation like we do.
Mike, introduce our guest today.

**Mike Lusky** (1:30)
Absolutely, Stephen. It would be my pleasure. Our guest today is not only a good friend, but she's also an absolute firecracker, as you'll see hopefully through the show today. So it's my absolute pleasure to invite Deborah Miller. She's not only a certified yoga instructor, but she's also the visionary behind YNG Studios, which is one of our local businesses here in San Clemente. She's renowned for her unique approach particularly, which blends ancient wisdom with modern movement practices that really appeal to people of all backgrounds. Her journey into yoga started as a healing path, after multiple surgeries and a competitive athletic career, which we'll hear a little bit more today later in the show. Ultimately, this transformed her life, helping her and leading her to a career dedicated to wellness and community. Deborah's commitment to balance health and purpose, which we know are key elements of our show, extends beyond her studio, including her work as a missionary and community work that she's done building in Africa, as well as here in the US. Through YNG Studios, Deborah has created a space that fosters community, resilience and vitality, especially for those facing health challenges and aging. And as she said, she's coming in hot. She's already taught a couple classes today. So we know our audience is enthused to hear from you today, Deborah. So with that, welcome to our show.

**Deborah Miller** (3:12)
Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here.

**Stephen Segasch** (3:15)
Deborah, I'm always interested in someone who's had that competitive athletic background and how that comes out in their business life. In your case, as Mike mentioned, things kind of drastically changed for you with your surgeries and health and how that led you down your path. Can you give a little background on that?

**Deborah Miller** (3:36)
Sure. You know, the sports background, I think really does create one, I played on teams and so teams create being a member of a team, being a part of the greater whole was excellent in kind of pre-training for me to be a business owner. Because it's not just all about you, it's like it's all about us and it's like the community and what we're creating. So, you know, the sports, I think one, you know, develop that like sometimes you know you have to be the sacrifice so that the team can do better. You know, it isn't just about like how am I shining? You know, it's like how is everybody shining? How is everybody going to, you know, like elevate? So, that was, you know, like one aspect where I thought, you know, sports was very ideal in my background, but also the competitive nature. You know, I think to be a business owner, you have to have a very high sense of drive and playing sports and being part of, you know, practice, practice, practice, just like this ongoing commitment to the sports I was playing, you know, allowed me to apply that to my business as well.

**Stephen Segasch** (4:52)
And you've got to have resilience too, I think. And like Mike mentions, like your surgery. So that led you to your path with your current career, right?

**Deborah Miller** (5:04)
Yes, yes. So, you know, I think in sports, you know, you do have to learn how to like win gracefully, but also lose gracefully, you know, because you're not always gonna win. And the losses also really are your biggest and best tools for teaching.