In Episode A045 of Authbition, I sat down with Joanna Gaertner — ICF credentialed life coach, founder of Yoga Off Mat, and lead at Homebody Yoga in Raleigh, North Carolina.
We explored how fear can sometimes guide us, how trust can sometimes free us, and how growth often requires both. This conversation moved through coaching, yoga, mentorship, personal transitions, and the inner awareness needed to move through life with more courage and clarity.
👉 Listen or watch here:
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Yesterday we had our monthly dinner with some dear friends. The theme was Spanish tapas meets the North Carolina Farmers Market. At one point in the night, I was asked, “Andrew, what are you writing about these days?”
My answer: “Fear and Trust.”
I went on to tell them a story about how I got stuck between a Mama Bear and her cubs while deep in the woods of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom mountain biking trails. That story happened almost a year ago, but it’s resurfaced recently as I’ve been taking a deep dive into the themes of fear and trust.
I’ve been writing about it so much lately; I made a list.
While recording this podcast, Joanna was kind enough to indulge me in taking on this paradox to play The Whole Mind Game.
Joanna shared her journey from upstate New York to Raleigh, making a bold move with limited resources and trusting herself before she had all the answers.
We talked about how coaching entered her life unexpectedly, and how she became drawn to the power of helping people uncover their own wisdom rather than being told what to do.
She also shared how yoga has shaped her life for years — not only as a physical practice, but as a mindset. Through her business, Yoga Off Mat, Joanna blends the principles of yoga with coaching to help people live with more awareness, steadiness, and alignment.
We also explored mentorship, modern isolation, and why so many people today are hungry for guidance, connection, and spaces where they can grow honestly.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannagaertner/
Homebody Yoga (Raleigh): https://homebodync.com/
We played The Whole Mind Game with the tension between Fear and Trust.
At first glance, fear feels like something to eliminate. But as we explored it, fear revealed strengths: safety, awareness, preparation, learning, and energy.
Trust revealed its own gifts: connection, integrity, courage, creativity, embodiment, and authenticity.
Then came the deeper challenge:
What is the best of both?
The phrase that emerged was:
Awareness sharp enough to notice reality.
Creativity open enough to respond wisely.
We also highlighted Curiosity and Wonder as close companions to that idea.
On the shadow side, we found that both fear and trust can collapse into similar places when distorted: isolation, ignorance, maladaptation, and judgment.
Many people believe growth means choosing one side.
Be fearless.
Trust completely.
This episode is a reminder that maturity often means holding tensions instead of escaping them. Fear may contain useful information. Trust may require discernment. Awareness may be the doorway to both.
Joanna brought a grounded and thoughtful presence to this conversation, especially around how yoga and coaching can move beyond performance and become ways of living.
👉 Press play:
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Thanks to Joanna Gaertner for sharing her story, perspective, and thoughtful energy.
And thanks to everyone following along with Authbition as this show continues to grow into what it’s becoming.