Meet Steph Ottomanelli, NYC Yoga Teacher & FRÉ Ambassador

About Me: I used to live my life based on other people’s perceptions of me. Then, in 2017 at the age of 22, my life took a downward spiral. My long term boyfriend broke up with me, my uncle unexpectedly passed away, and I got fired from my hotshot finance job. I grew severely depressed and realized it was because of how deathly afraid I was of what other people would think of how I failed. I felt like a loser and a loner. I got to such a low point it hurt me to even live day by day.

Coming from rock bottom, I realized that I need to always be true to myself. Why would I live my life for anyone else but myself? In order to help others grow and develop, we need to be 100% secure within ourselves first. We need to love ourselves first before we can give and receive love.

Follow Me:

Instagram: @stephottoyoga

What is your fitness journey:

I’ve always been an active person. Growing up, I was a dancer, cheerleader, played volleyball, ran track, and was always outside running around playing with my friends. Once I graduated college, I really got into yoga and absolutely loved everything it represented. I was going through a really down time throughout my transition into adulthood and grew extremely depressed for what felt like an eternity. I started practicing yoga 3-4 times a week and noticed not only the physical benefits but the mental benefits too.

This is the main reason why I am so in love with yoga. It shifted my mindset and perspective - allowed me to expand my mind outside of my limiting and self-sabotaging beliefs. It helped me get grounded and feel secure within myself without any need for external validations.

It changed my life.

Your career/work:

I work in wealth management full time, and I am a registered stockbroker and investment advisor. People are always surprised when I tell them since my personality definitely doesn’t fit into the societal norms of Corporate America.

I also teach yoga 5-7 times a week. I absolutely love teaching and passing along all of what yoga has done for me to my students, so they can always feel independently and authentically like the best versions of themselves.

Your biggest inspiration:

My biggest inspiration are those who live their lives abiding by their truest nature and trusting their intuition. Those who made the leap into entrepreneurship, because they believe in themselves, and know all the good they have to offer the world by doing something they’re passionate about. Those who lead with faith and love rather than fear and hate. Those who continue to rise while allowing others to rise around them. This is where I want to be.

Your tips for living a healthy lifestyle:

Take care of yourself and listen to your energy. Surround yourself by those who uplift and support you. Rid of any toxicity within yourself with nonattachment and gratitude for what the experience has taught you. Workout. Do yoga. Run outside. Gratitude journal. Write down affirmations of whatever trait you want to embody (ie: I am confident x3). Drink a lot of water and natural herbs. Pamper yourself - go get acupuncture, massage, get your nails done. Find time in nature - go hiking without your phone. Be kind to yourself and others. Always work towards your greatness every single day.

What are your biggest challenges (mentally and physically) and how do you overcome them?

Oh man. I always say we are our own biggest obstacles. Meaning - I am my own biggest obstacle. The ego likes to maintain the chatter in our head and self-sabotaging beliefs and patterns. My biggest challenge is I overthink, get overwhelmed when I have a lot going on (which is very often nowadays!), which will then lead to sluggishness, anxiety, or depression. Whenever I get down I usually journal it out and get to the root of my block. I now understand how important self-accountability is. It’s nobody’s fault but my own for not living up to my highest self so I must work through my blockages internally. I do a lot of chakra and crystal healing as well. Mantras and visualizations. Of course, yoga, running or working out at the gym always help to uplift me.

Women empowerment means:

Being content and independent. Being bold and unapologetically ourselves. An empowered woman will empower other women, leading to a sisterhood of love, support, and communal uprising.

Being a FRÉ Ambassador:

FRÉ has really changed the game for me and my skin. Last year when I was going through the struggle, my skin broke out into cystic acne for months and months. No products worked. I even received pills from my dermatologist and nothing cleared it up. Then I discovered FRE and have been using their products ever since. My skin is 100% clear, even, and glowy. My confidence is back. I feel happier and more like myself. From this place of security and confidence, I feel so strongly about sharing FRE products with my students and followers - because it works & stems from a loving place!

I absolutely love the FRÉ community. We are all so supportive of one another and offer beauty and health tips. I love that all the products are universal, vegan, and organic. And of course, I love that FRE plants Argan trees in Morocco (:

If you could tell your younger self one thing: Always always be yourself no matter what. And if anyone has a problem with that then that just means they’re hurting inside and have their own blocks to work through. Be gentle, compassionate, kind, loving, and authentically you.

Rapid Fire:

• Favorite exercise? Yoga
• What comes to mind when you think of FRÉ? Confidence
• What are you most excited about in life right now? The online program that I’m launching in March 2020 and building my high vibed empire!
• What’s something you’d still love to learn? Oh so much - which I’m working towards - however, I would love to learn how to give a Thai massage - that’s on my list.
• If you were a hashtag, what would you be? #spellingsbysteph
• Who do you admire the most? My sister
• What is your life motto? It’s all good
• What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received in your life? Trust your energy
• What is an issue that you wish we spoke about more often? Depression / mental health
• What does it mean to be a woman today? To be empowered, independent, and confident
• What type of skin do you have? Combination - but FRÉ has literally CLEARED up my skin and it’s so glowy and smooth now