Samantha Parker holds a M.S. in Kinesiology with a B.S in sports and exercise science. As a C-IAYT (Certified Yoga Therapist) and certified personal trainer, she has taught over 8,000 hours of yoga around the globe. She served as the first Chief Yoga Therapist for the DoD (Department of Defense) at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center treating U.S. and NATO Special Forces suffering from Polytruama, TBIs and PTSD. She developed, managed, and researched the first yoga program addressing Kinesiophobia to reduce and manage chronic pain, opioid medications, improve soldier function, readiness, and return to active duty status.
In addition to working with Special Forces and active duty military, she has worked with professional athletes from football players to elite ballet dancers. CEO of NMS®, creator of YoMo® and bestselling author of Yoga for Chronic Pain…WTF, she speaks, trains and develops yoga-based movement programs to address Kinesiophobia. She advises fitness, yoga and medical providers, along with leading military and government officials on the newest emerging yoga therapy and functional movement practices. She currently resides in Washington, D.C. still working for the U.S. government.
As a cognitive yoga and movement specialist, I want the reader to know that their lack of motivation to become physically active, especially when it comes to yoga, is NOT laziness but is an underlining fear of Kinesiophobia, the fear of movement. This underlining fear, especially those suffering from chronic pain, is normal and is able to be overcome when working with the right trainer. Movement is vital to our survival and when we learn our fears are an illusion created by our mind, and then learn how to change our perspective about our limitation, we are then able to break free or our pain, and unlock our unlimited potential.
What were the top three mistakes you made publishing your book what did you learn from it?
Self-doubt can kill your potential. I found myself starting to change my voice to fit the “ideal” yoga book mold and second-guessing myself. I know that I am a bit rough around the edges and raw, and was advised to tone it down a bit. And how my book was written, “Wasn’t yoga therapy”. But after talking with friends and some soul searching, I realized that my book and voice was different and needed for those who had tried the traditional yoga classes and books which didn’t work for them. I learned that surrounding yourself with those who truly believe and accept who you are provide light to see your compass. And finding the right editor was key.
What must happen for you to consider your book a success? and when do you predict it will happen?
At first I thought for my book to be successful it had to be a New York Time best seller. However, I learned the book was a success for me when I published it. Believe it or not, this book was written on a dare. I was told by numerous patients and clients that my voice needed to be heard, and people wanted and needed to hear me and that I wouldn’t do it. So of course, I like to prove people wrong…..and I wrote and published the book. I am working on a second edition, so hopefully the next edition will be far more successful.
Just start writing!!! I may do my writing a bit backwards, but I have heard so many say they are still working on the outline. Try not to overthink your words, or paragraphs. Just start writing and as the content starts to take shape, you will begin to see how the book will fall into place. I actually started writing my second book when I was writing my first book. Content that I touched upon in the first book, I realized I wanted to go into deeper, but in the next one.
What is the one thing you wished you knew before publishing your first book?
How to self-publish on Amazon, and the benefits and where to find a good editor. I had friends and family do light editing for me, but I feel I could have saved a lot of time working with a good editor from the beginning. They are able to help you with the layout of the content, provide insight and ideas on the content, and having an accountability partner is great for making sure you get the book done.
When I speak and present at yoga, fitness, and medical conferences, I provide codes and free giveaways. When I released the book on Amazon, I offered the download for $0.99, and change the cost a few times throughout the year. And friends, colleagues, and family have been extremely helpful in promoting the book.
If you only had $100 dollars to write, publish then promote a new book, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
On a great editor! You do not need to get picked up by a huge publishing company to find a good editor. There are many good freelancers out there that will help you edit. The second pair of eyes to catch little mistakes that you have missed is priceless!
Now, tell us about your company – what is Neoteric Movement Systems (NMS) all about?
I offer cutting edge yoga and physical movement 200 Hour Yoga Teacher training certifications, provide continuing education to yoga and fitness instructors and therapists as well as medical providers. My trainings are unique as I provide education on how and what Kinesiophobia is, how to implement cognitive restructuring during movement to help rewire their participant’s neural pathways who suffer from chronic and acute pain and who are searching to improve overall cognitive and physical function and quality of life.
Tell us about your background and how you started your company?
I served as the first Chief Yoga Therapist for the DoD (Department of Defense) at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center treating U.S. and NATO Special Forces suffering from Polytruama, TBIs, and PTSD. I developed, managed, and researched the first yoga therapy program that was part of an Interdisiplainy pain management team tasked to reduce and manage chronic pain, opioid, and other prescription medications, improve soldier cognitive and physical function, readiness, and return to active duty status.
As the program progressed and the preliminary data was showing such great outcomes, I started to realize that one of the key components to the success we were having was by addressing patients Kinesiophobia and utilizing cognitive restructuring with a biopsychosocial approach to do so. When implementing these techniques we were able to override old neural pathways of negative behaviors and create new healthy neural pathways that led to sustainable lifelong behaviors.
When I realized this, I also realized that throughout all of my college degrees, yoga, and other fitness certifications, I had never been educated on Kinesiophobia and its importance on how it impacts the physical movement with those you work with.
That is when I started to focus on offering training on this topic and program designs for healthcare and wellness facilities.
What are your plans, how do you plan to grow this company?
I am in the process of obtaining government contracts that will offer and fill the needs of not just the United States government, but the men and women of the military be improving cognitive and physical function, readiness, and overall quality of life.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business and what did you learn from it?
Not asking for help earlier on. I think one of the secrets to owning your own business is knowing what your strengths and weakness are. Then outsourcing your weaknesses. While I felt the importance to learn how to perform my weaknesses better (booking keeping, payroll…) it held me back from really getting the business off the ground more quickly. It can be challenging to let certain aspects of the company be in the hands of others, and I realized that I don’t need to know every job at a professional level, I just need to know enough and find the right people for the job.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
I have a unique skill set using yoga and physical movement to help individuals overcome Kinesiophobia and think outside of the traditional yoga box to get results. I have come to understand while some may see me as a bit rude, obnoxious or in-your-face (the opposite of Zen), it comes from a place of compassion. I want my patients and clients to succeed in achieving their pain and fitness goals and have learned that while tenderness and tranquil settings are beneficial, if we do not push those who experience Kinesiophobia out of their comfort zones and help them to accept ownership of their actions, they we continue to stay enslaved to their pain.
What is one thing that you daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
I spend time every day reading or googling new fitness treads. This includes fad fitness and diet programs, gadgets, and gizmos, not only in the fitness and yoga realm but also in the healthcare industry. This helps me see possible trends within the industries and how these may or may not be beneficial to those I work with.
What are three books or courses you recommend for new entrepreneurs?
For those who are affiliated with the military Syracuse University has amazing programs for those interested in becoming entrepreneurs! The programs are typically free and provide a wealth of information, networking, and resources! Our Programs – Institute for Veterans and Military Families (syracuse.edu).
I also have found that even though the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is more of a self-help book, it is extremely beneficial in understanding different personalities and how your reaction to them can either help or hinder your business.
And the book VICTORY: 7 Revolutionary Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Launch Your Business, Elevate Your Impact and Transform Your Life by Larry Broughton I have found to be an easy and effective book that provides a lot of good ideas when it comes to launching a business.
If you only had $100 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
Marketing! I have come to learn that it is not how knowledgeable or fantastic at your job you are that really gets your business off the ground, which is NEEDED to survive, but you need to get noticed. Without good marketing in this short attention span, social media world, it is very challenging to gain traction for your business.
How can we get in touch with you?
The best way to get in touch with me is through my website Sam Parker NMS Training or on LinkedIn and follow me on Instagram: samanthaparker_nms or Facebook
My book can be found on Amazon
