Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Peeler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a Southern girl from the Carolinas and nature was my first love. Luckily I grew up in the countryside and spent most of my childhood outdoors, either on the beach, in a lake or creek. My grandmother was a huge influence on me and in addition to being an outstanding cook, she grew her own vegetables (albeit with a lot of chemicals).
Living in a small town with big dreams doesn’t always pan out. My other grandmother was a world traveler and I believe that she instilled wanderlust in me early on. After begging my father for almost a year to send me abroad, at 16, I headed to Germany as an exchange student. I fell in love with Europe and the rest is history. After studying abroad, I fostered a new relationship to food and nature. Everything was fresh from the market, or our yard (void of pesticides- they used other plants to ward of pests), everything was composted. Mind you this was in the nineties.
I had no idea at the time how much of an impact this experience would have on me.
I continued saving every penny to return to Europe for all holidays, spending half of my College Degree in Germany and France, finishing with a double major in French and German languages/literature with a double minor in Political Science and Dance. Grad School I spent in Brussels, focusing on policy within the European Government in my areas of passion: health, culture and the environment.
My life experiences influenced me to work in European Affairs- protecting citizens from toxic chemicals, which were obviously making them sick. When I discovered that most chemicals in the US were not regulated, I knew I needed to move back and use my skillset to coach clients, first physically and later providing them with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families.
What really inspired me to work further in Wellness prevention was the moment my Father was diagnosed with ALS, a disease directly linked to identifiable neurotoxins. My Dad became the catalyst for speaking up about the necessity for reducing these toxins in your household, personal care products, food and your water. As a mother and mindful citizen, there is a need to help the community pass on safe practices to our future.
I first moved to Miami in 2012 when I still had my hands in the art world. I co-owned a gallery focused on Contemporary African Art for almost seven years in Belgium. This was a side hustle with my ex-husband. Our son was almost three and I wished to return to the US to live. I decided I wanted to implement my skillset from Europe here, as I knew building awareness was key to improving the lives of others. So I began writing for a global communications company, coaching one on one clients in fitness and health as well as teaching classes. Currently, I wrapped up a series of Wellness Seminars in the Design District aimed to help others understand the potential health hazards we are exposed to on a daily basis. I host lunch and learns on various topics as well as create Corporate Wellness Programs incorporating what I like to call the four pillars of Wellness: Nutrition, Exercise, Mindfulness, and Prevention.
My focus is to influence others to lead a healthier and above all mindful lifestyle.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wow, great question. Nope, it has definitely been a steep slope, but I am not only happy doing what I do, but proud of my accomplishments. As a single-mom entrepreneur, you must not only effectively multi-task but possess enormous discipline. And selling Wellness as a concept is not an easy feat, because I’m selling a “product” that not everyone knows they need. The knowledge I offer will help any person improve not only their health, but our environment and our future by default, and that is hard to convince people of sometimes. They want to look fit on the outside, but your body won’t work properly if your thoughts are not “fit” or if you are continuously exposing yourself to preventable toxins. And add a talented nine-year-old to the mix who is on a traveling soccer team- my life is busy.
The Artful Detox (formerly known as Handstandsrock.com) – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company The Artful Detox is founded on my definition of Wellness. We provide clients with knowledge on how to successfully tackle essential lifestyle choices. As many Wellness professionals, I offer one on one personal training with a BIG emphasis on corrective exercises. As a Mom and pre/postnatal corrective exercise specialist, preparing for birth and thereafter requires proper training. I’m here to help through all phases.
I’m a big promoter of meditation to all my clients and offer guided meditation for the businesses and individuals. My next project will be helping those in the art world find their inner zen during Art Basel.
But what really sets me apart is my passion and focus on prevention. Miami is full of personal trainers, coaches, instructors. But most of them do not know we are exposed to almost 500 chemicals daily. I advocate to my clients: how you think, what you eat, what you put on your body, and what is in your environment are just as important as working out.
After my work in Europe lobbying for safe chemicals, and protection of EU citizens, I know that so many people in America are suffering from preventable toxicity. I also speak seven languages, so I can easily communicate with and understand other cultures. Through education of exposure to easily identifiable toxins and implementation of small changes in our day to day activities (what you eat, what you put on your skin, what you use to clean your house, etc.) I help clients lose weight, get pregnant, and cure ever-lingering health issues. And this alone makes me very proud to continue to help people become the best version of themselves. Happiness breeds happiness.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I’ve been hosting Seminars on prevention for some time now. But I was very excited and happy to be able to launch a series of seven Seminars on Wellness in the Design District and incorporating vendors in the area. The turnout and the feedback have been tremendous. One friend called me recently to tell me a friend had attended one of my Seminars and that she was changing her diet and lifestyle based on what I had told her. Another attendee told me about her battle with cancer, and how it all made sense now that I provided her with the background information to avoid getting sick, and wished she had known before cancer. It made me feel as if I was making a small difference in the world. And being able to accomplish that in a few years in Miami makes me pat my back.
Pricing:
- I offer a free discovery call to all clients interested in changing their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashleypeeler.com
- Phone: 704-408-0784
- Email: ashley@ashleypeeler.com
- Instagram: @ashleypeeler
- Facebook: facebook.com/handstandsrock
- Twitter: @ashley_peeler
- Other: www.handstandsrock.com
Image Credit:
The handstand, pistol squat are from photographer Juan Carlos Ariano.
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