Private eye and Uber driver, Seattle

I met Alyssa at a very opportune for me time. Election night was just behind us, and I was broken, lost and disheartened. I was on my own, greeted by an Uber driver, surprisingly a woman (women make up only 15% of Uber workforce), and during the drive the conversation went from pleasantries to emotional outcry at what just transpired in our country. Alyssa told me that we will most certainly not quietly take the next four years sitting down. "We (women) aren't just tits and ass, and I try to prove that every day by doing jobs that are stereotypically associated with men". WOW woman in my books.

1. Name.
Alyssa

2. Where is your hometown?
Seattle, WA

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation?
Entrepreneur, Seeker

4. What was the journey like to get where you are (career wise)? When was the mental shift to start the journey?
In my 20’s and early 30’s the journey was rough because I took life as a personal attack. I would react to life events and think I was the center of them. I did not realize these events were arising because of cause and conditions. Since discovering yoga and meditation practice in my late 30’s I have gained insight into these reactions. I tend to take things less personally and that allows me to feel comfortable doing stereotypically male jobs like criminal defense investigation, driving for Uber, and being a bicycle messenger. I spent a lot of years trying to fit in as an employee, molding myself to other people’s ideas of what I should be like, before I discovered I am happiest as an entrepreneur doing free lance work. Because of this shift from employee to entrepreneur I have time and flexibility for yoga and meditation. If I want to take a yoga class at 10:30 in the morning, I can.

5. Biggest accomplishment since making the (physical/mental) move?
It took over 30 years, to achieve the awareness of the fact that my career does not define me and my worth.

6. What was biggest disappointment and plan to overcome it?
I faced a lot of adversity as a child and it limited my progress and achievements in early adulthood. So, I got rather a late start and that was a disappointment.

7. Advice for other women?
Don’t worry about the destination be boundless and brave to discover your inner truth.

8. Where in the world do you feel “tallest”?
I feel the tallest when my heart is open.

9. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?
I am a month away from completing the Seattle Yoga Arts 200-hour teacher training certificate and I was the national racquetball champion at age 10. I grew up playing men three times my age and so those early experiences gave me confidence to pursue jobs that women don’t typically do.

10. What is the future goal/challenge (career and/or life goals in 5-10 years)?
My five-year goal is to complete a 500-hour yoga teacher training. I want to find a way to help people create space in their lives to find their true natures. But I also want to do it in a way that is compatibility with my spontaneous spirit. For example, I have been toying with the idea of a mobile meditation tank or mobile yoga studio.

11. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?
Fear of death and illness.

12. Anything you'd do differently (if you had another go at life)?
Can’t think of any!

13. What inspires you?
There is a particular group of elderly women who work out at my local gym together. They ride the bus there together, do their exercises together, and sit in the hot tub together. I love their sense of community and dedication to taking care of themselves.

14. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)
Tantra Illuminated by Christopher Wallis

15. Who is a “WOW Woman” in your life who inspires you (and why)?
I get the most inspiration from women who don’t hold back their ambition and let stereotypes hold them back. They are lead in life by their personal passion, talent and creativity.

16. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?
If you are ever in Seattle grab a Lyft or Uber and we can have a quick stimulating conversation.