We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

Yes! I love this topic and think about it almost every day. Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is one of my top priorities! Looking back on my college days, I now realize that I was too focused on schoolwork: thinking about study plans for the next test or whatever paper was due next week. Struggling to relax and “let go” of the work on my plate made me a less joyful person. Reflecting on this time has helped me take conscious efforts to mentally separate work from play and relaxation. My discovery of yoga, slacklining, and AcroYoga has enabled my ability to mentally separate work from play. These hobbies introduced me to many diverse and intriguing people who live lives full of enjoyment rather than limiting their focus on work or academia. They helped me understand the importance of being present and closing the work tab on my mental computer. This ability to separate became especially important when I began traveling for work in late 2013. It helped me make the most of my time in these new places, and honestly it kept me sane while I was away from home for days at a time. When traveling, I wake up early to enjoy extra “me time,” and work hard and focus— while staying equally “present” — during the day. After work, I made an effort to find fun, enriching, and varied activities in the evenings, ranging from pottery classes to yoga to Krav Maga. I even taught a weekly AcroYoga class! Working from home since March 2020, I’m grateful to have already established a healthy work/life balance even more robust than it was before! I still wake up early in the morning, work hard during the day, and focus on unwinding and fully enjoying the company of my husband and our two dogs in the evening. I’m grateful to have found a mix and rhythm that leaves me feeling happy and fulfilled.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

For my day job, I’m a business consultant specializing in Organizational Change Management helping organizations of all sizes manage the people-side of major transformations (i.e., system implementations, business process changes, etc.). Change is something people naturally tend to resist and everyone handles it differently. I love having the opportunity to help people through times of stress and uncertainty. Outside of consulting, I create content for my YouTube channel, Balancing Laura, that aims to provide helpful information and inspiration for living a healthy, balanced life. I’m also in the process of exploring ways to combine my change management knowledge with my passion of health, fitness, and wellness. My goal is to share my experiences to help others develop healthy, balanced lifestyles and navigate the changes that come with that journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston has so many great things to offer! I’d start out by giving my friend a tour of the beehive in our backyard and exploring the area around our neighborhood. We’d take a walk to the lake with our dogs, Bucket and Sprout, and check out some of our favorite parks. We’d slackline and do some acro with friends at Graham Park, enjoy the scenery at McGovern Park, and walk around Memorial Park. For food, we’d go to some of our favorite spots, including Downhouse, Local Foods, Flower Child, and America’s (for a fancy night, of course). If the weather is warm, we might even check out some Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) yoga at Balmoral Crystal Lagoon, where we’ll be helping teach in the summers!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without my husband, Alex. We met through AcroYoga, and he showed me (and continues to show me) the importance of living in the moment and enjoying the little things in life. Alex has supported my ups and downs, and encouraged me through countless things, including promotions, job changes, and creating content for my YouTube channel. He cheers me on in everything I do, and I can always count on him to be there for me.

Website: http://www.balancinglaura.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancinglaura/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-roberts-72ba0026/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balancinglaura

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/balancinglaura

Image Credits
First picture: Eric Ward All other pictures: Alex Roberts

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