Meet Pao Strickland #PAOSfitnessATLANTA #latinfitflowtm: Fun Mindfulness & Fitness dance Facilitator (Fitness instructor, Reiki master)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pao Strickland #PAOSfitnessATLANTA #latinfitflowtm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pao, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.” RUMI ~ then I proceed to make my personal affirmation ” I am enough, I am loved, I am supported, God is with me” I recite it every time at my shavasana meditation after my class. It means to me that no matter my environment, circumstances, or what others expect or say to me or about me, I have a purpose in life, I am meant to develop what my heart and mind envisions and I can’t sell short to life my aspirations, we are more than body and mind, we are lifters and gifts for others. That is the reason why I went ahead and created my own happy-mindful fitness format, and launched it end 2016. I help you release the happiness chemicals (dopamine, endorphins, serotonin), in an easy fun session of easy dance fitness, fun yoga, and accessible meditation with a sprinkle of Reiki healing. I teach students, and certify aspiring teachers in this class called LATINFITFLOW TM, to spread the selfcare, spread the happiness, and spread the love. 

What should our readers know about your business?
Have you tried IN 1 CLASS: FUNyoga, EASYfitnessDance, ACCESSIBLEmeditation? What SETS ME or my business APART from others is that I have used all my life experiences, certifications, jobs, and more, to FACILITATE you RELEASE the HAPINNESS CHEMICALS (dopamine, endorphins, serotonin), in a session of easy dance fitness, fun yoga, and accessible meditation with a sprinkle of Reiki healing ( I teach and certify in this class called LATINFITFLOW TM). I am a fitness expert (13 yrs expert over 49 certificates in the field), and mindfulness fan (over 10 years certified as Reiki master and holding many yoga styles certifications, plus being a graduate of the Chopra Institute and follow the teachings of Sadhguru, Dr Lipton, Dr Dispenza, Dr Wayne Dyer). I am also a chemical engineer, (worked fulltime in my professional career and part time in my fitness career); however I left my corporate job years back, for my dream activity and passion (teaching others). If the mind can tell the body where to flow, the body can also drive your mind to feel happy. This is why I designed LatinFitFlow. Find your beauty in the fun mindfulness fitness class. ABOUT my CHALLENGES: Since young I learned to overcome BULLYING (being a full scholarship student -good grades and being underprivileged- I was treated as “not enough” by some classmates who had access to a more well off life, and a traditional family ), I overcame the FEAR to change ( traveling bag-pack to Europe with little to no money, and then coming to the US with no English, no family, no friends to stablish my life in a new country). During the process of self discovery which started early in my life at 14 years old, I learned to overcome DEPRESSION and specially the post partum depression in my adult life, and lastly the years in my life experiences and job titles that I have held. has allowed me to be more MINDFUL of others in their life path and allowed me to provide more than a class, or a speech, or training course, but provide an EXPERIENCE in what I do with LatinFitFlow TM. I GOT WHERE I AM today in my business thanks to the GRACE of GOD, the blessings and good vibes sent to me by my family in Mexico, all these mentioned has placed in my path the people, the friends, the experiences I needed to have and live to share my gift to others. As the creator and founder of LATINFITFLOW TM; I have offered training certification courses for those interested in teaching this class, and classes online, in person; as well as in special events (such: Peachtree Latino Festival -biggest Latino festival in the south of USA – , Hard Rock Café Punta Cana, Access to the Leader with in -business, learning, empowering, and self-development training courses with Gio G- , Hecho a Mano fairs, private classes or one time event presentations, and speeches at companies such Intercomm, Atlanta Braves, AT&T, EME, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Saluvidable aryuvedic retreats, hay que comer project, GCPS Hispanic Priority, Tybee Yoga and Healing Arts, City of Alpharetta Parks and Recreation, Hot Chocolate Run, Gwinnett Braves Strippers, Color Run, Light Up the Corners, just to mention some). I have been blessed to be interviwed and lead fitness segments in Latino TV shows such : Hola Atlanta, Punto ATL, Mundo Hispanico a news paper from AJC, La Vision, Voyage ATL magazine, Mundo Mami by Mundo Hispanico, El Siglo de Torreon, just to mention some as well. If you wish to experience my session, or desire to contact me to give a speech about how LatinFitFlow TM helps you release the happiness chemicals, and how my format aids not only in your mental and physical health, but also in your high performance in your company or job; feel free to reach out!! (my specialty is empowering underprivileged youth, women starting their own business or trying to find themselves, and those who want to wander more in the world of fitness and mindfulness but never knew where to start: palimo26@yahoo.com.mx). WHAT I want the WORLD to KNOW is that no matter how crazy your idea, or dream is, even if you have no idea how to make it happen, just learn to trust the process and let go, the universe (God) will layout all cards for you to start your journey to serve others, BE always open to learn, and always remember a NO is a door opening in other direction, or a learning process to know more about yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would tell them to visit the AWESOME ALPHARETTA welcome center to check out activities and their PARKS, specially wills park in summer I teach at the outdoor pool on Saturdays and some week days (LatinFitFlow SPLASH a fun toning water experience) and currently FREE classes at the Wills Park Rec. Gymnasium Mon and Wed 6pm (11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta GA next to the equestrian school), for eating I would recommend the Local Wood Fired Grill a very cool and cute ( healthy and tasty eating ) restaurant, the four fat cows ice cream (my son and I love their sweets); if kids come along to the visit (in if they come for more than few days) beside the fun parks, and activities in Alpharetta parks, I would highly recommend to attend a week at the Karate Atlanta Milton location Mr. Bell and Mr. Gallagher make a fun experience for the kids in karate; and also the fun 1 day FREE music lesson (guitar, drums, voice, piano, etc) at a VERY CUTE neighborhood style music academy called ATL GUITAR LESSONS ( https://www.atlguitarlessons.com ), and if is a weekend visit, I would definitely invite them to a service at Stone creek Church Alpharetta on Hwy9, or the Spanish service at St. Thomas Catholic church in Alpharetta. Lastly never leave without trying the wall rock climbing at LifeTime Fitness Alpharetta, or at the Alpharetta YMCA (which these 2 have this fun wall rock climbing).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My main inspiration is my son, I knew I had a calling in life, and it got way clear once I became a mom in 2013. Of, course every single one of my teachers in fitness, in dance, and mindfulness; their knowledge transferred to me is greatly appreciated it and valued. Every single one of my students (from all my classes and ventures) and my family, specially my grandma (RIP), my mom, and sister. And to everyone who has taken a leap of faith in me, my format (LatinFitFlow TM) and has given me an opportunity in their events, businesses, etc. Last not least, my husband who always puts up with crazy me in anything I decide to do, even if he does not understand it, he plays along with it.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/fitnesscoachPAOS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinfitflow
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pao-strickland-002452a1/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paoslatinfitflowTM
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCou65QotI-046OsSFg6TJvg
Other: bookings. events, classes, online training, certification courses (hablo en espanol tambien): palimo26@yahoo.com.mx or text to: ‪(678) 757-4468‬