Meet Meghann Koppele Duffy | Co-Founder of The Neuro Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meghann Koppele Duffy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meghann, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I have always been a big risk taker. I truly believe, no risk, no reward. However, I did have a leg up on others due to exceptional guidance from both my parents.

I will never forget when I was debating a job offer, my father told me. “Most people are presented with 10 opportunities throughout their lifetime, but are too fearful to chase any of them. Smart people look into every opportunity presented, assessing the upside and downside for BOTH parties involved.” My father taught me that business is business and no one is going to give you anything unless there is also a benefit for them. As a young girl that felt MEAN or dishonest. But as I have grown up, he was 100% RIGHT. To deal with this I approach potential projects (aka risks) with 100% transparency about my intentions, including how I see its benefit to all parties. I find this is hard for many people, especially woman because we are FEARFUL of being labeled greedy, cold, abrasive, or the commonly used term, BITCH.

The truth is those fears are 100% valid, but I remind myself daily that someone who thinks I am any of those things, is NOT someone I would want to do business with. Their misrepresentation of me is their loss, and actually a win for me because I know right from jump that any risk that involves them, is not a risk worth taking.

My other approach to risks is not exciting, BUT always works. It is ALWAYS staying focused on the process, enjoying or at least being present in every step along the way. Too often people say no to opportunities or risks because they are not actually fearful of success, but fearful of the work it will take. They are hyper focused on the goal rather than the small actionable steps to get there. When you learn to love the process you will always find joy, but if you are only focused on the goal, you often get distracted by the thoughts of, “what will I do next” or “what will I do when I get there?”

Ask any athlete. The feeling of winning a championship is AMAZING. But ask them what happens when they wake up on the day the excitement has worn off? The unpopular truth is many of them feel depressed because the thought of doing it again is so exhausting. To me true champions wake up and say alright DAY 1… LET’S FREAKING GO!

So if you want my advice, taking risks is easy when you know who you are, what you want, and explain that clearly. The hard part is being honest about who you, so you can really lean into that. Then take my dad’s advice and don’t be afraid to take risks, just make sure that risk has a true upside for YOU.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Neuro Studio is 100% female owned online education based company to help movement professionals learn the BEST techniques to help people living with Neurological Conditions.

It was easy to get stared because Mariska Breland and I knew we had a product that could change the world for so many people living with neurological conditions. The challenge for us is the constant marketing of our work to make sure people know that we exist. After 10 years of working together we luckily have a team that assists us, so we can stay 100% focused on the quality of the material we present and teach. It is our goal that MORE people experience the RESULTS when your movement professional, including PT’s, OT’s, pilates teachers and personal trainers are Neuro Studio trained.

We have learned that success comes from staying on course, maintaining the integrity of the work, and not sacrificing our vision for money.

Both Mariska and I have been teaching movement for over 20 years but got involved with neurological conditions for different reasons.  I became interested when I saw my first client with Multiple Sclerosis in 2002. When I started researching her condition and movement protocols, the only thing I found was stretching. I was shocked at the outdated information that was being offered to her and in my opinion, without the right interventions her level of disability would become worse. From that day on I was determined to find solutions that offered people the RESULTS they were looking for. To me people living with neurological conditions deserve more than silly games, stretches and exercises that do not actually help them. Now 23 years later I spend my days helping people who were told it was impossible to move again, MOVE EVERY DAY. Now Mariska on the other hand had no choice. She was in a similar situation of lack of information but the difference was, she was the client. Mariska was diagnosed with MS in 2002 and since that diagnosis and experience with foot drop was determined to come up with solutions for herself and others like her. Together since 2013 we have joined forces to limit the level of disability for people living with neurological conditions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many amazing spots in New Jersey. Our beaches are amazing and luckily that is where I live.

The first thing we would do is get a proper bagel and take a walk on the beach. After that we would relax poolside at my house while my husband cooks up some great burgers and dogs on the grill, while we enjoy a few cocktails next to my dogs Charlie Bear and Willie.

If you want pizza I prefer Squan Tavern in Manasquan but my husband prefers Vic’s in Bradley Beach.

There is so much to do in NJ but my favorite place is at my house with my family!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All the credit goes to my parents Maureen and Gary Koppele. Thank you for never harnessing my spirit and letting me find my own path to success and happiness.

I also, would like to thank my husband Brian Duffy and my work wife, Mariska Breland, who co-founded the Neuro Studio with me, for your constant and unwavering support of me and my work.

Website: theneurostudio.com & koppelemethod.com

Instagram: @theneurostudio @megkoppeleduffy

Facebook: Meghann Koppele Duffy

Image Credits
Matt Mendelsohn Photography