Michaela Feller is the founder and CEO of Victoria’s high energy studio Bodhi & Ride and the global digital platform Bodhi at Home.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I left my role at ANZ Bank six years ago to start my own business called Bodhi & Ride.
At the time, I was taking a career break from ANZ, which is something they offer to their executives who’ve been with the bank for 10 plus years, and I was honestly thinking I would return after I had launched Bodhi & Ride.
Here I am. Having just launched a digital business called Bodhi At Home and with my eyes set on opening another studio in 2021.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I usually get up really early – around 5 am and I’m at the studio at 6 am to open up for classes. I tend to stay until mid-morning and get on top of social media, admin, and general management tasks while classes are running.
By mid-morning, I head home to sort out lunch for my three teenage kids and get on with housework and errands.
I love a little afternoon power nap, especially when my dog Winnie is curled up against me. After we’ve napped, I take him for a walk at the local park.
Then it’s admin, planning and playing catch up on work. Some evenings I’m at the studio again to manage the live streams to make sure everything runs smoothly. It’s often 8.30 pm before I get home in the evening.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
One of the good things about being the boss is that I call my own shots when it comes to my schedule. This allows for more flexibility on a daily basis.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
A work-life balance can be really difficult to maintain. That’s why I think it is important to find something you are passionate about, so work feels like life!
For me, planning and playing to my strengths are key. This way, I am able to delegate certain tasks to my staff and prioritise time. It’s not always as easy as it sounds though, I think most of us can relate to this.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Absolutely. It has taken a global pandemic to slow me down. Our days look quite different to what they were pre-pandemic. However, embracing change is a driver for me.
Having more time to slow down allows you to re-think your business processes. I’ve asked myself many questions during this time, about how I could adapt Bodhi & Ride to fit consumer needs during COVID. This is how I came up with Bodhi at Home.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I absolutely love Shoe Dog by Phil Knight who founded Nike. What an incredible story which I read/listened to on audiobook format.
I’m currently listening to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. How I Built This with Guy Raz is also a favourite podcast of mine.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
BBC News is my go-to for global news. My calendar app is tapped numerous times in an hour! Apple Podcast, Audible and Spotify are my three biggest loves in life.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Sometimes I wonder how many people have work-life balance. It’s hard to achieve, but there are some things I have learnt along the way. Plan ahead, delegate actions, surround yourself with a good team and think quality over quantity.
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