Hellllooo my beautiful loves, and welcome to our second official TBV Babe of the Week! Miss Natasia Lutes kicked it off last week with a real bang, and we are so stoked to be adding to our TBV babe gang this week with the incredibly soul-shining & inspirational beauty Rachelle Tratt !!!
Below Rachelle is rocking her fav TBV tee: My Kale Shake Brings All the Boys to the Yard, & styling it like the lovely, gypsy, yogi soul that she is. (Reminds me of someone’s style I know… Oh wait, MINE! No wonder I am obsessed.) Plus she paired the outfit with her gorgeous Neshama Project jewelry… The combo, too stellar, I die.
And in case you missed last week’s intro to the new weekly #TBVBabe installment, let me give you a little rundown: the people I am choosing to represent our brand in this fun new way are babes from the INSIDE out, and their beauty radiates outward into everything they dip their hand, heart & soul into. These people are inspiring and living life outside of the box, in all of their very own magical ways, and creating a life full of happiness and GOOD VIBES for themselves & everyone around them. I am choosing people who inspire in all areas from yoga to entrepreneurship to fashionistas to nutritionists & everything in between.
Today’s babe of the week can’t be summed up in any one particular category. She is a yogi, she is a teacher, she is a business owner, she is a world traveler, adventurer, fountain of knowledge (especially about Israel! Talk to this girl about Israel, she will blow your mind), and of course a loving Golden Doodle mama.
Rachelle & I have had a lot of mutual friends for a long time, and whenever I learned more about her I became more and more hooked on everything I knew she represented. I am in love with her hamsa necklaces, and even more in love with the message behind them. In a video on her site, Rachelle explains a bit of the inspiration behind her company…
“I always knew that I wanted this to be greater. Not just a necklace, not just a product that’s sitting on a shelf somewhere.”
And I was like woah. Yes. This girl and I need to be friends and my TBB readers need to know about her.
And thus she became our second babe of the week, this interview went down annnddd the beautiful Friday morning I spent at the Venice Farmer’s Market with her made my day a whole lot brighter.
Q&A with high vibe yogi livin’ babe Rachelle Tratt:
Q: As I mentioned above, I am so inspired by the kind, open, loving energy you radiate. What do you do in your “me time” to ensure that you are able to bring it in your yoga teaching, friendships and relationships? (Seriously wondering, because whatever you do I’m going to implement!)
A: Aw thanks so much love. Honestly, I spend as much time outdoors in nature as possible. Moving my body, practicing yoga, dancing, walking Bailey, and or some form of movement, every day, ensures that I am able to stay that kind, open, loving, energetic being that you so sweetly mentioned above. Oh and I only surround myself with like minded supportive beautiful Souls who get me and love me to the moon and back. This is a huge factor, I have no more room for negativity or heavy relationships in my life, this right here is the key to helping me stay energetically light.
( TBB Side Note… I LOVE THIS ANSWER. YES, YES, YES. )
Q: When we were shooting your photos at the Farmer’s Market, you told us a great story about where
Neshama Project, your jewelry line, got its name. Will you share that with our TBB readers?!
A: Neshama (means) Soul in Hebrew and the N in Neshama is in honor of my mom, Nicole, who passed away when I was nine years old. She met my dad in Israel in 1973, and through their love story, I have created and formed my own unique love story with the country. I have never considered myself to be a religious or political person, and well, with every hamsa or meaningful product from us, that is out their in the world, adorned by a beautiful Soul, is our way of spreading light for a country that houses my heart. My mom was a humble artist who stood for charity, kindness and creating ways to inspire and give back to the world. This is at the core of
The Neshama Project and why I continue to do what I do.
“In every day, in every moment, find ways to make someone smile, give them hope, wake them up and let them shine” has and always will be our mission statement.
( TBB Sidenote: The above quote is also in Rachelle’s email signature… Which I think is so cool. How often do we get such an important & beautiful reminder in EMAIL land? Hardly ever. )
Q: Our line TBV Apparel stands for finding Truth, Balance and Virtue in every day life. What significance do those three attributes hold in your life, and what do they bring to mind for you?
A: Truth –> to me is my ability to share authentically from my heart, the good-the challenging-the inspiring-and the messy- at all times, regardless of how it may be perceived by others.
Balance –> to me is my ability to work hard and play hard. The kinda’ gypsy soul that likes her green juice with a side of kale after a sweaty yoga class, and the same gypsy soul who likes some tequila with a side of tacos after partying with her friends.
Q: What brought you to your yoga mat for the very first time, and what inspired you to stay, and eventually teach?
A: I grew up a total tom boy, I played tennis and basketball, so after college when I was no longer a part of a competitive team I found myself looking for an outlet to express myself. During that time I was about 20 years old and was experiencing intense stomach problems that the doctors didn’t really know what was going on. A roommate at the time suggested that I should try yoga, and i remember laughing at her and being like “Yea ok, sure, I’m just gonna sit here and meditate, oommmmmmm”- So I took my first class, it happened to have been a Bikram class, and well, I hated every single moment of it. I hated the fact that the teacher was yelling at me, I was judging myself and every single very fit and barely clothed person in the room, and to top it all off- there were mirrors! I already felt so uncomfortable in my own skin, and I had to look at myself in the mirror for an hour and a half, c’mon!!! Then- the AHA moment came- Shavasana. I finally felt at peace in my mind, in my body, and in my stomach, and that was it. I was hooked. And its been a done deal ever since 🙂
So I guess “You Had Me at Savasana” holds a little more significance for Rachelle then we even realized… SO COOL.
A, cont: For me these days, my practice has evolved into less of a physical outlet, and more of a spirited way to clear my mind, listen to my heart, and connect with my body. I look at it like every time that I step onto my mat, I have an opportunity to move with meaning, and allow my practice to stand for something greater by being rooted in intention.
It’s funny someone asked me the other day why after 8 years do I still teach? Teaching yoga has become a means for me to humbly share my wisdom; an internal acknowledgment that comes from my own personal experience on this w i l d beautiful & often messy adventure called, life & love.
Q: Quote that you live by?
A: I have so many quotes and sayings that inspire me daily, but this poem below, always always does it for me…
“…I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” – Rainer Maria Rilke, 1903
Q: Who in your life inspires you?
A: My family, my friends, my colleagues, people who have struggled in their lives, and preserved, and who have created something beautiful from something challenging.
Q: What is your favorite TBV Apparel phrase?!
Q: Tips for overcoming fear & pursuing your dreams and passions.
A: If there is something you want to do and create – GO DO IT – because no one is going to do it for you!
Q: Complete this sentence: Life is worth living, because…
A: love, beauty, & magic exist around every corner.
Q: If you were stuck in the middle of the jungle and had only three items to bring with you, what would they be?
A: Bailey.
My man.
Some hummus. :):):)
Hiiii Bailey!
Q: FAVORITE part of what you do!!
A: Connecting with amazing, inspiring, holy beautiful, powerful, loving, playful, creative, women – like YOU!
Q: Where can we get more Rachelle in our lives?! Your website, your jewelry, your retreats… Tell us!
A: Enjoy visiting our site
The Neshama Project and learn more about how the company started, our mission, and the inspiring organizations that we support with each sale. Shop with Meaning!
I teach that thang called yoga in Venice at
The Yoga Collective Mon & Wed 7:45pm candle lit soulful flow. And
Friday and
Sunday at 10:45am! And one
Sunday a month, my girlfriend DJ Glenniest and I host a charity yoga class. We call ourselves Dirt & Glitter. Wanna know why? Come this
Sunday Aug 2 and experience the magic!
I have some exciting opportunities coming up to Wake up to magic. Nourish your Soul. and Travel with Meaning. I believe that travel is one of the things that truly makes your life richer. All aspects of the trips that I have designed have a volunteering element so that our wild adventures both have the power to give back and stand for something greater!
Soulful Adventure to Bali this
September 9–
15 ! To learn more visit the
yoga page to our site and
Seek Retreat. Our second Soulful Adventure to Israel is happening in March- and my sister wife Sophie from
Philosophie and I will be hosting our second Nourish Your Soul retreat to Tulum with dates still to be determined!
Rachelle, thank you so much for being our BABE OF THE WEEK this fine Friday, for rocking TBV Apparel like a boss, for sharing your soul with us and opening our eyes to the fab
Neshama Project world you’ve created. WE HEART YOU.
Don’t forget to visit Rachelle on her website & her
Insta, where she posts awesome stuff allll da time. And visit us at TBV Apparel & check out the line!
PS, what’s everybody up to this weekend?! Some true, balance, virtue, yoga, fun & good vibey stuff I hope! xx
