We are all well aware of the dangers of social media, and what it can present as a constant reminder of comparison. Often it has led many of us to feel unsatisfied with our lives, how we look, how we feel, what we’ve achieved; the list goes on.
If you were to honestly ask yourself ‘Do the people I follow online make me feel good about myself or push me to be the ultimate version of you?’, most would agree no. That is part of their job description; they are there are marketing experts to encourage you to buy items to live their perfect lives.
I’ve done it, my friends have, and I’m sure you have to. However, you grow to realise no matter how much you buy or do to feel like these people online; you never get the satisfaction you were looking for long-term.
I’ve watched the reality program Made in Chelsea on and off since it started, finding entertainment in their lives, following some of the cast on Instagram to see where they got their clothes from. There where it began for me at least following Mimi Bouchard.
While she had a relatively short stint on the program, I continued to follow her on my feed simply because I liked her style.
Mimi Bouchard, Mimi Method
However, as time passed, I noticed a definite change she began a journey of self-discovery. It’s noticeable to see that Mimi isn’t your average influencer shouting ‘look at me’ on Instagram but instead radiates the bliss of what you can achieve when you truly accept yourself. Now if you were to go onto her feed, you would find someone who is actively using their online space for good.
Mimi Method, Bouchard’s wellness platform she created earlier this year amid lockdown, is a space for your self-discovery teaching you how to become the best version of you, and ultimately to find that self-satisfaction many of us have been trying to achieve for so long.
We spoke to Mimi on how she started this journey, how she began her fast-growing platform, and finally, how during yet another lockdown we can genuinely use this time to transform ourselves into a content being.
You’ve been on a long journey from being on reality tv to where you are today, what would you say has been the driving moment or factor towards your amazing transformation? “The driving factor that led towards my transformation was realising that I am 100% responsible for my life. We all are. I wasn’t acting in alignment with my truest self, and I reached a point where I realised that there was more in this world for me. The reality show was a blessing in disguise, as I was so naive when I first started. It taught me to grow up and to be wary of who I trusted. The more I leaned into doing the things that made me feel good, the more I transformed into who I am today. I truly believe that understanding there’s a better life for you out there, practicing discipline, and creating healthy habits that keep you on track is the key to success. Meditation, reading, movement and eating quality foods are a few things that helped me transform from the inside, out.”
Could you explain Mimi Method to our readers? How would you say it differs from other health and wellbeing programs and sites? “Mimi Method is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on the following three pillars – Move, Nourish and Transform. Mimi Method bridges the gap between weight loss,
mindset, fitness, manifestation and nutrition. My guided meditations, healthy recipes and at- home Pilates workouts are all in video form. The program is all-encompassing because I’ve realised that people experience the greatest changes when their body and mind are in alignment with one another. Unlike other programs out there that focus on one area, Mimi Method ties the three most important aspects of transforming your life under one roof.”
What made you want to create Mimi Method as a platform? “For the past six years, I’ve been on my development journey where I’ve completely transformed my mind, body and diet. It was a process that took a lot of trial and error, and I wanted to create a platform where I could share all of my knowledge with my followers in one cohesive place. I also love the community that the Mimi Method platform has fostered, with girls all over the world sharing similar values and supporting one another on their personal growth journeys. Seeing these girls that subscribe to Mimi Method transform right before my eyes is truly the most rewarding part of it all – I love going through my DMs! There’s always a new heartwarming story to read. “
Mimi Bouchard, Mimi Method
For readers who aren’t familiar with mediation and its purpose, could you explain a little about why you started, what it brings to your life, and how you think it could help others? “The purpose of (my kind of) mediation is to train your mind to start thinking differently. Honestly, it’s more like hypnotherapy, but I don’t use that word much because it can scare some people off. I use mental rehearsal in a lot of my guided meditations as this is one of the best ways you can reprogram your mind to start choosing differently in your day-to-day life. We are all conditioned with beliefs, and most of us don’t realise that we have the power to change them. Meditation is so powerful and has completely transformed my life. I started meditating because I used to find myself falling victim to my emotions and letting them control me. Meditation is a tool that allows me to regain control over my mind and be less reactive. It’s also taught me how to breathe and refocus during moments of stress and anxiety. A lot of my meditations on Mimi Method are focused on the law of attraction to manifest your goals. I believe that everyone can find value in meditation, especially during these uncertain times, where so many things feel out of our control. I have truly created my dream life, dream body, dream relationship, dream career through doing inner work like this. “
What are your tips for people wanting to create their businesses from scratch? How did you find your niche and hone down on what you wanted to make? “I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. I dropped out of college during my freshman year because I knew I was destined to do something different and forge my path. I hated rules. I wanted to be my own boss. One of my biggest tips for people wanting to create their own business is to take the risk and JUST START. Once you launch your business, you can always pivot and grow based on the feedback you receive. I found my niche in the health and wellness / personal development space because this was an area that I was truly so passionate about – I was always eager to learn about it and naturally wanted to share what I discovered. I knew I wanted to create the Mimi Method platform because I wanted to help other women tap into their innate power, transform their minds and bodies, and finally start living the lives of their dreams. I did it… so I knew I could teach it. I love helping people, and seeing my work change lives.”
A lot of our readers will understandably be struggling with being out of work, among many other things, during this crazy pandemic. How have you personally dealt with the Coronavirus pandemic, and what do you recommend to people who are feeling overwhelmed with it all?
“I’ve dealt with the pandemic by sticking to what I know makes me thrive: my healthy routines. My morning routine really helps me start my day off on the right foot, as well as feel a sense of normalcy and control. Meditating and moving daily helps my mindset too. It is easier said than done, and there are certainly days when I feel overwhelmed and anxious. On these days, I try to carve out some time for myself to get back to ME, the person I want to be. On these days, I try to practice discipline with a side of self-care, whether it be reading a good book while walking on the treadmill, meditating and doing some Pilates, or cleaning the house. I always feel like cleaning and organising helps my brain. My recommendation to anyone out there feeling overwhelmed: meditate. Trust me; you can control your mind more than you could ever imagine. You can completely reinvent yourself by the end of 2020 by doing the inner work. I almost feel guilty for saying it, but 2020 has been one of the best years of my life. I have had the time to delve into personal development, even more, I finally had the time to start my new business, and my relationships have a new depth to them. You can decide what you make of this year. “
At this time of year, a lot of people are getting colds and illnesses, let alone perhaps having Coronavirus. What are some tips you would give for when you’re feeling physically not well enough to move or meditate? How do you keep yourself from feeling guilty? “Great question! It’s so important to listen to your body and honor what you’re feeling. I try my best to act intuitively and listen to what my body is telling me it needs. If I’m feeling tired or under the weather, I’ll take it easy and maybe do some relaxing stretches. If even that feels like too much, I’ll nourish my body with healthy foods, hydrate with lots of water and be sure to get plenty of rest. I try my best to remind myself that no one is perfect 100% of the time, and there is no reason to feel guilty over this. One key area I focus on is my bounce back rate, meaning if I fall off the wagon or feel “off” for a day that’s okay, but what matters is how quickly I can get back on track. Remember, everyone is human!”
Mimi Bouchard, Mimi Method
You’re very open and honest about your continual journey to be kind to yourself and continuing to transform, despite having moments where you return to old thinking and feeling insecure. Could you explain to us your old mindset versus your mentality now? “In my old mindset, I was overly self-critical and was always so hard on myself. I used to approach exercise and health from a place of hating my body and wanting to change it desperately. Once I altered my thought patterns and approached health and wellness from a place of love and self-respect, everything clicked for me. I was finally treating my body well because I was so grateful for it! This healthy mindset not only made the journey so much more enjoyable, but I was also finally seeing the physical results I had always wanted. Working on my mentality has truly changed my body. It sounds crazy, but I no longer hold the emotional weight that I used to. Meditating on changing old unhealthy habits like overeating helped me too when it comes to weight loss. There are certainly moments where I find myself falling back into old thought patterns, but I am now able to catch myself and redirect my thoughts before falling too deep down that rabbit hole. I truly feel like this “new me” mentality is the real me. I just had to unlearn what I was conditioned to be my entire life. “
As someone who personally struggles with body dysmorphia, and at a time when exercise is made even harder, how do you tackle negative thoughts towards body image? “Oh girl, I feel so much love and compassion for you! I know how it feels. I’ve made so many strides in regard to my body image and learning how to love myself, but I still have moments where I’m affected by body dysmorphia too. One thing I do is practice gratitude towards my body because even on my “off” days, I can recognise that I’m so lucky to have a body that is healthy and able. Learning to extend more love and gratitude towards my body has helped me heal past disordered relationships with food and body dysmorphia. I’m also a huge advocate for intuitive eating. When I’m eating intuitively, I feel more connected to my body and feel as if I can trust my body. Lastly, doing the work that I know makes me feel unstoppable. Meditating daily, moving daily, and simply being who I want to be, even if I don’t feel “there” yet.
Your podcast The MIMIBEE Podcast is a somewhat supplement to Mimi Method, what’s your favourite podcast, and who do you hope to interview on it in the future? “This is such a tough question – I loved so many of the 210+ episodes of The MIMIBEE Podcast! One of the coolest episodes I’ve recorded was with Ed Mylett – episode #153. I find Ed to be so inspiring while remaining incredibly down to earth and open about his journey and experiences. Episode #101 with Kathrin Zenkina was also amazing. In the future, I’d love to interview Dr Joe Dispenza. His teachings are fascinating, and I’m obsessed with all of his work. I live by so many principles I’ve learned from him, and I’m going to one of his week-long events in January.”
Finally, what’s the development of the Mimi Method going to look like? What can people look forward to seeing? “Mimi Method is growing and evolving every single day. The platform already looks different than it did when I originally launched it in late June. I’m constantly striving to elevate the platform and am always listening to feedback from my amazing subscribers. One of the most recent changes is that I received my Pilates certification through Equinox, so I’m taking the workouts to the next level. Another recent addition to the platform is I’ve started to create scheduled calendars and programs based on goals and skill levels, such as a “7-Day Schedule for Beginners” or a “2-Day Weekend Reset”. I’m always looking to improve the Mimi Method platform, and there are so many exciting initiatives coming down the pipeline in the next few months! After launching a few short months ago, we already have thousands of subscribers and an amazing community. These girls are the ones that motivate me the most to keep going. Their positive feedback drives me.” You can find Mimi on @mimibouchard, mimimethod.com, and The Mimibee Podcast available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Interview by Hayley Barnes
Images via Mimi Method
