Her Story
About Jen
Jen Berg is a dedicated yoga and mindfulness instructor, author, and educator with eight years of teaching experience. Her professional journey began in special education, where she developed a strong passion for creating supportive and inclusive learning environments. After taking time away from the classroom to raise her children, Jen transitioned into yoga and mindfulness instruction, combining her Master of Education in Special Education with a degree in Business Marketing from Eastern Illinois University. With more than 1,000 hours of yoga training and certifications in mindfulness and Yoga Nidra, she brings a well-rounded and compassionate approach to helping individuals develop greater awareness, resilience, and well-being. Through her work, Jen provides mindfulness and movement practices for adults, children, and students with special needs. Her offerings include parent-and-child classes, group sessions, meditation instruction, and specialized yoga and mindfulness programming designed to make these practices accessible to diverse communities. She is a member of Yoga Alliance and holds advanced yoga credentials, including E-RYT-500, RCYT, RPYT, and YACEP. Jen is also the co-author of Seeds of Effective Thinking, written with fellow yoga teacher Heather Ricciardi, reflecting her commitment to sharing practical tools that encourage personal growth, thoughtful awareness, and lifelong learning. Beyond teaching, Jen is committed to expanding the reach of mindfulness, movement, and wellness programs into schools and communities. Through her nonprofit and the Adventure Learning Lab initiative, she is working to bring these practices into educational environments where they can support students, educators, and families. She is also actively helping build Sustenance Research Institute with the goal of creating broader community impact through mental health and movement-focused initiatives. Jen attributes her success to her strong internal drive and her belief that the body, breath, movement, and mindfulness provide powerful tools for navigating life’s challenges. Her work is grounded in trust, perseverance, compassion, and a desire to demonstrate that meaningful change can begin with one person at a time.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my strong internal drive and my commitment to leading by example. I want to demonstrate to my children that we have powerful tools within ourselves our bodies, movement, breath, and resilience that can help us navigate challenges and overcome difficult moments. Rather than relying solely on external sources for strength or solutions, I believe in cultivating self-awareness, discipline, and inner resilience to move through life with purpose and confidence.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that I don’t have to compare my journey or accomplishments to what others are doing. Success isn’t measured by the number of people I reach, but by the meaningful impact I make, even if it is one person at a time. If I can connect with one person each day, provide value, and make a positive difference in their life, that impact is significant. I’ve learned to recognize the importance of small, meaningful contributions and to trust that consistent, intentional impact is just as valuable as reaching thousands of people.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to embrace the fact that every day will not look or feel the same. There will be moments that are challenging or discouraging, but it is important to remain confident in who you are, continue to shine your light, and remember that your voice, perspective, and contributions are needed. Stay connected to your passion, trust your journey, and keep moving forward even when the path feels difficult. Your authenticity and dedication will shine through, and perseverance will ultimately help you create meaningful impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is expanding into classrooms while navigating the budget constraints many educational institutions are facing. Limited funding can make it difficult for schools to adopt new programs, resources, and innovative approaches, even when there is a clear need and potential for meaningful impact. At the same time, I see a significant opportunity to develop creative, accessible solutions that work within existing resources and demonstrate tangible value for educators and students.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, integrity, and a strong work ethic. I value surrounding myself with hardworking, dependable people who are committed to doing their best and supporting those around them. Building relationships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and accountability allows me to grow, collaborate effectively, and create a positive environment both professionally and personally.
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