Jessica Fuller's Holistic Approach to Wellness

Whether you’re 17 or 117, a woman or a man, rich or poor, black or white, chances are, you really, really dig your smartphone. Perhaps you’re even addicted to it. No judgment: I’m right there with you. I love the constant updates from friends close by and afar, its beeps and buzzes, the special way the screen lights up when there’s breaking news, or someone out there “likes” something I said on Twitter. 

We are a nation of tech prisoners, dreaming, and fearing, our release. That’s where Jessica Fuller, 31, comes in. She has founded two burgeoning empires in the Capital Region on the premise that we all want to do the right thing for our minds, bodies and souls; we just aren’t sure how to take the first step. We want to be mindful, but we’ve lost our minds. In 2010, she opened the Hot Yoga Spot in Albany and was the only instructor; now there are five studios in the Capital District, with 45 teachers. In 2018, she opened BARE, a vegetarian eatery offering bowls, smoothies and juices in Guilderland.

She’s onto something: According to a National Health Interview Survey released in November of 2018, three times more U.S. adults are turning to yoga and meditation now, compared to numbers five years ago. Eating sustainably produced, healthful foods is also on the rise. Now, 60% of consumers are concerned about sustainability, an increase from 50% the previous year, according to a study conducted by Food Insight.

We sat down with Jessica to find out how she got to where she is now, and how she hopes to take the rest of us there.

Edible Capital District: What inspired you to get into this industry?

Jessica Fuller: I have always had a passion for teaching people and wanted to help my community. I obtained my masters at the University at Albany in education, and when a job teaching high school didn’t work out, I realized I could combine my love of teaching with my passion for yoga, health and fitness to create a new path for myself. I have been practicing yoga for most of my life. As a child I used to watch yoga DVDs in my bedroom and do them every night before bed, and it just slowly morphed into a bigger part of who I was and what I was interested in.

ECD: You’re a busy entrepreneur, you’re married (to Mike Fuller), you have a dog and you have a young son. Was concern over our food system, and the foods your busy family has access to on the go, part of your motivation to launch BARE?

JF: I am constantly thinking about what my two-year-old eats and how it might be impacting him. It’s hard because the common consumer can’t always understand the ingredients on packaging, and often those nutrition labels can be misleading.

ECD: Do you only eat plant-based foods? If so, when did your commitment to plants-only begin? If not, why did you opt for that in your business?

JF: My business partner at BARE, Annie Berdar, and I both love animals and are committed to living a lifestyle that promotes their well-being. I have been vegetarian for more than 15 years and Annie is vegan. Not only do I eat plant-based but I also live a lifestyle of buying clothes, hygiene products, cleaning supplies etc. that are cruelty-free. Since it’s an important part of both of our lives, we knew it would be a big part of our business. We don’t expect most of our customers to have the same belief or lifestyle, but we do find joy in knowing that our food is cruelty-free and that people can see how delicious and nutritious plant-based really is.

ECD: How close is the mind-body connection in your opinion, and how can its disruption affect our outlook? 

JF: The mind-body connection is extremely important. Our mind is the most powerful thing in our body and I truly believe that what we think about ourselves and our lives manifests in reality every day. If you believe you are capable, you will be capable. If you believe you are enough, you will be enough. If you believe you will find happiness, you will find happiness. Of course life can be difficult, and sometimes very difficult obstacles present themselves and terrible situations arise. However, in all of the instances, it is important to stay positive and mindful and continue to prioritize your values and goals and reflect on how you can improve the situation.

ECD: Do you think that yoga can encourage people to be more mindful of the food and general life choices they make?

JF: One of the best benefits of yoga is how it promotes mindfulness, meditation and self-awareness. This is very useful for someone who is trying to make life changes, whether they are based around their nutrition and eating habits or something unrelated. Honoring yourself and focusing on your own well-being is something that will transcend many parts of your life, and yoga can definitely help with that. We’ve worked with thousands of people, and they tell us regularly that we’ve helped them lose weight, improve flexibility, find relief from chronic pain and illness, improve their mental state and so much more. It has been a real gift.

ECD: Have you been surprised by the growth of your businesses?

JF: The business surprises me every day. When I first opened the Hot Yoga Spot, I had a tiny studio in a small space and didn’t know if we would ever end up with any members. Within one year, we relocated to a space four times the size in Stuyvesant Plaza and have since grown to locations across New York, with a new franchise system in place. I am so amazed by the community we’ve become over the years and the way we have been able to enhance people’s lives.

ECD: What local businesses do you regularly frequent?

JF: My favorite restaurant is the Hollow. It is in downtown Albany and is a perfect date spot for my husband and me. He eats anything and I am strictly vegetarian, so the Hollow is the only place that delivers plenty of delicious options for both of us. The staff is amazing, and it’s a great option whether we are going on a solo date or want to bring our son and have a family evening.

ECD: Can you share examples of some of the local producers you work with at BARE?

JF: At BARE, we are committed to being as wastefree as possible so we can be environmentally friendly. We donate all of our food scraps to Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary and June Farms, which helps reduce our footprint substantially. We also order many of our ingredients and retail items from local Capital Region companies like Sweet Eats, What’s Poppin, Alexander’s Bakery and Tierra Farms. 

ECD: Is it tough to balance BARE and the yoga business? Would you consider opening other BARE stores?

JF: My business partner, Annie, takes care of most of the day-to-day needs at BARE and she’s great. I help with a lot of the big picture stuff like opening new locations (which is definitely happening in the near future). The Hot Yoga Spot has been such a blessing over the years and I’ve loved having a way to help people feel better in their bodies. BARE is the perfect complement to that because now I can help them make sure they are fueling their body in the healthiest and most refreshing way.

ECD: Is there anything you’d like our readers to know?

JF: That I’m very grateful for the way the Capital Region has embraced the Hot Yoga Spot over the last decade and the warm welcome they have given to BARE over the last few months. It has been so special seeing my dreams become a reality and I feel gratitude every day.

FIVE RAPID FIRE

Breakfast today?

Eggs, cheese sticks and Greek yogurt.

Favorite childhood meal?

TV dinner mac & cheese.

Cake, pie or cookies?

Cookies!

Guilty indulgence?

Chocolate. Also nachos.

Midnight snack?

I never eat at midnight. I do an intermittent fast so I only ever eat between noon to 10 p.m. The last thing I usually eat for the day is a mini smoothie bowl from BARE so I can finish my day out with plant-based food.

Hot Yoga Spot | @thehotyogaspot
BARE | @bare_blends
Hollow | @thehollowalbany_
Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary
June Farms | @junefarms
Sweet Eats
What’s Poppin
Alexander’s Bakery | @alexandersbakeryny1
Tierra Farms | @tierrafarm