My Beauty with Ella Jotie

Welcome back to another edition of My Beauty! It’s been a while since that last post in this series. I’ve actually missed it. So we are starting it back up with Ella Jotie, one of the founders of Barre Fitness.

With over 20 years of professional experience in the entertainment, health and fitness industry, Ella has combined her expertise as principal dancer, choreographer and fitness instructor to spearhead the development of Barre Fitness.

Ella spent many years performing for audiences worldwide and has had the opportunity of working with many of the entertainment industries best including: ABC, Disney, MTV, Nickelodeon, NBC, the NBA and alongside choreographers of such artists as Madonna and Janet Jackson.

A long-time fitness enthusiast, Ella carries certifications in Personal Training, Group Fitness, Pilates,  as well as Fitness Through Cycling. She is also a certified Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist. Ella takes pride in developing programs specific to her client’s needs, and is continually promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle, while still having FUN!

You can grab sneak peeks of her everyday life, travels and classes at Barre Fitness on her  Instagram.

A native of Vancouver, BC, Ella combined her passion, creativity and love for both dance and fitness to lead a specialized group of individuals through an extensive training regimen of barre-based exercises, the result of which is the Barre Fitness technique.

How do you practice beauty from the inside out?

Self-love is a goal for me this year. I set aside a quiet moment every morning to meditate and set myself up mentally for the day, I also take the time to reflect and find gratitude. Being mindful and choosing kindness throughout my day has been so impactful. I also get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every night, I eat to nourish my body, and of course I make time for daily exercise. I’m learning to take care of myself first so that I’m better equipped to take care of those around me.

What is your daily skincare routine?

Minimalism. I wash my face with warm water and use Kunye Balance Face serum with a hydrating moisturizer; coconut oil is my go-to for my body.

Do you have any other non-beauty rituals that help you feel great?

Barre Fitness classes, of course! Regular workouts keep me in check both mentally and physically. I also have my own version of a bulletproof coffee every morning. I add a tablespoon of coconut oil (healthy fats), a dash of cinnamon (antioxidant) and a scoop of Within Us TruMarine Collagen to my coffee.

Do you have a game-changing product?

Coconut oil for everything.

What’s a beauty mainstay that hasn’t changed since your teen years…?

Baby Lips – can’t live without a tinted moisturizing lip balm.

Do you have any stories of regrettable beauty moments or experiments-gone-wrong?

Trying to give myself fringe bangs was a disaster (both times!).

Do you usually wear makeup?

Not really. I’ve been learning to accept myself in my own skin.

Is there any other makeup you use every day?

When I do wear make up, I keep it simple – mineral powder foundation, blush and eyeliner.

How do you change things up for special occasions?

For special occasions I splurge and hire a beauty expert to make me feel glam.

What are your favorite essential oils? Face or body oils?

Saje Pain Release Roll On oil is my go-to for my body post workout.

Are there any foods or drinks that help you look and feel your best?

I eat a lot of dark leafy greens because they’re packed with nutrients and I always drink water. The health and beauty benefits of staying hydrated are endless!

In your opinion, what makes a great brand?

Authenticity. A great brand is one that resonates beyond simply a product, spreads a positive message and makes a genuine connection with their audience.

The one accessory every woman should own?

Scrunchies are back, and I’m a fan.

What is the importance of Tribe Time with your Barre HQ leaders?

When I meet with the Barre Bosses, it’s such a fun collaborative environment. We believe in the power of collective knowledge and working as a team to build each other up.  I’m truly grateful to be surrounded by a group of female leaders that support me and the vision of our company.

What’s an issue you feel very passionately about right now and why?

The power of being female. I’m passionate about women’s rights and am an advocate of women lifting each other up, despite our differences.

What does an average day look like at work?

The beauty of being an entrepreneur is that no two days are ever alike. I could be teaching classes, leading meetings, visiting one our studios, shooting a workout video, or selling a Barre Fitness franchise. Sometimes I’m doing all of those things in one day! The constant in my job is that I take time to “fill my cup’, whether that is spending time with a girlfriend, making dinner with my man or having fun with my family.

What is your morning meditation routine?

The very first thing I do in the morning is set my intentions for the day by meditating. I like to use the Headspace App, but if I’m pressed for time I take 3 deep breathes and choose 3 points of gratitude in my life. I call this my 3 breathe morning meditation, it’s amazing how powerful those few seconds are in fuelling me for the day and it has become an important part of my wellness routine as an entrepreneur.

Last but certainly not least: do you have an overall beauty philosophy?

There is beauty in being uniquely you.

Thanks so much Ella for joining us this month! Feel free to leave any comments or questions you want myself to ask our next guest below. Check out the last My Beauty here.