What If Life Isn’t About Surviving, But Transcending It?
Most people go through life in survival mode, checking boxes, grinding through routines, and calling it “living.” But what if life was never meant to be about just getting through the day?
What if it’s about transcending it?
That’s the belief of today’s guest on Attention Is The Currency: Emily Manternach, founder of Embody and Mind, yoga teacher, wellness guide, and speaker who helps people move beyond mere survival into true transformation. With years of experience leading workshops, festivals, and global conversations, Emily carries one mission: guiding people back to themselves.
And her story proves that transformation isn’t some lofty idea reserved for the chosen few. It’s available to anyone willing to embrace themselves as spirits having a human experience.
From Survival to Awakening
Emily’s journey didn’t begin with transcendence. It began with a struggle.
Growing up in a spiritual household, she always felt connected to something bigger. But like many of us, she strayed, curious about other paths, drawn into the noise of modern life, and eventually weighed down by stress, physical breakdown, and emotional overwhelm.
Living in Texas at the time, Emily was practicing healthy habits on the surface—yoga, Ayurveda, resilience routines—but something deeper wasn’t aligned. Her body was sending signals. Her spirit was calling her back.
So she returned to the Midwest, closer to her roots and family. That move wasn’t just geographic. It was a turning point. She started setting boundaries. She slowed down. She began noticing life again: the awe of a hike, the beauty of a sunset, the quiet wisdom of stillness.
And in that shift, she reconnected with a profound truth: we are more than our schedules, our jobs, or our endless striving. We are spirits, experiencing life in human form, and the key is to live from that awareness.
Self-Actualization in Practice
“Self-actualization” can sound abstract, but Emily grounds it in simple, powerful frameworks.
She weaves together Maslow’s hierarchy of needs with the 8 Limbs of Yoga:
- At the base, we need food, water, and shelter.
- Then we build relationships, purpose, and vocation.
- And ultimately, we rise into self-actualization: living in alignment, connected to spirit, fulfilled, and at peace.
Yoga, on and off the mat, becomes a tool for this journey. Movement, breathwork, and mindfulness aren’t just wellness buzzwords. They are vehicles for transcendence. They release what we hold in our bodies, reprogram the mind, and reconnect us to what truly matters.
The Misconceptions of Transformation
Ask most people about transformation and they picture overnight change, a dramatic “before and after.”
But Emily calls out the misconception: transformation is often built in small steps.
- Choosing stillness when chaos pulls you in.
- Celebrating little wins instead of waiting for big ones.
- Drinking water with intention.
- Taking five mindful breaths.
“Those moments matter,” Emily says. “They rewire the brain. They stick.”
And transcendence? It’s not about escaping reality. It’s about integrating spirit into daily life while still allowing yourself to feel human emotions, ups and downs included.
Real People, Real Breakthroughs
One client came to Emily overwhelmed, uncertain, and disconnected from her purpose. Within weeks of working together, she began shifting, landing a new job opportunity, making brave choices, and even traveling abroad solo for the first time.
That ripple effect didn’t just change her. It inspired her community.
This is the kind of transformation Emily witnesses daily: not perfection, not escape, but alignment. The courage to make new choices. The trust to follow intuition. The joy of feeling alive again.
Practical First Steps
For anyone feeling stuck or disconnected, Emily offers practical entry points:
- Hydrate with intention. Water carries energy. Speak love and gratitude into it before you drink.
- Practice mindful breathing. Belly breathing calms the nervous system and grounds your spirit.
- Claim stillness. Even five minutes of silence, away from screens, can declutter your mind.
- Celebrate small wins. Reinforce transformation with joy, whether it’s a dance break or savoring chocolate.
And above all: shift your attention. Because where attention goes, energy flows.
Living a Life You Truly Love
For Emily, living a life she loves means alignment: honoring boundaries, expressing joy, and choosing experiences that expand the spirit. From skydiving to hot air balloon rides, to simply spending time with loved ones, she leans into what feels true and expansive.
And she reminds us: you don’t need a grand life overhaul to start. You need awareness, intention, and the courage to take the next step.
The Vision Ahead
Through Embody and Mind, Emily is leading transformational retreats, virtual workshops, and events that invite people into deeper self-actualization. Whether it’s forgiveness, love, or intuition, her teachings open doors for anyone ready to reconnect.
Because in a world obsessed with “more,” she brings us back to the essence: presence, alignment, and the quiet power of being fully ourselves.
Attention Is the Currency
If attention truly is the currency of our lives, Emily challenges us to stop wasting it on worry and start investing it in joy.
Because transformation isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about remembering who you already are.
And when we live from that truth, we don’t just survive the day.
We transcend it.
Learn more about Emily at Embody & Mind Yoga and connect with her work guiding transformation worldwide.