COME BACK TO YOU
This September, recommit to yourself—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
September has always felt like a natural time to reset. Summer winds down, routines return, schedules get fuller, and suddenly everyone seems to need something from us. That’s why this September, our theme at The Union is COME BACK TO YOU—an invitation to recommit to taking care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Not because you have extra time. Not because everything on your to-do list is finally finished. But because taking care of YOU is what allows you to take better care of everything and everyone that matters most.
A lot of people and things need us. As a mom, wife, boss, daughter, friend, business owner—and all the other titles we collect along the way—I can easily spend an entire day taking care of everyone and everything around me. And if I’m not careful, I can find myself at the very bottom of my own list… somewhere below answering emails, buying dog food, solving problems, finding the thing that is apparently sitting directly in front of me, and remembering the 52 things I was supposed to do yesterday. Sound familiar?
Over the years, I’ve learned something incredibly important: If I want to show up as the brightest and best version of myself for the people I love, I have to consistently return to myself first. Not occasionally. Not when everything else is finished—because everything is never finished. And definitely not only when I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, cranky, and wondering why everyone in my house is breathing so loudly.
I need a system that brings me back to me. For me, one of the most important parts of that system is The Union. Coming to The Union consistently isn’t simply about getting a workout in, burning calories, becoming stronger, getting more flexible, or sweating out whatever happened that day. It’s about creating a regular practice of returning to ourselves—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
You walk through the doors carrying your responsibilities, stress, to-do list, work, family, and maybe a little bit of “I really don’t feel like doing this today.” Then something happens. You move. You breathe. You sweat. You connect. You laugh. You challenge yourself. And little by little, you come back to YOU.
For close to 25 years, that has always been at the heart of what we believe at The Union. Community. Transformation. Accountability. We believe we are better when we do life together. We need people who notice when we show up—and sometimes when we don’t. We need spaces that challenge us to grow. And we need consistent practices that remind us who we are underneath all the roles we play for everyone else. We’ve had the privilege of watching people walk through our doors and become stronger—not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. We’ve watched friendships form, confidence grow, lives change, and people rediscover parts of themselves they may have forgotten along the way.
And the timing of this month’s COME BACK TO YOUtheme could not be more perfect. On September 17 and 18, I have the incredible opportunity to welcome one of my teachers and mentors, Susanne Conrad, to San Antonio and The Union Park Oaks. Susanne’s work has profoundly shaped how I think about leadership, purpose, vision, and how we show up for our own lives. Her visit gives all of us two powerful ways to put this month’s theme into practice—not just by talking about coming back to ourselves, but by actually doing it.
MOVE WITH PURPOSE
Thursday, September 17: Join Susanne for a one-hour NIA experience—barefoot, music-driven movement that blends dance, martial arts, and healing arts. No experience is needed. Just show up, move, reconnect with your body, and experience what it feels like to be fully present. The event will be held at The Union Park Oaks from 6:00–7:30 p.m. and is $40.
WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT?
Friday, September 18: Susanne will lead a three- hour workshop on vision, goals, and self-leadership from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at The Union Park Oaks. It is designed for the person who is busy achieving, leading, caring for others, and checking the boxes—but may have lost touch with the bigger question: What do I actually want? You’ll leave with a clearer vision, meaningful goals, and practical tools for leading yourself and the people who count on you. Early bird pricing is $80 through September 7 and $100 after.
Even more meaningful, a large portion of proceeds from both events will support leadership training for future generations in Ethiopia, helping send the Lightyear Leadership team to Ethiopia with imagine1day in November 2026. So as we invest in ourselves, our growth also contributes to the growth and possibility of others.
What perfect timing. This September, COME BACK TO YOU can mean moving your body, getting quiet enough to hear what you really want, reconnecting with your purpose, and remembering that taking care of yourself is not separate from taking care of others—it is where it begins. When we honor ourselves first, everyone wins.
So this September, I’m inviting you to COME BACK TO YOU. Recommit to your body. Recommit to your mental well-being. Recommit to your emotional health. Recommit to your community. Recommit to the practices that make you feel most alive.
Put it on the calendar. Make the reservation. Take the class. Meet your people. Move your body. Sweat. Laugh. Breathe. Get stronger. And for one glorious hour, let someone else tell you what to do! Then walk back into your life a little lighter, a little stronger, a little brighter—and a whole lot more YOU.
Love U all,
Lisa AKA: The Little Yogi
