A lot of people are still figuring their lives out in their mid-20s, but that’s not the case for one philanthropist from Camden.
“Keep those legs up, high knees, high knees," Emilya Washeleski says as she sprints over wires in the obstacle course area of the Fall Brook Retreat Center.
“Active” could be Washeleski’s middle name.
“Push through the heels, flip 'em over," Washeleski said as she demonstrated a routine with some tractor tires.
The Camden product has been “go, go, go” since sunrise. The work at Fall Brook Stable never ends, but nor does her list of accomplishments. Washeleski is a champion equestrian, a life coach, a business owner and an author. That’s noteworthy for any 24-year-old, but she has accomplished this despite a devastating injury that she suffered when she was just a little girl.
What You Need To Know
- Emilya Washeleski is a 24-year-old philanthropist from Camden
- She's a 17-time world champion equestrian
- She's also a life coach who teaches yoga and fitness
- She does this despite suffering an injury when she was 10 years old
“When I was 10 years old, I got into a really bad horse riding accident and broke my back in two places. The recovery time definitely required for me to do some stretching. That’s where I was introduced into yoga," Washeleski says.
That’s why she always takes time to slow things down. Yoga literally got Emilya back on the horse.
“About six months after I broke my back, that’s when I won my first championship trophy," Washeleski says.
That trophy is one of dozens.
"These bigger trophies are the world championship trophies. They’re for different classes. For this one, I won the 14-18 showmanship with my mare Lucy," Washeleski says.
The model and actress is a 17-time world and reserve champion.
“I started riding before I could walk. We joke. We say I was born on a horse and I’ve been riding since then, and still ride to this day and train other kids on how to enjoy horses and have fun with them," Washeleski says.
As a life coach, she trains people of all ages how to live healthier lifestyles.
“Probably the past few years, that’s when I started to make my own recipes and find things that I liked and my clients liked. That’s when I knew I’m onto something and I need to share this knowledge," Washeleski says.
From plant-based recipes to yoga with mini horses to meditation pods, Washeleski is showing her clients how to unplug.
“You just feel space. It gives you an opportunity to have clarity. That’s what I feel when I’m up here. Just to see this beautiful surrounding and to hear the water and the birds," Washeleski says.
She's finding ways to teach others what she learned at a young age.
"You can be the space of ease and grace and beauty when things and fire-breathing dragons are blowing up the rest of the world. I think that comes from the power of having a great morning routine, doing yoga, taking time to get outdoors and doing stuff that you love," Washeleski says.
Washeleski says in five years, she sees herself holding retreats not just at Fall Brook Stable, but all across the country, and maybe the world.