Ashley Quinn, #NJMOM of 3 young girls, a former D1 athlete, high school lacrosse coach, and certified Yoga Instructor knows all-too-well the impact sports can have on the mind and body. To help young athletes find their balance and feel empowered, she launched reLAX Lacrosse and Yoga with a mission to empower girls through the sport of lacrosse and the practice of yoga by building confidence, awareness, and self-esteem. We’re inspired by Ashley’s dedication to supporting female athletes and her dedication to the One Love Foundation, which educates and empowers women on painting healthy relationships. We sat down with Ashley to discuss her plans for the upcoming year and her favorite spots to visit around New Jersey with her family, like Schiff Nature Preserve and Alstede Farms.
NJMOMpreneur & Founder of reLAX Lacrosse & Yoga Ashley Quinn
NJMOM: What do you offer to your clients and how is it different than other professionals in your field?
Ashley: reLAX Lacrosse and Yoga’s mission is to empower girls through the sport of lacrosse and the practice of yoga. We provide top-level lacrosse instruction with the balance of yoga through camps, clinics, and special events. Our goal is to build confidence, awareness, and self-esteem while developing the whole athlete: body, mind, and spirit.
Live authentically, be yourself, and enjoy the journey. – NJMOMpreneur Ashley Quinn
NJMOM: What inspired you to get into your line of work?
Ashley: The motivation to create reLAX Lacrosse and Yoga was inspired by my three daughters: Emma Claire (13), Caitlyn (10), and Addison (8). As a mom to active girls participating in competitive youth sports, especially lacrosse, we identified a need to provide the tools of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. These tools help athletes manage physical and mental demands associated with competitive sports, with a focus on easing stress and anxiety.
NJMOM: What is your favorite part about your business?
Ashley: My favorite part of my business is getting to work with so many talented, motivated, and enthusiastic student-athletes. We work together towards building lacrosse specific skills, but also towards feeling empowered with confidence and self-awareness – life lessons and tools that extend far beyond the lacrosse field.
NJMOM: What is your background in your business expertise?
Ashley: As a former Division I lacrosse player at Loyola University, I understand the value of sports and what it provides for student-athletes beyond the practice field. Being part of a team teaches us dedication and commitment while working towards the accomplishment of a common goal. It provides safe space to fail, fall down, and learn more about ourselves from these experiences. Currently, I am the Varsity lacrosse coach at Kent Place School. In this role, I work with student-athletes in grades 9 to 12. In addition, I have coached youth lacrosse and assisted on the college level at Stevens Institute in Hoboken, NJ. I am a certified yoga instructor with experience leading small and large group classes, retreats, and mindfulness workshops.
Prior to creating reLAX Lacrosse and Yoga, I successfully founded and launched Liquid Bliss Yoga, an aspirational lifestyle brand and yoga studio located at the Jersey Shore, which began as a crowd funding campaign in 2012. In just five years, I built the business to include SUP (stand up paddleboard) yoga, teacher training certificates and surf / yoga retreats around the world. I sold the studio in 2017 to dive deeper and expand reLAX Lacrosse and Yoga.
NJMOM: What are you most proud of in your career?
Ashley: My career continues to take shape, but at this moment I am most proud of making an impact on the student-athletes who will shape our future – instilling character, confidence, and self-awareness.
NJMOM: What is something few people know about you?
Ashley: What a fun question! Something few people know about me is that I drink lemon water daily. But the weird part? It is always warm, or even hot, and never includes ice cubes. Even in the summer!
NJMOM: What can we expect from you next year – personally and professionally?
Ashley: 2019 is a year of growth through learning – both personally and professionally. It’s important to continue to build knowledge and expertise in an effort to provide the best possible product for our student-athletes. We aim to be cutting edge in the area of lacrosse, yoga, and meditation, but with close relationships with our student-athletes and their families.
NJMOM: What charitable cause are you most passionate about?
Ashley: As a former collegiate lacrosse player and current coach, the One Love Foundation is a charitable cause we support. Founded in 2010, One Love celebrates and honors the spirit of Yeardley Love, former University of Virginia lacrosse player. The goal of One Love is to educate and empower women through healthy relationships, identifying unhealthy behaviors and signs of abuse.
NJMOM: Who is your role model? Why?
Ashley: My older sister, Kelly Shubic Wiener, is my role model. Although we live very different lifestyles – she is married without children, lives in Annapolis and practices real estate law – she has helped me navigate the business world with a sound legal perspective. She is one of the smartest, strongest, and successful women I know – and I am grateful to call her my sister!
NJMOM: What is the best piece of advice your mom (or parent/role model) ever gave to you?
Ashley: “Live, laugh, learn.” My grandmother had these words hanging on her living room wall ever since I can remember. She embodied these words, even in hardship – she was widowed young, lost her son in a car accident, was diagnosed with cancer and yet never stopped living, laughing, and learning. Her life was full, surrounded by people that loved her, until passing at 98 years old.
NJMOM: Do you have a favorite quote you live by? Why is this quote so important to you?
Ashley:
Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver
These words from poet Mary Oliver’s Summer Life, inspire me to take action, follow my dreams, live and love more deeply now. Each day we get to choose how we spend, invest, or waste our time. Each day we get to choose to take steps towards our dreams and embrace them fully. Each day we have 24 hours to live our one wild and precious life.
NJMOM: What are your favorite things to do in New Jersey with your family?
Ashley: As a child, I spent my summers on Long Beach Island, leaving for the beach in June and returning home in time for the start of school in September. This experience left a lasting marque and, fortunately, we are able to provide the same for our girls.
Long Beach Island is a family destination that allows us to disconnect from schedules, cell phones, and daily demands. Once we drive over the causeway bridge, there is a shift in existence. We relax, breathe deeper and reconnect with one another. We surf, paddle board, and trade our car for bare feet and beach bikes. We go crabbing, fish off the pier, and watch the sunset. We find freedom in the little things and live wrapped in the magic of this simple quote from Jacques Cousteau – “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
NJMOM: What is the best part about being a mom for you?
Ashley: The best part about being a mom is having the ability to witness the growth and contributions of my girls as they learn to navigate the world and reach for their own dreams – anything is possible.
NJMOM: What are your favorite businesses in New Jersey?
Ashley: We are fortunate to live in a part of New Jersey with preserved space and farmland. We love to hike the Patriot’s Path, visit Schiff Nature Preserve, and pick apples from Alstede Farms. But we are always up for an adventure towards New York City with a stop at Liberty Park and the Liberty Science Center. For delicious brick oven pizza, we love Fiamma Pizza in Morristown – extra pepperoni please! The Mendham Creamery is the perfect stop for Hershey’s ice cream treats – we love the ice cream sandwiches with rainbow sprinkles. And of course Boxwood Coffee in Summit for a perfect brew.
NJMOM: Where do you reside and vacation in New Jersey?
Ashley: I have lived in various towns within New Jersey. I was born and raised in Medford, NJ, a south Jersey suburban town located just 40 minutes from Philadelphia. My family has lived in Scotch Plains, Westfield, and most recently Mendham. We love living in Mendham as it provides a country-like environment yet with close proximity and access to New York City.
NJMOM: What advice might you have for a fellow NJMOMpreneur who is just starting out?
Ashley: Being an entrepreneur is not easy and takes discipline, hard work and determination. Surround yourself with people that motivate, inspire and bring out the best in you. And don’t be afraid to put your head down and get to work.
NJMOM: Anything else you’d like to tell moms in New Jersey?
Ashley: “What others think about you is none of your business.” Live authentically, be yourself, and enjoy the journey.
For more information on reLAX Lacrosse & Yoga, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
