‘Keep pursuing’: Yoga studio owner overcomes challenges, opens new location

By Kyle Schmidt

A studio fire in late February put a pause on yoga classes for Evolve owner Jessica Bledsoe, but it didn’t hold her back for good.

“The biggest thing is keep going cause if you give up then you start going down a route of negativity,” Bledsoe said. “I’m a pretty positive person so it’s ‘keep going, keep pushing, keep pursuing.’”

Although she lost her original studio, she began hosting sessions at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion, spots in Downtown St. Joseph and a few other locations with the help of the community.

The bouncing around took a lot of resilience to stay strong but proved to be valuable in the end.

“I didn’t just move once, I didn’t move three times, it’s finally the fourth, fifth time coming to a actual spot in the six months has really continued to make me stay positive,” Bledsoe said. “But also enrich me in ‘I can do this.’”

An unexpected building for sale in Andrew County was brought up to Bledsoe and the change was ready to happen. After a few renovations, she was ready for the shift.

“To me, it kind of was a good shift, I already have more people in this area and they were traveling to St. Joe,” Bledsoe said. “If St. Joe people can come this way that would be grateful.”

One of Bledsoe’s followers, Tasha Roberts, has been with Evolve for over a year and attended classes at the previous location.

“I just think it is huge for her being in the community that she is in,” Roberts said. “She is just getting into her vibe, I think it is a good benefit for her to be here.”

Another yogi, Randy Baker, couldn’t be happier for Bledsoe. He originally would see her as his nutritionist and physical therapist, now recently trying yoga.

“I would go anywhere to see her … I would drive an hour-plus if I had to, to see her,” Baker said. “She helped me a ton, I can’t thank that lady enough.”

Bledsoe is grateful for the help she received to open her studio once again and looks to continue to spread positivity through yoga.

“I used to be one that didn’t ask for help, so I think asking and being positive, all of a sudden you see this little seed that grows and you are like, ‘Wow, oh my gosh, I made that impact or now I’m seeing that,’” Bledsoe said. “It definitely is hard to stay positive all the time but having that outreach and having other people to help you along that journey.”

Evolve Studio is now up and running at 203 S. Fourth St., and the official ribbon-cutting will be held at noon on Sept. 13. More information can be found on the studio’s website at https://www.evolvestudiollc.com/.