Health Nut of the Month: Brandyn Herbold, Co-owner of Sigh Yoga + Boutique

Q: When did you first get involved in being active and why?
A: I played sports in high school, and as an adult started running half marathons. But, I was born with a genetic kidney disease—polycystic kidney disease (PKD). I’ve known I’ve had this since I was a senior in high school. The disease is slow progressing, and some people never have a problem with it. I did, however.

Q: What happened?
A: Shortly after I co-founded Sky Sotheby’s International Realty in the Twin Cities, my kidney function was hovering at 15 percent. People who didn’t know me couldn’t tell I was sick, but those who do know me could tell I wasn’t feeling good. I went to the Mayo Clinic to be worked up for a kidney transplant—I didn’t want to be put on dialysis. My sister was a match, but the doctors ultimately decided that she couldn’t donate the kidney. The Mayo Clinic told me that I have a month to find a donor or I would have to start dialysis. Fortunately, the man I was dating then—now my fiancé—Mario, and my best friend were both matches. Mario and I knew we wanted to spend our lives together. You face a lot of what ifs, but at the end of the day, we thought it was the best if he donate his kidney. The surgery took place in October 2007, and we spent our one-year anniversary at Mayo. It was a surreal experience.

Q: How did you go from needing a kidney transplant to great health?
A: At the time, I was co-owner of Sky Sotheby’s International Realty, which I co-founded. For business reasons, I got out and really started concentrating on myself. When I used to run, I would cramp up, and Bikram yoga helped. As soon as I could, I got back into my practice of yoga. I loved it so much that I did teacher training through Core Power Yoga. I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll just teach yoga for the rest of my life.’

Q: Is that what you decided to ultimately do?
A: My friends said that I would get bored with just teaching yoga—I needed it to be more than that. So, Mario and I decided to open a new business, Sigh Yoga + Boutique at 54th and Lyndale. We decided we wanted to do this together because it is so much of our life—we both practice.

Q: How often do you practice?
A: I am pretty much a daily practitioner, no shorter than hour a day.

Q: Many people know yoga is good for them but have a hard time doing it. How do you feel about it?
A: I don’t just teach and say, ‘Oh, it will change your life.’ I am the product of it. Not only has it helped me physically from my kidney transplant, but it has also helped me emotionally and spiritually from what has unfolded in my life. If I can help one person with his or her life, I feel like I’ve had a great day of work.

Q: In terms of local notables who are also healthy, whom do you admire?
A: John Puckett, co-owner of Punch Pizza, who also practices yoga. He is a really positive person and full of energy.

Q: What advice do you have for people looking to get in shape or get involved in yoga?
A: Don’t over think your decision but to jump in and do yoga. Most people say, "I'm not flexible, so I can't do yoga." What they don't realize is that practicing yoga brings flexibility to you. It's not other way around!