HPU junior Molly Fitzgerald is known for teaching the best yoga class on campus, but her peaceful spirit took years to establish.
Long before she was able to bring calming exercises to her students during her late night yoga sessions, she experienced heartache and pain as she made her way through adolescence. That was how she was able to find herself and bring peace and stability to her life.
“ Yoga made me feel like I was one with myself,” Fitzgerald said in a recent interview. “I could spend an hour focusing on being peaceful and precise and forget about the outside factors that were weighing me down and because of that amazing feeling, I stuck with it.”
Fitzgerald is from the mountains of North Carolina and is a communication major with an emphasis on journalism. When she isn’t busy editing or writing her next big story she is in the studio teaching yoga three times a week.
“ Yoga keeps me grounded while I navigate my way through my major,” she said.
Fitzgerald grew up in the outskirts of Asheville, NC. What seemed to be a simple, easy-going upbringing proved to be an uphill battle for normalcy.
“I came home from school every day crying,” Fitzgerald said.
Her desire for regularity in school meant that changing schools was in her path. And though it took three times to get the perfect fit, Fitzgerald blossomed once she found her spot.
"I got to the point where I knew that my school was an extension of me and my family and I felt safe," she said.
With all positives landing in Fitzgerald's lap, it was only natural for tough experience to mold and grow her further. She found a boy that made her happy, but he wasn't always happy with her. With verbal and physical abuse weighing on her heart and soul, she knew that what she was enduring was no longer worth it.
"I woke up one morning and laughed at myself in the mirror and asked myself why I had stuck around for this for so long. I knew I had to leave that day," said Fitzgerald.
Through this self-discovery process she had someone who held her up even when she was unable to stand herself. Her mother. because of this joint effort in bringing Fitzgerald back to happiness, their bond is unbreakable.
"Molly knew that I was always on her side, and I knew that she needed me to be her backbone." said Fitzgerald's mother. " I wish she didn't have to experience so much pain, but through that pain, our love has reached a point that is so beautiful."
Once Fitzgerald had her life back, she knew that going to college would be the best choice to create a future for herself. She always envisioned staying in North Carolina, but the schools didn't feel right to her. Until one day she went to High Point University.
"As soon as I drove through the gates, I knew that I was home. I have never felt so secure and comfortable around thousands of strangers," she said.
More About Molly:
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From Morganton, NC
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Mountain Climbing Aficionado
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Favorite Food is Chinese
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Favorite Season is Autumn
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Prefers Wine Night over Frat Hopping
With only a small handful of friends from home, Fitzgerald set out to find a best friend. Little did she know that her best friend would be her randomly assigned roommate and would continue to be her roommate her entire time at High Point.
" When I first met Molly I knew that we were meant to be friends. We life each other up and keep each other focused on the big picture of graduating and meeting our goals," said Fitzgerald's best friend Sylvanna.
Having a best friend and an amazing school that challenges her daily, Fitzgerald hasn't regretted coming to High Point University for one second. She continues to stay involved and make as many connections as possible so that she can pursue her dreams and have others she can call upon for help.
" High Point has made me realize that my passions and loves are all things that I can capitalize on and that my dreams aren't too big. With had work and dedication I can do anything!" said Fitzgerald.
After all this time, Fitzgerald’s passionate energy has made her realize that bringing new and exciting material into the world, whether it be by journalism or yoga is how she wants to spend t Want to add a caption to this image? Click the Settings icon. he rest of her life. Currently, she is creating a new exercise for her class while also discovering her immense love for editing videos.
“If I can somehow collide any aspect of journalism with yoga and the outdoors, then I will be the happiest girl in the world,” she said.
For more information on Molly Fitzgerald, visit her website at mollyfitz.com