“You’re leaving? What are you going to do?” (Said with an exotic mix of terror, awe, and confusion with a hint of frustration and a healthy handful of ‘I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it’.)
This is a fairly common response I’m getting as I begin to make my plans for Leap Day known. To be fair, I also have a tremendous number of wonderful people in my life who couldn’t be happier with my decision, and who think it’s about time I finally did this! The questions of what I’m going to do with myself post-leap is entirely valid and it’s high time I answered exactly what I will and won’t be doing in this newly designed life o’ mine.
Things I will be doing:
Finishing my advanced teacher training at ISHTA Yoga to complete my 500-hour teacher certification. There will be a celebration when it’s all wrapped up this summer!
Working on Compass Yoga, the nonprofit I founded a year ago to focus on improving the health of all people by teaching the therapeutic benefits of yoga and meditation through free and low-cost classes and workshops. Given the demand and need in New York City, the programming requiress more of my attention. We’re also eagerly awaiting the approval of our 501(c)3 status to begin fundraising efforts.
Working on my freelance writing and a few personal writing projects like The Geronimo Project. (Know someone who took a leap of faith in their career and wants to share the story? Send them my way!)
Consulting with Sesame Workshop. I have been tremendously lucky to be a consultant this year with the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, the education research arm of the Sesame Workshop, as they set-up their second annual National STEM Video Game Challenge. I’ll be continuing that work this summer and also looking to pick up some additional consulting work if possible. Someone’s got to make sure my pup, Phineas, has a warm bed and a full belly!
Running a pilot of Innovation Station. About 2 years ago I started working on a new product development curriculum for middle and high school students that I named Innovation Station. After a number of iterations, I finally found a format that is worthy of a pilot program. Now that I’ll have time during the school day, I’m going in search of a partner school. (I’m taking suggestions!)
Learning to code. Thanks to Codecademy, I’m fully indulging my inner nerd to learn the basics of coding as a way to grow my skill set while I stretch my mind. “Why does a yoga teacher need to learn how to code?” you ask. With the way our world is going, a knowledge of coding will be as necessary basic computer skills in the coming years.
Things I won’t be doing:
Sitting around eating Pop Tarts and watching TV. Well, that’s not entirely true. I enjoy a good Pop Tart now and then, and I do love TV. My consumption of both will be kept under control.
Doing tedious, menial work that doesn’t take advantage of my full set of interests and skills. (Enough of that!)
Wallowing in regret over the risk I’m taking.
Spending a lot of money. I don’t spend that much money now, but I’ll be making adjustments to do more with less. I’m actually really excited about living in an even thriftier fashion.
It’s going to be exciting to see what comes of this mix. Rest assured it will all be shared here.
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
16 thoughts on “Leap: What I’m Doing With My Time After I Take the Plunge”
That’s a pretty full plate, lots of good stuff! Eat a poptart or two for me while you’re at it (I can’t eat them anymore) – brown sugar cinnamon was my fave, then blueberry. 🙂 The Sesame Workshop and Innovation Station projects are SO cool (I come from a long line of teachers). Enjoying sharing your journey.
I would say so – you’re one of those wonderful people who have been cheering me on for years now. I am profoundly grateful. You’ll need to do this too, soon 🙂
I am smiling from ear to ear. It’s almost five years since I took my leap and the responses seem to be universal from the naysayers almost word for words. You have so much support, inner vision, drive and passion that it’s going to be a wonder filled world for you. It already is! Much love and sending tail winds to whisk you along your journey.
Good Luck Christa!! I’m proud of you, you’ve been my own personal inspiration since you started Compass Yoga :))) When I take the leap, I will let you know LOL…plans in the works! Congrats again~
That’s a pretty full plate, lots of good stuff! Eat a poptart or two for me while you’re at it (I can’t eat them anymore) – brown sugar cinnamon was my fave, then blueberry. 🙂 The Sesame Workshop and Innovation Station projects are SO cool (I come from a long line of teachers). Enjoying sharing your journey.
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Thanks, M! Full indeed but all really exciting work. I’m excited to see how it all hangs together!
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I guess I’m in the “about damn time” camp, not to mention the “please take me with you” camp 8p
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I would say so – you’re one of those wonderful people who have been cheering me on for years now. I am profoundly grateful. You’ll need to do this too, soon 🙂
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I think you’re right. The picture got much clearer in the last two months. Just need a few more pieces to come into focus. Catch up by phone?
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Yes, let’s catch up over the phone! Maybe I have a way to help you get the extra pieces you need.
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SOOOO excited for you, Christa! Can’t wait to hear about all the great things to come for you. xo
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Thanks, Sara. I am too. I have this unrelenting feeling that somehow this is all going to work out just fine. 🙂
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I’m so excited for you and envious. I haven’t found the courage to take my Leap yet.
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Hi Lisa,
You will find that courage. It’s closer than you think.
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I am smiling from ear to ear. It’s almost five years since I took my leap and the responses seem to be universal from the naysayers almost word for words. You have so much support, inner vision, drive and passion that it’s going to be a wonder filled world for you. It already is! Much love and sending tail winds to whisk you along your journey.
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Mary, your story is so inspiring. I can feel those tail winds. Here we go!
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Good Luck Christa!! I’m proud of you, you’ve been my own personal inspiration since you started Compass Yoga :))) When I take the leap, I will let you know LOL…plans in the works! Congrats again~
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Thanks, Jackie! Excited to hear about your plans to leap!
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I love this post!! It’s all so exciting!
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Thanks, Amy! It’s all coming together!
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