Meet Tara Eddy | Educational Psychologist and CEO, Feelings in Motion

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tara Eddy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara, how do you think about risk?
Many of us, myself included, have had to re-evaluate our risk tolerance in these past years. Additionally, three months ago we all picked up and moved our family to Berlin, Germany. We will return to Los Angeles, and I continue to see my wonderful LA clients remotely. I suppose, just based on that, you can imagine my position on risk is typically to take them.

I am a thoughtful person, and I wouldn’t consider myself a “risk-taker” from the standpoint of making rash investments, loving roller coasters, or other adrenaline spiking endeavors. However, I am someone who always wants to be growing and getting better in all aspects of my life.

I believe we need risks to build confidence and character, both of which tend to translate into work success fairly naturally. Even children need developmentally appropriate risks to learn what they are capable of and to build new skills.

In my professional life, I have taken several risks including leaving a job I loved to build my own business (Tara Eddy Inc.). I put myself out there by creating and releasing a product that helps children build resilience and communication skills (Stomp It Out). Each professional risk I have taken has led to what I am most proud of in my career. My personal life echoes this as well. I’ll spare you the details, but my most recent ‘risk’ in moving internationally with my family has certainly been one of the largest. I can say that even in just 12 weeks, it has already proved incredibly rewarding.

When we take steps into the unknown, we become more awake to what is around us and we grow in ways we never thought of.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have two businesses, a private practice in which I support children, young adults, and families in the US and around Europe. I help children and young adults navigate challenges in their learning, work, or emotional lives. Most recently I have been supporting teachers from Ukraine and students in international schools in Berlin.

My second company, Feelings in Motion was inspired by my work with children and seeing a need that had not been met. Kids need to move much more than they do in traditional classrooms, and much more than our new tech-filled world often allows. Feelings in Motion creates educational games that address kids physical and learning needs, while teaching critical life skills.

The educational games created through Feelings in Motion address all the ways children learn. The games use multi-sensory experiences (visual, auditory and movement) and in doing so, are not traditional board games. Instead of sitting at a table, kids are dancing, hopping, jumping, skipping, you name it. The movement allows kids to share more willingly and to build skills more easily. Feelings in Motion is focused on supporting all types of learners. The skills taught through our products are skills that all kids need for emotional wellness, resilience and confidence. If you’re visual, check out the video on my website to see Stomp It Out in action!

Was it easy? It wasn’t. There were expected and unexpected challenges along the way. The biggest lesson has always been to keep pushing myself, to see challenges as an opportunity for growth not for criticism, and to allow room for things to not go as planned, so that the unexpected can arise.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s a fun question.

I’m a mom of two kids under five, so I’d say I’m probably not the most reliable source of brand new restaurants or bars, but I love great food and cocktails, so I do have lots of recommendations for places that have been around for a bit.

For what I’d say is the best sushi in LA, I’d take my friend to Sushi Note, which is unique, incredibly delicious, slightly off the beaten path, AND has wonderful wine. Just don’t tell too many people because I still want to be able to get in!

For great mediterranean, I’d go to Mizlala in Sherman Oaks. For tacos, Petty Cash is amazing. For a great coffee in Sherman Oaks, I always go to Tortoni, the local shop that I love. For French food, Petit Trois is excellent.

There are so many places to get a great cocktail. I love a rooftop setting, and it is something LA does so well. A few I love are Perch downtown, the Hotel Irwin in Santa Monica, and the rooftop at the Le Petit Ermitage (boutique hotel). If you’re going for a Sunset, West Hollywood vibe, the Mondrian is fun. The Irish pub, Tom Bergins, shouldn’t be missed either. It’s super laid back and they make the best Irish coffee in town.

In terms of where to go outside of classics like Venice Beach, Melrose is a run place to walk around, the Hollywood Bowl is always a blast, JAZZ at LACMA is great for summer picnics and wine, and the Barnsdall Art Park has fun Friday night music and wine tastings. Fryman Canyon is a great hour long hike, but there are tons around the city. For celebs, small dogs, and crop tops, Runyon Canyon. Paddle boarding is a blast even for beginners. Descanso Gardens is beautiful and a nice place to take your parents or kids to walk around. The Arboretum is great and has wild peacocks running around! I lived in LA for over 10 years before I discovered that place. If you haven’t gone to BootyLA and you like to dance, that is so much fun. I’m not sure if it’s back in action since the pandemic, but if it is, it’s certainly a blast. Oh, and if you’re a night owl, don’t miss Dr. Fun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jerry Montoya, Friend and Artist for Stomp It Out Erika Hutchens, Friend and educator for the original group of kids I designed Stomp It Out for
Le Ann Hinkle, Educator, artist and friend who always kept my imagination growing as a kid and created safe spaces for me to express myself
Catherine Mullally, my mom, who showed me the value of working hard and bringing your passions to life
Steve Eddy, My husband and forever supporter

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Website: feelingsinmotion.myshopify.com

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Other: www.stomp-it-out.com