Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Scherer.
Hi Crystal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up visiting Bradenton, and almost 20 years ago, I packed everything I owned into my car and moved here. I was drawn to the area’s small-town pride and its unique sense of community.
I worked at the Manatee County Clerk’s Office and then spent eight years in child welfare with a local therapeutic foster care agency, where I trained foster parents and case managers. Like a lot of millennials, my early twenties were full of fun and figuring life out—I’ll just leave that at “YOLO” but in 2014, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Criminology.
While working in child welfare, I naturally gravitated toward bringing people together. I organized foster parent and staff events, week-long camps for foster children, shared workplace culture and civility trainings, and even proposed creating a new position focused on community engagement and partnerships.
In 2018, I left child welfare and became the Operations Manager of a women’s fitness center, began teaching group fitness classes, and completed yoga teacher training. During that time, I also co-founded a short-lived LLC called 3 Sols, where we hosted beach gatherings with aerial silks, hooping, yoga, and beach cleanups.
One of the most transformative experiences of my life was completing yoga teacher training in Costa Rica on a permaculture farm. For more than three weeks, we were completely disconnected from the modern world. It gave me the space to work through years of trauma and invisible burdens I had been carrying. I came home with a renewed sense of purpose, confidence, and a much clearer vision for my future.
Less than seven months later, in 2019, I became a Stand Up Paddleboard yoga instructor, opened High Vibe Studio, and made the difficult decision to ask for a divorce. Building the studio became part of rebuilding myself. I created a welcoming space where everyone belonged and found an incredible sense of community in Downtown Bradenton. I organized unique experiences like Run Club, Yoga with Manatees, yoga among the bamboo at Mixon Fruit Farms, and rooftop yoga at Oak & Stone overlooking the Manatee River.
I continued investing in my own growth by returning to Costa Rica for additional yoga training and later traveling to Peru with the same group of women leaders. Every trip expanded my perspective, exposed me to new cultures, and inspired new ideas for bringing people together through meaningful experiences.
Around that same time, I worked part-time with Realize Bradenton, which strengthened my relationships throughout the community.
Then COVID arrived. Fortunately, I had already applied for a position with Manatee County Government as the Outreach & Events Specialist. That opportunity became the next chapter of my career. I started by permitting events in the parks, but my role quickly expanded to organizing and producing signature county events, ceremonies, and serving as venue coordinator for The NEST at Robinson Preserve.
After some organizational changes, I spent time supporting other local events, including TEDxBradenton and Main Street Live, before becoming the Lifestyle Director for a local community. While I enjoyed those experiences, I realized what truly energizes me is creating public community events where everyone can participate—including my own family. With my second son on the way, I knew that was where I wanted to be, so I returned to Manatee County Government, where I continue creating experiences that bring people together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge helped shape where I am today.
Working in child welfare for eight years was incredibly rewarding, but it was also emotionally exhausting. I poured everything into supporting foster families and children, and eventually experienced significant burnout. I tried to create balance by focusing on health and wellness, spending time outdoors, and practicing aerial silks, but I knew I needed a bigger change. Even during that season, I found myself constantly looking for ways to improve workplace culture and strengthen community connections through events, training, and partnerships.
In early 2018, I experienced a traumatic brain injury while on vacation in Colorado. Looking back, that event gave me the courage—or maybe the impulsiveness—to completely change the direction of my career. I left the field I had spent nearly a decade building and stepped into an entirely different world centered around fitness, wellness, and entrepreneurship.
That transition wasn’t easy. Starting a business meant learning everything from scratch. Through my LLC, 3 Sols, and eventually opening High Vibe Studio, I learned firsthand what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Personally, that period also included some major life changes. After returning from Costa Rica with a renewed sense of purpose, I opened my yoga studio and made the difficult decision to ask for a divorce. High Vibe Studio became much more than a business—it became part of my healing process. Building a welcoming community helped rebuild my own confidence and reminded me that meaningful connections can carry people through difficult seasons.
Then came another unexpected challenge. In 2020, I was pregnant with my first son, buying a home, and within my first year of owning a business when COVID shut everything down. At six months pregnant, there was simply no way to keep the studio open.
Thankfully, I had already applied for a position with Manatee County Government. That opportunity allowed me to continue doing what I love—bringing people together—but on a much larger scale through community events and public spaces.
Throughout my career, there have been unexpected detours, career changes, personal challenges, and moments where I had to completely reinvent myself. But each experience reinforced the same lesson: I do my best work when I create opportunities for people to connect, build community, and feel like they belong. Every chapter—even the difficult ones—has led me closer to the work that truly energizes me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently serve as the Community Engagement Division Manager for Manatee County Sports & Leisure Services. One of the things I’m most proud of is that I originally proposed the creation of this division in 2022, and today it’s become a true dream team.
Our division oversees a wide variety of community initiatives. We permit events in Manatee County’s parks and beaches, produce signature county events, coordinate ceremonies that celebrate new facilities, are reactivating Mixon Farms as a wedding and event venue, and host holiday and summer camps that serve hundreds of local children each year. Every day is different, but everything we do centers around creating meaningful experiences for our community.
Bringing people together has really been the common thread throughout my career. I’ve been serving on event committees and creating community-focused experiences since 2009, and I genuinely enjoy every part of the process—from the logistics and problem-solving behind the scenes to partnering with local small businesses and nonprofit organizations. My favorite part is watching people make memories. I’ve realized that, like most people, I feel my best when I feel like I belong, so I love creating opportunities for others to experience that same sense of connection and belonging.
I’m also incredibly proud to be actively involved in the community beyond my career through my leadership role with Manatee Young Professionals. One of the most meaningful parts of that involvement is that my two sons often attend events with me. They’re growing up seeing firsthand the importance of civic engagement, community leadership, and giving back. Whether I’m organizing initiatives or supporting other community leaders, they’re learning the value of connection, collaboration, and service. Knowing they’re being raised with those experiences is one of my greatest accomplishments.
I think what sets me apart is the combination of experiences I’ve had throughout my career. My education and background in child welfare gave me a deep understanding of human behavior and taught me to lead with empathy. My training in yoga reinforced the importance of mindfulness, connection, and creating welcoming spaces. Combined with years of event management experience and my Certified Special Events Professional designation, those experiences allow me to approach community engagement differently. I believe that when people feel genuinely included and an experience is thoughtfully designed, you don’t just host an event—you create lasting memories.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
There is nothing I enjoy more than being outside and staying active with my boys. Whether we’re hiking a new trail, spending the day at the pool or the beach, exploring local parks, or trying something completely new, I love creating opportunities for adventure together. I want them to grow up appreciating nature, being curious, and feeling confident enough to step outside their comfort zones. Some of our favorite memories have come from simple moments outdoors, and I hope those experiences inspire them to stay active, embrace new challenges, and develop a lifelong love for exploring the world around them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highvibewarrior/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalscherer/
