a Hero's Light

​A Hero's Light is a 501 (c) 3, public charity that fosters and sustains a culture of wellness throughout Central Texas by providing evidence-based therapeutic and trauma informed yoga and mindfulness programs specifically designed for those who actively serve their community. 

A community comprised of healthy individuals, is a healthy community overall. Yoga and mindfulness practices are research based, complementary, and holistic modalities that support mental, physical and emotional health. Community members who  participate in yoga and mindfulness programs are healthier and more resilient. 

​Beth Funk | Executive Director

 ​Dr. Beth Funk grew up in an Army family and has been an Army wife and professional educator for over 32 years.

Beth graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She worked in public education as a teacher and administrator and spent several years teaching Psychology and Professional Development at Blair Junior College in Colorado Springs, CO. Beth served as Vice President of the School Board for USD 207 while living in Kansas and then went on to work as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Education Graduate School at Kansas State University.

​Currently, Beth continues to teach and serve her community as a 500 hour Registered Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher (E-RYT500) specializing in trauma sensitive, therapeutic and adaptive yoga and mindfulness. She is the Founder and Executive Director of a Texas based small business, Life Moves Yoga, LLC, where she shares her deep passion for building resiliency and fostering wellness in all community members. Reader’s Digest and Good Morning America recently selected her yoga and mindfulness studio as one of the Nicest Places in America! Beth also serves on the faculty for the national non-profit, Warriors at Ease.

Beth has a deep passion for working with Military families and local community members, and has served in many different volunteer capacities over the past 32 years. She is the recipient of a number of volunteer awards, including The Secretary of the Army’s Public Service Award, The Department of the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, The Yellow Rose of Texas, The Saint Joan of Arc, The Molly Pitcher, The Margaret C. Corbin, and the Dr. Mary E. Walker Award.

Beth is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of A Hero’s Light. She volunteers her time. 

​Amanda Brown | senior Program director

Amanda Brown is a 500-Hour Yoga Teacher and Yoga Teacher Trainer at The Guiding Wellness Institute. Amanda is also a Warriors at Ease teacher, trained in trauma sensitive, therapeutic, and adaptive yoga. Amanda grew up in a military family & calls many zip codes “home”. She found yoga while studying Public Relations at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.

Amanda is passionate about bringing the transformative power of yoga to every BODY through smart, alignment based sequences, and light hearted fun. Amanda is dedicated to serving the military community and has had the opportunity to lead PT sessions and group yoga sessions to hundreds of active duty service members, veterans, and spouses.

Amanda is a Co-Founder and the Director of Programs of A Hero's Light. She volunteers her time. ​

board of directors

​John Yeosock 

​John grew up an army brat, and had the honor to be exposed to and immersed in a wide variety of cultures across the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He is a graduate of Killeen High School and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas. John then utilized his engineering expertise as a founder and Vice President of a sustainable, environmentally conscious, recycled plastics company for 25 years. 

Now retired, he focuses his time and energy on providing access to yoga and mindfulness to his community. John discovered yoga and mindfulness after experiencing a debilitating back injury that resulted in paralysis, pain, depression, and anxiety. Through his yoga journey, he experienced the healing power and has seen others’ lives change through the practice. John believes the practice of breathing, moving, and meditating is a proven solution that is cost effective, and can be scaled and implemented quickly by simply providing access.

John is a Co-Founder and President/Chairman of Board of Directors of A Hero's Light. He volunteers his time.

Aimee Gibson

Aimee Gibson is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Brite Dandelion, LLC, an executive coaching and strategic advisory firm focused on leadership development, coaching, training and facilitating at the individual, team and organizational levels. 
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Aimee is an International Coach Federation certified leadership coach, experienced consultant, entrepreneur and former executive. With over 20 years of professional experience she is passionate about supporting and accelerating leaders' learning and growth through self-awareness and self-management. Aimee’s clients achieve higher levels of leadership effectiveness and success by achieving a greater understanding of and appreciation for their unique gifts and talents, greater alignment of self and other’s perceptions of them, and greater alignment of personal and professional goals. 

Aimee, herself, is committed to professional development and personal growth and is typically engaged by clients also interested in reaching their highest potential in an existing role, in a new role, within a team or when leading a team. Aimee’s work includes assessments such as Leadership Circle Profile, the Maturity Assessment Profile (MAP) and Everything DiSC Work of Leaders®.  Aimee continues to study and incorporate Adult Development Theory into her practice as well as tools and techniques learned while studying at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine. 
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Aimee has a solid track record of advising and coaching in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors representing a wide range of industries. Aimee has worked internationally and for small and large geographically dispersed stakeholders.
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Aimee is a Co-Founder and Vice-President of the Board of Directors of A Hero's Light. She volunteers her time. ​

Reena O’Brien

Reena is a communication professional who spent fifteen years working in local news in Orlando and Atlanta. Upon marrying her Active Duty husband in 2012, she found professional roles in state government, serving as the Director of Communications and External Affairs for a state agency in Florida. Reena has also served as a Director of Public Relations for Greater Louisville Inc., the Chamber of Commerce in Louisville, Kentucky, the Social Media Manager for the United States Army Recruiting Command and most recently, the Director of Communications in Hutto, Texas.

She holds a Bachelors of Science in Organizational Management. 

Reena is also a 200 hour Register Yoga Teacher and Warrior at Ease Level I trained teacher. She found yoga in 2017 when her husband deployed to Afghanistan. She has seen first-hand the results of yoga and mindfulness within herself and those that practice around her.

Reena is a Co-Founder and Secretary of the Board of Directors of A Hero's Light. She volunteers her time. ​ 

general counsel

Mario Lamar

Mario is a business attorney who helps startups and small businesses navigate the legal rigors of making their dreams a reality. From formation to government compliance to IP protection, Mario helps his clients find solutions. He serves as general counsel for several small companies and nonprofits.

As an Army brat, Mario has a special appreciation for those who serve. In law school, he was the recipient of SMU’s Pro Bono Honor Roll award and he continues to serve his community by providing pro bono and discounted legal services.

Mario attended Killeen High School and considers the Killeen area home. He enjoys yoga and the calmness he finds on the mat.

Mario is General Counsel for A Hero’s Light.