We recently connected with Adrienne Rivera and have shared our conversation below.

Adrienne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

My entrepreneurial journey began with an ad that opened my eyes to the possibility of making a deep impact while earning money online. Inspired, I launched my first business as an online fitness coach. Fitness and life coaching were my entry points into entrepreneurship, and I loved supporting my female clients in reaching their weight loss goals.

As I worked with them, I had the idea to introduce breathwork as a tool to help them break through plateaus. The results were incredible—it became the most transformational part of our work together. One woman realized that her struggle with weight stemmed from a subconscious belief that her family wouldn’t accept her if she didn’t look like them. Another was carrying layers of grief and felt 10 pounds lighter—both physically and emotionally—by the end of a session. One client even uncovered the root cause of her binge eating disorder in a single breathwork session.

Seeing the power of breathwork firsthand amazed me and inspired me to go deeper. What started as a side practice soon became my passion, and over time, my breathwork business naturally evolved into the main focus of my work. Today, I’m the founder of Breath of Gold, best known for our trauma-informed breathwork certification program that trains facilitators worldwide.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Adrienne Rivera, a breathwork expert, facilitator trainer, and the founder of Breath of Gold, which offers one of the best Breathwork Certification Programs in the world. My journey into this field began with a deep passion for holistic healing, somatics, and personal transformation. After earning degrees in Psychology from Virginia Tech, I immersed myself in a range of mind-body disciplines, including yoga, pilates, and personal training, but it was breathwork that truly changed everything for me.

My work is trauma-informed, science-backed, and deeply transformative, focusing on helping individuals and practitioners harness the power of breath to heal, regulate emotions, and step into their fullest potential.

I did a TEDx Talk about breathwork and how it will be the future for how we access our own creativity and innovate our future.

WHAT I CURRENTLY OFFER:

Breathwork Certification: The Breath of Gold Breathwork Facilitator Program trains breathwork facilitators in safe, effective, and ethical breathwork facilitation, accredited by multiple international organizations.

Live Breathwork Journeys: I guide 90-minute online breathwork sessions every Sunday using Circular Connected Breath to help clients release stress, trauma, and stuck energy.

The Problems I Solve & What Sets Me Apart:

Many of my clients come to me after trying traditional therapy, coaching, or self-help methods without experiencing the deep shifts they’re seeking. They often struggle with anxiety, stress, emotional dysregulation, or feeling stuck in patterns they can’t seem to break. Through breathwork, I help them access their subconscious, regulate their nervous system, and integrate healing on a cellular level.

What makes my approach different?
– Blending Science with Spirituality: Our Breathwork Certification is grounded in research and honors the energetic and emotional aspects of breathwork.
– Trauma-Informed Foundation: We prioritize teaching how to lead a safe and supportive experience for all participants.
– Focus on Facilitation Mastery: We specialize in teaching breathwork leaders how to create truly transformational spaces for their clients.

What I’m Most Proud Of & What I Want You to Know:
I’m incredibly proud of the thousands of clients and facilitators I’ve trained who have gone on to change lives through breathwork. My Breath of Gold Breathwork Certification has become a leading program in the field, and seeing my students confidently lead sessions with impact is one of my greatest joys.

Most importantly, I want potential clients to know that our greatest source of empowerment is with us at all times–it’s our breathe. Whether you’re looking to deepen your own self-healing or step into your calling as a breathwork facilitator, I’m here to support you on that journey.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Many people don’t realize that Breath of Gold also offers a physical product—the Breath of Gold Breathwork Oracle Card Deck. I had a vision to create the world’s first breathwork-focused oracle deck, and the names of the cards started flooding into my mind. Once the inspiration hit, I was unstoppable, bringing the vision to life with unwavering determination.

I manifested the perfect graphic designer while networking in a Facebook group, and the designs turned out beautifully. However, finding a printer was more of a challenge. I ultimately chose a U.S.-based printer, which had its pros and cons. I’d heard stories of oracle card manufacturers in China reprinting decks and selling them at a lower cost, so I felt it was both a sustainable and ethical choice to print in the U.S.

What I didn’t anticipate was the five-figure upfront investment required to create the deck. Had I known that at the start, I may have hesitated—but I’m so glad I followed through. This deck has helped countless people deepen their breathwork practice by pulling a card to set their intention before a session. It’s powerful to have a physical product that represents the essence of my brand.

In the digital marketing space, we often forget that we still live in a physical, 3D world, and people resonate with something tangible—something they can hold in their hands and receive in the mail. Having a product like this has been an incredible way to bridge the gap between the online and physical experience of breathwork.

Looking back, one thing I would have done differently is researching more printer options. The company I chose was on the pricier side, and getting multiple quotes might have helped lower costs. As a result, our Breathwork Oracle Card Deck is one of the most expensive on the market. While that has had an impact on initial sales, I don’t regret moving forward. Some people spend so much time planning and researching that they never actually bring their creative ideas to life.

So if you have a dream or a vision—don’t wait. Get it out into the world.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Fostering brand loyalty is a crucial part of building a successful business and brand. One of the ways I’ve done this effectively is by hosting The Breath of Gold Festival—a free, annual summit where I interview 20+ experts in breathwork, wellness, health, and biohacking. This event delivers incredible value at no cost, allowing people to experience the power of breathwork and deepen their understanding of holistic well-being.

Beyond the festival, I regularly offer free breathwork sessions, giving people the opportunity to explore the practice without barriers. I’ve also found that having an affordable breathwork membership provides a consistent space for people to show up, stay connected, and receive ongoing support every week.

Many assume that building brand loyalty requires a large, highly engaged social media following, but I’ve found that consistency and value-driven experiences matter more. Showing up consistently, offering high-quality online events (often hosted on Zoom), and collaborating with other experts to provide even more value to my audience have been far more impactful in creating lasting connections with my community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.breathofgold.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathofgold
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adrienneriveracoaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienneriveracoaching/
• Other: Come try a free Breathwork Session –> https://www.breathofgold.com/sunday-breathwork

Image Credits

Emily Thompson, Light Chaser Photography