We were lucky to catch up with Haley Niichel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Haley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In 2018, I was hitting rock bottom. I loathed my corporate gig (even though it paid me extremely well). I was unhappy in my relationship, and I was harboring a secret cocaine problem and not-so-secret alcoholism. I was a long-time yogi, but felt a lack of meaning and purpose in my life. I felt empty inside, and nothing could fill this void.

I had to get very real with myself: I didn’t like who I had become. I felt I was wasting my life, and would get drunk at parties and talk about how I was going to quit my job, cash-in my 401k and do all the things I’ve always wanted to do (namely, travel to the other side of the world, and start working for myself).

I hired a life coach. I started meditating, regularly. I tried to ignore the voice inside that kept nudging me to leave my job, but I just couldn’t. After 6 months of a regular meditation practice, I quit alcohol and cocaine…and my job. My 6-figure corporate gig as a single mom gave me major security, but at that time, I was ready to risk it for purpose and meaning.

I drained my 401k on courses and traveling. I stayed in India for a month and took part in a life changing kriya yoga training. I filled my soul with experience, and through that, came wisdom. The more my consciousness expanded through the practices, the more change I saw – both in my mindset and my external environment.

It was the biggest risk of my life, and 4 years later, I’m working for myself in a heart-centered business in which I serve members of the collective who are also making radical changes in their life. I am a transformation guide, sharing the wisdom I’ve unveiled through living my own dharma. It’s been hard, but it’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

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 never set out to be a ‘spiritual coach’ or ‘guide.’ This began with my own healing journey: from substance abuse, alcoholism, anxiety, depression, ADHD.

My own journey led me to quitting my job and traveling to India to dive into a yoga training – not with the intention of really teaching yoga, but more to deepen my own practice. But when I was there – I couldn’t ignore how potent and transformative the breathwork, meditation, and kundalini practices were, and I was also recognized by the leadership as being a gifted teacher (I didn’t believe this about myself at the time).

When I returned the states, I knew I needed to share these practices with others but felt a little inequipped to deal with the emotions and other actionable changes that need to take place when these practices HIT your energy body. So – I became a certified life + spiritual coach.

This all happened over 3 years ago, and since then, I primarily spend my days coaching spiritual clients as they navigate big lifestyle changes. I am very passionate about healing in groups, and love facilitating group breathwork events. I love creating containers for healing to occur, and I’m big on the senses: I use silent disco headphones, galaxy lights, scent, energy work, touch, and I channel wisdom as I lead deep journeys.

I also facilitate healing retreats where we work with the healing power of breathwork and sacred plants.

I think I’m most proud of my ability to remain authentic and genuine as I create spaces that I would want to attend. I don’t subscribe to the spirituality bullshit of what you have to say, wear, eat, smoke/not smoke in order to ‘be spiritual.’ I’m adamant that spirituality is all about connecting with the truth of who you are.

The most gratifying aspect of my work is seeing the profound transformation that occurs when people commit to their own growth and evolution. The most impactful moments I’ve had are watching people heal in real-time via emotional releases, major a-HA moments, and seeing the energy shift in their being once they’ve recognized a pattern they want to break. This is priceless – and it doesn’t come for free – running a spiritual business has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done…and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most important and helpful thing for succeeding in the field of wellness/spirituality is EMBODIMENT. Too many fake gurus out there regurgitating the same old spiritual lessons from the same teachers. Embodiment is being living proof of your own work – you’re a breathwork teacher? Better have a daily breathwork practice. Yoga teacher? Yep – better have a home practice (and meditate too). Spiritual coach? Better be having your own coach and doing your own work. I can sniff out inauthenticity from a mile away, and so can others. If you are not embodied, you will not succeed long term in this space.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My ability to be vulnerable and share my experience, hands down, has allowed me to build a strong reputation in my local community as a gifted space holder. I share what I’m going through – messes and all. I’m not a perfect human, and I remind my audience of that, regularly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.breath-of-rebellion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haley.niichel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breath.of.rebellion
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-niichel-19373a139/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@haleyniichel3335/videos

Image Credits
Joe Miller took the headshots