We recently connected with Celinda De La Fuente and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Celinda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The biggest risk I ever took was creating Ashes To Phoenix. I vividly remember the moment I decided to invest my savings into something I was unsure about. It felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure of how or when I would land. But something deep within me—my intuition—told me this was the path I needed to take, even though the fear of the unknown was overwhelming.
I have learned that it is not the risk itself that brings fear; it is the uncertainty, the stepping out of our comfort zones. Comfort zones, while safe, can keep us stagnant, limiting our potential for growth. Taking risks with intention and listening to our inner guidance helps us see beyond those limits. It is about addressing the fear, not avoiding it or allowing it to control our decisions.
At that time, I did not have a clear plan. I didn’t know how to network or market myself. I was scared to put myself out there, terrified of failing. Questions like, “What if this doesn’t work? What if I lose everything I have worked so hard for?” swirled in my mind. But despite the fear, I trusted the call I felt inside, even if I did not fully understand it yet.
I am so grateful that during this pivotal time, I found a mentor in Alexander Mesquiti of the American Indians in Texas and their Economic Justice Program. His guidance and the support of the program were truly life-changing. Alex helped me navigate the unknown, offering advice, resources, and encouragement when I needed it most. He taught me how to take small steps forward without letting fear paralyze me.
Having a strong support system was, and continues to be, essential. Surrounding myself with people who keep me grounded, who believe in me, and who see and accept me for who I am has made all the difference. Their encouragement helped me face challenges head-on, reminding me that I did not have to walk this path alone.
Looking back now, I see how much growth has happened since then. What started as a leap into uncertainty has become a solid foundation for growth and direction, a place where I can help others transform their lives through energy healing. The risk I took was not just about money—it was about trusting in myself and my purpose. It was about believing that even if I did not know exactly how things would unfold, they would unfold as they were meant to.
The journey has been full of lessons, challenges, and incredible growth. By taking the risk and confronting the fear of the unknown, I have been able to break out of limitations, step into my purpose, and create something truly meaningful. It remains one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.
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.
At Ashes To Phoenix LLC, I guide individuals on a journey of transformation through energy healing and personal growth, but this path began with my own healing journey. After years of working in education, I found myself at a crossroads during the COVID-19 crisis. At 37, I had to retire from teaching because my body could no longer handle the physical and emotional strain. After years of relying on medication to get through the day, I realized nothing was working anymore. Something had to change.
I turned to energy healing as a way to heal myself—starting with Reiki, then Qigong, Metatron Healing, Violet Flame Healing, Akashic Records Healing, Ancestral Healing, and so on…which all became a cornerstone of my daily practice. These modalities helped me release emotional and energetic blockages, heal past trauma, and ultimately break free from my reliance on medication. Today, I no longer need prescriptions to get through my days; I have reclaimed my health and vitality through these healing practices.
As I healed, I recognized that the knowledge and tools I had gained could be used to help others awaken the healer within themselves. This led me to create Ashes To Phoenix—a place where I offer one-on-one energy healing sessions, group healings and workshops, Qigong classes, and Energy Healing Practitioner Certification Courses which are all accredited by the Complementary Therapists Accredited Association. As an ordained minister, my work also extends to spiritual counseling, helping clients connect with their inner wisdom and align with their highest potential.
What sets me apart is the integrative approach I take to healing. I blend traditional energy healing techniques like Reiki and Akashic Records Healing with practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as mental wellness strategies like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). This holistic approach helps clients heal on physical, emotional, and mental levels, empowering them to live life with more peace and purpose.
Additionally, I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation. This advanced education allows me to offer clients even more tools for healing and growth, as well as exercises they can use to continue their transformation on their own. I do not want anyone to feel like they are left on their own after a session. My goal is to equip people with the tools they need to carry their healing forward.
What I am most proud of is seeing the profound transformations in my clients. I have witnessed people break free from limiting beliefs, heal from deep trauma, and reclaim their power. At Ashes To Phoenix, it’s not just about healing—it’s about empowerment and living life in alignment with your truest self.
I am deeply committed to being of service to others, to the Earth, and to the Universe. Everything I do is rooted in the intention to help others heal and elevate, to contribute positively to the collective energy, and to honor the interconnectedness of all life.
For potential clients or followers, I want you to know that this work is deeply personal to me. I have walked this journey myself, and I understand the struggles of healing. My commitment is to meet you where you are and support you with love, compassion, and the tools necessary for your growth. If you are ready to start your healing journey, I am here to be of service every step of the way.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the limiting belief systems that were instilled in me as a child—beliefs from family, society, colonial influences, the patriarchy, organized religion, and outdated societal norms that I accepted as truth. Our minds are incredibly powerful, and the reality we experience is often shaped by what our subconscious believes is true. For a long time, I believed a version of myself that was defined by these limiting beliefs.
Where I once saw myself as someone defined by external expectations—someone who had to fit into certain boxes—I now see myself as a 41-year-old, single, brown, queer human being who is learning to grow and evolve at my own pace. I have come to embrace my true self, not based on what others expect or the standards I once followed, but on my own terms. I try my best to come from a place of love and acceptance, while also maintaining healthy boundaries.
In the past, I was a heavy people-pleaser. I thought love and validation could only come from external sources. I sought approval and looked to others for confirmation that I was “enough.” I once believed that only my truth mattered and that there was only one way of seeing the world—my way. I was rigid, inflexible, and unwilling to accept differing viewpoints.
But over time, I have learned that multiple perspectives can exist simultaneously. What works for you might not work for me, and that is okay. Both are true in their own way. This shift in perspective has been transformative. I have learned to break free from the chains of generational cycles, especially those that kept me living in a scarcity mindset. A huge part of this has been reconnecting with my Indigenous roots and incorporating practices from my heritage into my life. This has helped me release the fear-based thinking that I once lived by.
I have also been diving deep into the world of Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Holism, which have shown me how deeply interconnected we all are. If I hurt you, I hurt myself. This idea was not something I learned from the modern-day Christian church—it is rooted in Indigenous philosophy and the principles of quantum holism. These teachings have helped me see the world and my place in it in a more expansive, connected way.
As I continue my studies in National University’s online master’s program in Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation, I keep unlearning old belief systems and assumptions. Through this, I have realized that I do not need to “learn who I am.” I simply need to unlearn who I thought I was. It is all about shifting my perspective—looking inward instead of searching outside myself for validation.
All this has helped me learn that the energy you put into your business is an extension of your growth as a person. If you stay stuck in limiting beliefs and refuse to grow, your business will reflect that. But if you open yourself to multiple perspectives, embrace growth, and allow for internal expansion, your business will grow along with you.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I believe what has truly helped me build my reputation within my market is my honesty and integrity. From the very beginning, I have been transparent with my clients about what I can offer and what they have to do for their own healing. I never tell people that I can “heal” them, because at the core, we all have to do that work ourselves. I can provide guidance, space, and support, but ultimately, the healing comes from within each person.
What I do is create an environment where my clients can access their own healing energy by clearing blockages and facilitating a space for growth and transformation. I have found that when you set the right intentions and hold space for people with integrity and respect, they can truly tap into their own potential and make profound changes in their lives.
Honesty and integrity also play a crucial role in networking, which has been an invaluable way of expanding my reach and building my reputation. By connecting with other like-minded professionals who share a commitment to serving others, I have been able to build meaningful relationships that benefit everyone involved. I have been fortunate to meet incredible individuals such as Angela Alonzo of Abundant Universe (@abundant.universe), a beautiful sanctuary of healing, Vic Janitzi, a yoga instructor and life coach and founder of Late Bloomer (@victoriajanitzi); David Williams, a sound healer, yoga instructor, a and founder of Bexar Collective (@bexar.collective & @yoga.dave.sa); Alyssa Lopez, a massage therapist and founder of Knee N’Nalgas Body Therapeutics (@knee_n_nalgas); Claudia Solitaire, a sound healer, yoga instructor and founder of Moon Soul Yoga (@moon_soulyoga); Xylia Garcia, an LMT, holistic health practitioner and founder of Sanadora (@xylialarissa); Rebecca Steele and Kristi Martinelli of Two Hoes Gardening and The Well at Tecolote (@thewellattecolote & @twohoesgardening); Gabriella Tijerina and Lana Hernandez of Street 2 Feet (@street2feet), Tia Sanderson of Transcendental Creative (@transcendental.creative), as well as the amazing Juan De La Fuente and Kiara Adame.
These beautiful souls and others I have met along the way have helped me expand my understanding, collaborate, and grow in ways I never could have done alone. Without the support of other practitioners who lift you up, share wisdom, and collaborate in service, the journey would be much harder. The community you build is so important because together, we are stronger, and together, we can reach more people and provide the healing and transformation that the world needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ashestophoenixsatx?fbclid=IwAR2_bsKObDdOtdq-JapuWdSsXcn6ppLbvlHBwZdoAaqgfwGAfmPii_ibCkA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/ashes_to_phoenix_satx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092862290081
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AshesToPhoenix-Celinda
Image Credits
Gabriella Tijerina