We recently connected with Crystal D Woods and have shared our conversation below.
CRYSTAL D, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
There came a moment when I recognized that my career, despite its many rewards, was no longer aligned with my purpose or the life I wanted to create moving forward. I found myself disengaged, my passion dwindling, and it began to reflect in my work—missing deadlines, losing focus and feeling disconnected from the purpose that once drove me.
The defining shift happened during a conversation with a mental health professional who asked a life-altering question: ‘Do you want the next 40 years to mirror the first?’ Though I had achieved success, my life had become a cycle of work without excitement or meaning. I realized I was missing something deeply important—my connection to myself, to joy, to life’s adventure. It was at that moment I knew I had to begin a new chapter, one focused on realigning my goals, reclaiming my power, and rediscovering who I truly am.
When we feel disconnected from our purpose, it’s not just a career shift we need—it’s a return to who we truly are. Our fulfillment is not found in external achievements, but in aligning our purpose with our goals and embracing the journey back to ourselves. True transformation begins when we acknowledge that the path we’ve been walking no longer serves our higher self. It’s in that moment of clarity that we find the courage to rewrite our story. As they say,.. ‘The only impossible journey is the one you never begin”
CRYSTAL D, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
“I’m Crystal D. Woods, a Certified Transformational Life Coach, award-winning author, and speaker with a passion for helping people reconnect with their authentic selves and reclaim their personal power. My journey into this industry started from my own life challenges and a deep desire to understand the mysteries of life, spirituality, and personal growth. Early on, I earned a Metaphysical Practitioner’s license and studied under renowned mentors like Dr. John F. Johnson, Lisa Nichols and Dr. Michael Beckwith, which helped shape my approach to personal transformation.
I created The Ella Method, named after my mother, which is a unique process rooted in self-reflection and empowerment; guiding individuals to identify where they are, and map out a path toward a more authentic and empowered life. I also developed the Four Pillars for Reclaiming Your Power, which serve as a cornerstone in my coaching, helping my clients break free from limiting beliefs, overcome obstacles, and step into the highest version of themselves.
I offer one-on-one coaching, workshops, motivational & keynote speaking, and written works that support people on their journey to healing and self-discovery. My clients are typically mid-career professionals or, women seeking alignment between their personal values and professional lives. What sets me apart is my holistic approach, which not only focuses on mindset transformation but also embraces the spiritual and emotional aspects of personal growth. I help people not just ‘fix’ their lives but empower them to reshape their entire narrative and live abundantly.
What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had on others. Seeing my clients reclaim their confidence, find their true calling, and experience breakthroughs in areas they once felt stuck is the most rewarding part of what I do. Through my coaching programs like Growth Mindset Mastery, and my books like Reclaim Your Power: The Journey Back to Self, I’ve been able to inspire and guide people in meaningful ways.
If there’s one thing, I want potential clients or followers to know about my work, it’s that transformation is possible for anyone. I’ve walked the path of healing and growth myself, and I believe that by reconnecting with your true essence, and aligning your goals with your life purpose, you can create a life that’s more abundant, purposeful, and joyful than you ever imagined.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One story that truly highlights my resilience took place during a particularly challenging period of my life when I was grappling with a deep sense of dissatisfaction in both my career and personal life. While my professional life was thriving on the outside, my spirit was suffering. I didn’t have a work-life balance, and the relentless pace left me feeling defeated. My personal goals seemed out of reach, and the passion I once had for my work was slowly fading away.
I felt trapped in a cycle of overwork and exhaustion, and as I pushed myself harder, I began to lose touch with the things that mattered most to me. I was successful by all outward measures, but inside, I was struggling. The turning point came when I realized I couldn’t keep going this way—I wasn’t just losing my enthusiasm for my career, I was losing my sense of self. I was forced to confront my reality that while my career was growing, my spirit was shrinking. I had spent so much time focused on professional success that I neglected my own well-being, joy, and inner fulfillment.
It was a painful realization, but also the spark I needed to begin making changes. I knew I had to reclaim my power, prioritize my well-being, and realign my goals with my true self. This journey wasn’t easy—I had to face the fear of stepping away from what was familiar and redefine success on my own terms. But through it all, I learned that true resilience isn’t just about enduring difficult times, it’s about having the courage to stop, reflect, and make the changes necessary for your soul to thrive.
That experience taught me that the most meaningful transformation happens when we acknowledge the areas of our lives that are out of balance and have the strength to pivot, no matter how uncertain the path forward may seem. By choosing to prioritize my inner growth, I rediscovered my purpose, and I now help others do the same.”
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A powerful lesson I had to unlearn is that achievements don’t validate your worth, and rejection does not define who you are. There was a time in my life, I measured my value based on what I accomplished. I thought that success, recognition, and professional achievements were the markers of my worth. Every milestone I reached gave me a temporary sense of validation, but it was never enough to fill the void I felt inside.
The backstory is rooted in my early corporate career, where I constantly pushed myself to achieve more, always striving for the next promotion and seeking external validation. I once believed that the more I accomplished, the more valuable I was, both to others and to myself. But this mindset led to burnout, disappointment, and a growing disconnection from my true self. Even worse, when I faced rejection, it hit me deeply—I saw it as a reflection of my inadequacy rather than just a part of life’s process and an opportunity for growth.
The turning point came when I experienced a major setback in my career. I had poured my heart into a project that didn’t get the recognition or the promotion I had hoped for. I felt crushed, questioning my abilities and my purpose. It was in that moment of reflection that I realized how much power I had given to external achievements and how much I had tied my self-worth to them. I had to confront the truth that my value wasn’t dependent on success or approval from others.
Unlearning this mindset was a challenging process, but it was liberating. I came to understand that rejection doesn’t define me—it simply means that the opportunity wasn’t aligned with what’s truly meant for me, or that I need more preparation to achieve something even greater. Achievements are wonderful, but they don’t determine my worth. I am valuable simply because of who I am, not because of what I do. This lesson has allowed me to embrace my authentic self and approach life with a greater sense of peace and self-assurance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crystaldwoods.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IAMCrystalDionne
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crysdawn.woods
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-d-woods-ctlc
- Other: Book website: — www.ireclaimedmypower.com
Linktree: — https://linktr.ee/iamcrystaldionne
Image Credits
Jarvis Releford Owner / CEO of Brand-New Consulting Group
Kyrstin Brown Owner / CEO of Picked Photos