Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Rivera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

In 2024, I returned to my own earthly roots as a rapper under my old moniker, Slyyy Fox, a part of me I thought I had to let go of when I moved deeper onto my spiritual path, while reshaping what it meant for me to be “spiritual.” I embraced the parts of myself that I thought I had to hide to be “elevated” – and in doing so, I aimed to show others that they, too, could show up completely, as all parts of themselves. That all parts of themselves are acceptable, safe, and welcome in this world. Even the parts that we are taught are “not okay.” The parts that reflect the inherent value in our sensuality, our anger, our rage, our bliss, our comfort…all of the things we are taught are “superficial” or “low vibrational.”

In the spiritual and holistic wellness world, there is an underlying belief that one must be perfectly detached from all things worldly, that material desires reflect weakness, that there is only room for light without any room for the integration and acceptance of our own darkness.

I embody and teach the concept that we came here to have a 3D, earthly experience, not to separate ourselves from it. Many people speak of “escaping the Matrix.” But even in the word “Matrix,” we see the root word “Matr-” as in Matron, Madre, and other words denoting the Divine Mother/Feminine. The word “matrix” literally comes from the Latin root word for mother.

Why is that? Why was the Oracle in The Matrix a woman (a black woman, no less)? Because the Goddess, the Divine Womb from which we all came, the feminine essence of creation, is IN the Matrix. The Divine Feminine is the divine essence that is present all around us within this world. If we escape the Matrix, we abandon Her. And if we abandon Her, then we abandon ourselves, for she is us because we came from her.

So I don’t teach people to “escape the Matrix.” I teach people to return to it. To embrace the Matrix. To show up fully FOR the Matrix. Because She needs us HERE, and that is how we will heal ourselves – through Her.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my business as an energy healer, holistic nurse coach, and intuitive reader in 2021. It started as a physical location offering basic holistic healing services such as Reiki as well as intuitive Tarot & astrology readings.

In 2023, I had some radical realizations about the way I wanted to show up for the people I serve. I realized that I had been striving for a standard that was imposed on me by believing there was a certain way I “should” show up as opposed to following my own path and the unique way I am meant to serve others. So, in October 2023, I closed down the physical space that was Elev8 Soul and Science.

In 2024, I worked tirelessly to recreate my brand under its new moniker, The Goddess Catalyst LLC, with a fresh focus specifically on women’s empowerment by providing women with the wisdom and tools to stand tall and heal themselves. The purpose of The Goddess Catalyst is to support women in overcoming their fears so that they can step all the way into their power and live the life of their dreams – whatever that may mean to them. I work with women to identify the roadblocks holding them back and keeping them stuck so that they can step into their next major move – the new job, the better relationship, or just the courage to be the person they’ve always dreamed of being. Essentially, we help women go from fear to flow.

In order to do this, we offer:

– Classes to teach the actual knowledge, techniques, and skills that encourage independence, bravery, initiative, and self-awareness
– Events to foster community and connection with other like minded women on similar journeys
– One-on-one sessions
for intuitive coaching and hypnotic healing
– Longer term mentorships to support women more deeply in overcoming their fears and taking action to create the life they desire as the person they want to be

These services aim to break women out of the patterns that have been holding them back, keeping them stuck repeating the same negative patterns over and over, so that they can embody their own unique, powerful version of Goddess energy in whichever way is meaningful for them.

And, as “The Lyrical Oracle”–

…My personal expansion and growth contributed greatly to the expansion of my brand, and a key component of that growth was me overcoming my own fears of showing up the way I wanted to in all areas of my life. I actually returned to making music and released my first single in over 5 years, along with a stunning video visual that captured the essence of a tribe of fully embodied women showing up in their Goddess energy and supporting one another.

Now, a major component of how I empower other women is by encouraging them to also embrace all aspects of themselves, to show up fully without fear of judgment or rejection. I model and teach women that the path to their own bliss is through doing the damn thing.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Most people assume I gained my following based on my holistic healing and intuitive offerings, but I actually gained most of my following by showing up as a rapper from around 2017-2020. At one point, I was up to almost 15,000 followers and even in the beginning of 2024, I hovered just below 10,000. However, as part of my own purging and transformation process, I removed a lot of followers in 2024 because there were many who did not feel in Alignment with my current mission and personal objectives centered specifically around empowering and uplifting women.

However, here’s the secret sauce: I gained the most followers during that time by simply not being afraid to show up and do the dang thing. I posted lots of freestyles. During that time, rap challenges were really common, and I would hop onto those challenges and gain a lot of traction just showcasing my talent and abilities.

I didn’t do it because it was a trend. I didn’t do it because I thought it would make me any money. I didn’t do it for the attention or the likes

I did it because I love to rap and use the power of words…and I’m good at it.

I put myself out there, and I allowed myself to be seen. I pushed forward, and let my love override my fear.

So, that thing that you love? The thing that you’re really good at, or even sort of good at, but you don’t think anyone else will notice? That thing you think is crazy of you for even liking? DO THAT. Show it off. Don’t be afraid to stand out, to be different. Don’t worry about whether or not people will like you. Because people are still going to judge you, whether you do what you love or not. So you might as well just do the thing!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

My absolute favorite way to keep in touch with those I serve is through the newsletters I send to my email list. In the seemingly impersonal era of social media, my email list is a quieter corner of the world meant just for those who truly want to be there – no one had me shoved in their face by an algorithm or an ad. No casual scrollers. Only people who said, YES, I’d like to hear from you. I value what you have to say enough to let you hop in my inbox and speak to me directly once in a while. I want to hear what you have to say, and I’m curious abut what you might deliver directly to me.

When I write newsletters, I write them as if I am writing a note to a friend, because in a sense, I am. I want to connect with each individual on a heart level, because the kind of work that I do with my clients really requires a heart level connection in order to be successful. So, I share personal stories, struggles, and wins, and tie them back to the lessons I’ve learned in order to motivate others and show them new possibilities.

I share with my audience how my lessons can become their lessons, i.e., how I can help them learn, grow, and expand, just as they have witnessed me doing through the journey I share with them. They are able to relate to me, seeing how I have gone through many of the same things they have, and be inspired, seeing how I found my way and therefore, so can they. They find me when they are looking for answers that I may have already found, and I am able to share with them through stories illustrating my own resilience and insights, that I am now offering to them. It’s an amazingly invaluable way to authentically connect with my tribe. And in this kind of business, clients are most certainly a part of your tribe – they are at the very heart of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegoddesscatalyst.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoddesscatalyst/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/i.am.nicole.damiana/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndrivera/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thegoddesscatalyst
• Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/slyyyfox/capital-g

Image Credits

Photos taken by Cassandra Johnson (event & group shots) and Anna Lira (photo shoot pictures of just me).