Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)
The best advice I give clients is: “All the answers you have been looking outside of yourself for are found right within you. Turn inward, soften, and learn to trust your inner voice.” Once I help clients release self-criticism, they often experience profound shifts. Many have struggled with negative body image, unhealthy eating habits, relational challenges with their partner, or alcohol use, but by embracing self-compassion and releasing shame, they’re able to reconnect with their true desires.
For example, I’ve had clients who, after learning to choose self-compassion over self-judgment, have attracted more aligned relationships, gained genuine confidence in their bodies, and taken control over their mindset. They’re continually amazed at how their whole mindset on life can shift when they are dedicated to softness toward themselves. They’ve found contentment and no longer feel trapped by anxiety. When we connect to our inner knowing, self-compassion and presence become our guiding experiences. This not only improves individual lives but contributes to a collective ripple effect. As more people practice self-love and kindness, the world becomes a more joyful place.
I believe suffering only breeds more suffering, but by validating our emotions and embracing all parts of ourselves—past and present—we tap into a superpower. This is the most magical gift we can offer ourselves.
Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Rachel Jackson, and I’m the founder of Guide to Be, a holistic healing space that redefines the path to transformation by reminding us what it truly means to be human. My journey into this field started with my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, but over time, I realized the gaps in traditional therapy approaches. I’ve always been passionate about creating deeper, more genuine connections that encompass the mind, body, and spirit. This led me to develop Guide to Be as a non-traditional, therapeutic alternative focused on community, self-compassion, and realignment.
At Guide to Be, I offer a range of services designed to help individuals break free from societal conditioning and reconnect with their true selves. These services include:
* Individual and Couples Programs
* Comprehensive Relationship Audit & Coaching
* A Free Community Platform
* Customized Sound Healing and Holistic Coaching
* Intensive Retreats
* Corporate Wellness Experiences
What sets Guide to Be apart is our emphasis on community and creating heartfelt connections. Healing doesn’t have to be transactional and it was never meant to be done alone. I’ve seen first-hand how healing thrives when we come together, share experiences, and support one another. This is why Guide to Be also provides a free community platform where people can access self-guided programs, join healing retreats, and participate in group experiences.
Throughout my 8+ years in fitness coaching, yoga instruction, and sound healing, I’ve found that real transformation happens when we break down the walls we’ve built around ourselves and step into our authenticity. I’m proud to create a space where clients feel seen and understood—not just by me but by a larger community that mirrors their experiences. I specialize in helping people reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and find compassion for themselves in areas such as:
* Relationship equality, communication and intimacy
* Body image and somatic awareness
* Anxiety and disconnection from purpose
* Nervous system regulation and spirituality
What I’m most proud of is that Guide to Be is built on the belief that healing should feel accessible, supportive, and empowering. Whether it’s through personalized sound healing sessions, corporate wellness programs, or community retreats, my goal is to make sure every person feels they are stepping into a space of true belonging and self-discovery.
At the core of my work is a desire to make healing human again—because I believe life is meant to be shared and experienced together. So, here I am, showing up as my authentic self without the “label” and “box” of “therapist.” We are all one and the same. I normalize the highs and lows of life, and offer a space where you can 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?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn is that going against the norm isn’t wrong, and that I won’t be rejected for choosing a different path in my career. I believe the world needs people to demonstrate a new way of being to give permission to others to pace their own authentic path. For a long time, I thought that following a non-traditional approach would lead to failure or rejection. But over time, especially as I built my business, I realized that embracing my unique way of doing things was key to my growth and success.
Two core wounds became apparent to me throughout this journey. The first was a deep fear of rejection and failure. Growing up, I developed a habit of people-pleasing as a way to feel accepted and worthy. I believed that if I kept giving to others—even when I had very little left to give—I would earn love and validation. But I eventually learned that constantly seeking approval doesn’t lead to fulfillment or self-worth.
The second wound was a scarcity mindset. I grew up in a family where money was a source of tension and separation, which made me associate financial success with chaos. As I worked on my business, I had to consciously unlearn the belief that resources are limited. I now focus on trusting that my work is of service and that abundance is available when I approach my career with an open heart. The more I operated from scarcity, the more I saw the world as competition. But by shifting to a mindset of trust and collaboration, I realized that the world—and the people in it—are here to support me.
Unlearning these beliefs has been essential to my growth, both personally and professionally. It has allowed me to embrace authenticity and abundance, and to build a business rooted in service and connection, rather than fear or competition.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
After earning my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, I initially operated as a traditional therapist, working with both couples and individuals in private practice. I contracted with a well-established practice in Denver while also managing my own practice. However, just six months in, I began to feel an intuitive knowing that the “box” of traditional therapy wasn’t aligned with my purpose.
Given my background as a fitness and yoga instructor and my deep passion for spirituality, mindfulness, and energy healing, I didn’t want to feel confined by the conventional structures of therapy. I realized that to truly serve my clients, I needed the freedom to integrate a more fluid and holistic approach—one that allowed me to blend therapeutic techniques with my other passions.
There was a clear, almost inexplicable sense that my purpose was to expand beyond the traditional role of a therapist. I wanted to help others break free from societal norms, to show them that healing isn’t about staying within the lines, but about embracing our full humanity. This meant not perpetuating the idea that we are a burden to others when we face challenges, and not treating support as a transactional process. I believe that clients deserve to know the person guiding them, to build trust through authenticity and genuine care.
It was important for me to model vulnerability and emotional openness in my work. I didn’t want to distance myself from my clients’ pain or pretend I was unaffected by their struggles. Instead, I wanted to reflect the truth that we are all mirrors for one another—learning and growing together. To be human means to be vulnerable, to feel deeply, to dream big, and to reject the limitations that labels can impose on us.
The decision to step away from the traditional therapy model and forgo my therapy licensure wasn’t easy. This pivot from getting my Master’s in Marriage and Family therapy, to operating as a traditional therapist, all in order to come to the decision to not use the label “therapist” in which holds a high reputation, caused me an immense inner battle. It meant going against the opinions of my colleagues and releasing the linear path toward licensure. It required taking a risk on myself which brought up a lot of fear, imposter syndrome, and limiting beliefs. However, I knew I needed to follow my inner calling and fully commit to my business, Guide to Be, in order to honor my alignment. This pivot allowed me to step into a role where I could guide people in a more expansive way, embracing a holistic approach to healing and transformation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guidetobe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_ejackson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourguidetobe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ejackson/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@guidetobe?feature=shared
- Other: Free community: https://guidetobe.thinkific.com/products/communities/innatebyguidetobePodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ESh6kL8m45ZXibocwbjBR?si=843a62b91fb247ab
Image Credits
Aly Carlisle
Corinna Lander
Brandon Lopez