We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Souraya Woods a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Souraya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I grew up in an inner city, through many traumatic experiences, without many examples of how to create a healthy, wealthy, and whole me. I always knew there was more for me and never felt that I fit in, however, being accepted within my environment was important to me so instead of embracing my desire for more, I shrank to attempt to fit in. My mission is to help others develop a wealth mindset, despite what they may have experienced, so that they can live in abundance rather than lack and survival… and this is not just about money!

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

There are three main areas where I serve to help build a wealth mindset. 1. As a minister of the Gospel, I assist people with developing spiritual wealth by helping learn who they are in Christ.
2. As a Life Coach, I empower people to abandon the ideology that they need to live in their pasts, allow previous hurts to control their present or future, or remain in a constant state of “survival” or “victim” due to lack of trust and belief in themselves.
3. As a financial coach, I work with families to educate them on financial wealth and help change their fixed narrative of lack into the openness to build and receive abundance.

What sets me apart is my heart for helping people heal. I genuinely desire to see the totality of a person transformed. Watching minds expand during conversations is so fulfilling.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Most recently, well after becoming a Minister and Pastor and Life Coach, but prior to becoming a Financial Coach, I experienced a pretty financially devastating divorce, COVID immediately afterwards, a significant death in my immediate family, job loss right after, followed by another devastating loss. I was experiencing depression and sheer numbness. However, I knew I couldn’t give in or give up. I continued showing up to encourage and motivate others, which, in turn, helped motivate me, and even though things seemed very bleak, I just continued to pray and press forward. I began constructing a speaking platform for female speakers designed to shed light on mental health and self-care for women, which begins its tour in September in Columbia, MD. I also was led to an amazing couple who shared a business opportunity with me and help educate me properly on money and how it is supposed to work. Ultimately, despite everything going on, I said yes to this opportunity and haven’t looked back since!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was about spending money frivolously. I was always taught that if you’re making the money and see something you want, buy it! It’s my money and I can’t take it with me.

While I understand the concepts behind this thought process, it’s a mentality the fast money-makers had back then. While money does afford you the ability to purchase things, we should also be putting it to work to create more so that we’re creating wealth instead of simply cycling through dollars.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sourayachristine.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sourayaspeaks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souraya.christine
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sourayaspeaks
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MondayMorningPodcastShow