We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yamile “yaya” Mcbride a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yamile “Yaya” , thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

The defining moment in my journey as an Indigenous holistic therapist was the release of a dream that once consumed me. I let go of the idea that my worth and purpose were tied to external achievements—money, stability, and validation. This dream, shaped by my experiences as a 1st generation American, born from the promises of the American Dream, was rooted in a need to find connection and a sense of home after a transient childhood of moving between 27 schools, foster homes, and shelters. My ultimate destiny, however, called me to something far deeper, something that could only be uncovered through a profound ceremony with my Ancestors.

In this ceremony, I connected with the love and wisdom that has always resided within me. My Latin American ancestors, who once prayed for their descendants to remember and reclaim our ancient ways, helped me understand that the medicine I had been searching for was within me all along. This realization unleashed the highest version of myself, allowing me to step into my destiny with clarity and purpose. It is a destiny that honors the true dream my ancestors carried—the dream of nonjudgmental connection, of finding our way back home to ourselves.

Now, I walk this path not just for myself but as an invitation to others. By embracing my own healing and truth, I give others permission to discover their own unique way, to connect with the deepest parts of themselves, and to experience the medicine that has always been theirs. This is the work I offer, and it is through this authentic journey that those who resonate with this truth will find their way to me, seeking to learn, to heal, and to transform alongside me.

Yamile “Yaya” , 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?

My journey into the world of holistic therapy has been anything but linear. I’ve faced challenges and triumphs, from navigating entrepreneurship to doing whatever it took to keep my business afloat—whether that meant delivering food, taking on odd jobs, or even shoveling manure to sell. This relentless pursuit of external success eventually led me to a breaking point, where I turned inward to confront the stress, guilt, and unworthiness that had been holding me back.

It was in this crucible that the healer within me emerged. I realized that the struggles I faced were not obstacles but necessary experiences that shaped my understanding of true healing. Today, as an Indigenous holistic therapist, I help others navigate their own journeys with the same compassion and wisdom that guided me. Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and burdened by societal pressures. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can reconnect with themselves, trust their inner voice, and release the burdens of stress, guilt, and shame.

Through my work, be it Medicinal Ceremonies, Intuitive & Energy Readings, Hypnotherapy, Time Line Therapy® (a form of regression, NLP and hypnotherapy) clients experience tangible changes—reduced overwhelm, increased energy, emotional balance, and a deep sense of peace. What sets my approach apart is the integration of 17 generations of healing wisdom from my Indigenous ancestors with modern therapeutic practices. I am proud of the transformative outcomes my clients achieve, not just in their external circumstances, but in the profound internal shifts that allow them to live with greater authenticity, freedom, and joy.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Human Design is a system that blends astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and the chakra system to reveal your unique energetic blueprint. As a 3/5 Projector, I’ve found that the most effective strategy for growing my clientele is rooted in self-awareness and honoring my natural energy flow.

As a high-energy, recovering doer, I now understand why I used to go, go, go, only to crash, exhausted and sick. I’ve learned that success in business is 80% mindset and 20% strategy. Without the right mindset and a regulated nervous system, our bodies can become trapped in perpetual stress and anxiety. We often try to overcome this by masking it with temporary reliefs, but these don’t provide the sustainable strength needed to be more creative and aligned with the people who can truly support us.

For me, managing my energy means resting not just between sessions and projects but also before engaging in any actionable tasks. Whether it’s through working out, meditation, prayer, being in nature, or participating in other forms of ceremony that honor my nervous system and soul. This allows me to gain clarity on the best next steps, enabling opportunities and clients to come to me with ease and flow, rather than forcing outcomes. This approach aligns with my natural energy and has been the most effective strategy for sustainable growth.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your firm or practice?

When I first started my business and nonprofit, I used my retirement savings from 20 years in the school system. When COVID hit, my business model—working with organizations and schools to support high-needs BIPOC students—collapsed. I was left lost and disheartened, unsure of my direction.

But then, an opportunity to work with homebound seniors helped me rediscover my purpose. Over six months, I immersed myself in personal growth, reading 23 books, getting sober, and investing in coaches who helped me heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I became the client I wanted to serve.

The more I invested in myself, the more abundance I experienced. I shifted my business to one-on-one sessions, pouring 80% of my earnings back into my growth and development. Though grants have often eluded me, each rejection has been an opportunity to heal the belief that my work isn’t valued. By releasing judgment and embracing my worth, I’ve found that abundance has always been within reach. Now, I balance a job to support my financial responsibilities, continuing to build my business from a place of alignment and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/StressLessDoMore
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yamilemed/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yayamcbride
• Other: https://www.18springshealing.org This is a collective that I work with

Image Credits

The Goddess Experience Boudoir, 500 N Main st, Winston Salem, NC