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

Zurlia , appreciate you joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

In the quiet hours of the night, when the world seemed to sleep peacefully, I lay awake, haunted by the echoes of a life once shared. I was only 27 years old and already going through a divorce after spending ten years with my ex-husband. The divorce had left me adrift, my heart shattered into pieces too small to find and too delicate to mend. The loneliness was a vast, empty void. I found myself slipping deeper into a darkness I couldn’t escape, my spirit weighted down by an invisible force that drained the joy from every waking moment.

It was in this desperate state that I heard about yagé/ayahuasca ceremonies, a sacred ritual known for its transformative power. The idea of confronting my inner demons terrified me, yet something deep within whispered that this might be the path to salvation. With nothing left to lose, I decided to embark on this journey, hoping to find the light that had been extinguished in my soul.

The ceremony took place in a remote part of the jungle, a place where the air was thick with the scent of earth and life, where the trees stood tall and wise, guardians of ancient secrets. The shaman, a man of few words but infinite wisdom, welcomed me with a knowing gaze. He could see the pain etched in my eyes, the sorrow that clung to me like a shadow.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered around the fire, the flames dancing in the darkness like flickering spirits. The shaman handed me the cup of yagé, its bitter scent filling my senses. I hesitated, feeling the weight of the moment, but I knew there was no turning back. With a deep breath, I drank, the liquid bitter and thick as it slid down my throat.

The effects were slow at first, a gentle ripple in the fabric of reality. But soon, the world around me began to dissolve, and I was plunged into a realm beyond the physical. The visions came in waves, vivid and surreal, pulling me deeper into the depths of my consciousness.

At first, the darkness was overwhelming, a reflection of the despair that had consumed me. I saw the memories of my marriage, the love that had once been so vibrant now twisted into something unrecognizable. The pain was sharp, cutting through me like a knife, and I found myself weeping for the life that had been lost.

But as the ceremony progressed, something began to shift. The darkness started to recede, replaced by a soft, warm light. In that light, I saw myself—not the broken, desolate figure I had become, but the person I had always been deep inside. I saw the innocence of my childhood, the dreams I had once held dear, and the love I was still capable of giving and receiving.

The visions showed me the truth I had been too blind to see: that the end of my marriage was not a failure, but a transformation. It was not the death of my spirit, but the shedding of old skin, the painful but necessary process of growth. I was not a victim of life’s cruelty, but a warrior, scarred yet resilient, with the power to heal and to rise.

As the night wore on, I felt the presence of something greater than myself—an energy, a force of love that enveloped me in its embrace. It whispered to me, reassuring me that I was never alone, that I was part of the vast web of life, interconnected with all beings. I felt my heart begin to open, the walls I had built around it crumbling into dust.

When the ceremony finally ended, and I opened my eyes to the first light of dawn, I felt as though I had been reborn. The weight that had once pressed down on my chest was gone, replaced by a sense of peace I hadn’t known in years. The jungle around me was alive with the sound of birdsong, the trees swaying gently in the morning breeze. I breathed in the fresh, cool air, feeling it fill my lungs and rejuvenate my spirit.

The shaman approached me, his eyes soft and kind. “You have seen the truth,” he said simply, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Now, you must live it.”

In the days and weeks that followed, I carried the lessons of that night with me. I learned to forgive myself for the past, to let go of the guilt and regret that had weighed me down. I began to see the beauty in the world again, to find joy in the simple things—a sunrise, a smile, a moment of stillness. The depression that had once seemed insurmountable slowly began to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

The yagé ceremony had not only saved me from the darkness but had also given me the tools to rebuild my life. It taught me that healing is not a destination but a journey, one that requires patience, courage, and above all, love. And in that journey, I found the strength to move forward, to embrace the unknown with an open heart, knowing that no matter what lies ahead, I am never truly alone. The medicine also called me back and asked me to serve. To remember who I am, a warrior spirit who guides others through their darkness into their light. That is how I begin my journey. I went back to the jungle of Colombia to train to hold ceremonies and help others shed the old and welcome the new. I left my old life behind. The six-figure agency owner and author became a ceremonialist and therapist, letting her heart guide her spirit and lovingly hold the space for others to heal.

Zurlia , 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 have always been fascinated by the complexities of the human mind and the intricacies of psychology. This curiosity led me to pursue a master’s degree in industrial psychology, and later, to become a published author. I was driven by a deep desire to understand what makes us tick, to peel back the layers of human behavior and emotion. But there was a time in my life when my focus shifted when titles and achievements became the measure of my worth. It was during this period that I founded a branding and marketing agency, driven by the pursuit of success as it’s commonly defined in our society.

For a while, I thrived in that world. I was creating and building, helping others shape their brands and tell their stories. Yet, despite the outward success, I felt a profound emptiness within. Something was missing, a deeper truth that I had yet to uncover. And then, Yage found me.

This sacred plant medicine opened a door to a world beyond titles, beyond the superficial markers of success I had once chased. It was a journey into the depths of my own soul, a journey of transformation that led me to shed everything that wasn’t authentically me. I left behind the career I had built, the identity I had crafted, and ventured into the jungle to learn about sacred medicines. For four months, I immersed myself in this ancient wisdom, training under the guidance of those who had walked this path before me. This experience was more than just a learning opportunity; it was a rebirth.

Every year, I return to the jungle to continue this growth, to deepen my understanding, and to stay connected to the source of this wisdom. Through these journeys, I have gained profound insights into the human experience, insights that I now share with others. My work today is about guiding people through their own darkness, helping them to find the light within themselves, just as I did. It’s a path of healing, of self-discovery, and of embracing the authentic self.

What sets me apart is this personal journey, the deep connection I have with the medicines, and the wisdom I’ve gained not just through study, but through lived experience. I’ve lived in thirty countries, learning from diverse cultures and people, all of which have shaped my understanding of the world and the human spirit.

What I am most proud of is the ability to guide others through their own transformations, to witness the moment when they step into their true selves. It’s not just about healing; it’s about empowering others to live authentically, to shed the layers that no longer serve them, and to walk in their truth.

For those who connect with my work, I want you to know that this is more than just a career for me—it’s a calling. It’s a way of life that I am deeply committed to, and it’s rooted in a genuine desire to help others navigate their own journeys with compassion, wisdom, and love. Whether through my writing, my teachings, or my one-on-one guidance, my goal is to support you in finding your light and embracing the fullness of who you are.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped me build a reputation within my market is the genuine transformations that my clients experience. I don’t engage in any formal marketing at this time; instead, my work speaks for itself. I do plan on developing a marketing strategy soon to reach more people and serve more, but for now, my reputation has been built entirely through word of mouth, driven by the deep, lasting impact that my work has on those I guide. When people undergo a profound change, when they connect with their true selves and find healing, they naturally want to share that experience with others. It’s this organic, heartfelt sharing that has allowed my reputation to grow, reaching those who are truly seeking the kind of transformation that I offer.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A significant lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success is found in what you do, in achieving goals and accumulating external markers of success. For much of my early career, I was focused on doing—building a business, earning titles, and striving for outward success. I believed that these accomplishments would bring fulfillment and a sense of purpose.

The backstory to this realization is rooted in my journey with Yage, the sacred plant medicine that opened my eyes to a deeper truth. As I delved into this journey, I began to see that all the external achievements I had been chasing were simply a reflection of my inner state. I was striving so hard to achieve because, deep down, I felt a lack, a sense of not being enough.

Through my work with sacred medicines and my time spent in the jungle, I came to understand that true success is not about doing, but about being. It’s about aligning with your authentic self, living in harmony with your inner world, and allowing that to be reflected in your outer reality. When you focus on being—being present, being authentic, being true to yourself—the doing naturally follows, and the success that comes from this place is far more fulfilling.

Unlearning the idea that success is found in doing allowed me to embrace a more peaceful, authentic, and meaningful way of living. It’s a lesson that continues to shape my work and my life, guiding me to help others find that same truth within themselves.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zurlia777/

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Zurlia Servellon