Meet Crystal D Woods

We were lucky to catch up with Crystal D Woods recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi CRYSTAL D, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I have learned that being the only one in the room is not a disadvantage—it’s an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to challenge norms, introduce fresh perspectives, and pave the way for those who will follow. That realization did not come overnight. I remember walking into a corporate leadership conference early in my career and feeling an instant wave of discomfort. I scanned the room—rows of executives, decision-makers, and industry leaders. Yet, the reality was that I was the only woman of color there. The only one who looked like me. The only one whose experiences were not reflected in the room’s dynamic.
I felt the weight of the unspoken expectation to prove myself. There was an internal battle between wanting to play small by thinking to myself, Do I belong here?… and the need to stand tall. However, I decided—I would not allow myself to be invisible; instead, I chose to be seen and stand in my power. I leaned into the reality that my voice carried a perspective no one else in that room could offer. I started to engage differently by asking bold questions, bringing fresh insights, and at times challenging outdated narratives. Over time, people started listening. My voice, once hesitant, became a catalyst for change. My perspective, once overlooked, became an asset. My presence once seemed invisible became a beacon of inspiration for others.

I have learned to change the narrative. Being the only one in the room is an opportunity to lead, inspire, and break barriers.
Know Your Value: Walk in knowing that your voice matters. You were invited to the table for a reason—act like it.
There is always a first time—representation creates possibility. When you show up with confidence and purpose, you make room for others to do the same.

That experience changed how I navigate life. Now, when I enter a room where I am the only one, I no longer question if I belong. I own my value, speak my truth, and create a path for others to rise. To anyone who has ever felt like the only one—you are not alone. Your presence is powerful.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a transformational life coach, speaker, and author, I am dedicated to helping individuals break through self-imposed limitations, reconnect with their authentic selves, and step into their power. My journey has been one of deep self-discovery, resilience, and purpose, and I’ve made it my mission to guide others on their own path of empowerment. Through my writing, coaching, speaking engagements, and upcoming workshops, I help professionals and purpose-driven individuals realign their goals with their purpose. I created the E.L.L.A. Method—a transformational framework that helps people identify where they are, release what no longer serves them, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

My book, “Reclaim Your Power: The Journey Back to Self,” reflects this mission. It takes the reader on a journey inward toward forgiveness, empowerment and renewal. It’s for anyone feeling disconnected, stagnant, or uncertain about their path forward. I believe success begins with self-mastery; my clients develop the mindset, habits, and confidence needed to thrive in their personal and professional lives. I am currently working on my second installment of “Reclaim Your Power,” which takes a deeper dive into personal transformation and embracing your true essence.

I know what it feels like to question your path and your purpose, to silence your voice, and to feel like you are not doing enough. But I have also experienced the freedom that comes from reclaiming your power. When we heal our wounds, reclaim our confidence, align our goals with our purpose, and take intentional action, we unlock a deeper level of awareness that paves the way for a life of abundance and fulfillment.

I am expanding my work to partner with organizations as a keynote speaker, helping their teams to overcome fear, redefine rejection, and develop a growth mindset. This year I’m hosting webinars and workshops designed for professionals ready to reconnect with their power, cultivate self-awareness, and transform their mindset, utilizing tools and strategies to help realign their goals and purpose. My work isn’t just about motivation and empowerment—it’s about transformation. I want to see more people be bold and own their space, speak their truth, and create a life that truly reflects who they are at their core. That’s what drives me every day. To anyone on the journey of self-discovery, know this: your power has never left you. It’s just time for you to reclaim it.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As I reflect back over the course of my journey, four key qualities have been most impactful: resilience, self-awareness, intentional action, and, most importantly, a strong spiritual foundation. Each of these has been essential in helping me navigate challenges, embrace transformation, and step into my purpose. Life will test you. There were moments when I questioned everything—my abilities, my path, even my worth. But I learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about growing through what you go through. Challenges aren’t stop signs; they’re invitations to evolve. Instead of asking, Why is this happening to me? Ask, What is this teaching me? Reframing setbacks as lessons allows you to cultivate emotional resilience. Surround yourself with a support system that uplifts you when doubt creeps in.

Transformation begins with self-awareness, clear vision and the desire and willingness to change. Its taking intentional action toward your goals and letting go of what no longer serves you. For years, I played small, allowing fear and doubt to dictate my choices or avoiding decisions altogether. But once I understood my strengths, values, and purpose, I stopped shrinking and showed up for myself. I embraced change and owned my voice. Change requires reflection—taking the time to understand who you are and where you are going gives you the clarity and confidence needed to make the right decisions. When you step back and observe your patterns, you begin to recognize what holds you back and what empowers you. Growth requires the courage to be honest with yourself, acknowledging both your strengths and areas for improvement.

Dreams are powerful, but they must be coupled with action to manifest. I had to move beyond inspiration and take aligned, intentional steps toward my goals. I was once stuck in perfectionism, believing I had to have everything figured out before moving forward. But I learned that it wasn’t about being perfect—it was about being consistent and continuing to grow. Don’t wait until you feel ready; confidence comes from doing what you fear. Stay adaptable. The path may shift, but if you stay committed to the vision, you will always find a way forward.

At the heart of everything I do is my spiritual foundation. Moving in gratitude, knowing I have a purpose, and trusting my intuition have guided me through uncertainty and opened doors I never imagined. When I surrendered to the divine flow of life, everything started aligning in ways I couldn’t have orchestrated on my own. Trust your intuition—it’s your internal compass leading you in the right direction. Live in gratitude—focusing on what you have creates space for more abundance and clarity. And to anyone just starting out: trust yourself, stay committed to your growth, and take action even when it’s uncomfortable. Everything you need is already within you—it’s just waiting for you to claim it.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe in going all in on your strengths while strategically improving weaknesses that hold you back from fulfilling your purpose. Here’s why: Your strengths are what set you apart. They come naturally to you, energize you, and create the greatest impact. When you focus on what you’re already good at and refine those skills, you step into your zone of genius, where growth feels more effortless and fulfilling.

I’ve seen this firsthand in my journey. For years, early in my career, I focused on improving my weaknesses—trying to follow strategies from everyone or attempting to be more like the people I thought I needed to be to succeed. But the more I did that, the more I dimmed my natural gifts. My real strength is intuition, deep connection, and the ability to inspire transformation—yet I wasn’t leaning fully into that. Once I embraced my ability to coach, speak, and write in a way that moves people, everything changed. I started attracting the right opportunities and clients because I was operating in my natural power.

Some weaknesses don’t need fixing; they just need managing. Instead of forcing yourself to excel in areas that drain, you learn to delegate, collaborate with others and find tools that bridge the gap. For example, I’ve never been naturally drawn to the technical side of business—analytics, spreadsheets, and logistics just don’t excite me. Early on, I spent so much time trying to master these things, thinking I had to do it all. It drained my energy. Eventually, I realized that I didn’t have to be great at everything—I just needed to bring the right people and systems into my space. Now, I focus on what I do best and let experts handle what isn’t my genius zone. Some weaknesses are worth improving—especially if they block you from growing and achieving goals. If a lack of discipline, communication, or confidence is holding you back from evolving into the best version of yourself, that’s worth working on. But the key is knowing which weaknesses are worth addressing and which ones aren’t necessary to master.

I once struggled with setting firm boundaries—I was great at inspiring and uplifting others, but I had difficulty saying no or creating limits. That weakness directly impacted my ability to show up at my best, so I had to work on it. The shift didn’t mean abandoning my strengths—it meant reinforcing them by creating healthier boundaries, which made me an even stronger coach, speaker, and leader. Instead of spreading yourself thin and trying to be “good at everything,” take the time to master what makes you exceptional and improve what holds you back. This allows you to move with confidence, attract aligned opportunities, and create the most impact. When you can go all-in on your strengths, you move from surviving to thriving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/iamcrystaldionne
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcrystaldionne
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crysdawn.woods
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/crystal-d-woods-ctlc

Image Credits

Jarvis Releford
Taurea Avant
Kyrstin Brown
Maxwell Mitchell
Jenn Hobby
Eric Anderson