An Inspired Chat with Diane Woodford

Diane Woodford shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Diane, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are a sacred ritual an intentional practice of gratitude, presence, and self-awareness. My day begins with a resounding “THANK YOU!” Sometimes it’s a quiet whisper in my mind, other times I say it aloud, letting the sound fill the space around me and echo within. Either way, it grounds me in appreciation.
Simply opening my eyes and knowing where I am and who I am is enough to give thanks. Drawing a breath on my own, feeling the sensations in my body, and being fully alive in this moment all are causes for deep gratitude. Often, I wake in some of the most stunning places on Earth, many near the water, and that too is a gift I never take for granted.
Quiet time follows. It’s essential for me. In stillness, I check in with myself. I listen. I allow. This is when I receive the insights and intuitive “downloads” that help guide me through the day. It’s also when I recalibrate checking my alignment and frequency. I truly believe we attract what we are aligned with. So, if I desire ease and flow, I must be in a state of ease and flow open to receive and willing to release. This space of silence is also when my creativity awakens. Ideas come freely, and I begin to create without effort.
Nearly 30 years ago, after my maternal grandmother transitioned from this life, morning coffee became part of my daily ritual. I hadn’t been a coffee drinker before, but something about it reminded me of her. It was a small act that made me feel close to her and over time, it became a beloved part of my mornings. Today, I can’t imagine starting my day without a warm cup in hand. My favorite place to enjoy it? Always by the water whether it’s an ocean, lake, sea, or pond. There’s something magical about sipping coffee in nature’s embrace.
I also love to include a morning walk during this time, especially when I’m near water or somewhere with a scenic trail. Moving my body outdoors, taking in the sights and sounds of the world waking up, adds another layer of presence to my practice.
In essence, my first 90 minutes are a blend of gratitude, reflection, quiet creativity, fresh coffee, and movement in nature. It’s a daily ceremony that sets the tone for everything that follows.
This morning, as I write these words, I’m in Bournemouth, UK, waking in a beautiful seaside apartment. The view from my kitchen window looks out over the water calm, blue, and expansive. It’s moments like these that remind me: gratitude isn’t just how I start the day. It’s how I live it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
One Love, Readers! I’m Diane Woodford a woman of many hats yet guided by one unwavering frequency: love. I am a retired critical care health professional and former graduate-level nursing educator. Today, I channel my passion into creative expression and service. I’m a self-published author of two books, an international speaker, philanthropist, and the creator and co-host of Love Drops Podcast. I travel the globe with my beloved husband, Charles, on a mission to spread love wherever life takes us.
Mentorship, especially of young women, holds a special place in my heart. My goal is always to elevate the energy in any space I enter, to foster connection, and to shine light on the beauty and possibility in everyday moments. Simply put, I’m here to live love, give love, and be love.
In the words of a dear friend…
“It is with great pleasure that I write this for Diane Woodford a truly dynamic and exceptional individual. Diane is one of the most giving, incredible, and loving women you’ll ever encounter.
Diane’s podcast “Love Drops Podcast” is a testament to her commitment to spreading love and positivity. The podcast reflects Diane’s passion for making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. When you engage with Diane, whether through her podcast or in person, you can’t help but be surrounded by her warmth, positive energy, and genuine kindness.
One of Diane’s remarkable qualities is her generosity in connecting people. She always has a recommendation for you to meet other incredible human beings, creating a network of positivity and support. Diane and her husband Charles are living life on their terms, spreading love, giving back to society, and exploring the world with charitable hearts.
I feel incredibly honored to have been introduced to Diane, and I can attest to the positive influence she has had on my life. If you’re seeking inspiration, positiveness, and the joy of connecting with a wonderful human being, Diane Woodford is the person you want to know. Engaging with her is not just an introduction; it’s an invitation to a world filled with love and kindness.
Sally Arkell-Boles, Leadership & Mindset Coach for Ambitious Midlife Women https://www.sallyarkellboles.com/

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My maternal grandmother, affectionately known as Granny to me, saw greatness in me long before I could even imagine it for myself. She poured love into me consistently, standing by my side through every high and low. When I became a teenage mother, Granny didn’t judge or scold she supported my choice and lovingly walked with me through the challenges of young motherhood.
Granny was my confidant, my biggest encourager, and a living example that I could be and do anything I set my mind to. She was the mother of ten children and the hardest-working woman I’ve ever known. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering belief in me became the foundation on which I built my life.
She believed in me so deeply that she would not allow me to settle for anything less than my full potential. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Granny passed away nearly 30 years ago, during my time in nursing school. I’ll never forget one of our final conversations. She told me how proud she was of me and shared, with quiet certainty, that although she wouldn’t be here to witness it, she knew I would go on to do great things in this life.
Today, I stand in the presence of greatness, honoring the legacy built with love and deep appreciation for Barbara Horne, who believed in me before I ever could. I honor her legacy by living each day to my fullest potential. And now, I carry that same power forward, pouring into my four amazing grandchildren the love, belief, and strength that was once poured so generously into me.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
In 2021, when my husband was hospitalized, I was suddenly forced to confront my greatest fear along with a depth of emotional pain I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. The storm that threatened his life and health pushed us both into an intensely vulnerable space, where there was no more room to hide. Every layer of fear, every buried emotion, and every ounce of unspoken pain rose to the surface. Our world, as we knew it, was completely shattered.
That season of crisis became one of the most defining transformations of my life.
Over the course of two years, we walked a healing journey rooted in peace, love, and intentional reflection. From that space of deep healing, in 2023, I wrote After-Care: Finding Peace Beyond Trauma a book that chronicles our journey from crisis to triumph. It is both a love letter and a guide for others navigating their own healing after trauma. (Now available) After Care – Finding Peace Beyond Trauma — Paths 2 Transformation
For years, I had unknowingly hidden from my pain behind surface-level phrases like, “I’m good” or “I’m okay.” I didn’t realize I was using those words to mask the very wounds that needed attention and care. But once the storm passed and we entered the season of after-care, I was able to begin the real work scanning the depths of my pain, naming it, and no longer allowing it to hide in the shadows.
After-Care has given me the space to transform pain into power. By sharing our story openly and honestly, I’ve found healing not only for myself, but for others who see their own struggles reflected in our experience. I now speak from a place of peace offering love, hope, and strength to those walking their own paths toward transformation.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
“Showing Up” Is My Superpower I believe that showing up is a true superpower and my closest friends would tell you that it’s what matters most to me. As the oldest of three girls, showing up for my younger sisters became the foundation of a lifelong principle I’ve carried with me: to be present, to support, and to connect.
As Maya Angelou so beautifully said, “People will never forget how you made them feel.” I’ve learned that true and intentional presence is the most powerful way we can make someone feel seen, valued, and loved. When I show up, I’m giving my most precious resource: time. And that time says, “I care. I see you.”
But over the years, I’ve also realized that I must first show up for myself. I’ve become much more intentional about how, where, and for whom I show up with an understanding that I can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-care and alignment with my values are what allow me to be fully present for others.
My mission to spread love around the globe starts with presence. No matter where I go, I aim to show up fully with my heart open and my spirit grounded. Because in the end, showing up is how we make the world feel just a little more connected.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
This isn’t just a theoretical question for me. Over a decade ago, my husband and I chose to walk away from our roles and give away all our possessions. We stepped into the unknown, guided by love, with the intention of becoming love in action wherever our journey might lead.
Today, I’m not defined by a title or tethered to material things. I live my purpose by spreading love across the globe not through accumulation, but through experience, presence, and meaningful human connection. When the names, the roles, and the “stuff” fall away, what remains is what has always been at my core: love and light.
That is what I offer to the world each day. Through Paths2Transformation the platform that holds space for the many “love drops” of my journey I share that light and radiate it wherever I go.
So, if everything else is stripped away my name, my role, my possessions what remains is the truth of who I am: I AM LOVE. I AM LIGHT.

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Image Credits
Love Drop Photo with Charles taken by PCP Photograph Parnell Chapman

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