Alma Galvan of virtual on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Alma Galvan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Alma, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For most of my career, I’ve worked quietly and deeply with children and individuals facing challenges—guiding them through gentle movements that bring remarkable changes. I’ve always loved witnessing the moment a person shifts, when a new possibility appears in their eyes and a smile forms from something that once felt impossible.
But now, something deeper is calling me.
On December 9th, 2024, I experienced a brain aneurysm. It was sudden, life-threatening, and yet—miraculously—my brain recovered in an extraordinary way. My doctors and I believe that the years I’ve spent practicing and teaching integrative movement played a critical role in this recovery. The work I began to help my children… ultimately saved my life.
What I’m being called to do now is to expand—to share this work more widely, far beyond the small, safe circles I’ve stayed in. I now feel a different responsibility emerge, a sacred one, to let others know that something as simple as intentional, tiny movements can create profound changes in the brain and body—changes that could even be life-saving.
I believe I’ll recover 100%. In fact, I might even be better than before, because I now carry a deeper awareness and sense of purpose. And with that, I know it’s time to share more boldly.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Alma Galván, founder of BrainWorx—a program I created to help individuals of all ages rewire the brain through intentional movement and calming practices. For over two decades, I’ve had the honor of guiding thousands of families, educators, and professionals to create lasting change—gently, lovingly, and effectively.
My journey into this work began from a place of deep love and necessity. I was a young mother determined to help my children overcome significant neurological challenges, and when the traditional systems didn’t offer the support we needed, I started searching, learning, and creating. What began as a personal mission slowly evolved into a powerful method that is now helping individuals and families around the world.
Then everything changed.
On December 9th, 2024, I had an aneurysm. I was sedated for two days and spent 21 days in the ICU. It was an intense, sacred, and revealing experience. Through it all, I came to understand this work on a new level—this time from the inside out. Even while unconscious, my body continued doing the BrainWorx exercises reflexively, instinctively—as if they were woven into my nervous system. I truly believe that the movements I had practiced daily played a vital role in my survival and recovery.
Today, I feel even more called to share what I’ve learned. I especially love working with individuals who carry extraordinary ideas and potential but find themselves held back by internal roadblocks—whether neurological, emotional, or developmental. Drawing from my lived experience and deep knowledge of brain development, I bring together tools and insights that often exist in isolation. What I’ve discovered is a powerful synergy—a way of supporting both the brain and the emotional body simultaneously, allowing transformation to unfold more gently and often more quickly than expected.
I continue to lead BrainWorx with deep compassion and grace—and now with a renewed sense of awe for what’s possible when we return to the body, the breath, and the miracle of presence. I also offer additional coaching and support through Alma Integration, where I help others connect with their original blueprint and navigate life with greater ease and alignment.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For most of my life, I was taught to work hard, push through, and never give up—especially when things got difficult. If something wasn’t working, the answer was always to do more, try harder, and push further. That mindset helped me survive and keep going during the early years of helping my children when there was no clear path in front of me. It gave me strength, determination, and resilience.
But that part of me—the one that believed pushing harder was the only way—has served its purpose.
Through my own healing, and especially after experiencing a brain aneurysm and recovering in such an unexpected way, I’ve come to know something different. I’ve learned that when we move at a comfortable pace, and when the brain and body are calm, we can accomplish so much more—and we can do it with less strain, more clarity, and deeper joy.
For years, I lived by the phrase “No pain, no gain.” I wore it like armor. But now I know, from the inside out, that the real truth for me is: No pain, more gain. I’m gently working on releasing that old belief—not just in my words, but in how I move through life. And as I let it go, I’m also helping others do the same.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Like many children, I grew up hearing messages like, “What do you know?”—words that made me question my intelligence and my worth. Those moments, though seemingly small, left deep imprints. Over time, they shaped a belief that I wasn’t enough… that I wasn’t smart… that something about me was inferior. I carried those beliefs quietly for years, and they affected how I saw myself and how I moved through the world.
One of the most powerful parts of the work I now teach—and practice myself—is a process that helps change negative or limiting beliefs. As I’ve continued to do this work, I’ve been able to uncover and gently shift those old messages. I’ve started to see myself more clearly. I’ve discovered that I am intelligent, that I do know, and that my brain works in a way that is unique—and beautiful.
Even though I’m still learning and growing every day, I’ve reached a place where I can truly appreciate who I am. I love how my brain works, and I’m excited about this journey I’m on. My work isn’t just something I offer to others—it’s also the very thing that’s helped me heal. It’s given me the tools to grow more compassion for myself and for others. I’ve learned to look at situations through new lenses, which helps me respond instead of react.
And I’ve also come to embrace that I’m human, that I’m still a work in progress. So I’m practicing being kinder to myself, too. The more I honor who I am, the more I can help others do the same.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
What belief or project are you committed to, no matter how long it takes?

I am deeply committed to teaching what was shown to me through my own lived experience—especially when it comes to how we see and support people with challenges. Early on, I heard doctors give their opinions about my children, and those opinions often felt final and defeating. It was as if the outcome had already been decided—as if my children were broken or limited. But something inside me knew better.

Now I live by a different belief: No matter how challenging a situation may seem, there is always a way. I’ve learned that professionals speak from their training and experiences, and while their insights can be valuable, they are also limited by what they know. That doesn’t make them wrong—but it doesn’t make them the ultimate authority either.

This is the message I work to pass on to every parent, therapist, and teacher I work with. I encourage professionals to always begin by saying, “In my experience…”—because it leaves space for other perspectives, other possibilities, and other outcomes. It reminds everyone that we are still learning, still growing, and still discovering new ways to support the brain, the body, and the human spirit.

This belief—that healing, growth, and transformation are always possible—is something I will continue to share, no matter how long it takes.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
What belief or project are you committed to, no matter how long it takes?

I am deeply committed to teaching what was shown to me through my own lived experience—especially when it comes to how we see and support people with challenges. Early on, I heard doctors give their opinions about my children, and those opinions often felt final and defeating. It was as if the outcome had already been decided—as if my children were broken or limited. But something inside me knew better.

Now I live by a different belief: No matter how challenging a situation may seem, there is always a way. I’ve learned that professionals speak from their training and experiences, and while their insights can be valuable, they are also limited by what they know. That doesn’t make them wrong—but it doesn’t make them the ultimate authority either.

This is the message I work to pass on to every parent, therapist, and teacher I work with. I encourage professionals to always begin by saying, “In my experience…”—because it leaves space for other perspectives, other possibilities, and other outcomes. It reminds everyone that we are still learning, still growing, and still discovering new ways to support the brain, the body, and the human spirit.

This belief—that healing, growth, and transformation are always possible—is something I will continue to share, no matter how long it takes.

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