We recently had the chance to connect with Gabrielle Hill & Alexandra Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabrielle & Alexandra , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Alexandra: I usually wake up around 5:45, I try to give myself about 10 minutes to ease into it. I hydrate, take my vitamins, and then head to the gym and get in some cardio to wake up the body and then weight training. If I don’t go to the gym first thing, I will do a yoga practice at home or go for a run. Over the past year or so I’ve been slowly turning myself into a morning person. Getting some type of movement first thing in the morning feels good physically, but also helps me mentally prepare for the day and release any stress, tension that I’m holding onto. The world feels a little calmer and quieter in the early morning before everyone is moving about.
Gabrielle: I wake up around 7:30 (sometimes after hitting the snooze). I then stretch and make my bed. I am in the process of re-training my brain to recognize that I do not have to rush to be “productive” the minute my feet hit the floor. I get dressed, say a prayer/affirmation in the mirror and begin to make my coffee. I took it back to an old school diner pot and Folgers coffee. I take this time to move mindfully, taking in all the aromas of the coffee and enjoying the quiet sounds of the coffee brewing while I look out my window and talk to the trees. After that I grab my coffee mug of choice, fill it up and begin my day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Alexandra: I’m Alexandra, I’m an educator, a yoga guide, a writer, and a general lover of life. My yoga journey has allowed me to explore and understand myself intrinsically and this exploration has led to something really beautiful, The G & A Collective. We create sacred spaces where individuals can reclaim their power and nurture their souls.
Through immersive wellness experiences, we honor diverse stories, providing a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and deeply cared for.
Gabrielle: I am Gabrielle, an all-around creative, therapist, and yoga guide. I am the Co-Founder of The G & A Collective, and I am passionate about sharing the practices that continue to heal me with others. I am on a daily journey of self- compassion, self- love, and self-discovery and I share what I’ve learned with our G & A Community.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Alexandra: A moment that really shaped my perspective of the world was probably my first time traveling abroad. In 2007, I spent a summer in Okinawa, Japan while I was in college and it was really life changing. It was so much different than what I was used to and I was in awe. It flipped a switch in me and gave me a passion for travel and exploring different cultures. It was also the first time I felt truly free, being so far away from the places and people I knew.
Gabrielle: I was able to experience my first international trip in high school through my mom’s sacrifice in partnership with my scholarship program’s vision. I was part of a group of teenagers who travelled to South Africa to study Apartheid. This experience shaped how I see the world because it was a deep dive into what felt like another world. I saw beautiful mansions in Cape Town and had interesting discussions with merchants in Johannesburg. I learned then, that there is so much more to the world than the little American “bubble” I was accustomed to. I saw places where people lost their lives in the name of freedom and I heard songs of passion and love. I felt a deep love for self and a deep love for others. Since then, I have a lifestyle of traveling around the world, but I often reflect on that first experience and thought I didn’t realize it at the time, it would change my entire outlook on the human experience, there’s hope.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Alexandra: I am still learning how to stop hiding pain and learning to harness it. Part of it is the challenge in exposing the pain, admitting that there is/was pain. Over time as I let go of the expectations and idea of “how I should respond or feel or heal” I am slowly embracing the pain and sharing my journey through it. Yoga has played a major role in allowing myself to heal, to be still, to sit with the pain and release it. It’s taught me that the feeling is important, but letting it go is how we get past it. Through my yoga practice and Radiant Rest Retreat I am able to use that power and share it with others. To teach and guide other people to and through their feelings and empower them to create a safe place for themselves.
Gabrielle: I would say I began the princess of not hiding my pain (as much) and speaking my truth over the last 2 years. I went through multiple heartbreaking experiences and instead of keeping the pain inside, I gave my community the opportunity to show up for me, for the first time in a long time, I let them in. This is still a daily practice of shifting from a place of feeling hopeless to remembering that I still have the opportunity to choose. To be honest, the first year of the Radiant Rest Retreat was one of the hardest years of my life. But I knew that Alexandra and I were called to the mission and share these practices to remind other women of their power as well and it was so beautiful to behold.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Alexandra: I’m committed to embodying rest and giving others the tools and space to prioritize their well being. Rest is revolutionary, and by continually prioritizing self-care we are empowered. I believe that rest is our birthright, it has been made a luxury because of the hustle culture that surrounds us, but I want to empower others, especially women to rest. At Radiant Rest Retreat we are able to create a safe and peaceful experience where women come to create community, connection, and learn practices to allow them to truly rest. It started as an idea between Gabrielle and I and for the past few years we have been working daily to cultivate this space for others.
Gabrielle: I believe that Women of Color are reclaiming a space where we release the societal norms that keep us in the place of burnout and self-doubt. This is the time for our bodies to rest and return to the ancient practices that have healed us for centuries and I am committed to creating spaces for awareness and community as my life’s work. I believe in Sankofa and ultimately, this is the heart of the work that Alexandra and I curate. I believe that there is still good in the world and good humans do exist.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Alexandra: When I’m gone I hope people tell others that I was a true lover. That everything I put my time and energy into was from a place of love. Love of people, love of places, love of possibilities, love of beauty and nature. They would say that I always encouraged them to embrace change and be brave enough to try something new. I was able to share my love with others, embrace joy, and be a light that allows others to grow, embrace, and celebrate who they are. I want them to say that when they were around me, it felt like coming home to themselves.
Gabrielle: I would want them to tell the story of how I lived by the saying, “wherever you go, go with all your heart”. I want them to tell of how I let my heart lead me and if I had a dream I was committed to seeing it through. I would want the people to share that when I loved someone, they knew it deeply. I want them to tell about how I left a legacy of love and determination through music, movement and literature so that others may feel seen and inspired to live their lives to the fullest. I hope they tell of how I didn’t let the fear hold me back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gandacollective.com
- Instagram: @gandacollective
Image Credits
(Personal Photo) Flicks by Nae
(Additional Photos) GoldenRay Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
