Meet Iyanna Pierre-louis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Iyanna Pierre-louis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Iyanna below.

Iyanna, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Honestly, whenever I hear “you’re so resilient,” it’s bittersweet, because while I know it’s meant as a compliment, I sometimes wish I didn’t need to be. What others see as strength, I experience as a painful reminder of all the times life was hard and it felt like I had only two options: sink or swim. I choose to keep swimming because I can’t imagine a reality where I don’t have everything I’m striving for. My eyes are fixed on a future where the abundance I feel internally manifests in the physical world—not just benefiting my own trajectory but also my entire bloodline, so that my children’s children will never have to rely on capitalistic systems to feel secure. I want them to have the freedom to prioritize creativity and bask in God’s creations daily, not just when they have the PTO to do so.

To me, resilience means being so focused on the future that all of this work eventually accumulates into the investment that my effort is worth. Even though I don’t see it in my present, I will work until it becomes a reality. For anyone who is the first in their family to pursue a life unintentionally grandiose—the first-generation American accessing work and play in equal measure, the one forging their own path—it is the very resilience I resist that has allowed me to experience, at some level, the life I’m working towards. It’s as if God is giving me glimpses to remind me that if I keep following their lead, all that I want will be added. I am deeply grateful to serve a God who exceeds my expectations, and I am committed to following the destiny that was written for me long ago.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I thrive as a multi-hyphenate creator, primarily crafting content designed to inspire and enlighten. My Creative Business, A Whole Vibe Productions, I provide Photography, Videography, Editing, and Branding services tailored for small businesses and micro-influencers. This niche holds a special place in my heart because the beginning stages of any venture are the most challenging—you’re battling fears, venturing into the unknown, and even small setbacks can loom large. Having navigated the complexities of launching a brand myself, I understand these hurdles intimately. I ensure my services are affordable, helping business owners enhance their brands without straining their budgets. Whether it’s through crafting engaging social media content, capturing striking photos for modeling portfolios, or producing dynamic videos of products, I take pride in supporting those who are making brave strides beyond their limiting beliefs.

Beyond my services, I also curate playlists on apple and spotify music (@yannawtv) because I believe music is a powerful tool to evoke emotions, convey messages, and create an ambiance. My approach to music curation is meticulous; I select and arrange songs intentionally, aiming to leave listeners feeling enriched and fulfilled.
Additionally, I am the proud host of a spiritual podcast, “The Archives of an Alchemist,” available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. Where we turn our hardships into GOLD. This podcast is a reflection of my soul, transforming my darkest moments into lessons of resilience and hope. It’s a platform where I encourage others to do the same, illuminating paths through their struggles.

I aspire to be seen as a beacon encouraging others to step into their light. I achieve this by engaging all the senses, even maintaining a foodie page on Instagram (@yanna.eatz), celebrating the joy of culinary discoveries. In a world that often feels burdensome, I am committed to making life a bit easier and more joyful for others—I believe this is my calling.

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?

I’d say the three qualities that had the most impact on my journey were perseverance, vision, and faith. Perseverance became essential when life presented challenges that left me with little choice but to keep moving forward, even when the path was difficult. This determination was driven by a clear vision of the future I want to create—not just for myself, but for generations to come. Staying focused on that vision gave me the strength to navigate through tough times. And faith has been my anchor, reminding me that even when the present doesn’t yet reflect the abundance I strive for, the work I’m doing is building toward something meaningful and enduring.

For those early in their journey, I’d advise you to first embrace perseverance, even when it feels like the world is asking too much of you. Understand that every challenge is shaping you into someone who can handle the future you’re working toward. Second, nurture your vision. Be clear about what you want and why it matters—not just for you, but for those who will come after you. Let that vision guide your decisions and fuel your resilience. Lastly, hold on to faith, whatever that means to you. Trust that the steps you’re taking now are part of a bigger plan, and that every effort you make is an investment in the life you’re building. Even when the path is tough, remember that you’re not walking it alone, and that what you’re striving for is worth every ounce of effort you put in.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

This past year, I focused on my overall wellness, paying close attention to my mind, body, and spirit. I noticed how prioritizing my internal well-being influenced how I show up in the world. Last August, I committed to a discipline challenge called 75 Hard, where for 75 days, I had to complete a set of daily tasks, including working out twice a day, reading 10 pages of a book, and drinking a gallon of water, among others. From the start, I knew I wanted to embrace a lifestyle centered on daily personal growth, and this challenge served as the kickstart I needed.

This commitment required significant sacrifices, such as experimenting with different workouts and diets. It also helped me get back into reading, finally addressing all the books that were collecting dust. Additionally, I developed a spiritual practice that includes reading my Bible, meditating, journaling, stretching, and deep breathing, which naturally leads into my workouts. This routine has drastically improved my productivity and mental focus. By pouring into myself each morning, I’ve created a domino effect that positively influences the rest of my day. Now, I can’t go too long without my morning routine—it has become a crucial lifeline that keeps me centered in any environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://awholevibeproductions.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: @awholevibe.pro @archives.alchemist @yanna.eatz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@archives.alchemist. & https://www.youtube.com/@yannawtv
• Other: Apple & Spotify Music: @YannaWTV

Image Credits

Portraits: Leta Harrison @letakphotography
Black and White: Steve Hatchett @steventhephotog
Rainbow Background: Pablo Raya (@praya1)
Portfolio: Iyanna Pierre-Louis @awholevibe.pro