Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly Blair. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kimberly, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
We all face challenges, make discoveries, and celebrate wins each day. Building confidence and self-esteem is a personal journey, and for me, it started with years of confronting Imposter Syndrome head-on. Rather than quieting or avoiding it, I began exploring why I sometimes felt like I didn’t belong in certain rooms or conversations. This depth work led me to a concept known as “owning your shadow”—embracing that hidden part of yourself that you might keep locked away for fear of not feeling worthy or valued. When we constantly project a polished version of ourselves, it creates a disconnect with who we really are and leads to deep dissatisfaction.
Instead of running from my shadow, I chose to face it and even make peace with it. As I chipped away at limiting beliefs through hypnotherapy and reframed my thinking, my sense of self-worth began to shift. I learned to seek out people and environments that uplifted and challenged me. There’s truth in the saying, “Surround yourself with eight smokers, and you’ll become the ninth.” Similarly, if you’re around people who hold you back in various ways, your self-esteem can suffer. I’m not suggesting we abandon others, but sometimes we need to limit time with those who reinforce and project limiting mindsets and actively seek connections that support our growth.
As a hypnotherapist, I believe deeply in the power of reprogramming the subconscious. Building confidence and a healthy self-image often starts there. Hypnotherapy can help show your subconscious that what you desire—whether it’s confidence, self-worth, or inner peace—can indeed become your reality. We put so much time into physical training; here, I encourage you to ask, “How can I train my inner wellness and mind to achieve what I truly want?”
My own journey has inspired me to support others in doing the same. I’ve walked this path myself, and the authenticity and vulnerability I bring to my practice resonates with clients. It didn’t happen overnight, but here in my 40s, I’m more confident than ever and curious to keep growing. I look forward to seeing that confidence deepen as I move through my 50s and beyond.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Grief Recovery Counselor, Reiki Master, Sound Therapist and Conscious Connected Breathwork Practitioner. My work centers around helping individuals heal from emotional and physical pain through deep healing modalities that connect the mind, body, and spirit. Each session is personalized, whether it’s hypnotherapy to uncover and release subconscious blocks, grief recovery to process loss, breathwork which fosters deeper relaxation and self-awareness and energy work to restore balance and vitality. What excites me most is witnessing clients reconnect with their inner strength, heal from the inside out, and transform their lives.
Before entering the wellness industry, I held professional roles across tech, property management, and higher education, and I bring an MBA along with that experience. My guidance is informed by years of training in wellness and also by the broad skillset and practical experience I cultivated in these previous industries. This combination gives me a unique perspective that’s likely very different from what readers may have encountered in other wellness experiences. My approach is grounded, strategic, and holistic, blending a results-oriented mindset with an empathetic understanding of deep personal growth.
Right now, I’m expanding my offerings in San Diego with specialized grief recovery programs that have already shown incredible results. This work isn’t just a job; it’s my calling, and I feel privileged to support others ready to heal, grow, and transform from the complexities of their grief journeys.
Recently, I’ve been approached by professionals in the book and tech industries, opening up exciting new possibilities I hadn’t considered before becoming an entrepreneur. It’s thrilling to see where these unexpected opportunities might lead—stay tuned!
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?
Looking back, three qualities that had the most impact on my journey were resilience, adaptability, and empathy.
Resilience – Building resilience was and continues to be essential. There were times when setbacks felt overwhelming, especially when I was transitioning from other industries into wellness. Resilience kept me moving forward, even when things were uncertain. For those just starting, I’d say focus on cultivating resilience by embracing challenges rather than avoiding them, quite literally walk through them and use resistance to empower – just watch how well it works. It’s not about never feeling discouraged, but about learning to get back up and continue with renewed determination.
Recommended modality to cultivate Resilience: Conscious Connected Breathwork – a powerful tool for building resilience and grit because it directly engages our body’s natural stress response and transforms it in real time. In each session, you’re guided to breathe in a continuous, rhythmic pattern that oxygenates the body and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This process allows you to safely access, feel, and release emotions or memories stored in the body, helping you become more comfortable with discomfort and develop inner strength.
When practicing breathwork, you may encounter thoughts or emotions that challenge you—like feelings of fear, self-doubt, or even past traumas. The practice teaches you to stay with these feelings, rather than avoiding or numbing them, which is crucial for building resilience. You learn that you’re capable of handling discomfort, that you can breathe through it, and ultimately come out stronger on the other side. This is incredibly empowering and builds mental and emotional stamina and grit.
Breathwork also helps you cultivate a calmer baseline. By regularly engaging in breathwork, your nervous system becomes more resilient, meaning you’re less likely to be thrown off balance by stressors or negative emotions. Over time, this “resilience training” through breathwork strengthens your ability to handle life’s challenges with greater calm and clarity. Reinforcing the belief that you can meet and manage even the toughest experiences, which is the foundation of true grit.
Adaptability – I’ve transitioned across several fields—from tech and property management to higher education and, eventually, wellness. Each transition required flexibility and become comfortable with calculated risks, as I needed to learn new skills and adjust to different cultures quickly. Being adaptable allowed me to carry forward skills from each role and apply them creatively in my current work. For anyone early in their journey, I recommend practicing adaptability by being open to learning and stepping out of your comfort zone. Be willing to pivot when necessary and see each experience as a skill-building opportunity. Going to networking events -solo- builds this muscle. Or if you’re a person who is deeply uncomfortable with eating at a restaurant by yourself, I say press into it and this will also cultivate adaptability in the unease. If its feels weird at first, you’re doing it right.
Recommended modality to cultivate Adaptability: Grief recovery – an incredible practice for cultivating adaptability because it invites you to navigate the profound changes and losses that are part of life, teaching you to move forward with greater flexibility and openness. When we lose something or someone important—a relationship, a job, a loved one—it can feel destabilizing, like the ground has shifted beneath us. Grief recovery helps you build adaptability by guiding you through the process of honoring what’s been lost while also learning to embrace new realities.
Through grief recovery, you gain tools to recognize and process your emotions instead of pushing them aside. This emotional agility makes you more adaptable because you’re better able to manage upcoming unexpected changes without being consumed by them. It’s not about forgetting what was lost but rather learning how to integrate the experience and find new meaning. This practice encourages you to become comfortable with change and uncertainty, both of which are essential components of adaptability.
The work done in grief recovery also cultivates self-awareness and resilience, as you reflect on past losses and unprocessed grief. This reflection often reveals strengths you didn’t know you had, allowing you to approach new situations with a mindset of reassured growth rather than learned resistance. Over time, this approach to healing allows you to face future changes with a greater sense of acceptance, openness, and the understanding that you have the inner resources to adapt, no matter what life brings
Empathy – Empathy has been invaluable, particularly in working with clients who are going through grief, stress, or trauma. It allows me to truly understand and connect with others, creating a safe, trusting space for healing. For those new in their journey, work on empathy by practicing active listening and staying curious about others’ perspectives. Empathy helps you not only connect better with people but also gives you a deeper understanding of their needs. It takes effort and energy to invest in friendships, loneliness is an epidemic that our modern American society has succumbed to – therefore, you must take responsibility in cultivating deep empathetic connections which require you to reach out and make the time. We’re all busy, but if it is important to you you will make time. And if you’re reading this and find yourself being the person who is making time and its not being reciprocated repeatedly, its time to examine the role that person plays in your life and the role of your free will to pivot peacefully.
Recommended modalities to cultivate Empathy: Hypnotherapy, grief recovery, and breathwork elevate empathy by helping you access and process your emotions in a safe, supportive way. Hypnotherapy taps into your subconscious to uncover and heal hidden emotions, fostering self-awareness and compassion. Grief recovery provides tools to release emotional pain, creating space for greater empathy toward yourself and others. Breathwork enhances emotional regulation and mindfulness, allowing you to connect more deeply with your feelings and the experiences of those around you. Together, these practices empower you to approach life with greater emotional resilience and understanding
For anyone starting out, remember that personal and professional growth is not linear. Prioritize experiences that help build these qualities over a “perfect” career path, and trust that every experience will add depth to your journey.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, one of my go-to strategies is incorporating movement into my routine. I aim for 4-5 times a week, which often includes hot yoga. The experience of sweating it out in a heated room is not just physical; it’s spiritual for me. There’s something incredibly grounding about connecting with my body, breathing deeply, and shedding stress in such an intense, focused way.
It’s a friendly reminder that when you don’t have a spiritual practice, you may actually be at a disadvantage in navigating challenges. In my work with clients, I’ve noticed that those who have a spiritual practice—whether it’s yoga, meditation, connecting with nature, or simply a quiet moment of reflection—tend to reach their goals faster. I’m not saying people without a spiritual practice can’t get to where they want, but more often than not, the journey is slower. A spiritual practice gives you a sense of connection, grounding, and clarity that can add clarity and speed up the process.
Spirituality is deeply personal and unique to each individual. No organization owns it—it’s something you get to cultivate in a way that feels right for you. For me, that could mean finding connection with my late mother in a hot yoga class, surrounded by strangers but feeling her love in the space. For others, it might mean walking in nature, meditating, creating art, or attending religious services. The beauty is that spirituality and all the different practices of so many different people, are windows into the same place: the desire for connection, love, and understanding that there are forces outside of yourself that are benevolent, wise and loving.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, my advice is simple: move your body, simplify your environment, and cultivate a spiritual practice. Surround yourself with people who raise your frequency, be a good friend and partner, and watch what you’re watching—invite more beauty and positivity into your life. Notice how your perception shifts and how much more empowered you feel. Just try it, stop fighting it and watch how well it works.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theholisticguides.com/
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Image Credits
Holly Holloway Photography
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