Story & Lesson Highlights with Emma G of Rockville

We recently had the chance to connect with Emma G and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, 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?
The first 90 minutes of my day are non-negotiable — they’re all about filling my own cup so I can pour into others. We can’t show up fully for our communities, our clients, or even our art if we’re running on empty.

I always begin with cuddles with my cat. They say the first few minutes of waking up set the tone for the day, so it’s a small ritual that reminds me to start with love and connection… and it always brings a smile to my face. My husband’s pretty cool to cuddle too. From there, I move into stretching and yoga to wake up my body, followed by meditation and prayer to center my mind and spirit.

Nature is my happy place, so if I’m not heading to the gym immediately, I’ll go for a walk outdoors. Whenever possible, I make sure there’s water on my route — seeing it first thing in the morning is incredibly calming and sets the tone for the day.

I balance that grounding with strength and conditioning training at the gym. I like structure, so I’ve built a weekly rhythm:

Mondays: Upper body

Tuesdays: Lower body

Wednesdays: Cardio

Thursdays: Full body training

Fridays: HIIT training again

This routine isn’t just about physical health — it’s about emotional resilience, mental clarity, and spiritual alignment. By the time those 90 minutes are done, I feel strong, grounded, and ready to serve others with creativity, compassion, and energy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Emma G — a singer-songwriter, recording and touring artist, empowerment through songwriting coach, two-time TEDx speaker, and the #1 bestselling author of Mental Health Sounds Like This. And while this might sound like a scattered array of endeavors; it’s because at my core, my work is centered around the idea that our voices matter. Always have. Always will.

But of course, when it comes to learning about a coach or a musician; it’s important to know someone’s story, right? Well, my story began with adversity — I was born with a rare brain condition, survived 10 brain surgeries by the age of 12 [24 surgeries in total], and turned to songwriting and singing as a way to heal and make sense of my world. Over the years, I’ve written more than a thousand songs, but more importantly, I’ve learned that music isn’t just entertainment — it’s medicine for the soul [and brain!]

That belief has become my brand. Through my business, Emma G Music LLC, in addition to performing and speaking; I help teenagers and high-functioning professionals transform stress, trauma, and self-doubt into confidence and resilience — using music as the tool. I call it Empowerment Through Songwriting.

What makes my work unique is the fusion: part vocal coaching, part somatic healing, part songwriting, and part motivational speaking. Whether I’m on stage delivering a keynote with live music, coaching a teenager through their first song, or performing at a festival, my mission is always the same: to save the world one song at a time.

Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding my client base, my speaking engagements, running workshops, and sharing my new book, Mental Health Sounds Like This, which hit #1 on Amazon in both Songwriting and Emotional Mental Health.

Ultimately, my work isn’t just about music. It’s about connection, healing, and giving people the courage to say: This is my voice. This is my story. And it matters.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When I was five years old, I wrote a list of what I wanted to be when I grew up: a rock star, a mother, a teacher, a counselor, and a fashion designer. That little girl had no concept of “backup plans” or “stability” — she just knew she wanted to live big, create, and help others.

But like so many of us, I grew up being told that music wasn’t a “safe” choice, that I needed something reliable to fall back on. So I tried to fit myself into the box society laid out: I studied teaching, trained as a mechanic, worked at the YMCA, taught at a university, did advertising in radio, waited tables, worked for a labor union, and worked retail. I did everything I could to be “normal.”

And yet, through all those jobs and experiences, I came to realize that my five-year-old self was on to something. I’ve never fit into a box, and I don’t need to.

Today, I’m proud to honor that little girl by embracing all of it — music, teaching, youth empowerment, writing, performing, writing books, and speaking on stages. I’ve woven together the threads of who I always was, before the world told me who it wanted me to be.

I am living proof that we don’t have to shrink ourselves to fit into someone else’s definition of stability. We get to build lives that are expansive, creative, and true. And in doing so, we give permission for others to do the same.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I’ve been writing music since I was five years old, so in some ways I’ve always used songwriting as a way to express my pain. Music was my safe place — a place where I could release what I didn’t have words for yet.

But the real shift happened when I was in my early 20s, performing with my hard rock band Static Era back in New Zealand. My guitarist at the time — and still one of my best friends — Chris Yong, challenged me to stop just pouring my pain into songs and instead reframe it. He helped me see that music could be more than a release valve. It could be alchemy.

He encouraged me to not just write about hurt, but to transform it — to take the lessons from it and channel them into strength, resilience, and empowerment. That realization changed everything for me. I realized that pain wasn’t just something to hide or even just express — it was something I could use to rewrite my future.

Our thoughts matter. Our thoughts become words. Our words become songs. And those songs can shape reality.

I was 23 or 24 at the time, and ever since, I’ve continued to deepen this practice: turning pain into power, and power into music that helps others know they’re not alone.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The belief I’m most committed to — no matter how long it takes — is that music is magic.

For me, this isn’t just a catchy phrase. It’s my life’s work. From writing my first song at five years old, to surviving ten brain surgeries and various other traumas, to building a career as a songwriter, speaker, and empowerment coach, I’ve experienced firsthand how music can heal, transform, and reconnect us to ourselves, and thus to each other.

That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to the project of making songwriting and singing more widely recognized as tools for emotional wellness. Whether I’m writing books, performing on stage, leading workshops, or speaking at conferences, my mission is the same: to save the world one song at a time.

I know it’s not an overnight goal. Cultural shifts take time. But whether it takes me another ten years or the rest of my life, I’m committed to normalizing music as a modality for mental health, creativity, and empowerment. Because if just one song can help someone feel less alone, imagine what a movement of voices could do.

Which brings me to the next part of your question: my values. I’ve actually, coincidentally, been thinking a lot about what values I have recently. First and foremost: communication is a huge one for me. Knowing how to communicate effectively is imperative. Time is also something I value deeply. No one knows how much time we have on earth, so its important to me that we don’t take time for granted. Lastly, I think my other two main values are positive energy and love. Each and every day; we’re given a choice about how we want to show up for each other, and personally: I just much prefer leading with love and happiness than negativity!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had 10 years left, I’d stop doubting myself — immediately. I mean, I try to do this anyway… but it’s a struggle!

Nonetheless; I’d break up with imposter syndrome once and for all and refuse to let fear or hesitation slow me down. I try to practice this already, but the truth is, doubt creeps in for all of us. It whispers questions like, “Am I enough? Do I really belong here?”

But if I knew the clock was ticking, I’d cut those voices off at the source. I’d give myself full permission to lean into every aligned opportunity, every stage, every song, every conversation that feels true to my mission — without apology, without second-guessing, and without wasting time on hesitation.

Because the reality is: life is short whether we have 10 years or 100. And the only thing standing between us and the impact we want to make is the doubt we choose to carry.

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Image Credits
Jonna Michelle Photography

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