Story & Lesson Highlights with Julia Johnson of Houston

We recently had the chance to connect with Julia Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Julia, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am walking a path, though it doesn’t always feel linear or clearly marked. For me, the journey has been less about following a set route and more about evolving through cycles of rebirth, transformation, and change.

There are moments in life when we shed layers—old habits, outdated beliefs, even relationships that no longer align with who we’re becoming. These periods, though often uncomfortable, are necessary for growth. I see them as small deaths and quiet resurrections, moments of letting go followed by emergence. That’s rebirth—not in the dramatic, cinematic sense, but in the slow, steady reclaiming of self.

Transformation then, is what happens when we lean into those changes. It’s choosing not to go back to the comfort of what was, but to step forward into what could be. It’s both terrifying and exhilarating—like stepping into a new version of yourself that you’re only just beginning to recognize.

And change? It’s the constant. The one thing we can count on. I’ve learned to stop resisting it and instead walk with it—sometimes slowly, sometimes with urgency, but always with the awareness that every step is shaping me.

So yes, I am walking a path. It’s winding, uncertain, and sometimes steep—but it’s mine. And with every transformation, I get closer to a version of myself that feels more honest, more whole, and more alive.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a Reiki Headmaster Teacher and Spiritual Counselor rooted in the sacred lineage of Orisha and Ifá, my work is a fusion of energy medicine, intuitive spiritual guidance, and ancestral wisdom. I support individuals on their healing journey through practices such as Reiki, chakra balancing, and ancestral connection—holding space for deep transformation, clarity, and soul remembrance. Guided by spirit and tradition, my mission is to help others reconnect with their true essence and walk in alignment with their highest purpose.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is often a disconnection from truth—both our own and each other’s. When we avoid hard conversations, suppress emotions, or act from unhealed pain, we create distance.

What restores connection is a return to honesty, vulnerability, and presence. Bonds are rebuilt when we’re willing to see ourselves clearly, take responsibility, and meet others with compassion. For truth seekers, repair isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, staying open, and doing the inner work to create real connection.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
How to surrender.

In times of suffering, the ego quiets, and the soul speaks. Pain strips away illusion—it humbles, refines, and reveals. I’ve learned that while success can affirm who we think we are, suffering introduces us to who we truly are beneath the titles, achievements, and expectations.

It was through the hardest seasons—where nothing external could soothe the ache—that I learned to trust the unseen, to sit with Spirit, and to listen. Suffering taught me presence. It made me remember that healing is not a destination but a returning—to breath, to truth, to source.

Success may offer applause, but suffering offers depth. And for a spiritual leader, depth is what shapes wisdom, compassion, and the ability to truly serve.

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 cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is the honoring of elders and the sacred responsibility to care for family**—not just out of duty, but out of spiritual alignment. As the first Reiki Headmaster in my family, I understand that my path is not only about healing, but about restoring balance to the bloodline. My role is both a calling and a commitment—to serve, protect, and uplift the wisdom that came before me.

In my lineage, under the guidance of Oshun, the Orisha of sweetness, love, and divine femininity, I’ve learned that true power lies in compassion, devotion, and care. Oshun teaches us that nurturing is not weakness—it is spiritual strength. And that strength begins at home—with our elders, our ancestors, and our families.

I am here because of those who prayed for me before I knew how to pray for myself. To care for them is to stay in harmony with the universe. It is a value I protect with my life, because without it, we forget who we are and where we come from.

— Iyalorde OlOsuntoyin Elka’Afun Ifasola Adesuwa

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, I have. There was a time when I believed that being in a certain relationship would bring me the happiness and completeness I longed for. At first, it felt like everything I wanted had fallen into place—the connection, the attention, the promise of love.

But as time went on, I realized that what I truly needed wasn’t just to be wanted, but to be seen and understood on a deeper level. The relationship, while beautiful on the surface, didn’t nourish my soul or honor my truth. I found that external fulfillment alone can’t replace inner alignment.

That experience taught me that real love isn’t about possession or idealization—it’s about authenticity, mutual growth, and respect. Sometimes, what we want isn’t what our hearts truly need, and it’s through that realization that we learn to seek love that genuinely satisfies.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/julia_johnson