Local StoriesMay 30, 2023

Meet Ariana Monell

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Monell. Ariana was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Cherith Pruitt.

Hi Ariana, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
Alcoholism and mental illness ran strong in our family, and I was no exception.

At eighteen years old, I had a fake ID and spent many nights at after hours parties until the sun came up. As I stumbled into a taxi, reeking of cigarettes and booze…nausea and anxiety would be the only two things fueling my body. I would drunkenly gaze out the window and watch the fancy professional men and women walking into their corporate jobs inside of the big skyscrapers towering the city.

Looking at them with their expensive suits, power dresses and shiny briefcases; I felt so jealous. I was under the belief that I was born “different” than they were. I thought that those people were special and that in order to be successful like them, it meant being born into a wealthy family or knowing someone who could “get you in”. I made up that life wasn’t fair and I was a victim of it. I hated myself and who I was.

Throughout my 20’s I made some bad, irrational decisions. One, was moving to Miami and getting addicted to cocaine.

I gave my heart and soul to the restaurant industry but never thought about my vision or what really mattered. I yearned to live a fulfilling life.

My healing journey began with my 1st coach, Lorinda. We worked on shifting my mindset & behaviors: I began reading, eating better, moving my body, and even showering. She held me accountable for the addictive behaviors, too.

By the end of our work together, she told me, “You know, coaching is something I think you could be really good at.” I laughed! “Sure, who the hell is going to listen to me?” She replied, “Oh no, your past is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s actually an asset that can allow you to help other people in the same situations.”

I left my last session with Lorinda on cloud 9. The painful parts of my past didn’t hinder me any longer. Instead, they became pillars of strength that could help me help others.

Early 2020, I began serving as an emotional wellness coach with Lyra Health, specializing in cognitive behavioral coaching (CBC). That year I also started my own
private practice, Conscious Creative Coaching, LLC. In 2021 I added Executive coaching to my repertoire. Today I stand proudly as an ICF certified life, leadership and executive coach specializing in mental and emotional wellness.

Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
As an ICF Professional Certified Coach with a background in Ontology (the nature of being), the foundation of my work and experience heavily focuses on active listening, deep questioning, and mindfulness awareness, and cultivating powerful insights. Partnering with me as your coach, we will dive into this delicious, deep inner work together. I’ll listen with compassion to what you’re saying, and listen with curiosity to what you’re not saying. Our sessions will be a safe, judgment free space for self exploration, leading to the clarity and confidence you to need to create an exciting and fulfilling future. I help you navigate unhelpful patterns, habits, and roadblocks, then support you to find unique solutions to specific problems. Areas of particular focus include: stress management, anxiety & overwhelm, understanding and managing emotions, self love and confidence building, communication & relationships, vision & goal setting, imposter syndrome, and burnout prevention. I’m incredibly passionate about what I do and feel very grateful to be able to help people create transformation and fulfillment in their life!

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Cherith Pruitt and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Cherith.
Before tough lotus I wasn’t in a good place and was feeling isolated and depressed. I found a coupon on Groupon for their bungee fitness and had originally just went there for that. Little had I known I would fall in love with everything and everyone! Tough lotus is the community I’ve never had. The environment is loving, compassionate, accepting ,inviting, inspiring and motivating. The classes are fun and challenging and there are always modifications so everyone is able to participate. You hardly feel like you are working out, because of the social fitness aspect of it. One of the best parts is being able to learn and see each other grow along side one another. My physical health and mental health has improved immensely. My confidence is also so much higher which has positively affected other areas of my life. It’s my home away from home and a staple in my life! Cherry and the tough lotus community has become my family and that place has truly changed my life!