Laura Vida

Meet Laura Vida. She is a Life Coach and Counselor at Interior Alchemy, where she focuses on whole life transformation by combining Soul-Centered Coaching with Feng Shui and Spiritual Psychology to create powerful, supportive, and beautiful environments.

 

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: I was a Realtor in Sedona for 18 years, but my background is in interior design. I am a Feng Shui practitioner and Interior Designer of 27 years. I was always more interested in the way a place feels than how it looks. I used the same paradigm in real estate whereby matching the energy of the person with the energy of the place. About a year ago, I started feeling that I wanted to go in another direction, which is back to where I started before I moved to Sedona. I wanted to express more of my creative side, so I am writing a book. I also have a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology. I believe that we are affected by both our thoughts and our surroundings. Our surroundings broadcast to the Universe what we want more of, so making your space conscious is so essential! I work on mindset practices with my clients and teach them how to release old repetitive patterns. Once they are clear, we anchor new intentions in the home using feng shui principles. That’s Interior Alchemy.

 

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Sedona?

A: 18 years.

 

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Sedona?

A: The first person that pops into my head is Rhianne Newlahnd; she’s a combination of nature spirit and a wise woman. She has a lot of wisdom and experience. We recently began hanging out as friends, but she’s someone you want to meet if you come to Sedona for the first time.

 

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

A: It’s a toss-up between Egypt and Tuscany. I have a strong connection with Egypt, and I used to organized tours for famous Egyptologists – the guys you see on TV. I’ve been to Egypt eight times and have had profound experiences there. Lately, I’m feeling Tuscany. I want to live and teach there, at least part of the year. I miss the green earth and fertile soil after residing in the red rocks for so long.

 

Q: What is your favorite movie, OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?

A: The first movie I ever saw was Escape to Witch Mountain, which I loved watching so much as a little girl. As an adult, my favorite movie is Contact, which is very similar in concept to the first movie I mentioned.

 

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A: The key to living a balanced life is taking responsibility and taking responsibility for your emotions, your reactions, and your struggles in life. When you step back and take responsibility for the way your life looks, you’ll see that your experience comes from what you believe about yourself. Your beliefs are always upgradable, and I find that empowering.

 

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: Publish a New York Times best-selling book that changes people’s perspective on life.

 

Q: What is your favorite music/three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A: Sade, Miles Davis, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

 

Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Sedona?

A: I’ve been in real estate for most of my time here, and all of Sedona was my office. So, I’d say real estate. There have been so many changes in Sedona since I started. Not all of them good, which makes me nostalgic.

 

Q: Choosing anyone – who would you love to have lunch with?

A: I have to go with somebody biblical like Mary Magdalene or Nefertiti since I’m fascinated with Egypt’s 18th Dynasty. Perhaps somebody during the Italian Renaissance, like Catherine de’ Medici, Da Vinci or Michelangelo and let’s assume we speak the same language.

 

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: I am traveling around the world and teaching spiritual concepts from my books. I’d still be writing but a lot more teaching and speaking. I’d love to keep a home in Sedona, but at the same time, I’m open to moving elsewhere that will help me expand in a way I need to.

 

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: I grew up homesteading on 55-acres of land in the middle of the woods. We cut down trees, skinned logs, built a cabin, and raised our food. I lived like a character on the Little House on the Prairie. The experience made me a well-balanced and grounded person.

 

Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A: Home is inside me. Second, home is all about creating a supportive, empowered environment. Then there’s a greater home, a place, or energy that unites everybody.

 

Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A: Javier Bardem or Matthew McConaughey.

 

Q: If you had a full-time staff member, whom would you choose? (Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?)

A: A Chef, as long as the food they prepared was organic!

 

From the interview with Jonelle Klein

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