As a one of Forbes ‘20 Best Branded Women’ and a trailblazer featured on Oprah’s ‘SuperSoul 100’, Gabby Bernstein ’s impact is undeniable. Her profound insights and practical takeaways have secured her reputation as a spiritual teacher and highly sought-after keynote speaker who resonates with audiences through memorable, one-of-a-kind events.
We were lucky enough to interview Gabby ahead of her Australian Tour…
1. Do you feel as a society, happiness has become harder to find? And why do you think this?
I actually believe that happiness has become easier to access. Over the past 17 years as a self-help book author, I’ve witnessed the rise of spiritual and wellness-related topics. Wellness and mental health are now trendy topics that have become important in the zeitgeist. With social media, people have more access to personal development tools. We’ve suffered a lot, but there’s much more accessible support available than ever before.
2. Is the hustle mentality that is so prevalent right now a good or bad thing?
I actually think that my generation had more of a hustle mentality than the younger millennials and Gen Z. These younger generations care a lot more about their personal time and mental well-being than about hustling. When I was in my 20s we worked our asses off to succeed. That mentality came with negative consequences. These days I don’t see that hustle at all. I think we need a balance.
3. Do you believe in Post Traumatic Growth? Can you give a few examples where you have seen this?
I am a survivor of PTSD from childhood trauma. For the past seven years I’ve been aware of the trauma (which I’d dissociated from for more than three decades). My commitment to trauma recovery and personal/spiritual development has offered me immense personal growth and recovery. So the answer is YES, I do believe in post-traumatic growth. I wrote an entire book on the topic—Happy Days: The Guided Path from Trauma to Profound Freedom and Inner Peace.
4. Can you define what spirituality means to you? And what is a Spirit Junky?
I have taught people to open up to a spiritual relationship of their own understanding. For me, spirituality is having faith in an ever-present energy of love that is within us and around us, supporting us and guiding us. A spirit junkie is someone who has the desire to connect with Spirit on their own terms. Willingness is all that’s required to know more.
5. What are the 5 biggest things that have changed your life and the way you live today?
- Getting sober at 25 on 10/2/2005
- Postpartum depression
- Remembering the dissociated trauma from my childhood
- Becoming a mother
- My marriage
6. You talk about your addictions…. Can I ask what was the low point in your life, and the catalyst to change?
But no matter how exciting my life looked on the outside, on the inside I was falling apart. I was emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. In retrospect I can see that I was
having an existential crisis. I was looking for God in all the wrong places. This search for peace, safety and happiness became addictive. I was addicted to work, love, drugs, food—you name it. My addictive behavior took over my life and in time I had a severe drug problem, workaholism and debilitating codependency. I intuitively knew there was much, much more, but I struggled to clean up my act. Then, on October 2, 2005, I prayed for a solution. I said, “God, Universe, whoever is out there, I need a miracle.” I woke up that morning and I heard an inner voice say, “Get clean and you’ll live a life beyond your wildest dreams.” Thankfully, that day I was willing to hear this inner voice. Thankfully, I listened. Since that day, I’ve been sober—and on a steadfast journey inward.
My sobriety and spiritual practice has become the most important part of my life, and I am committed to growing my faith each day. I owe all of my career, love, health, happiness and success to my sober recovery. My prophecy is true. I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams.
7. The Japanese have a saying, ‘the harder you fall the higher you bounce’…. At what point in your journey did you realize you were bouncing up?
I realized that I was truly bouncing up over the past three years. My anxiety has subsided and true recovery has set in.
8. Happiness is an inside job… What is the biggest thing someone can do to start their journey to finding happiness?
Become willing to change.
9. What makes you happy?
My son brings me the greatest joy. Speaking publicly on stage is my art. Spending time with my husband and my child. Writing books.
GABBY’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES & TICKETS:
MELBOURNE
https://gabriellebernsteinmelbourne.eventbrite.com
SYDNEY
https://gabriellebernsteinsydney.eventbrite.com
BRISBANE
https://gabriellebernsteinbrisbane.eventbrite.com
Read more Health and Wellness blogs HERE
