Creative Alchemy: Transforming Pain Into Power – An Interview with Yasmin Elzomor

What if the moment everything falls apart is actually the moment you finally wake up?

For Yasmin Elzomor, a spontaneous dark night of the soul at age 21 became the catalyst for a profound inner awakening. What began as an unexpected panic attack unraveled an unhealthy relationship, misaligned friendships, and a life that no longer reflected who she truly was. It also opened the door to shadow work, somatic healing, and the deeper spiritual connection she had never found in the religious structures she was raised in.

Today, Yasmin is a creative alchemist and inner work mentor, blending spirituality, psychology, and artistry to help others reclaim their power. In this conversation, she shares how turning inward has been her greatest teacher, why authenticity is inseparable from healing, and how creativity has enabled her to transmute heartbreak into meaning.

Continue reading or listen in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Yasmin Elzomor’s journey can inspire you to embrace your shadows and step into deeper sovereignty.

I want to hear about this spontaneous spiritual awakening you experienced at 21. Before that happened, did you grow up with any kind of faith or spirituality, or did it really begin at 21?

Yasmin Elzomor: What a journey that was for me. My parents weren’t super religious or spiritual. I grew up believing in God and knowing there was a higher power, but I never felt very connected to it. I didn’t know what that meant beyond what my family shared. My dad is Muslim, my mom is Catholic — so I grew up in a multicultural household with a lot going on — but none of it really resonated. I never connected with religion.

By 21, my life felt really confusing. I was working multiple jobs, in an unhealthy relationship, and surrounded by friendships that weren’t supportive. I felt bland inside — no meaning, no purpose. And then I had a spontaneous dark night of the soul. It happened in one moment. I was watching a movie with my mom when I suddenly had a panic attack, and that shook me awake.

From that point on, something shifted internally. It was an inner wake-up call that made me realize I needed to face myself — to be honest about where I was headed and what I wanted for my life. And at 21, that wasn’t easy. I just wanted to hang out with friends, go out for drinks, have sleepovers, and party. I didn’t want to do anything deeper.

Did you know you were having a panic attack, or were you confused?

Yasmin Elzomor: I had experienced one before, so I knew what it felt like — but in the moment, I didn’t realize that’s what was happening. I figured it out later after researching. I eventually went to a holistic doctor because I was never into Western medicine growing up. Something in me knew it wasn’t just physical. It felt deeper — and I could feel that in my bones.

The holistic doctor helped me get back on my feet physically, but over time, I realized it was anxiety and depression I had been carrying for so long. My soul felt heavy. I knew I was on the wrong path and surrounded by the wrong people. That panic attack was the wake-up call.

A lot of people say their awakening happens after an external event — losing someone, losing a job. But for me, it was the opposite. It started internally, which was confusing. And then everything external began to shift.

I broke up with my partner — we were on completely different pages. Our frequencies didn’t match anymore. I had to accept that the relationship had served its time and move on.

The biggest thing I realized through all of this was that I needed to be honest with myself. That’s when I started doing shadow work — getting into the nitty-gritty, the not-so-fun part of spirituality. Because spirituality isn’t just rainbows and butterflies. Yes, there’s beauty and expansion, but there’s also challenge. We have to face our shadows, our dark side — and we all have one.

The work is learning how to sit with that honestly while still holding compassion, without shaming or blaming ourselves. And the journey is ongoing. We never reach a point where it’s “done.” Life is a spiral — we keep returning to deeper truths about ourselves, others, and the world. It’s been quite the journey.

When you were having that experience with your mom, how did she process it in the moment and in the days afterward?

Yasmin Elzomor: She was pretty confused. She kept asking, “Are you okay? Is everything okay? Do you want to talk about anything?” But the truth is, I didn’t know what was going on. Nothing “bad” was happening in my life. Everything looked fine on the outside. So it felt mysterious — I couldn’t link it to anything.

She was confused, but she was learning alongside me. I’m grateful she didn’t disregard what I was feeling. She made me feel seen and heard. Both of my parents were supportive, even though they didn’t understand it. They were like, “What is a dark night of the soul? Are you okay?” But as I grew, they grew with me. They opened up to understanding what shadow work is, what an awakening can look like. They didn’t shut it down — and that meant everything.

You mentioned that the holistic doctor was super helpful. What were some of the other people or resources that helped you?

Yasmin Elzomor: I went to all the wellness events. I read all the books, listened to all the podcasts, dove into everything: astrology, human design, breathwork, meditation — I tried it all. I built a structure for myself, even though this was all brand new to me.

And honestly, I was a skeptic at first. I didn’t believe in any of it. I thought it was all woo-woo nonsense. I didn’t think it would help me at all — but it did. It woke me up in so many ways.

Those tools helped me understand myself more deeply. And from there, I started exploring the deeper layers — the darker stuff — like shadow work. What does it mean? How do I integrate the parts of myself I had rejected? How do I face who I really am?

That eventually became the foundation of my work today: helping people step into sovereignty through inner work, authenticity, and understanding the fullness of who they are. Because when we do this work, we become more authentic. We shine more light. We’re able to fulfill what we came here to fulfill.

Everybody has their own path, but I’m curious…did you go down the undergraduate degree route, or did you go straight into working after high school?

Yasmin Elzomor: It’s funny — a little bit of both. I worked for a modeling agency as a booking agent, and I was juggling several different jobs. I worked in fitness, I worked at a hotel — so many random things while I was trying to figure out what worked best for me, what I enjoyed, who I was becoming.

Looking back, I actually feel nostalgic about that version of myself. I really loved parts of that time. But eventually I realized: I want to work for myself. I don’t want the corporate nine-to-five, the “matrix” lifestyle. I’ve always known the truth about our reality — even as a kid, I felt like something about that system didn’t fit me. I felt like I was slaving away for someone else’s dream.

And honestly, I’ve always been a conspiracy junkie. I’ve always gone down rabbit holes, researching, diving deeper, learning more. So even though I enjoyed aspects of those jobs, I knew: this isn’t it. I wanted full sovereignty over my life, my creativity, my work, my path. So I dipped my toes into different careers — and then I left.

At what point did you start to feel like you wanted to take the modalities and resources that helped you and use them to help others? When did that calling start?

Yasmin Elzomor: I would say my mid-twenties — around 25 or 26. That’s when it really started to activate for me. I had been learning so much, and I realized that wisdom only becomes embodied when the fire has forged you. I could read all the books and listen to all the podcasts, but unless I was living it — walking the walk — I wasn’t actually integrating anything.

Around that time, I also went through a major breakup, and that was a huge catalyst. Love has always been one of my biggest teachers — beautiful, but also painful. I’ve grown so much through my relationships. And in that moment, I felt called to help others understand themselves so they could have healthier romantic relationships, too.

Because how do we show up well for someone else if we don’t truly know ourselves? If we don’t understand what we’re bringing into the connection, we can’t show up in the best way.

I find it fascinating how the challenges we face often become the very things we feel called to help others with. It’s like the area where we struggle most becomes the area where we guide most.

Yasmin Elzomor: Yes — absolutely.

My life message is that you have a purpose, you have a dream, and you can fulfill it. You already have the resources you need to bring that vision into reality. But the reason that’s my message is that I often feel like I lack purpose, or like I don’t have the resources I need. I need to hear it just as much as anyone else. It’s so strange how that works, right?

Yasmin Elzomor: I’ve thought a lot about that. It’s the wounded healer — the archetype where we struggle with something, and to really understand it, we’re called to guide others through it too. Relationships have been that for me. I’ve had to deeply understand myself within relationships so I can create a healthy one — and what better way to embody that than to share what I’ve learned with others?

It’s fascinating how our shadow often becomes the very thing we’re meant to teach.

How do you navigate people who might say, “Wow, you’re helping others in an area you struggle with yourself”? Or even that internal voice that says, “Am I worthy to help others with this if I haven’t fully figured it out?” Do you process that?

Yasmin Elzomor: Yes, David — I process that all the time. Sometimes I feel like a fraud. It’s that voice that says, “I’m struggling with this. Who am I to help someone else if I don’t have it perfect?”

I’ve thought about this deeply, and here’s what I’ve learned: we’re not perfect. We’re never going to have everything figured out — and that’s actually liberating. While it can be hard to accept, it’s freeing to realize no one has it all together, no matter how long they’ve been on the spiritual path or how many dark nights of the soul they’ve endured.

We’re always going to have blind spots. We’re always going to have weaknesses. And there’s so much beauty and medicine in accepting that in owning it.

I don’t have it all figured out — and that’s exactly why I’m learning. It’s humbling. I’m not meant to be perfect, but I can still support people with what I have learned.

So yes, it’s conflicting. I’ve had moments where I’ve thought, “I feel like a fraud. My love life has been messy, yet I’m helping others with theirs.” And, somehow, my guidance still supports them. They thrive. They find deeper love. And meanwhile, I’m still navigating my own lessons.

It’s very human. It’s very paradoxical. And it’s the truth of the human experience.

When someone can openly say, “I struggle with this, and I’m also good at helping people in this,” there’s such a connection point. It feels authentic, and it actually makes people trust you more.

One of the things I’m excited about, with you being an Executive Contributor for Awakened Magazine, is that I want more people under 50 involved in leadership within the spiritual community. So many awakenings happen in the mid-forties — divorce, job shifts, midlife breakdowns. But I want people in their twenties and thirties to know they don’t have to wait for a crisis to connect with Spirit, to step into their power, to heal, to do the shadow work.

So I’m glad you’re part of this conversation. And one of the things I’m curious about is this: coaches and mentors often have a unique name or identity for their work. You describe yourself as a “creative alchemist” and an “inner work mentor.” What does that mean to you?

Yasmin Elzomor: I’m very multidimensional — I like doing many different things. Beyond coaching, I’m a photographer, I model, I dance, and I’m an author. So it’s always been difficult for me to fit myself into one box. Whenever I tried, I felt restricted, like I wasn’t being true to who I am at my core.

I love integrating all these sides of myself, and honestly, that’s a big part of inner work: discovering your many layers. We’re all multi-passionate. We’re all multi-dimensional. It’s just that many people haven’t yet tapped into those parts of themselves or awakened their creative spark.

So I finally accepted that I can be all of these things—and I brought them together in a way that felt true. I call myself a creative alchemist because I turn my pain into power through creativity. That’s always been my medicine. Whenever I’m going through something heavy, I turn to art — writing, dancing, photography. It’s healing for my inner child. It’s where I transmute emotion into expression.

And the term “inner work mentor” came from wanting to articulate what I actually guide people through. Everyone uses the word “coach,” and I wanted something that reflected the depth of my work. To me, true spirituality isn’t about seeking outside of ourselves. It’s about coming home to who we really are — integrating the light, the shadow, every part that makes us whole.

That’s what I help people do: go inward, face themselves, and reclaim their authenticity.

And so it seems like the thread that’s interwoven in all these multiple passions you have is that creative alchemy — turning your pain into power and using creativity in the process. Dancing, photography, writing…

I’ve gone down a number of these paths myself. I’ve produced and directed feature films, published books, and worked as a photographer for years — lots of different mediums. But I say that because I relate to having so many passions.

People would ask me, “Who are you? What do you do?” Photographer? Filmmaker? Author? But none of those are the actual identity — they’re just platforms. I’m a communicator. I use whatever medium helps me express what I’m here to share.

And I see you doing that, too —using different modalities to express your message. I love it. It’s powerful.

Yasmin Elzomor: Exactly, David. And I love what you shared — because that’s how it feels for me too. No matter which medium I use, the mission is always the same: to help people come back to their power. To remind them of what they’re capable of. To inspire them to live more authentically and integrate all the different sides of themselves.

Whether it’s coaching, photography, modeling, or dancing, the message remains the same. I’m here to help people step into their power, and I’m using the tools that resonate with me to do that. Just like you said, I’m not any one label. I’m simply expressing my purpose through different channels and helping myself grow in the process.

My guess is — and I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard this — that someone older has said, “You need to pick one thing. You need to settle down. You need to focus.” Has that happened?

Yasmin Elzomor: Oh yes, I’ve definitely heard that. Thankfully, not from my parents — they’ve always understood my “artist brain,” as they call it. They’ve been really supportive. But from other family members, friends, or people I’ve met? Absolutely. I’ve been told to focus on one thing, commit to one path, pick a lane.

And I’ve tried that. I’ve tried being the person who sticks to one thing — and it doesn’t work for me. It’s just not who I am. Some people thrive with that level of singular focus, and that’s great for them. But I’m built differently. I need to be immersed in multiple projects and creative pursuits. That’s what lights me up. That’s what brings me joy.

And the more I learn about myself, the more confident I feel in honoring that. So I no longer let others’ expectations influence me. If it doesn’t resonate, it’s not for me.

It’s interesting — I’m 52, and sometimes I compare myself to peers who have excelled in one specific field. They picked a lane at 22 and stayed in it for 30 years. And I think, “Wow, if I’d focused on one thing that long, I’d have more money, more recognition, more… whatever.”

But then I look at the tapestry — all the things I’ve done and lived — and I see how they’ve all woven together into what I do now: the photography, the filmmaking, the pastoring, the writing… it all comes with me. So, for people like you, who are multi-passionate, it can feel scattered, but it does come together. And honestly, it can come together in a more beautiful, more powerful way.

Yasmin Elzomor: And I’m already seeing bits of that now. I’ll notice something I did at 21 or 22 showing up to support me 10 years later. It might take time, but the thread eventually connects.

You’re right — you don’t always see it when you’re in it. But over time, the picture becomes clearer. And yes, it’s human to compare. There’s always someone who seems more successful, more attractive, or more accomplished. But at the end of the day, no one is you — and that’s your ultimate power.

One thing that’s helped me is learning how to release something that mattered deeply in one season of life. Letting it go to make room for the next chapter. Have you experienced that?

Yasmin Elzomor: For sure. In my early twenties, I modeled a lot — it was a huge part of my life. Now I still model, but it’s no longer the priority. I’d much rather be coaching, speaking, or creating through photography. Those things feel more alive for me now.

And yes, there’s grief in letting go. You think, “Wow, I don’t do that anymore,” and there’s nostalgia there. But also, it’s not what needs to be prioritized in this season. Sometimes you set something down and come back to it later when it feels aligned again.

Who are the people drawn to your work? What kinds of challenges do they bring to you?

Yasmin Elzomor: The people who come to me are usually ready for shadow work. They’re past the “spiritual fluff” — the easy, surface-level stuff — and they’re craving truth, depth, authenticity. They want sovereignty. They want to live life on their terms.

Often, they’re bored with who they’ve been. They feel out of alignment with their own integrity. They’re ready to dive in.

So we go deep: shadow work, nervous system regulation, somatic practices. Because you’re right — manifestation can be taught in a very superficial way. You can “call things in,” but if the body doesn’t feel worthy or safe to hold those things, you can’t actually sustain them. You can’t have the money, the love, the opportunities you’re asking for.

So we explore what’s underneath:
• subconscious fears
• fear of success
• fear of power
• fear of happiness
• fear of change
• fear of being seen

Things people don’t always consider, but that quietly govern everything.

Most of my clients are in their late thirties to early forties — the exact season you mentioned. It’s when people start to question: What am I doing? Who am I becoming? How do I make my life better?

And those are my favorite people to work with because they’re truly ready. They’re committed. They’re hungry for transformation.

I know you have your Magnetic Alchemy one-on-one coaching program. What does that look like on a practical level? If I come to you and say, “I’m struggling with X, Y, Z,” what do you invite me into inside that container?

Yasmin Elzomor: Yes — so the container is deep. I don’t usually do one-off sessions because we can’t really get to the core of the work that way. I’ll offer one-off sessions for people who have already done a lot of inner work and just want a check-in. But for someone beginning the shadow-work journey, we typically work together for three, six, or nine months, depending on how much support they need.

The container is intimate — very one-on-one. I want to know where they are in life. We begin by mapping out their goals: what they’re stepping into, who they envision becoming, where they want to be a year from now, what they want to create, and what they want to embody and achieve.

Once we set that vision, we dive into somatic work, nervous system regulation, and deeper self-understanding — things like attachment styles and how they relate to love, money, self-worth, and life in general.

And from there, everything is tailored. I design the program based on the client — what they’re navigating, what patterns show up, what their body needs, what their soul is asking for. There’s a structure, but also a lot of flow. The work meets them exactly where they are.

What is your ultimate desire or goal for each client you work with?

Yasmin Elzomor: Honestly, for them not to come back to me.
I know that sounds wild, but I don’t want them to be dependent on me. I want them to fly. I want them to leave the nest fully in their power.

When a client completes our work and feels confident, rooted, aligned, and ready — that’s everything. If they can look at who they were when they started and clearly see how much they’ve transformed, that is gold to me.

Because that means we both did the work. I grow with my clients, too. It’s never one-sided — it’s always a reciprocal transformation.

My goal is for them to step into the life they desire: the dream relationship, the dream job, financial expansion, self-trust, and emotional freedom. Whatever their “this is my next chapter” looks like — I want them to feel strong enough in themselves to step into it without me.

That’s what makes me happiest.

You’ve written a couple of books, and I want to talk about each one. The first is It’s Okay to Feel, a children’s book you published in English and Spanish — in one book, right?

Yasmin Elzomor: Yes, it’s all in one book. And it was absolutely a passion project. As a kid, I was very sensitive—I felt everything. I still do, but growing up, it was hard because people didn’t understand my level of sensitivity. I was often told I was “too emotional,” “too sensitive,” “being a baby.” But that was just who I was.

Writing this book helped me integrate that part of my shadow — the belief that vulnerability is weakness. Creating it allowed me to transform that belief into a superpower.

My two nieces are actually the characters in the book. It follows one of them who falls, gets hurt, and feels embarrassed to cry because she thinks crying makes her weak. Her sister comforts her and tells her it’s okay to feel anger, sadness, joy, all of it. There’s even a page showing all her different emotions and facial expressions.

It was scary to put out into the world — it was my first published book — but it felt like a core part of my healing. It wasn’t just for kids; it was for the little girl in me who needed that reminder.

How did you find the illustrator?

Yasmin Elzomor: I went down a deep Google rabbit hole! I found a small startup team, and we just clicked. It felt like love at first sight. The project took nine months — literally a full gestation period. And they nailed it. The characters look exactly like my nieces. It was amazing.

Imposter syndrome definitely came up — “Who am I to do this?” “Who’s going to read it?” — but I pushed through. And I’m so proud I did.

Your newest book is for a very different audience — your poetry book, Past Life Lovers. What motivated you to write it?

Yasmin Elzomor: Very different audience! I joked with a friend recently — this is not the book you hand to kids.

I’ve always loved poetry. I have journals filled with writing from when I was young. And after every breakup or relationship that didn’t work out, I turned to writing. That’s how I alchemized pain. I don’t typically process heartbreak by talking to a lot of people — I go inward. I write.

My journals are filled with poems about anger, sadness, grief, longing, and, at the same time, beauty, joy, and connection. Relationships have always been an intense area of growth for me — they’ve pushed me to face my shadow more than anything else in my life.

One day, I realized I’d been writing these poems for years. They were just sitting in my journals and on my phone. And I thought: Why not put them together? Why not create something for other people who’ve had those soul-level connections — the ones that feel karmic or ancient or familiar in a way you can’t logically explain?

That’s where Past Life Lovers came from. It’s an offering to anyone who’s ever loved deeply, painfully, beautifully — and needed a place to put all those feelings.

I responded to heartbreak by eating donuts — that was my process. As you were describing how you wrote through your pain, I thought, “Wow, a laptop and some poetry would’ve been a lot healthier for me.” I’d love for you to read one of the poems, if you don’t mind, and then share the heart behind it.

Yasmin Elzomor: Absolutely. Here’s one I remember writing after my last breakup a few years ago. It’s called Love Feels Like a Funeral I Keep Attending:

I never just fall in love.
It’s never that simple.
I mourn while I’m in it.
Even in the honeymoon, even in the highs,
There’s this subtle grief pressing on my chest that whispers,
You know how this ends.

Maybe that’s what makes love feel so intense.
I give like it’s my last chance,
And I touch like I’m already missing you.
I look at someone and imagine the version of me.
That will have to live without them.
It’s so messed up, but it’s honest.

I don’t know how to love without preparing for loss.
Every “I love you” comes with a silent “Please don’t hurt me.”
Every beginning smells like the end.
And yet, I keep showing up.
I keep choosing love as if it won’t destroy me.
And I hope that this time —
It really won’t.

I feel like I just want to give you a hug. That is so powerful. When you hear your own words, what comes up for you?

Yasmin Elzomor: A lot of emotion. I cried putting this book together. When I hear that poem, everything comes back — the memories, the triggers, the depth of those past relationships. All of these people felt like “past life lovers” to me — the connections felt too deep, too familiar to be from just this lifetime.

Creating this book brought up so much. And publishing it? That was a whole new level. It was like a new version of me was being born through the process. That’s the creative alchemy I talk about — turning pain into art, turning heartbreak into something meaningful.

Have any of the individuals you wrote about read your poetry?

Yasmin Elzomor: Not yet. We’ll see if they do. I’m not mailing out copies… although I’ve thought about it! With a note that says, “This page is you.” Maybe I should.

That feels very Taylor Swift of you.

Yasmin Elzomor: Honestly, I love it.

I actually wrote a full memoir about my own breakdown in 2008. I wouldn’t recommend anyone read it — it’s way too intense — but I understand that impulse to write from the rawest parts of your life.

Yasmin Elzomor: It’s cathartic and brutal at the same time.

Definitely not in poetry, but so much creative alchemy comes through expression. I look back at some of the things I put out and wonder, “Was that too soon?” How soon is too soon to publicly process one’s pain or inner transformation? What would you say to that?

Yasmin Elzomor: Yeah, that’s such a good point, David. I thought about that a lot while working on my poetry book. I sat with myself and asked, Am I truly ready to share this? Have I actually processed these breakups and everything that came with them? And the answer was yes.

Of course, it’s scary to put yourself out there — especially in such a vulnerable way — but I felt confident enough to say, “This is me. This is what I’ve lived. And I know I’m not alone.” Love, grief, heartbreak… they’re universal threads. If we haven’t experienced them yet, we will.

I wanted to help myself through this journey by being more vulnerable and to help others move through their own grief. But I also think it’s essential to check in with intention: Where is this coming from? Am I ready? Does this feel like exposing myself, or like offering something meaningful? Everyone has a different threshold, but intentionality matters.

You also have a podcast called Humanity Feels. I see a theme — we’re wanting to feel our feelings. What’s the vision of the show?

Yasmin Elzomor: Yes! Lots of feelings are happening. And David, I definitely need to have you on the show — we’ll choose your emotion beforehand.

I launched Humanity Feels at the end of 2020, during such a chaotic, heavy time for all of us. I wanted to create a space where people could feel connected, seen, and heard as we navigated that collective difficulty.

The podcast explores relationships, spirituality, personal development, shadow work — all the messy, beautiful, very human things we experience. I’ve had incredible guests over the years who have become friends, people who are grounded, authentic, and committed to making a positive impact in the world.

When I started, it was mostly solo episodes. I wanted to find my voice first — to understand what I even wanted to express — and then I began bringing guests on. Three and a half years later, it’s still one of my favorite creative outlets.

And finally, where is the best place for people to learn more, follow your work, or reach out about coaching?

Yasmin Elzomor: You can find me at YasminElzomor.com — that’s where you can learn about coaching and connect with me. You can find me on Instagram. And if anyone wants to work together on photography, my portfolio is at VisualsWithYasmin.com.

Yasmin, it’s great to be with you. I love your energy, your passion, and your desire not only to alchemize your own challenges but to help others do the same. What stands out to me in our conversation is the vitality and vision you’re putting into the world.

And because of that, I imagine you’re attracting people with that same energy to walk alongside you. I see that growing for you — more and more. And I join you in speaking that into existence.

Yasmin Elzomor: David, that’s so sweet. Thank you so much. I love meeting people like you because it feels like soul tribe — people who see you. There’s this deep resonance where you don’t even need words to understand each other. I’m really grateful. Thank you again for having me on. What a wonderful conversation. I loved learning about you, too, and all the incredible things you’ve done. Truly inspiring. I love it.