By: Alena wiese

Success is often measured by external achievements—wealth, accolades, and career milestones. However, four dynamic women—Mery Domínguez, LaWanna Bradford, Elani Kay, and Angeline Gillings—are redefining what it means to be truly successful. Their approach, centered around the concept of “Success from Within,” emphasizes emotional intelligence, inner alignment, continuous growth, and resilience. These women offer a powerful perspective on how achieving inner wellness and self-awareness can lead to more meaningful, sustainable success in all areas of life.

The Essence of Success from the Inside Out

For Mery Domínguez, Founder of ParenTeen Moments and PTM Education Solutions, success starts with nurturing one’s inner world. “To me, ‘success from the inside out’ means nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being as the foundation for achieving external success,” Mery explains. 

“When you’re balanced and thriving internally, it naturally reflects in everything you do, leading to more sustainable and meaningful success.”

LaWanna Bradford, MPA, COO of The Bradford Group, LLC, echoes this sentiment but adds that it also involves understanding the deeper aspects of our character. 

“Success from the inside out is the profound realization that true achievement begins within,” she says. “It’s a reflection of our core values and the essence of our character, radiating outward for the world to witness.”

Angeline Gillings, CEO of AMP-G LLC, emphasizes aligning actions with values and strengths. 

“Success from the inside out means aligning your actions with your core values and strengths. It’s about thriving in a way that is true to who you are, which naturally leads to external success.”

Elani Kay, a multifaceted entrepreneur and life coach, believes that inner success is about building a strong foundation of wellness. 

“Success from the inside out means that you have successfully laid down a solid and healthy foundation by prioritizing internal, physical, mental, and emotional wellness,” she explains.

Cultivating a Success-Oriented Mindset

A success-oriented mindset is not something that happens by chance; it must be cultivated with intention. Mery suggests that it begins with positive self-talk and focusing on progress over perfection. 

“At ParenTeen Moments, we emphasize these practices to support emotional and family well-being, helping parents build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset,” she shares.

LaWanna emphasizes the importance of defining what success means on a personal level. 

“Success is a continuous journey built on intentional actions, strategic determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. By integrating these principles into your daily life, you establish a strong foundation for enduring success that emanates from within and impacts the world around you,” she advises.

Elani adds that surrounding yourself with the right influences is crucial.

 “Surrounding yourself with people you want to be like can easily alter your mindset by introducing you to language, thoughts, ideas, habits, and more that you may not know about,” she says.

Angeline stresses the importance of a clear vision and setting goals that align with it. 

“The journey to success begins with a well-defined vision,” she notes. “Daily habits like visualization, affirmations, and practicing gratitude are key to cultivating a mindset geared toward achievement.”

The Role of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EQ) emerges as a recurring theme among these leaders. Mery believes that EQ fosters self-awareness and inner healing, which are key to managing emotions and responding positively to challenges. 

“This emotional foundation not only enhances personal well-being but also paves the way for sustained success in all areas of life,” she says.

For LaWanna, EQ is essential for effective leadership and team dynamics. 

“It starts with self-awareness—knowing your own emotions and managing your responses intentionally. From there, EQ involves empathetic understanding of others, listening to their needs, and recognizing how they react in different situations.” she explains. 

“This ability to relate to others is crucial in both personal and business contexts.”

Angeline agrees, highlighting EQ’s impact on interpersonal relationships and communication. 

“Emotional intelligence is a cornerstone of success due to its impact on interpersonal relationships, communication, and resilience,” she states.

Daily Habits for Inner Growth

All four women agree that daily habits are essential for fostering inner growth and alignment.

Mery highlights the importance of mindful reflection as a core self-care practice, a concept she explores in her book, Influential Parenting  and integrates into her Emotional Wellness programs. 

“Taking time each day to reflect on my thoughts, emotions, and experiences allows me to gain deeper self-awareness and clarity,” she explains.

LaWanna introduces the concept of “medi-pration,” a blend of meditation and prayer, as her essential daily habit. 

“Each morning, I dedicate time to this practice by walking at dawn, which allows me to connect deeply with myself and with God,” she shares.

Elani and Angeline also prioritize daily habits that encourage inner reflection and spiritual alignment. 

“Having some form of meditation, devotion, or prayer every day is essential for inner growth as it’s a time for just you and your Higher Power,” says Elani. 

Angeline adds, “Self-reflection helps you stay true to your authentic self and promotes continuous personal development and emotional resilience.”

Aligning Vibrations for Success

Aligning one’s energy or vibration is crucial to achieving success. Mery 

attributes her achievements to her unwavering faith, which has guided her through challenges while crafting talks, developing curriculum, and launching new programs. ‘Aligning my spiritual harmony  with God’s will has been a cornerstone in my journey as an Emotional Wellness Educator,’ she explains.”

“This spiritual alignment allowed me to approach my work with a sense of peace and conviction.”

LaWanna also speaks about the importance of aligning her vibration, referencing Jon Gordon’s book The Energy Bus. “This book’s 10 steps serve as a constant reminder that I have the power to protect my energy by surrounding myself with positivity,” she says.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

Overcoming limiting beliefs is crucial for unlocking potential. Mery identifies fear of failure as a common barrier. 

“The fear of failure, often rooted in self-doubt and past experiences, can be overcome by reframing failure as a learning opportunity,” she suggests.

LaWanna sees imposter syndrome as another common challenge. 

“To overcome this, start by recognizing and challenging these thoughts, questioning their validity, and focusing on your achievements as proof of your abilities,” she advises.

The Power of Gratitude and Continuous Learning

Gratitude is a powerful tool for attracting positive outcomes. 

“When we express gratitude, we shift our focus from what’s lacking to what we have, creating a mindset of abundance and positivity,” says Mery.

LaWanna agrees, adding that gratitude fosters better relationships and a collaborative environment. 

“When you practice gratitude, you center yourself on what you have, rather than what’s missing,” she notes.

Continuous learning is another essential element for sustaining success. “Those who commit to lifelong learning are better equipped to navigate new challenges, seize emerging opportunities, and innovate,” says Mery.

A New Paradigm for Success

The insights of Mery Domínguez, LaWanna Bradford, Elani Kay, and Angeline Gillings provide a new paradigm for success that begins from within. By focusing on emotional intelligence, inner growth, gratitude, and continuous learning, these women exemplify how aligning with one’s core values can lead to more meaningful and sustained success. Their combined wisdom encourages us to redefine success on our own terms and achieve a balanced, fulfilling life that radiates from the inside out.

Their stories remind us that success is not just about achieving external milestones; it’s about nurturing the inner qualities that sustain those achievements, ultimately leading to a richer, more purposeful life.

Published by: Nelly Chavez