By: Treasure Tunnel

For some people, personal transformation means physical change. For others, it’s inner healing. And for Rilee Astraea. She weaves body, mind, and soul together in a way that makes transformation available to everyone, regardless of their budget, beliefs, or attention span.

In a world where personal transformation often comes with a hefty price tag (think five-figure masterminds and retreats), Rilee is doing something radically different. The poetic author and somatic artist, known as the Mystic in the Matrix, believes healing isn’t reserved only for those who can afford it.

Rilee says, “Transformation isn’t a luxury, it’s a birthright. I’ve watched too many people delay their healing because they think they need to save up for the ‘right’ program. But the truth is, you can start exactly where you are, and work with what you have.”

From Corporate Consultant to Modern Mystic

Rilee’s journey to becoming a transformation guide wasn’t linear. A former communications and behavior-change consultant for Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies, she spent nearly a decade helping others refine their narratives while ignoring her own.

At the same time, she trained as a competitive athlete, which led to a second career as a personal trainer and strength coach.

As an undiagnosed autistic woman navigating corporate systems that rewarded performance over presence, she eventually experienced what looked like a breakdown but was actually a breakthrough—a spiritual crisis and existential unraveling that forced her to confront her trauma and meet her shadow.

“What the psychiatric system calls ‘madness’ was actually an ego death and awakening. I was being called back to the childhood loves I had abandoned, like poetry, music, and movement as play. And these became my lifelines for rebuilding,” Rilee reflects.

Her journey became the foundation for House of Astraea, the personal transformation studio she runs with her husband Tim Brennan. Together, they bridge what Rilee refers to as mindset, muscles, and magic, in a framework that blends psychology and narrative work with strength-based athletics, somatic coaching and artistic expression.

Access Through Multiple Entry Points

Recognizing that the personal growth industry has become largely inaccessible to the very people who need it most, Rilee built her business around a tiered model offering multiple entry points.

“I knew I wanted to create a different model where someone could begin their transformation journey with a $10.00 e-book or a free essay, not a $10,000 commitment,” she explains.

At the foundation are weekly essays published on Medium and educational video reels shared on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok that remind us that the “matrix” starts in our minds, and we can use shadow work, nervous system regulation, and narrative reframing to unlock the source code.

“My content offers real tools to help people feel seen, understood, and empowered, whether they ever become a client or not,” she says.

For those ready to go deeper, she offers short nonfiction books that combine poetic prose with practical frameworks, and her innovative Somatic Spells, genre-bending electronic tracks with affirmational lyrics designed to rewire mind and body while awakening the soul.

“Somatic Spells are my way of making somatic healing available in addition to the therapy room. You can use them in your living room, at the gym, or during a yoga class. Each track sits in a different energetic mode: high-energy electronic dance music (EDM) for cardio, heavy lifting flows, or tantric cool-downs. They’re gaining traction in yoga studios because they make nervous system work feel natural and even joyful,” she says.

At the top of her offerings is The Art of Anastasis (Greek for “rebirth”), her signature mentorship program integrating inner and outer strength with soul, through somatic and spiritual expression. Even this premium offering maintains her commitment through payment plans and sliding scale spots.

The Philosophy: Start Small, Go Deep

Rilee’s focus on affordability isn’t the only thing that sets her approach apart. She holds a unique philosophy about how transformation actually works.

“The personal growth industry has convinced people that bigger is better, but sustainable transformation doesn’t happen in a weekend. It happens in the daily rituals, the small moments of honesty, the consistent return to your body and your truth,” she observes.

Her tiered model reflects this understanding. Someone might start with a free essay that helps them name a pattern they’ve been avoiding. That awareness might lead them to purchase a Somatic Spell to begin releasing the emotional charge. Eventually, they might be ready for deeper mentorship work. And by that time, they’ve already experienced a meaningful transformation.

Rilee says, “I want people to know that wherever they start is exactly right. Maybe you’re in a season where a $10.00 e-book is all you can swing, and that’s okay. Start there. Transformation isn’t going anywhere. It’s waiting for you whenever you’re ready.”

Serving the Underserved: Neurodivergence and Beyond

As someone who is autistic and highly sensitive, Rilee is particularly committed to making her work available to neurodivergent individuals, a population often overlooked in traditional therapeutic spaces.

“So many of us who are neurodivergent have been told we’re ‘too much’ or ‘too sensitive’ our whole lives. We’ve learned to mask, to perform, to contort ourselves into shapes that don’t fit,” she reflects.

Her model allows people to engage at their own pace and in formats that work for their nervous systems, whether that’s reading essays, listening to audio tracks, or working one-on-one.

She explains, “I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all transformation. Some people need to move their bodies first and talk later. Some people need to write before they can speak. I designed my business to help people find what actually works for them.”

Community Impact: Wisdom Without Paywalls

Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of Rilee’s approach is her commitment to giving away significant portions of her work.

“I publish at least one essay a week on varying platforms, and create multiple educational reels on Instagram that are complete teachings, not teasers. I’m genuinely trying to help people, whether they ever pay me or not,” she says.

This generosity has built a loyal community, but that’s not the primary motivation.

“The world needs more accessible wisdom, not more paywalls. If my essay helps someone have a breakthrough in their kitchen on a Tuesday morning, that matters,” she says.

The Invitation: Start Where You Are

For Rilee, making transformation available to everyone isn’t just a business model; it’s a mission rooted in her own experience of unraveling and rebuilding.

Her message is simple but profound: Start where you are with what you have.

Rilee advises, “You don’t need to have it all figured out. Download a free essay. Try a Somatic Spell. Show up for yourself in whatever small way feels possible today. Transformation doesn’t require big gestures, just honest ones.”

 Whether on the mic, the page, in the studio, or on stage, Rilee’s work reminds us all: You are the story, and you can always write a new one.

Ready to begin your transformation journey?

• Free Resources: Follow @rileeastraea on Instagram for educational reels and read weekly poetic-prose essays on Medium.
• Deep Transformation & Affordable Tools: Learn about The Art of Anastasis mentorship; explore Somatic Spells and books at www.rileeastraea.com

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with licensed professionals before making any decisions related to their mental health or wellness practices.