Meet Rian Elizabeth Gufarotti | Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Yoga Teacher, & Retreat Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rian Elizabeth Gufarotti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rian Elizabeth, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a massage therapist turned wellness entrepreneur, risk-taking has been integral to my journey. It means having the courage to pursue new opportunities, even when the outcome is uncertain. It’s about embracing challenges, stepping out of comfort zones, and being willing to invest time, energy, and resources into ventures that align with my vision. Risk-taking involves calculated decisions, strategic planning, and sometimes making tough choices, like selling my business during Covid, to pursue a deeper passion. It’s about believing in oneself, being adaptable, and having the resilience to navigate obstacles along the way. Ultimately, risk-taking is about seizing opportunities for growth and fulfillment, even when there’s a chance of failure. It was through selling Natural Therapeutics, a top rated Massage clinic in Colorado Springs, that enabled me to really take risks and trust my self to follow my dreams and keep reaching my goals.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets me apart from others is my unique combination of skills as a massage therapist, business entrepreneur, and wellness retreat leader. I pride myself on being a visionary who isn’t afraid to take risks in pursuit of my passion for helping others achieve greater health and happiness. It’s imperative for me to lean into trust, keep an upbeat and positive outlook, and know that the universe always has my back. I had to do a lot of work on reprogramming my subconscious mind, and down regulate my nervous system.

I am most proud of the journey I’ve taken to build multiple businesses from the ground up and to transition from being a struggling, overworked, burnout entrepreneur to following my heart’s calling of leading international wellness retreats. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. It’s okay to fail, but it’s not okay to quit, you just have to reevaluate and pivot.

Getting to where I am today business-wise has been a combination of hard work, perseverance, and taking strategic risks. It certainly hasn’t been easy, especially navigating challenges like the Covid pandemic which was a blessing in disguise for me, but I’ve overcome them by staying focused on my goals, doing the inner work, adapting to changing circumstances, and surrounding myself with a supportive team.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are invaluable. I’ve learned the importance of resilience, adaptability, and being open to change. I’ve also learned the power of collaboration and surrounding myself with a strong support network.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I am deeply passionate about helping people to feel, deal, and heal so they can live with more purpose, passion, and pleasure. My story is one of transformation and following my heart’s calling, which was ignited after hitting rock bottom as an overworked female entrepreneur wearing all the hats and putting too much on my plate. I’m hine sight it was a trauma response. My nervous system was disregulayed and I only knew how to operate in chaos. Through practices like yoga, chanting, meditation, sound healing, coaching, and Ayurveda, I found my way back to my true self with the help of a loving family and a supportive network of coaches, mentors, and teachers. I learned that running away from problems, emotions, traumas, pain, and grief is never the answer; it only leads to repeating unhealthy patterns and coping mechanisms until one is ready to face and heal them. The only was to level up, is to walk right through the fire. To eat the “shit sandwich, and feel your way thru it. You have to name it to take it and self love, forgiveness, and acceptance is a great place to start so you can move towards abundance, peace, and living on purpose with joy

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this! Because she just did! My bestie since 1988 came out with her husband and 4 children from New York! We explored Garden of The Gods, took pictures at the Mesa overlook, explored Manitou Springs and the penny arcades for the kids, Patsy’s candy for treats. ild Colorado City for souvenirs, downtown Colorado Springs for cocktails at the rabbit hole, and made our way up to the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek. The kids and husbands hiked the Manitou Incline, and we all went to Breckenridge to Ski! We made a stop at scheels to check out the massive indoor sports store, and drove out to black forest to see the trees. They enjoyed the snow and the views! It was amazing and such a gift to share the magic and beauty of Colorado with her and her family ❤️

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The teachers, faculty, mentors and staff at Cambio Yoga studio started me on my healing path, they provided a safe space for me to learn, row, and practice the art of yoga. Katie Silcox, and the staff at the Shakti School have helped me to deepen my relationship with my inner wise woman, and Dr. Japa and Shanti Shanti at The Kundalini Research Institute have supported me in developing my connection to source and spirit through Kundalini yoga. Katie Brauer with The Yoga Professional helped me to turn my passions into business processes and procedures and gave me the confidence to launch my Retreat & Coaching Business Soul Full Wellness. It was at this online program that connected me with a local female entrepreneur, Lissa Lenz and we instantly hit it off and began to collaborate on local events and retreats. I have to thank her and Sherri Lee, owner of Roots and Wings Therapies, who have supported me and allowed me to get over the negative experiences I had with forming business partners. It has been an absolute joy working with Sherri and Lissa where we all get to shine and collaborate on passion projects together.
And of course my husband and life partner, Chad, daughter Maizey and son Rylan, for their unwavering love and support through my career and always believing in me. A few of my favorite books that gave me the confidence to expand and grow in my career at age 40 has been The Power of Now, Atomic Habits, and Healthy Happy Sexy, She who runs with wolves.

Website: Soulfullwellnessretreats.com

Instagram: Soulfullwellnesscolorado

Twitter: Soulfullwellness

Facebook: Soul Full Wellness Colorado or my personal Rian Celona Gufarotti

Youtube: Soul Full Wellness Colorado

Image Credits
Meghan Lee Johnson Amy Nicole Hodges