Colleen Avis: Creating Harmony in Mind, Body, and Space

When it comes to living a truly aligned and fulfilling life, Colleen Avis believes it begins within—and expands outward. As a transformational coach and author of the award-winning Sacred Spaces book series (Subtle Shifts for Mind, Body, and Home Transformations), Colleen draws on a rich blend of holistic modalities to guide clients toward deeper self-awareness, personal alignment, and soulful living.

Her work isn’t about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about deep presence, meaningful reflection, and small, intentional shifts that lead to lasting transformation. Colleen meets each person exactly where they are, helping them design lives that feel both true and sustainable—from the inside out.

Through women’s circles, one-on-one coaching, and sacred creative spaces, she supports people in softening the noise, untangling old narratives, and reconnecting with their most essential self. Her approach is intuitive, deeply personal, and grounded in the belief that the answers aren’t out there—they’re already within you. You simply need the space and support to remember and trust them.

What led you to begin this type of work?

My path to this work wasn’t linear, but every step led me here.
As a child, I helped my parents flip houses. I didn’t know it then, but I was learning something profound: our spaces carry energy. It was never just about paint or furniture—it was about how a space made us feel. That early awareness planted a seed.
In my teens, I experienced abandonment by my father, a moment that left me feeling unmoored and deeply alone. I spent years searching for a sense of home and belonging—not just physically, but within myself.

Determined to find purpose and prove my worth, I built a successful corporate career. On the outside, it looked like I had it all, but inside, I felt disconnected. I had subscribed to the idea that working hard and achieving success would bring happiness. It didn’t. After 15+ years, I stepped away, launching an interior design business and, more importantly, creating space to start a family with my husband.

Then, in my early 40s, something shifted again. A profound personal transformation—rooted in forgiveness, clarity, and truth—changed everything. I felt what it meant to integrate mind, body, and home. I didn’t just understand it—I lived it. And I knew I wanted others to feel that same freedom and alignment.

Every experience I’ve had—especially the hardest ones—now lives at the core of how I serve others. My experiences aren’t separate from my work. They are the soul of it. They’ve shaped my ability to hold space, to guide with compassion, and to walk beside others on their own journey home to themselves.

This work is deeply personal. Its purposeful. And it’s the greatest privilege to support others in remembering who they are and why they’re here.

You talk about small shifts making a big difference—can you share one that changed things for you or someone you’ve worked with?

Recently, I began working with a client who came to me feeling overwhelmed. She had read all the books, listened to the podcasts, tried all the systems—each one claiming to be the thing that would finally fix everything. And honestly, that’s so common. There’s just so much out there telling us what we’re supposed to do to be better, healthier, more successful… but very little of it works if it’s not personal.

Many people are seeking change, and they have tried to absorb as much information as possible; however, transformation doesn’t come from accumulating more knowledge. It comes from tuning in and making it your own, and taking aligned action.

So instead of giving her another “plan,” we started asking curious, meaningful questions. Questions that invited her to listen inward, not outward. Together, we co-created a path that felt like her. And she was brave enough to try things on—not perfectly, but honestly. One small shift at a time. 

Sometimes it fits. Sometimes it didn’t. The key was accountability – she stayed curious and committed to herself and the life she wanted. And that action and curiosity turned into clarity. And begin to hear and listen to her wisdom. And that’s where the real transformation began.

It wasn’t about fixing herself – she was never broken. It was about remembering who she was—and letting that guide the way forward.

How do you help someone break free from habits or beliefs that have held them back for a long time?

There’s no one path to transformation—but when someone feels safe, seen, and supported, real change becomes possible.

And it’s different for everyone. And in my work, it starts with me meeting my clients where they are—with deep listening, compassion, and tools that work in alignment with their goals, unique needs, and nervous system, not against it. We explore their stories gently and build a scaffolding of support through breathwork, somatic awareness, guided reflection, and intentional action. It’s not about pushing through—it’s about building a new internal rhythm that makes lasting change feel safe and possible. 

Why do you think it’s important to look at the mind, body, and even our homes when trying to feel better?

Because nothing exists in isolation. Our thoughts, physical energy, and environments are constantly in conversation. I’ve seen again and again how shifting something in the home—a cleared space, a sacred corner—creates ripple effects in the mind and body. When all three are in harmony, we don’t just feel better—we feel like ourselves again.

I have coaching clients who begin to shift into a healthier mindset and then ask me to help them create spaces in their homes that they love. It’s a very natural progression.

We shape our spaces—and they shape us right back.

If someone’s just starting their wellness journey, where should they begin?

Begin with stillness and presence. Don’t try to overhaul your life overnight. Instead, ask yourself: What’s one thing I could do today to feel more like me? That might be taking a real breath, stepping outside, or choosing a more nourishing thought or meal. Start small. Start kind.

Those small shifts become the foundation of trust—and trust is where transformation takes root.

What’s it like to work with you? What can someone expect from the experience?

Rather than me just telling you, let me share pieces of two recent texts from clients. 

“I’m grateful to you for helping me navigate these past few months. Your help and guidance is a blessing. I am beginning to feel an awareness I have not had in years.”

“I am so grateful to have you as my coach and wellness guide as I navigate some of life’s obstacles and revisit my purpose.  I honestly feel like I am being introduced to myself again.”

I believe all my clients feel a sense of working together and co-creating with me feels both sacred and supportive. Working with me includes creating spaces that are warm, safe, and grounded in trust. My clients are deeply seen and gently challenged. We laugh, reflect, breathe, and uncover what’s real—so they can rise from their wisdom, not mine.

A lot of people feel like they’ve missed their chance to change. What would you say to them?

I’d say this: You’re not starting from scratch—you’re starting from strength.

You’re carrying every lesson, every scar, every spark of resilience you’ve earned. Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, you’ve already walked through things that have prepared you for what’s next.

I see people of all ages—30s, 50s, 70s—take brave, small steps toward change. It’s rarely about some big overnight shift. It usually begins with a pause, a deep breath, and a question like What’s true for me now?

The belief that you’re “too late” is one of the sneakiest ways we abandon ourselves. But I believe the path forward is already within you—it’s just waiting for you to trust it.

Change doesn’t ask you to erase your past. It asks you to honor it, learn from it, and build something beautiful on top of it.

So no, you haven’t missed your chance. You haven’t missed your moment. You’re exactly where your next beginning starts—and I’m here to walk it with you.

How do your trainings—like Ayurveda or NLP—show up in the way you support others?

My trainings—especially in Ayurveda and meditation—show up in quiet but powerful ways. They guide how I see, listen, and hold space. Ayurveda teaches me to understand the whole person, not just what they’re struggling with, but how they’re wired, what season of life they’re in, and what truly brings them back into balance. Meditation reminds me (and my clients) that stillness can be just as important as action.

But I’ll say this: I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all toolkit. Tools are there to serve the person, not the other way around. Every client is unique, and the support I offer is based on our relationship, their readiness, and the trust we build together. Sometimes we work with daily rituals or nervous system tools. Other times, it’s journaling, self-inquiry, or breathwork. It’s always a co-creation.

What really drives my work is the belief that you are not the stories you’ve lived or told yourself. I help my clients get crystal clear on what truly excites and aligns with them, not just what they’ve been conditioned to chase or believe. And from that clarity, real transformation begins.

Yes, it’s about practices like Ayurveda, meditation, or coaching frameworks—but more than anything, it’s about creating a sacred space where change feels safe, supported, and self-led. It’s not always easy, but it is deeply worth it.

What helps you stay grounded in your own life while supporting others?

Nature, rituals, and my sacred circles are essential. I walk barefoot in the grass, meditate, write, and spend time with people who help me stay accountable to presence and alignment. These practices root me—but so does the understanding that grounding is a practice, not a destination.

I don’t always get it right. I have moments of doubt, distraction, and overwhelm, too. But I work with a coach, and I keep showing up for myself with compassion and curiosity. The most important thing I return to again and again is my inner voice—that deep, quiet knowing that lives beneath the noise. It’s taken time to trust it fully, but it’s always been my most honest and wise guide.

This is what I try to model for others: not perfection, but presence. Not fixing everything, but listening inward and honoring what’s true. That’s the real work—and the real gift.

You’ve created spaces like women’s circles and healing communities. What makes those so special?

Women’s circles are sacred because they remind us: we don’t have to do life alone. In these spaces, we remember that our stories don’t isolate us—they unite us.

When women gather with intention, something ancient and deeply healing begins to unfold. These spaces aren’t about fixing each other—they’re about witnessing, supporting, and rising together.

What makes them truly powerful is that every woman brings her wisdom, lived experience, and inner knowing to the circle. Each voice matters. Each story holds insight. And when we speak our truths—and listen generously to others—we create a container where real transformation can happen.

There’s something profoundly healing about being seen and heard without judgment. That simple act of presence, of honoring each other’s stories, is one of the most sacred gifts we can offer. And in these circles, we remember that we already hold so much of what we need—we just need space to reconnect with it. 

That is why I create and hold these types of spaces… everyone deserves a space like this!

What are some common struggles you see people facing today, and how can they start to shift?

So many people today are overstimulated, overcommitted, and undernourished—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. They’re tired, trying to do it all, constantly taking in information and giving their energy away without replenishment.

One of the most tender struggles I see is loneliness. Even surrounded by people, many feel unseen or unknown. There’s a deep longing to be connected—not just socially, but meaningfully—to themselves, to others, and something greater.

The shift begins with slowing down and asking the real questions:

What am I doing out of obligation?

What’s no longer mine to carry?

Where am I pretending everything’s fine when my soul is quietly aching for more?

When we create stillness, truth has space to surface. That’s where transformation begins—with honesty, compassion, and the courage to make even the smallest shift toward alignment.

You don’t have to figure it out all at once. You just have to start listening.

If you could leave someone with one message, what would it be?

“You don’t need to leap. You just need to listen—to yourself, your truth, and your timing. Start where you are. Trust what stirs within you. You’re not behind—you’re becoming.”

Big change doesn’t always start with big moves. It often begins with a subtle shift—
A single breath. A new question. A gentle yes.

You don’t have to overhaul your life to transform it. You just have to start noticing the moments that matter. Because it’s in the quiet choices, the tiny pivots, the brave pauses— That everything begins to shift.

Ask yourself, Who am I? Not based on roles or expectations, but from that deep place within.
Understanding who you are and why you’re here isn’t a luxury. It’s powerful. It’s grounding. It’s life-giving.

And you deserve that kind of clarity. You deserve that kind of purpose. You deserve a life that feels like you.

And you don’t have to do it alone. If something here stirred something in you, reach out.

Let’s connect. Here’s my Calendly link—I’d love to hear your story.