The New York Times, Good Morning America, Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, Today, and pretty much everyone else cannot get enough of #1 New York Times best-selling author and speaker Gabrielle Bernstein.

Behind her success is an uncomplicated mission: to transform lives. From small conversations in her apartment to sold-out venues on international platforms, Bernstein’s goal is to get people to connect with themselves. Through social media, podcasts, masterclasses, digital workshops, e-courses, books, and live events, her dedication to helping people heal and thrive has not faltered.

Least to say, Bernstein is an icon, and her work is nothing less than inspiring. The secret to her success is no secret at all: it’s her unapologetic authenticity. It is through her authenticity, she is able to inspire confidence, cultivate success, and make the most of her opportunities. Read on to learn more about this CC100 2021 honoree.

You are such a powerhouse. You’re a #1 New York Times best-selling author who has penned an impressive eight books, including “The Universe Has Your Back,” “Super Attractor,” and your first Audible Original, “You Are the Guru.” But take us back to the beginning—what was the lightbulb moment for your career and what inspired you to pursue this path?

That happened when I got sober. I started to really claim my own spiritual faith, and I really knew that I wanted to share it with a new generation of spiritual seekers. So, I got on the microphone and started sharing what I knew and what I believed.

You were featured on Oprah’s SuperSoul Sunday as a “next-generation thought leader” and you’ve been called “a new role model” by The New York Times. How are you making a difference, and pushing your industry forward?

I have always put authenticity above everything else. So, I hope to be a power of example for other people in my field by encouraging them to be authentic and vulnerable, and willing to tell the truth.

2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?

My stage was taken away given COVID, so I had to find a new stage. I'm a solution-oriented person, so rather than focusing on the problem, I decided to find the solution. I started to take my platform to Instagram. I launched my weekly show, “Dear Gabby.” Hundreds of people from all over the world click to watch, and Instagram offers these viewers the opportunity to speak directly to me. And just like at my live talks, my Instagram viewers come on with real, raw, and interesting struggles, and I am able to offer practical, spiritual solutions for relief in real-time. And all viewers can often relate to these solutions. They come to recognize themselves in one another. “Dear Gabby” will be a podcast in 2021, and it's becoming so much more. It was an obstacle turned into a detour in the right direction. 

Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you, or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams? 

Confidence was always somewhat natural for me, but it's gotten a lot easier as I've become more authentic. I believe that the key to confidence is to be yourself because, when you are genuinely yourself, that's all people want from you. It's when we fake confidence that we're actually not allowing people to see our greatness. So, the key to confidence is to be authentic. 

What is the biggest challenge to achieving success in life?

The biggest challenge to achieving success is releasing the limiting beliefs that hold you back.

How have you remained true and authentic to who you are, and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that? 

I'm more uncomfortable not being real than I am being authentic and vulnerable.

It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?

I believe that rejection is protection.

With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?

The people that I am able to serve. What's most motivating and inspiring for me is knowing that my work has the capacity to help someone change their own life.

What is the #1 career or money book you always recommend and why?

“Think and Grow Rich.” You learn how to use the law of attraction for your abundance.

If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself? 

Spend more money on your business and hire faster.

Rapid-Fire Sentence Finishers:

When I feel fear, I…

Notice it and breathe.

The best career advice I always give is…

Make sure you do what's fun.

My perfect day begins with…

My son.

Three qualities that got me to where I am today are…

Confidence, a go-getter attitude, and faith that I can do anything.

The change I’d like to see in my industry is…

More authenticity.