Introduction: Why the HELL I went all the way to Lexington Kentucky to attend a business conference I’d never heard of

When my business coach Mariah recommended the Hell Yes Live conference in Lexington, Kentucky, I was a little apprehensive. Why the hell was it in Lexington, Kentucky, of all places? All I knew about Kentucky was that it was flat farmland, they made a lot of bourbon, it was in the heart of the south, and home to horse country and the Kentucky Derby. 

But I was intrigued by the founder’s story. Becca Pike had transformed from a massage therapist working in a gym’s back room to a millionaire entrepreneur with multiple Massage Strong locations, a yoga studio, and a thriving coaching business. As someone looking to scale my healing practice back into a brick-and-mortar business after closing my last wellness center after Covid, this felt like exactly the inspiration I needed.

Pre-Conference Adventures: Connecting with Native American Heritage

Discovering Kentucky’s Sacred Spaces

Before the business conference began, I had most of Tuesday free to explore Lexington’s rich history. I knew I wanted to honor the Native American heritage of this place, so I began looking for opportunities to do so. Originally planning to visit the Trail of Tears memorial, but with not enough time to drive the seven hours round trip to the site, I pivoted to the nearby Adena Mound at Adena Park—an active two-thousand-year-old archaeological site owned by the University of Kentucky. The Adena mounds are remnants of a prehistoric Native American culture. These mounds, primarily used for burial and ceremonial purposes, can be found scattered across the central and northern parts of the state, particularly in the Bluegrass region.

A Sacred Ceremony by the Creek

My first ceremony in Kentucky

Though the site was closed to public access, my hotel shuttle driver Skyler and I discovered a secret trail that led down to a beautiful creek below the park entrance. Surrounded by golden light filtering through the trees, I performed a traditional ceremony with tobacco and smudge, singing sacred songs with my jaguar rattle and hummingbird flute. I called in the spirits of the four directions, Pachamama, Father Sky, the ancestors, and the spirits of the land to honor them and ask for their blessings. Afterwards, and an eagle flew right over us. Then the crickets and cicadas all sang their reply in raucous chorus, making Skyler and I laugh in amazement. This moment of spiritual connection set the tone for the entire trip.

Hell Yes Live Conference Day 1: Breakthrough Strategies and Mindset Work

Powerful Speakers and Life-Changing Insights

The conference kicked off with presentations from John (head coach), Becca Pike herself, and Bridgette from Freedom Queen. The day was packed with journal prompts designed to uncover limiting beliefs and tap into our deepest motivations for business growth. I made some new business connections and allowed myself to absorb as much as I could from people who had goals and dreams just as big as my own. 

Strategy Implementation Workshop

Becca Pike at Hell Yes Live

The afternoon focused on practical business strategies and implementation techniques. The combination of mindset work and actionable steps created a powerful foundation for transformation. There were a few times that I felt a little impostor syndrome. Some of these people were already making millions, and I wondered if I was really a CEO or just a wishful thinking small business owner. 

Luckily, I soon realized that those feelings of insecurity were just my old limiting beliefs coming up, and that I was EXACTLY where I was supposed to be. The whole point of coming here was to learn how to embody the CEO that I really am, and move beyond the cage of my negative thoughts. 

Day 2 Highlights: The Speaker Who Changed My Perspective

An Unforgettable Presentation on Time Management

One speaker stood out dramatically—a confident woman in a bright pink pantsuit with Chinese dragons, silver sparkly boots, and Storm-from-X-Men hair. Jessica Uyeno’s approach to time management was revolutionary, focusing on becoming a version of yourself that breaks the mold and unapologetically letting others be wrong about you. Her energy and charisma lit up the room, and it inspired me to finally start the podcast I’ve been secretly hanging back on for years. 

Her message about not conforming to others’ expectations resonated deeply. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is allow people to misunderstand you while you pursue your authentic path. Not everyone will get it, and that’s ok. I’m not here for those people. I’m here to find and create my tribe–to blaze a new path in the world. 

Networking and New Connections: Building Relationships at Business Conferences

Meaningful Connections

Throughout the conference, I connected with many fellow entrepreneurs including:

• Stephanie, a graphic designer and mom from Lexington looking to scale her business
• Samantha, a nurse specializing in hormone solutions from England growing her business
• Andrea from Montana, who runs a podcast and coaching business helping people heal from infidelity
• Rachel, a yoga studio owner and somatic teacher bridging the gap between mind and body for psychologists from Georgia
• Anna, a mindset and lifestyle coach from Louisville

The Power of Vulnerable Sharing

The conversations I had with these amazing business owners went beyond surface-level networking. We discussed spirituality, personal growth, and overcoming life challenges—proving that authentic business relationships aren’t just about the stats and facts, but about genuine human connection.

My Spiritual Practice in Professional Settings

Integrating Energy Work with Business Growth

Drawing from my 20 years as a healer specializing in craniosacral therapy and energy healing, I found opportunities to share spiritual practices with new friends. I shared my Earth, Sky, Heart meditation, as well as my background working with various shamans and plant spirit medicine. This dialogue became a bridge between my healing background and my emerging coaching aspirations. I realized that I absolutely LOVE coaching others, especially about spirituality and business. 

Honoring Ancestors and Spiritual Guides

Throughout the trip, I felt supported by my spiritual team—ancestors, guides, teachers, and angels. An eagle flew over me as we walked through downtown. Divine timing kept everything going smoothly without a hitch. Aligned connections kept happening, as though I was destined to meet and connect with these people. This reminder that we’re never alone in our entrepreneurial journey was a beautiful part of my experience.

From One-on-One Healing to Group Coaching: My Business Evolution

Recognizing the Call to Serve More People

The conference clarified something that has been stirring in my soul: the desire to help more people, faster. While I’ve spent two decades providing powerful one-on-one healing sessions, I now feel called to lead groups and train others in these transformative practices. I feel ready to step into my calling as a leader, teacher, and mentor for wider audiences. 

The Ripple Effect of Inspiration

Reflecting on the “ordinary” people who profoundly impacted my life—from my third-grade teacher who taught me my times tables to spiritual mentors like my teacher Manari from the Amazon—I realized that each of us has the power to be someone’s hero simply by believing in them and seeing their potential. We can make an impact just by being ourselves. We don’t have to be particularly smart, or special, or successful. We just have to have a desire to do good in this world. 

Lessons Learned: Key Takeaways from Hell Yes Live

Business Growth Requires Personal Growth

A great view of Lexington!

The most successful entrepreneurs at the conference had done deep inner work alongside building their businesses. Addressing limiting beliefs and fears isn’t just personal development—it’s essential business strategy.

It reminded me that to actively grow, I have to actively challenge myself and rigorously uproot my limiting beliefs. I have to become the person who I want to be NOW, instead of waiting to eventually become that person in the future. I must move like the CEO that already has it all, because that is the space that we create from. I get to be spiritual and a business owner. I get to ask for help from the Spirits, Great Spirit, my ancestors and guides, and still be successful and make money. They are not mutually exclusive. 

Authenticity Attracts the Right People

The speakers and attendees who made the biggest impact were those who showed up authentically, sharing both their successes and vulnerabilities. They didn’t try to blend in, or fit into a box, or be like everyone else. They actively showed their uniqueness and banked on it. They celebrated their differences and reminded us that we should do the same. Authenticity is the best currency. 

Community Accelerates Success

Met up with my Business Coach Mariah Anne from Asheville, NC

Being surrounded by other ambitious, heart-centered entrepreneurs created an energy that individual work simply can’t match. The power of community became undeniably clear. If you want to make moves, it takes getting into rooms with people who are making them. You have to surround yourself with people who are doing better than you are, who are taking more risks, making more waves, and going for bigger goals if you want to do the same. 

Why? Because it becomes normalized. When you’re around people who don’t have big goals or dreams, who complain, come up with excuses, and tell you all the reasons why you should be doing the same, it makes it really difficult to have a mindset of abundance and growth. You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most. If you want to expand your life, you’ve GOT to expand your network. 

Moving Forward: Implementing Conference Insights

Scaling from Individual Practice to Group Impact

My next steps involve transitioning from exclusively one-on-one healing work to group coaching and training programs. The conference provided both the inspiration and practical strategies to make this shift successfully. I will still see clients, and I’ll still hold ceremonies. But my primary goal is to start teaching other healers my PRISM method and growing my coaching practice to support other healers in growing their businesses. 

Staying Connected to Purpose

One of my biggest takeaways from Hell Yes Live was a journal prompt that had me really dig deep and get clear about WHY I am doing all this. While financial success is important, the conference reinforced that my true motivation is helping people remember their worth, power, and potential. This purpose-driven approach will guide all of my future business decisions.

Final Thoughts: The Transformation Continues

Me at Hell Yes Live in Lexington, Kentucky

Attending Hell Yes Live wasn’t just about learning business strategies—it was about stepping into a new version of myself as a leader and coach. It empowered me to become who I have always known I wanted to be, but was too afraid to actually become. The combination of spiritual practice, authentic connection, and practical business training created the perfect environment for transformation.

If you’ve been thinking about going to a business conference, I recommend getting a referral from someone you know and trust, and then DO IT! Stretch out of your comfort zone. Take a risk, a leap of faith in yourself, and give yourself permission to do something different. This is where we learn and grow.

As I continue this journey from healer to coach, I carry with me the reminder that we’re all “just one person”—but a person with unwavering belief in themselves and others can change everything.

Are you a healer ready to become a successful CEO that blends spiritual practice with business growth strategies? Follow me @thereikimedicinewoman on IG or FB to learn about upcoming programs. Click here to learn about Sacred, Shameless & Successful- my mentorship program for healers.