Daily Inspiration: Meet Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey.

Hi Clarissa , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly what shaped the work I do today. I spent decades in the corporate world across a range of roles and industries, eventually landing in my dream position in organizational development. On paper, it looked like success. And in many ways, it was. But over time, I felt a quiet pull toward something more creative, more aligned. I believe we’re ever evolving beings and that inner voice kept getting louder. It said, “This ain’t your final destination.”

In 2021, I made the leap to work for myself, not because I had it all figured out, but because I was ready to listen to my life long dream: working for myself. I hit the ground running and was gaining traction. Then mid-2023, I found myself navigating a major health turning point: living with spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological voice condition. Losing ease of speech shifted everything. It became an invitation to slow down and turn inward. It became a time to explore new ways of communicating, processing, and being; that’s where art and wellness moved from the margins of my life to the center.

Today, I weave together my background in organizational psychology, leadership development, and coaching with art-based and wellness practices. Through Clarissa Ramsey Studio, I support individuals, teams, and communities in reconnecting with themselves, navigating transitions, and creating lives that feel more authentic and alive. What once felt like a disruption became a doorway — and I’m deeply grateful for where it led me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a meaningful one.

One of the most defining moments came when my voice condition, spasmodic dysphonia, made itself undeniable. I was on stage as a guest panelist for an event called Celebrating Our Voices. When I was asked a question, what came out was barely above a whisper. It was confronting, humbling, and ultimately life-altering.

Building my own business has brought a different set of challenges. As a coach, all I wanted to do was coach, but creative entrepreneurship asks you to wear all the hats: copywriter, marketer, promoter, salesperson, finance department to name a few! It’s a lot to hold, especially when you’re also learning to trust yourself in a new way.

That said, every challenge has sharpened my clarity and deepened my compassion for myself and for others navigating change. None of it has been easy, and all of it has been worth it. The journey continues to stretch me, and I wouldn’t trade it for the comfort of a smoother road.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At its core, my work is about helping people reconnect with themselves, especially during moments of transition. Through Clarissa Ramsey Studio, I blend my background in organizational psychology, leadership development, coaching, art and wellness to support individuals, teams, and communities in expressing what’s true, navigating change, and creating lives that feel more aligned. So many of us of a certain age have an inner dream that has yet to be expressed. I love helping my mid-lifers and beyond bring that dream to light. Maybe it’s writing a book, getting back to art, mustering up the courage to teach a class, or trying something new – you’re worth it!

I specialize in self-discovery, strengths-based, art and wellness-informed experiences, including workshops, coaching, retreats, and community gatherings that invite reflection, courage, and creativity. I’m often known for helping people slow down enough to hear themselves again, especially those who’ve spent years being high-achieving, responsible, and outwardly successful while quietly feeling disconnected or stuck.

What sets my work apart is that it’s not about “fixing” people or pushing them to perform. I don’t believe transformation comes from forcing outcomes. Instead, I create spaces that are grounded, compassionate, and experiential — where insight comes through creativity, the body, and honest reflection, and conversation. Art becomes both a mirror and a doorway.

What I’m most proud of is the way my work meets people where they are. Whether that’s a corporate team, a woman redefining her next chapter, or a community healing together. Seeing someone “do the thing,” reclaim their voice, trust themselves again, or take a brave step they’ve been avoiding for years never gets old. That’s the work. And it continues to feel like an honor.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t really think of my life or business through the lens of luck. I believe in intention, awareness, and creating space to dream. When you allow yourself to imagine what’s possible and then take aligned steps toward it, opportunities tend to meet you there.

That doesn’t mean the path is smooth. Setbacks happen, and I’ve had my share. But I see them less as bad luck and more as information; moments that ask for reflection, redirection, or a deeper level of trust. Often, what initially feels like a disappointment or failure ends up becoming a turning point. Remember that FAIL really means, first attempt in learning.

In that sense, I think it’s possible for all of us to be “lucky” not because life hands us something extraordinary, but because we’re willing to listen, stay open, and keep showing up. That growth mindset has shaped both my work and my life in meaningful ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://clarissastudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarissa.castilloramsey
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccastilloramsey
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccastilloramsey
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@clarissaramseystudio
• Other: https://linktr.ee/ClarissaCastilloRamsey