FTUIY #155: Gabriela Holt

Gabriela Holt

Every week, the Unicorn Wall of Fame celebrates a guest who embodies the spirit of “Finding the Unicorn in You.” This week, we spotlight Gabriela Holt, founder of Golden Hour Life Coaching, certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, and an unstoppable force for transformation.

Meet Gabriela Holt:

Your Personal Hype Squad

Gabriela is the definition of a personal hype squad in human form. After nearly 20 years as a high school counselor, helping countless students navigate everything from grief and depression to academic struggles and coming out, Gabriela took a leap of faith. When her values no longer aligned with her workplace, she made the courageous decision to resign, without a backup plan.

Instead of letting uncertainty stop her, Gabriela leaned into her strengths and her passion for helping others. She discovered life coaching through a grant-funded role at Rio Salado Community College, fell in love with the process, and soon after, founded Golden Hour Life Coaching. Her mission? To help you go from “meh” to amazing, and truly shine.

The Power of Resilience and Self-Love

Gabriela’s journey hasn’t been easy. With little family support, she’s had to be her own cheerleader—sometimes literally, as a baton-twirling 8-year-old and later as a high school cheerleader. She’s faced setbacks, heartbreak, and moments where she felt knocked flat. But every time, she got back up stronger.

Her secret? Radical self-love and resilience. Gabriela’s guiding mantra is “FLY: First Love Yourself.” She openly shares that, despite thinking she loved herself, it wasn’t until she did the real work—through personal reflection, coaching, and even therapy—that she found true self-acceptance.

From Counselor to Coach: Embracing Transformation

Transitioning from counseling to coaching was transformative for Gabriela. As a counselor, she became used to providing solutions and resources in crisis situations. As a coach, she learned to trust the process and empower her clients to find their own answers. She emphasizes that coaching requires clients to be active participants: “You’ll only get as much as the effort you put in.”

Gabriela’s coaching style is strengths-based, practical, and infused with warmth. She’s not afraid to call her clients out (with love!) and challenge them to commit to their own growth.

Mindset Shifts and Managing Stress

One of Gabriela’s superpowers is helping clients rewire negative self-talk. She shares her own experience of replacing the word “stupid” with “silly” to break free from toxic self-criticism—a small change that made a big difference.

When it comes to stress, Gabriela practices what she preaches. Her go-to tools include hot infrared yoga, meditation (with the Down Dog app), and the timeless wisdom of Louise Hay’s affirmations. She encourages everyone to find what fills their cup and to reset whenever life gets overwhelming.

The Unicorn Lesson: Manifesting Love and Living with Intention

Gabriela’s unicorn moment came in March 2018. After a powerful evening of yoga, reiki, and intention-setting under a full moon, she met her now-husband most unexpectedly. Despite naysayers and her own history of heartbreak, Gabriela manifested the relationship she’d been seeking—proof that when you set clear intentions and stay open to possibility, magic happens.

Her advice? “Create the life you want to live. Lean into your strengths. Love yourself fiercely. And remember, even in the face of challenges, you can achieve what you desire.”

Connect with Gabriela

Want to learn more about Gabriela or work with her?

Visit goldenhourlifecoaching.com or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn at @goldenhourlifecoaching.

Final Thoughts

Gabriela’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience, self-love, and intention can transform your life. Whether you’re feeling stuck or ready to take your next leap, let Gabriela’s journey inspire you to embrace your own unicorn magic.

For more inspiring stories and resources, check out the Unicorn Wall of Fame and subscribe to the Finding the Unicorn in You podcast, with new episodes every Friday at 7 a.m.