An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Stay Open to Change: Being adaptable is key to growth. Life will inevitably throw curveballs, and your ability to remain open to change allows you to evolve rather than stagnate.
Growth is an essential part of life, both personally and professionally. Every day presents an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become better versions of ourselves. But how do we seize these opportunities? How do successful writers, leaders, and influencers ensure they are constantly growing and improving? What daily habits, practices, or mindsets contribute to their continual growth? In this interview series, we are talking to authors, leaders, influencers, and anyone who is an authority about “What We Can Do To Grow Every Day”. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rachelle Sylvvain.
As seen in Verywell Mind, Rachelle Sylvian-Spence the author of Mienergi, Personal Development Practitioner, the Founder and CEO of R-Motivation and co-founder of B. Her Collective, a community dedicated to empowering women of color from diverse backgrounds. Rachelle brings a fiery passion to inspire, motivate, and empower women and youth to take decisive action in their lives, enabling them to become the best versions of themselves.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in New York City, specifically in Manhattan, and was born in Manhattan Hospital. My parents were first-generation immigrants who came to the U.S. in 1965. My father was an architect and urban planner with a master’s and doctorate, while my mother was a chemist who later became a chemistry and lab teacher. I’m the youngest of three children, with two older brothers.
When my father secured a job opportunity in Haiti, I was just a baby. We lived back and forth between Haiti and the U.S., which deeply shaped my identity and culture. At 16, I moved back to Queens. My parents provided a stable, privileged upbringing where education was paramount. Faith, family, community involvement, and social activism were also central to our lives. I vividly remember picketing as a teenager, protesting the dictatorship in Haiti. These experiences are a significant part of who I am today.
When I was 11, our home in Haiti was invaded in 1986, a pivotal moment in the country’s history. After 29 years, the dictatorship was overthrown, leading to unrest, with homes of people perceived as wealthy or politically involved being targeted. My father held several government positions. On the night of February 7, 1986, we were in the family room praying before bed. I asked my mother if I could sleep in her room, but she said no, so I asked my father. I moved into their room just before people started throwing boulders through the windows. My brothers and I brought our mattresses into my parents’ room and hid in the bathroom, listening to people yelling as they broke the lock on our gate and entered the yard. The next morning, I discovered that my room had been hit the hardest. If I had slept there, I might not be here today to share this story.
This experience taught me a profound lesson about preparedness. Life is not stagnant; it changes constantly, and you must be ready for whatever comes your way. Emotional preparedness, spirituality, and adaptability are key to being productive and successful in life.
At 14, I attended a world peace summit and had the incredible opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama.
Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?
I hold a master’s degree in social work, and I don’t believe that happened by chance. I’m also a certified professional coach, driven by my deep desire to serve others. Growing up, I always knew I had a gift for listening and handling crisis management. However, culturally, this wasn’t something that was celebrated. My father, for instance, envisioned me pursuing something more traditional, like economics. He even signed me up for college without much input from me.
But as I took more classes, I realized I had a genuine passion for the social sciences. While working at a hospital with a behavioral health unit, I became intrigued by one woman who eventually became my mentor — a social worker. Through her, I came to appreciate the many layers of social work: therapy, community organizing, research, and group work.
When I graduated, I became more involved in medical social work. But after leaving New York and moving to Florida, I felt a pull toward something bigger. I wanted to become more engaged with the community and recognized that my existence had to be more impactful. This shift in my personal journey toward self-discovery led me to help others embark on their own paths.
Ultimately, I connected with my true purpose: to have a greater impact by helping people take control of their lives and create meaningful change.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about Personal Growth. To make sure that we are all on the same page, let’s begin with a simple definition. What does “Personal Growth” mean to you?
Personal growth means the ability to recognize there is more to your existence and taking action to improve it.
Why do you believe that it’s important to commit to growing every day
Because it refines who you are on a daily basis. It’s important to bring clarity to the truth of who you are and understanding of your behaviors and how you’re showing up and your authenticity.
What are the key upsides for those who mindfully engage in a journey of personal evolution?
It’s the insight you gain into who you are, how you react to situations, and how you adjust to them. Self-improvement and self-confidence grow the more you familiarize yourself with your true self and understand how you’re showing up in the world. Those who avoid the work are often afraid of what might surface, but the more effort you put into self-discovery, the more self-assurance you gain. This allows you to celebrate who you are and become authentically confident, regardless of whether you’re accepted by others or not.
When we stop evolving in intentional ways, what do you think are the biggest downsides?
When we stop evolving intentionally, the biggest downside is stagnation. We become stuck in old patterns and limit our growth, which can lead to frustration, dissatisfaction, and a lack of fulfillment. What often gets revealed in the process is our resistance to change and the areas in our lives that require attention and adjustment.
To navigate this, it’s crucial to have the right tools and support system. One essential tool I use in my work is the method I call the “4 R’s” — Recognize, Release, Reflect, and Readjust. First, you recognize the need for change, then release what no longer serves you, reflect on the lessons learned, and finally, readjust your approach for a better outcome. This method helps individuals evolve with intention and achieve personal growth.
What specific practices, if any, do you have in place to ensure that you don’t become stagnant in life?
I focus on understanding the key elements that matter most in my life, with constant growth being a top priority. To avoid stagnation, I engage in several practices: I make time for reading, participate in community activities that challenge and feed my mind, and surround myself with uplifting groups that inspire me. These practices keep me motivated, open to learning, and continuously evolving.
Is there any particular area of your life where you are most committed to growth (e.g., spiritually, professionally, socially, internally, relationally)?
I am deeply committed to growth in all of these areas — spiritually, professionally, socially, internally, and relationally. My experiences, particularly supporting my parents during their illnesses, highlighted how grounded I am in my spirit. My father’s illness and my role in supporting my mother through her battle with two types of cancer made me realize the strength of my spiritual connection. This inner foundation allowed me to show up fully and be present during those challenging times. Ultimately, you show up in life at the level you can when you can, and this understanding has been key to my growth.
Here is the primary question of our discussion. If you could offer five tips to readers on how to stimulate and perpetuate self-growth, what would they be? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
1 . Embrace Discomfort: Growth rarely happens in the comfort zone. To truly evolve, you must challenge yourself by stepping into unfamiliar or difficult situations. This discomfort forces you to develop new skills, perspectives, and resilience. When I started Afuri Aesthetic, I had no prior experience in running a medical spa. Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship was uncomfortable, but it pushed me to grow as a leader, learner, and innovator.
2 . Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly evaluating your thoughts, actions, and emotions helps you gain insight into areas where you can improve. This practice helps create a deeper understanding of yourself and your path. I use journaling as a tool to reflect on my day and my responses to challenges. It’s through this habit that I recognize patterns and areas where I need to grow, such as leading with more patience or finding balance between work and rest.
3 . Stay Open to Change: Being adaptable is key to growth. Life will inevitably throw curveballs, and your ability to remain open to change allows you to evolve rather than stagnate.
When we launched B. Her Collective, our initial vision was to create an environment for personal and professional growth. However, it quickly became clear that we had ignited a much larger movement. The community’s response exceeded our expectations, transforming our platform into a powerful sisterood for empowering women and disrupting the status quo. Embracing this unexpected shift allowed us to expand our impact and continue evolving in meaningful ways.
4 . Trust the Journey: Growth is not linear. Trusting the process means accepting setbacks as part of the path, staying open to lessons along the way, and understanding that everything happens in divine timing. When I faced personal struggles after losing my cousin, I had to learn how to keep showing up authentically while carrying grief. This painful experience deepened my compassion and shifted how I show up for my clients and team, reinforcing the importance of grace in the healing journey.
5 . Cultivate Mindfulness : Growth happens when you are aware of your actions, thoughts, and emotions. Practicing mindfulness allows you to understand what’s holding you back and what can propel you forward. In my personal development workshops, I emphasize the importance of taking time to pause and reset. I often share how mindfulness helped me balance the emotional demands of being a business owner, practitioner, and leader. By staying present, I could make intentional decisions that aligned with my values.
What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck and unsure of how to start their personal growth journey?
I always say embrace the process, the person who is feeling stuck has to pause to reflect on the emotions, feelings and thoughts they are having in that moment that is causing them to feel stuck. The introspection starts with you. If you don’t know what that next step is, start documenting your day. Start paying attention, closely, to what’s happening, when it’s happening and how often it’s happening. If you don’t journal, record your voice or identify a person you can speak to that you can make that call to. Once you recognize something is off- You might not know what’s going on or what to do next you can tap into a friend where you can share these experiences with.
Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have significantly contributed to your personal growth?
“The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle” by Jim RohnThis book is a cornerstone for understanding the key elements of a fulfilling and successful life. Jim Rohn breaks down the essential aspects — Philosophy, Attitude, Activity, Results, and Lifestyle — into actionable insights. His wisdom has been instrumental in shaping my approach to personal and professional development. The emphasis on developing a strong philosophy and a positive attitude resonates deeply with my own experiences and goals.
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz This book offers practical wisdom based on ancient Toltec teachings. The agreements, Be impeccable with your word, Don’t take anything personally, Don’t make assumptions, and Always do your best,have provided a framework for personal integrity and resilience, helping me navigate various aspects of life with clarity and grace.
“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown This book is a powerful guide to embracing vulnerability and imperfection. Brené Brown’s insights on authenticity and courage have profoundly impacted how I approach persona
Podcast: “Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations” Oprah’s podcast features in-depth interviews with thought leaders, spiritual teachers, and inspirational figures. The conversations explore topics of personal growth, spirituality, and self-discovery. Listening to these episodes has offered me profound insights into navigating life’s challenges, understanding my purpose, and connecting more deeply with my values. The diverse perspectives and wisdom shared have enriched my journey and provided valuable guidance.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could start a movement to bring the most good to the most people, it would be an extension of the B. Her Collective, the movement I co-founded. The mission would be to disrupt the status quo and break barriers so that women and young women, especially those of color of diverse backgrounds, can own their voices, stand in their truth, and show up authentically.
This movement would challenge the societal narratives that have historically silenced or marginalized these women. It would create spaces, both physical and digital, where they can connect, share their stories, learn from one another, and find the courage to step into their full power. This movement would be global, but rooted in each community’s unique cultural experiences. By focusing on empowerment, education, and visibility, we can ignite a wave of change where every woman can step into her power and inspire the next generation to do the same.
Too often, women of color are taught to diminish their voices to fit into systems not built for them. By disrupting that narrative, we allow these women to fully embrace who they are, leading with compassion, authenticity, and purpose. This movement is about showing up not only for ourselves but for each other and making sure no one feels left behind.
It’s not just a movement; it’s a revolution in how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. When women stand in their truth, they change everything around them, from their families to their communities to the world.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
Growing Every Day: Rachelle Sylvain Of R-Motivation On What We Can Do To Grow Every Day was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.