An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
“No one can save anyone” because it’s a personal journey. We can help. We can support each other. But I cannot save anyone except myself, and that’s already a significant task. As a therapist, it’s crucial to approach this with utmost respect because everyone has their own process, which we must honor.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Gabriela Alves Toulier.
Gabriela Alves Toulier, a Brazilian actress known for her roles on Globo TV, SBT, and in theater. She is now on a mission to empower women. As a Mentor of the Art of Being, she dedicates her life to expanding consciousness as a Soul Therapist and Guardian of the Sacred Feminine. Gabi integrates techniques such as Family Constellation, Pathwork, Quantum Being, ThetaHealing, and Yoga Philosophy to help individuals become their best selves.
Trained in Vinyasa Yoga at Tulasidalam Ashram in India, she is also a Womb Keeper. Gabi is the founder and guardian of the Sacred Feminine Circle Una and Guardians of Love, and co-founder of Healing the Feminine alongside Psychologist and Family Constellator Fernanda Teixeira. She facilitates the Self-Knowledge Oracle and has created the Journey of Awakening and Journey of the Sacred Woman methods. Additionally, Gabi works as a Multimedia Artist and ChangeMaker, contributing to the creation of a Culture of Peace.
Thank you so much for doing this with us Gabi! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? The story of how you grew up?
It’s so nice to see you again. It’s so wonderful to be here and to be able to share my talents and a little bit of my history. I’m the daughter of an actress and an artist. When my parents broke up, I was about two years old, and my mom moved with me to São Paulo to live inside a theater. When my grandmother came to visit us, she saw that craziness and decided to take me to live with her in Rio. When I was about four years old, I was invited to do a very successful TV show for kids as a “Falling Angel.” That was when my acting career started.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When my career as an actress started, it felt very natural because living in a theater, the whole artistic and playful universe was my life. There is this funny story from when I went to the audition for the “Falling Angel” role. Since I knew everything was not reality but a fairy tale, like the evil characters, a huge crocodile, and other scary creatures, while the other kids were afraid of these roles, I just arrived on set, very professional, asking which role would be mine. I was only four years old. So that’s a funny story about the beginning of my acting career. I actually had a very successful career as an actress after this show. I did popular soap operas, other TV shows, and plays. But there was an emptiness inside me; something was missing.
I was raised by a very intellectual woman. My grandmother was not just intellectual but also very concerned about social issues. I then started to ask myself if my career was doing something good for people, if it was relevant to society.
I started to have these doubts, and then I decided to study psychology. I dove into self-knowledge and spiritual studies, and then I went to this spiritual ritual. I asked the Higher Self, “Where is my cure?” I was feeling this emptiness and wanted to know what would be my healing. Surprisingly, this Higher Self spoke to me like a great epiphany, an insight. It was like hearing advice whispering in my ears: “Your healing is in healing your feminine.” After this, I absorbed many understandings about the feminine concept and realized that this wounded feminine I carried inside was not just related to me, but it was a collective wound. It was about my ancestors and concerned the whole society because the feminine had been excluded on this planet for thousands of years. Therefore, this wound is inside each of us. Every woman carries this wound inside, as do all human beings. Then I decided to study more about this issue, and afterwards, I felt it was time to share all of this knowledge with other women, and here I am.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
As an actress, I have shared many stories, but as a therapist, I have been learning many things about myself. This process never ends. We are always learning more and more about ourselves, and I see myself in all the women I work with because every woman has a little bit of me. There is this quote we say on the Sacred Feminine Path: “Your pain is my pain, your healing is my healing.” It’s really interesting because sometimes when I am mentoring, it’s like I am talking to my own self. I’m a mentor of women, and when my clients talk about their wounds, their challenges, it’s like I’m hearing my own soul.
I then start to realize how powerful it is when we are together, supporting each other and understanding that we are on the same path. Each one of us has something of the other, and when we are together, we feel more whole. There is this Family Constellator who says that for women, being with other women is the most powerful medicine because we empower ourselves together. So, it’s really magical for me. I feel like I’m healing myself every time that I put myself in service, serving these women. I am healing with them also, and I think it’s very profound.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
My God, there is this very funny story. I was an actress and I think I was about 14 years old. We were rehearsing a scene, and I was with this very experienced, famous actor, and we were supposed to kiss each other. During the rehearsal, we kissed. But after the rehearsal, he gently said, “You don’t need to use your tongue.” But I was doing it for real, so I did use my tongue! It was really embarrassing. So that’s a funny story.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your professional life? Can you share a story?
There are many professionals that I admire, but Oprah, for me, she’s an icon. She’s a very inspiring woman. She teaches us about resilience and that it is possible to transform your life into something good no matter how challenging your past was. So, for me, she’s a great inspiration. But there are other professionals as well. One who was especially meaningful for me and who crossed my path was Louise Hay. It was an unforgettable experience! When I was 19 years old, I read one of her bestselling books, “You Can Heal Your Life.” It was so powerful for me because I realized that I could change my life and truly transform myself just by changing my thoughts.
Years later, I was in New York at a friend’s house who used to work with her. I was just chilling in his living room, reading something, I don’t remember exactly what it was, when he came up to me and said, “There’s a call for you.” I said, “Okay…” And when I took the phone, it was her, Louise Hay! He had arranged this call and she said, “Hello, I’m Louise Hay.” I was like, “Oh my God. I love you! You were so important to me; you helped me change my life. Thank you so much!” It was so emotional. I think she was already in her seventies or something like that. It was a long time ago, and it was very special for me. She was also one woman who inspired me a lot.
Wanda Malhotra: What a privilege to have had the opportunity to talk to Louise Hay!
Gabriela Alves Toulier: Yes, my dream now is to hang out with Oprah. Okay, Universe? I really want to be her bestie. I see myself just having some wine with her, talking and philosophizing… she’s so wonderful and warm. I feel she has a beautiful soul. She uses her success to encourage people to know themselves, to heal themselves, to open their minds, and I think that’s very inspiring. So, I love her.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
When I was an actress, I always tried to use my image to do good things and to inspire others. As an actor, we have a huge reach, and I felt it was my social commitment to do something positive with it. So, I always supported social events and initiatives to help people. Recently, we had this flood in the south of Brazil, which touched me deeply, especially what was happening with women and children. There were many cases of abuse even amid this chaos, and I felt I had to do something to help change it. I work with women, so it encouraged me to take action. I created a movement called United Women, and I’m organizing events to raise money to help them.
I also found out about a great initiative by organizations like ME TOO Brazil, which created a shelter for women and children affected by the flood. This shelter not only provides a safe space for these environmental refugees but also helps them rebuild their lives. It’s more than a shelter; it’s a program to help women get back to work and children get back to school. The goal is to be open for a whole year, helping them. So, I decided to collaborate with them.
We are the co-creators of a new world and a new era. This new world is not something that is going to happen to us; we are the builders of it.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
We are the creators, you know what I mean? And so I think it’s time to hold each other’s hands and do something good. I don’t think there is time to wait for the governments or the politicians to do something. We are the ones who need to create this movement. There is this quote by Gandhi, which says: “Be the change you want to see in the world,” and I truly believe in it.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
My cause is to expand human consciousness by healing the feminine in the world. I’ve had many successful cases in my work, and what I do is very fulfilling for me. Making a change in someone’s life is so powerful and beautiful. It really gives me meaning. I have many examples, but I’ll share just one.
There is this woman whom I love dearly. She was married and had a son, and she was in a very abusive relationship. She didn’t know it was abusive — many women don’t realize they are in such relationships. I had been in one myself and didn’t recognize it either. She was in an abusive relationship with both her husband and her son. This lady is so talented and profound; I could see her huge potential. She was raised by her grandmother and had no contact with her mother because her grandmother used to say many bad things about her own daughter.
During our process, she started to become more aware of her own life. She decided to give her mother a chance by reconnecting with her and listening to her side of the story. She realized that she had been manipulated by her grandmother. She forgave her grandmother but decided to make her own choices. Today, she is no longer in that abusive marriage, but she maintains a good relationship with her ex-husband and son. She also now has a great relationship with her mother — they are very close. She empowered herself to follow her own path, and for the very first time in her life, she is living by herself. She has her own autonomy and has matured into a grown, independent woman. It’s amazing to see her transformation and how it resonated with me. She symbolizes the biggest change I’ve witnessed and helped make happen.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
First of all, I think we need more women in politics because now I don’t know if you’re following it, but the Congress was deciding what children have to do with their bodies, when they get pregnant from being raped. It’s so crazy because why do men have the power to decide about our bodies? it doesn’t make sense, especially because the men are the ones who abuse a woman’s body and get them pregnant. So, we do need more women in politics. For me, it’s the first thing, because we need our own advocates, we need to have a voice. Since we have so few women in politics, we don’t have much of a voice. I think we need to hear more about women. Women understand the needs of other women. Especially when it comes to abusive relationships. Because most of us have been abused in some way. I realized that in the past, in my grandmother’s time, It was normal. All the relationships were abusive because women did not have a voice, they could not decide anything about their lives. Now we can decide and we can manifest our will. But we need to take ownership of our rights. I don’t like to use the word ‘fight’ because I think it’s a reproduction of what we don’t want anymore, but we have to guarantee that we do have our space. That our rights are being respected. So, we do need to listen to the women. To understand their needs and their desires. What is really important for us. And I think there’s one thing that is behind all of these. Which is the understanding that we are more powerful together, men and women because we have many things to learn with our differences. For me the feminine and masculine are parts of a whole, and when we divide and when we separate this partes we lose power then we get into this opposition, we become opponents, while we are complementary. So, I think we have to understand that. There is no energy more important than other. Both energies, feminine and masculine are inside of us. We have to learn how to balance them to become a whole. For me, it is fundamental to understand that.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
There is something I want to share not just as a therapist, but as a human being: “No one can save anyone” because it’s a personal journey. We can help. We can support each other. But I cannot save anyone except myself, and that’s already a significant task. As a therapist, it’s crucial to approach this with utmost respect because everyone has their own process, which we must honor.
I believe self-knowledge is the map to all our treasures. If we want to change the world, we must first change ourselves. Gandhi used to say, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” So, when we tackle social and political issues, we’re only scratching the surface; true change begins within. When I feel whole, comfortable in my own skin, and happy — if I know who I am and where I belong — I’m already contributing positively to the world. Jung once said, “The best contribution you can make to society is to illuminate your own darkness.” Therefore, self-knowledge is essential; it’s about taking responsibility for our own darkness, our shadows. By shedding light on them, we illuminate the world around us, becoming a beacon of hope and understanding.
During my journey of self-discovery, I learned that “pain is a gateway to higher awareness.” In difficult and painful situations, our instinct is often to resist and fight. But when we realize that every feeling serves a purpose — that even pain has lessons to teach us — the suffering diminishes. Pain becomes a messenger, prompting us to be open to its message. It may hurt, it may not feel good, but what is it trying to tell me? What can I learn from it? Understanding this transforms pain into a catalyst for personal growth. It’s like a chemical that alters our lives, empowering us to overcome challenges rather than seeing them as adversaries.
I also believe that while we can’t change our past, we can change its narrative. By reframing our history and viewing it through a different lens, we uncover valuable lessons hidden within our experiences of pain. Our past becomes a treasure trove, where even the most painful moments contain diamonds waiting to be discovered. We become alchemists, turning lead into gold — transforming pain into profound learning and personal growth.
Oh… it’s challenging to express such profound ideas in English!
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind and heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
I’ll start from the beginning — when I wake up, I meditate. Taking time for myself is crucial to prepare for the day, followed by stretching my body and enjoying a cup of tea. Sometimes, I opt for green juice or golden milk made with almond milk, turmeric, cinnamon, and honey — it’s delicious. Then, I may have some fruits — that’s my morning routine.
Throughout the day, I dedicate myself to mentoring women, which often involves hearing challenging situations. It’s essential for me to carve out moments for solitude, to reflect and center myself, especially amidst these emotional conversations. I find solace in nature walks, yoga, and spending time with my cats. Being with friends, laughing, and finding joy are also vital aspects of self-care.
While there are serious issues to address, it’s equally important to embrace life’s pleasures. Balancing seriousness with enjoyment allows us to not take ourselves too seriously and to laugh at our mistakes and quirks, preventing rigidity.
When discussing femininity and its healing, I emphasize flowing, adaptability, and flexibility — core aspects of femininity. However, it’s crucial to exercise discernment. Not every situation warrants adaptability; there are instances where we must say, “No, I won’t participate.” Many societal norms, normalized over centuries, aren’t natural or sensible. We must be aware of what truly aligns with our values.
I believe healing women contributes to healing society as a whole. As life-bringers and nurturers of future generations, our role is immensely significant. We’ve historically been seen as adversaries, yet we are Guardians of Life — empowering and transformative. My mission, if I dare call it that, is to foster consciousness through the healing of women.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I have a movement called Unite Women, aimed at empowering women globally through education, awareness, and spirituality. When I speak of spirituality, I mean connecting deeply with one’s inner self, not tied to any specific religion but to our profound essence and soul. This inner connection is fundamental and crucial to me. This is my contribution, my mission — to guide people back to their own hearts. That’s what I aim to achieve in the world.
This is what we call our “matchmaker question”, and it sometimes works. Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have a power lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
There are many thinkers I admire, like Joe Dispenza. He’s not just a scientist; he’s a profound thinker, and I really admire him. Joe Dispenza, Deepak Chopra, Gregg Braden — they’re doing great work, healing people from within. Having a chat with Joe Dispenza would be really fun and fulfilling. Please tag Oprah too! And Wanda, you’re invited as well.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
I’ve been using more Instagram @gabi.alves.toulier. On my page you can read many articles and poetry and watch our Instagram lives which are very interesting with deep content.
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you so much.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
Stars Who Make a Difference: Why & How Gabriela Alves Toulier Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.