Maribel Maignan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Maribel, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I’m being called to do now is to be bold in my faith—and to inspire others to be bold in theirs too.
For months, I was running a faith-based wellness community, yet I was hesitant to fully speak about it or openly share my faith. I knew God had placed this calling on my heart, but fear held me back—fear of judgment, fear of people being uncomfortable, fear of not being received well. Everything shifted when I attended a conference and heard a pastor say, “You need to get comfortable doing the uncomfortable. That’s the only way your vision will grow.” That statement pierced my heart.
I asked myself honestly: What am I uncomfortable doing? The answer was clear—talking about my faith, publicly and unapologetically. I realized I was allowing fear and people-pleasing to delay my calling. That day, I decided I would no longer let fear dictate my obedience. I gathered the courage to post a video sharing my faith, my beliefs, and the events I was hosting. One post turned into another, and slowly I became more comfortable. Soon, the response was overwhelming—people were showing up, supporting the mission, and confirming that this was bigger than me.
One moment that deeply affirmed this calling was during an event where we introduced prayer circles. At first, everyone prayed silently. I felt prompted to encourage them to speak out loud—to say what was on their hearts, to trust that maybe the Lord had given them a word for their neighbor. Suddenly, people began turning to one another, praying boldly and openly. You could feel the Holy Spirit moving. It was powerful, beautiful, and undeniable.
That moment revealed something to me: so many people are afraid to be bold in their faith—to pray out loud, to speak the name of Jesus, to live their beliefs publicly. And I knew then that this is what I’m being called to help change. If I’m leading a faith-based community and inviting others into boldness, I must first walk boldly myself. I’m learning that leadership in faith requires courage, obedience, and surrender—and I’m answering that call more boldly than ever before.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maribel, and first and foremost, I am a child of God. I am the founder of the Lifted In Faith Movement, a faith-based wellness social club created to care for the body, mind, and spirit—all while giving glory to God. Through movement, worship, community, and prayer, we create spaces where people can encounter God in a fresh and authentic way.
What makes Lifted In Faith unique is that we meet people where they are. Our festivals blend wellness, fitness, music, and the arts with faith, creating an atmosphere that feels inviting, joyful, and transformative. It’s not just about a workout or an event—it’s about building community, strengthening faith, and reminding people that taking care of their health can be an act of worship.
Right now, we are working toward creating a large-scale wellness, music, and arts festival for the Lord—a space where faith is celebrated boldly and creatively, and where people can experience God through movement, connection, and praise. Lifted In Faith is more than a brand; it’s a movement rooted in obedience, purpose, surrender, and the belief that when we take care of our whole selves, we honor the One who created us.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
God saw me clearly before I could ever see myself. Jesus Christ saw me long before I believed I was worthy to be used by Him. When I started Lifted In Faith, I struggled deeply with feelings of inadequacy. I told myself I was “just a girl”—not a preacher, not someone who knew every Bible verse, not qualified to lead God’s people. I was afraid of leading others the wrong way, afraid of stepping into something so much bigger than me.
But God gently reminded me that He doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. Where I saw insecurity, He saw purpose. Where I felt unworthy, He saw a leader. He saw someone capable of stewarding a movement and inspiring others toward Him. Through obedience and surrender, He began using me for Kingdom work, and in that process, He allowed me to see myself the way He always had.
I am eternally grateful and deeply honored that God chose to use me—not because of my strength, but because of His.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could. This year, I walked through seasons so heavy that I genuinely didn’t know how I was going to make it through. There were moments of deep pain, uncertainty, and surrender—moments where the only thing I could do was cling to the Lord.
Through that suffering, God showed me that breakthrough is often born in the hardest places. Pain has a way of refining you, pruning you, and stripping away what no longer serves your calling. Suffering teaches lessons that success never will—humility, dependence on God, perseverance, and faith that isn’t based on outcomes but on trust.
I’ve learned that Jesus never wastes our suffering. He uses it for His glory. From brokenness comes beauty, from trials comes strength, and from suffering comes the kind of success that is rooted not in recognition, but in purpose.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am deeply committed to building these festivals, no matter how long it takes. I believe God has placed a vision on my heart to create a large-scale wellness, music, and arts festival—a “Christian Coachella”—that boldly showcases creativity for the Lord.
This isn’t about hype or trends; it’s about highlighting the gifts God has placed within each of us. I want to create a space where people can move their bodies, worship freely, create boldly, and encounter God in a way that feels alive and authentic. A place where artists, musicians, instructors, and creatives can use their talents to glorify Him and show the world what God is doing through them.
God is the ultimate Creator, the original creative. Everything beautiful flows from Him. I’m committed to stewarding this vision faithfully, trusting His timing, and building it with obedience and perseverance—because when God gives a vision, it’s worth pursuing for a lifetime.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was a girl who loved Jesus with all her heart. That I lived my life boldly for Him, even when it was uncomfortable, and that I wasn’t afraid to give God the glory in everything I did. I hope they remember me as someone who created spaces where people felt seen, welcomed, and drawn closer to God.
I also hope they say that I helped save lives—not by my own strength, but by pointing people to Jesus. That I made people feel less alone in their struggles and reminded them that they were never too broken, too far gone, or too imperfect to be used by God. I hope my story encouraged people to go after their God-given dreams and showed them that past pain, mistakes, or difficult seasons do not disqualify them from living a purposeful and impactful life.
More than titles or accomplishments, I hope my life points back to Jesus—that through the communities I built, the festivals I created, and the conversations I started, people felt encouraged to deepen their faith and walk confidently in their purpose. If my story leads even one person closer to Christ, then I will have lived a life well spent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftedinfaithmvmt
