We’re looking forward to introducing you to Maria Florio. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Maria, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think others are secretly struggling with maintaining motivation while contemplating the meaning we have in life, or lack thereof. Being able to accept that we can have no meaning except for the meaning we have for ourselves and our loved ones. To accept that we can have, or not have, meaning to someone that we find meaningful. To accept that we may think we’re making an impact, but that doesn’t mean we are or that others see us as making one. To have no meaning, yet still wake up motivated and ready for the day-to-day can be a struggle no one wants to talk about because it would mean facing the unanswerable question regarding the meaning of life. There’s no certainty to the question of the meaning of life for us, others, and life overall as we know it. To accept that we decide what and who has meaning for us. Seeking to make sense out of life in a way that gives something back or leaves something behind that is meaningful and connects with others. It is very important in our day-to-day life and overall society to have meaning, so it makes sense that it is a struggle to stay motivated if you have no meaning. It also makes sense that you won’t say that you have no meaning whatsoever in a way that is categorical because you can’t really know; but also because the existential question and answer is one you live daily and look to motivate yourself through and from.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
There are many aspects to me and my brand, and they all have the common goal of inspiring human potential. My most recent endeavor has me becoming a published author, with other spiritual authors, of the book, “The Ways To God – A Spiritual Mosaic: Discovering God Through Many Perspectives.”
In addition to being a published author, I’m a podcast host and content creator of the Inspiring Human Potential (IHP) blog, podcast and social media channels and profiles. You find IHP on YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify, plus other popular podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or iHeartRadio. I’m also an online marketing and social media consultant and strategist for passionate and heart-soul based entrepreneurs and business owners. I wear many hats as a solopreneur and was the founder of Event Guardian Angel Planner, LLC, which was active in 2011 and dissolved in April 2024. I’m a mystic spiritual mindful mindset mentor for personal and/or spiritual growth, and an Akashic record reader, Reiki Master and tarot-oracle card reader, guide, intuitive, and channeler of messages and more for the 5D collective.
Through IHP content, courses, mentorship, workshops and retreats, I look at how sciences and spirituality together reveal the way to access infinite higher human consciousness potential when pursuing self-help, personal development, spiritual growth, and mental and emotional mastery. I also talk about how mindset and lifestyle, mindfulness, secure attachment, integration of the brain, and restorative embodiment lead to higher intelligence and fulfillment. I use perspectives and stories from my self-empowered, enlightening, mystic, spiritual, and mindful life. From the age of eight, I decided I was going to help people when I grew up. A vague statement that meant to me, and still means, to help people live a good life as themselves. I do this through the inspiring human potential online presence and overall content. I bring together sciences and spirituality to support human evolution and consciousness, to shed light on love and you being yourself authentically with mindfulness and wellness in the forefront.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed as a child that I was too serious, but today I know this isn’t the case. What was defined to me as serious has everything to do with me owning my sense-of-self and being empowered with healthy self-worth and empathic boundaries. I am deep, thorough, and a no fluff type of person. I love gaining in-depth knowledge, understanding concepts thoroughly and growing wisdom in life. I love people who have depth, open-loving hearts and intelligence – mental and emotional. I don’t enjoy superficial people or those who choose mediocrity and bring forth emotionally immature and petty behaviors. I don’t find intriguing people who go after trends and vanity metrics. My being defined as a serious child was simply a word that meant I wasn’t partaking in what was socially trending and the latest norm or socially acceptable thing to do.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time when I almost gave up on people choosing to do what was right, brave and loving. In more than a few moments throughout my life I’ve met emotionally immature people who didn’t take ownership of what they brought to the table or what their life and relationships were bringing in. They didn’t choose self-love or awareness. Instead, these individuals justified the emotionally immature, adaptive child part, and maladpative patterns of behaviors they had. Once I became attachment and trauma educated and certified, I was able to understand what I was dealing with. Having the capacity to discern thanks to knowing of how unhealed shame and trauma leave a lasting impact on people’s lives when these individuals don’t choose to heal gave me the ability to keep moving forward; and to know that choosing what is right, brave and loving is an option only once emotional awareness, accountability and responsibility take place in a person’s life.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Real foundational shifts last the test of time because they create abundance and sustainability in the real world long-term and for many, not just a few people or groups. A fad, on the other hand, is something that comes and goes, and that a person only does superficially. A person partakes in a fad because it’s popular and being talked about, but not because it’s embodied or brought forth throughout their lifetime in any significant way. A real foundational shift plays out thoroughly throughout society both on an individual scale and a collective one. For example, the use of mindfulness and mindset practices for restorative embodied self-aware, accountable and regulating people who pursue resilience, integration of the brain, and anchor in ventral energy. The practices optimize wellness on a mental, emotional and physical level for people’s lives and entire communities. Whether you believe in mindfulness and mindset practices working or not, they’ve become a foundational shift due to the benefits individuals and the collective are finding with them worldwide.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I could give everything my best, even if no one ever praised me for it because what I’m trying to do is leave behind what will stand as an example of how to keep moving forward in life with your best foot forward, no matter what. It’s important to lead by example, for the children and the adults. It’s important to show the world how we can choose to bring out the best in ourselves, without the praises of others. To show how we can choose to want to leave the world behind a little bit better than how we found it when we came in. Also, showing how we can treat each other with respect, live life to its fullest with fulfillment, and how we can keep integrity and love intact. Giving everything your best shows that we can become emotionally mature, for example, without ever meeting an emotionally mature person who has ethical boundaries, healthy self-worth and is self-empowered, loving and accepts that not everyone will like them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inspiringhumanpotential.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/marianflorio
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/mariaflorio
- Twitter: https://x.com/luna12780
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/inspiringhumanpotential1
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@inspiringhumanpotential
- Soundcloud: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/maria-florio
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ofOJwy5isBLF6S1Le027M
Spotify for Creators: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/maria-florio
Image Credits
Maria Florio – Inspiring Human Potential
