We recently had the chance to connect with Rochelle Gapere and have shared our conversation below.
Rochelle , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, Hot Vinyasa yoga has been bringing me so much joy. It challenges me just enough to stay fully present, focused on my breath, and in tune with my thoughts. It’s become a way for me to stretch, strengthen, and center my mind, body, and soul. I love challenging myself to learn something new, and yoga has been such an excellent addition to my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Rochelle Gapere. Being a happy lawyer might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s exactly what I am! I’m also a global happiness coach and motivational speaker. I’ve had the honor of speaking to audiences all over the world—from engineers to lawyers, from college students to professors—about how to design lives they truly love. My work blends science, storytelling, and strategy to help people unlock joy and sustain it, both personally and professionally. Right now, I’m working on new programs and courses that help leaders and individuals maximize their happiness, and I couldn’t be more excited to keep spreading this message: happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a skill we can all learn and strengthen.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
A lack of trust breaks bonds every single time—especially when people don’t honor their word. What restores them? Honest, vulnerable conversations. When people show up authentically, with humility and openness, healing and connection naturally follow.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that rejection and failure are really just divine redirection. For so long, I prided myself on a winning streak, on things aligning the way I wanted them to. But closed doors became some of my greatest blessings. Suffering deepened my self-trust, gave me resilience, and built an unshakable belief in my abilities. I journal every single day, and when I look back, I can literally trace how every setback has been for my good. Success never gave me that kind of soul-deep wisdom.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is truly what you get. If a camera followed me around, you’d see the same Rochelle you meet on stage, on Instagram, or in real life. I take pride in living in alignment with myself and my values. Every morning when I look in the mirror, I know I’m in integrity. And in a world that often favors a curated façade, I find deep joy in showing up authentically.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. It took me some time to recognize my purpose, because happiness came so naturally to me that I didn’t realize it was a gift. Once I discovered I could teach happiness—grounded in science and supported by my own lived experience—a light bulb went off. And honestly, I’ve been living my purpose ever since. Even as a little girl, I was the 8-year-old giving pep talks, cheering for the underdog, and helping friends believe in themselves. Little me is so proud of big me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rochellegapere.com
- Instagram: rochelle.gapere
- Linkedin: Rochelle Gapere
- Twitter: rochellegapere
- Facebook: RochelleGapere
Image Credits
UT Health Houston
