Alicia Arlene knows what it’s like to feel lost in your own life—to wake up every day wondering if this is all there is. But she also knows what it means to choose yourself, rewrite your story, and step into the most powerful version of YOU.
After losing her mom at 15, Alicia spent years struggling with self-worth, self-love, and confidence. But when she hit rock bottom, she made a decision: her life was worth fighting for. Through deep healing, mindset shifts, and radical self-belief, she transformed her reality—and now, she’s helping other women do the same.
As the founder of Her Inner GLO, Alicia has built a space where women can heal, grow, and reclaim their power. Whether it’s through journaling, self-reflection, or bold action, she teaches that confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build, step by step.
In this interview, Alicia shares her journey from self-doubt to unshakable self-worth, the power of journaling, and what it truly means to become HER—the version of you who no longer waits for permission to take up space.
The Journey to Self-Worth & Mental Well-Being
TBN: Alicia, your journey from deep struggle to empowerment is so inspiring. What was the moment when you finally decided to reclaim your life?
AA: I remember the exact moment. I was 25, a decade after losing my mom, and I looked at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back. On the outside, I probably seemed fine. No one around me would have guessed how lost I felt. But inside? I was drowning. I had spent years feeling broken, unworthy, and like life was something that just happened to me, not something I had the power to create. I never finished high school, I had zero confidence, and self-love wasn’t even in my vocabulary. I was constantly searching for outside validation, hoping someone else would tell me I was enough. And I convinced myself that the kind of life I admired in other women wasn’t meant for me.
But one day, something in me snapped. I realized no one was coming to save me. No one was going to hand me the confidence, the self-worth, or the life I secretly wished for. If I wanted more, I had to be the one to choose it. And from that day forward, I did. It wasn’t perfect, and it sure as hell wasn’t easy, but I stopped waiting for proof that I was capable or “worthy” and started moving like I already was. And that changed everything.
TBN: Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s messy, nonlinear, and full of setbacks. What’s something about your own healing journey that people might not expect?
AA: That healing doesn’t always feel good. People assume that when you start ‘doing the work,’ you suddenly feel lighter, happier, more at peace. But for me? Healing felt like ripping my chest open and facing every painful belief I had about myself. It meant sitting with the grief I had buried, calling myself out on my own self-sabotage, and learning to give myself grace even on the days I felt like I was failing. There were nights I cried myself to sleep because choosing to heal meant choosing to feel—and for so long, I had numbed everything just to survive. But healing also gave me me. And for that, I would do it all over again.
TBN: Many women feel stuck in self-doubt or negative self-talk. How do you personally navigate those moments when self-doubt creeps in?
AA: I remind myself that self-doubt is just a story. It’s not the truth- it’s just the truth I once believed. If I can believe in my doubts, I can believe in my potential just as much. When self-doubt creeps in, I ask myself: “Would the best version of me entertain this thought?” If the answer is no, I don’t give it power. Instead, I redirect my focus. I act like the woman who knows she’s capable. Because confidence isn’t something you wait for it’s something you build by showing up, even when you don’t feel ready.
The Power of Journaling & Self-Reflection
TBN: Journaling is such a big part of The Inner GLO Academy. How has journaling played a role in your own healing, and why do you think it’s such a powerful tool?
AA: Journaling gave me back my voice. For so long, I carried beliefs about myself that weren’t even mine—things I had absorbed from the pain of losing my mom, from not finishing high school, from feeling like I was less than the women I admired. When I started writing, I got to see my thoughts outside of my head, and that was powerful. I could question them. Reframe them. Rewrite them. Journaling isn’t just about reflection—it’s about creation. You don’t just document who you are; you design who you’re becoming.
That’s exactly why I created The Becoming Her Journal—because I know how powerful it is to put pen to paper and see yourself in a new light. This isn’t just about writing down thoughts; it’s about transforming them. Every page is an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you and step into the woman you’re meant to be.
When I first started journaling, I was just dumping my emotions onto paper, but as I evolved, so did my practice. I started writing as if I already was HER—my highest self. I set intentions, wrote affirmations, and shifted my identity on the page before I could see it in real life. And let me tell you, it works. Journaling is how I reprogrammed my self-worth. It’s how I turned my pain into purpose. It’s how I took back control of my story. That’s why I always say: Your journal isn’t just a place for reflection—it’s a blueprint for your next level.
TBN: Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. What are some daily habits or mindset shifts that help women start stepping into their power, Alicia?
AA: Confidence is built in the smallest moments—the ones no one sees. It’s built when you show up for yourself, even when it’s inconvenient. When you follow through on the things you said you would do. When you stop waiting for external validation and start trusting yourself. A few shifts that changed everything for me:
- Speaking to myself like I would a best friend. No more trashing myself when I messed up.
- Acting as if I already was HER. Every decision I made, I asked: ‘Would my highest self do this?’
- Taking messy action. Confidence isn’t about knowing what you’re doing—it’s about trusting yourself enough to figure it out as you go.
- Keeping small promises to myself. When I committed to simple things—waking up on time, drinking water, getting outside—I built trust in myself.
- Owning my space. No more shrinking, apologizing for existing, or dimming my light to make others comfortable. The moment I stopped waiting for permission to take up space, everything changed.
TBN: A huge part of your message is about becoming HER—your highest, most aligned self. How do you define becoming HER in your own life?
AA: Becoming HER isn’t about “arriving” at a final destination- it’s more so about committing to yourself daily. It’s about showing up every single day as the version of yourself who refuses to settle for anything less than what she desires. It’s making decisions not from past limitations but from future potential. HER is the woman who knows her worth, backs herself even when no one else does, and takes risks in pursuit of the life she knows she’s meant for.
Becoming HER means no longer waiting for permission to be confident, to take up space, to dream bigger. It’s owning your presence in every room, walking with a level of self-trust that says, “I belong here.” HER is the woman who speaks up, who doesn’t dim her light to make others comfortable, who stands tall in her vision and doesn’t apologize for wanting more.
It’s a daily choice. Some days, you’ll feel like HER effortlessly. Other days, it’s a conscious effort to step into her shoes. But the key is to never stop choosing her. Because the more you do, the more she becomes who you are—not just an idea, but your reality.
Building a Business with Purpose
TBN: Alicia, you’ve built a brand that’s not just about personal growth but also community and empowerment. What has been the most rewarding part of being a business owner?
AA: Seeing women wake up to their own power. Seeing them realize that they were never broken, never “not enough”- just waiting for permission they didn’t actually need. That moment when a woman gets it, when she starts moving like she’s already her highest self? That’s everything to me.
It’s in the way she stops second-guessing herself. The way she starts speaking with certainty, showing up boldly, and making moves without waiting for external validation. I’ve watched women go from sitting on the sidelines of their own lives to stepping into rooms they once thought were off-limits simply because they decided to own their power. And when that shift happens? There’s no going back.
The most rewarding part is knowing that every woman I work with isn’t just changing her own life- she’s breaking cycles, inspiring others, and proving what’s possible. That ripple effect is the kind of impact that lasts for generations.
TBN: Running a business, especially one focused on transformation, can be intense. How do you balance your own personal growth while holding space for others?
AA: By making my growth non-negotiable. I can’t pour into others if I’m running on empty. That means setting boundaries, taking time off, and continuously doing my own work so I can hold space for others from a place of abundance, not depletion.
For me, that looks like prioritizing my own self-care just as much as I prioritize my business. I schedule time for myself just like I schedule client calls—whether it’s journaling, moving my body, or simply taking time to be alone. I also learned that saying no is one of the most powerful ways to protect my energy. Not every opportunity or request deserves my time, and honoring that has helped me stay grounded while serving others at my highest capacity.
When I take care of myself first, I can show up for my loved ones & community fully. I can lead from a place of alignment, not exhaustion. And that’s how I ensure my work remains impactful—not just for others, but for me too.
TBN: What advice would you give to women who want to start their own purpose-driven business but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin?
AA: Start before you feel ready. Clarity comes from action, not from waiting. You don’t need the perfect plan, the perfect brand, or the perfect timing—you just need to start. Trust yourself enough to figure it out along the way.
Every successful woman you admire once stood exactly where you are now- unsure, scared, and questioning if she had what it took. The difference is she didn’t let that stop her. She moved anyway. Action builds momentum, and momentum builds confidence. The more you show up, the more clarity you gain. The more you try, the more you refine. There’s no “perfect” launch or flawless first step- there’s only the courage to start and the willingness to keep going.
So take the first messy step. Show up, learn, pivot, and grow. The clarity and confidence you’re looking for? It’s built in motion, not in waiting.
Creating a Life That Feels Like Yours
TBN: If you could leave every woman reading this with one truth about their power, their worth, or their future, what would it be, Alicia?
You don’t have to be special to create a life that lights you up. You don’t have to come from the perfect background, have the perfect education, or wait until you feel ready. The only difference between the women who live their dream lives and the ones who don’t? One chose to believe in herself before she had proof.
Decide you’re that woman. Decide that you are worthy, not because of what you’ve accomplished but because you exist. And then back it up with action. Take the leap, even when it’s messy. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when you don’t feel ‘ready’—because the truth is, no one ever does. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite to start—it’s a byproduct of starting.
Everything changes the moment you choose yourself. The moment you stop asking for permission. The moment you stop waiting for the ‘right time’ and realize you create the right time. Your dream life is not reserved for other women—it’s available to you the second you decide to claim it. The second you demand more for yourself and refuse to settle.
So take up space. Walk like you belong. Move like the woman who knows she’s capable. Because you are. And once you believe that? There’s no limit to what you can do.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.
