Story & Lesson Highlights with Kamini Wood of Apex

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kamini Wood. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Kamini, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up early, even though the snooze button can be tempting. I get moving right away with a workoutwhich wakes me up and grounds me in my body.

Then I take a few minutes for a short meditation, just breathing quietly, letting my thoughts slow down. It’s my daily practice to keep me calm and clear-headed.

After that, I pour myself a cup of coffee. Sitting in silence with my coffee and something to read. It gives me a chance to learn something new or just feel inspired before the day gets rolling.

By the time everyone else is up and moving, I’ve already given myself exactly what I need to get going.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kamini Wood—a certified coach, speaker, and founder of Live Joy Your Way, where I help young adults, high-achievers, and anyone seeking authenticity move beyond limiting beliefs, anxiety, and perfectionism to build significant, empowered lives. My work uniquely combines trauma-informed coaching, emotional intelligence, and holistic self-leadership strategies to help individuals reclaim their agency and live joyfully on their terms.

My journey began through navigating my own story of reclaiming authenticity after years of hiding behind the masks of perfectionism and people-pleasing, driven by toxic personal experiences. What makes my approach special is that it’s grounded in lived experience, combined with extensive training and research—so clients don’t just receive theory, but also compassionate, practical guidance from someone who has walked the path herself.

Currently, I’m deeply passionate about working with young adults, professionals, and parents as they navigate relationship dynamics, emotional resilience, and identity rediscovery. My coaching methods, workshops, and content are designed around the core pillars of conscious leadership, emotional intelligence, authenticity, and compassionate boundary setting.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people don’t simply break because of conflict. They often unravel slowly through a loss of emotional safety, misunderstandings left unaddressed, and expectations never clearly expressed. When one person consistently feels unseen, unheard, or unsafe to express their true self, trust quietly erodes. John Gottman’s extensive research identifies criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling, what he famously terms the “Four Horsemen,” as predictors of relationship breakdown. These subtle yet powerful dynamics silently erode the connection, creating emotional wounds and deepening the distance.
Restoring those bonds, as Gottman emphasizes, means intentionally cultivating emotional safety and creating shared meaning. It involves turning toward each other rather than away, practicing vulnerability, compassionate honesty, and active presence. Healing emerges through clear communication, acknowledging past hurts, and honoring boundaries. According to Gottman, successful repair occurs not in the absence of conflict but in the ability to address it with empathy, understanding, and respect openly.
Rebuilding is not about returning to what once existed; instead, it’s about forging a new, healthier bond, rooted firmly in mutual appreciation, authenticity, and a commitment to nurturing emotional safety and trust.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For a long time, the fear of not being enough held me back. I worried about disappointing others, falling short, or being judged if I were to show my true self. I hid behind perfectionism and people-pleasing, always chasing approval instead of trusting myself.
But once I realized that fear wasn’t protecting me, it was keeping me small, I started making different choices. I began showing up as the real me, imperfections and all.
Now my work is all about helping others do the same: moving beyond that fear, reclaiming who they truly are, and choosing to live authentically.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to the belief that everyone deserves to live their most authentic life, without constantly feeling not good enough, no matter what they’ve been through or how long it takes to get there.
It’s why I do the work I do, supporting people as they move beyond old stories, limiting beliefs, and painful experiences, and into a life where they’re genuinely themselves. No timeline, just trust and commitment, because finding your true self is worth the time of the journey.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people say I provided an emotionally safe space to create a deeper understanding of themselves, and supported them as they reclaimed their voice, owned their story, and trusted in their worth. I hope they remember me as someone who led with compassion, vulnerability, and strength.
Above all, I hope my children say I was a mom who loved fiercely, empowered them to embrace exactly who they are, and gave them the freedom and confidence to chase joy in their own lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaminiwood.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsauthenticme
• Linkedin: www.linkedi.com/in/kaminiwood
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsauthenticme

Image Credits
Teresa Porter