"I want to uplift, inspire, and empower people to step out of their fear and comfort zones and into their power and greatness.”
For Dr. Camilla Dorand, her life has been a continuous journey of growth and transformation. Today, the work she dedicates herself to daily is not just a job, but her life's purpose. Dr. Camilla Dorand has a doctorate in counselor education in supervision, is a certified hypnotherapist, an internationally published author, a podcast host, the owner and publisher of the award-winning publication, Red Rock City Lifestyle, and the star of her own bio-series on the Tubi Channel. Undoubtedly, she is a busy woman, driven by a profound desire to use her life's experiences to help other women accomplish their dreams and reach their fullest potential.
We sat down with Dr. Camilla to dive deeper into her transformational journey. From the neighborhoods of São Paulo, Brazil, where she was born, to her current home in Las Vegas, her unique path has enabled her to lead a more intentional life, focused on inspiring her community.
What do you think is the biggest obstacle to a woman reaching her goals and dreams?
In my experience, having worked as a therapist with hundreds of women, I believe that traumas acquired throughout our lives, a wounded inner child, lack of self-love, and fear are the biggest obstacles. I have experienced this firsthand. I battled with my body for over a decade, a struggle that resulted from the traumas that I went through during my childhood, such as my father’s disappearance while we lived in Nigeria, my mother’s alcoholism, and toxic behavior, among other things. My lack of self-love also attracted unavailable men, which contributed to my beliefs that I was unworthy of love. I also had a huge fear of not being loved, accepted, and respected for who I was. I spent many years trying to be someone I was not.
In 2022, after receiving an award for the magazine, I struggled with feelings of unworthiness and imposter syndrome. I couldn't even express my gratitude. However, with the help of a success strategist, I was able to overcome these feelings. Earlier this year, when I received my PhD, it was a transformative experience. I knew I deserved it, and I felt genuinely excited.
We all have stories we tell ourselves; a lot of these stories are associated with the negative self-talk that holds us back. It is only when we decide to change the narrative that we can step into our power and greatness to reach our goals and dreams.
Why is self-care such a critical part of getting you to where you are now in your life and career?
In our busy lives we all struggle to find time for ourselves. Especially as women, we wear so many hats. Taking time to nurture yourself and do things you love is crucial for creating a balanced life. It’s a commitment you make to yourself. I have always been very disciplined. Even during my darkest times, I continued to show up for my life. For the last six years, I have meditated every morning for 30 minutes. I also exercise on a consistent basis. Physical activity creates positive chemicals that foster positive feelings. Self-care gives you a sense of accomplishment and contributes to self-love. When you love yourself, you give your best in every aspect of your life.
Aside from running a successful magazine, you recently launched a new book and a podcast. What is your secret to becoming an impactful communicator?
I believe it is being authentic and having the courage to express yourself. I started my career in communications in Brazil where I was a television co-host in personal makeover shows, gave weekly interviews for magazines, TV, and radio, and published a couple of books. There, I was known as Milla Mathias, and was nationally recognized as an image and personal lifestyle authority for nearly a decade until I moved to the United States. Inspired by my over comings and transformations, I decided to write a memoir, which was published in 2015. I relaunched my memoir in the beginning of this year, and at the same time I released my bio series, “Back to Me: Changing How I Feel About My Mother, My Body, and Men,” and launched my podcast, Rise Empower Dream (RED). I am owning my story, and I am ready to share it with the world. I am excited about all my accomplishments, especially my latest book, “108 Days to Activate Your Life,” a practical guide filled with ways to engage and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. While I know my message may not resonate with everyone, I believe in my purpose and communicate honestly and authentically. I make it a point to prepare myself every day to inspire women like me to change their lives."
You are turning 50 this year. How do you view age as a measure of success?
I realize that success to me means the freedom to be the woman I am meant to be. Believe it or not, I love getting older because with time we have the opportunity to really invest in our personal, professional, and spiritual development. As time goes by, I become more confident and passionate about life. Do I like the changes in my neck? Not really, but I embrace them. Embracing where you are in life and having self-confidence is incredibly sexy, no matter your age.
What is next for you?
This new phase of my journey is all about alignment and adding value to people’s lives. In this new chapter, my business partner, Gabriella Lopes, and I have been forging incredible partnerships to inspire, uplift, and empower others. Together, we are thrilled to launch a network on Veuit.tv, where we will host multiple channels dedicated to personal, professional, and spiritual development. These channels will feature collaborations with distinguished professionals, founders, entrepreneurs, visionaries, and coaches who are enthusiastic about making a significant impact on people’s lives.
We are also investing in building an engaging community for entrepreneurs, visionaries, and other changemakers. Our goal is to use all our platforms to support individuals who are committed to making positive changes and creating a meaningful impact in their communities and the world.
Every month, at Vueit Studios, we host “High Stakes, High Heels,” an innovative networking event for women. This event not only offers the opportunity to learn the strategic game of poker and its benefits, but also features inspiring speakers who provide valuable insights for personal and professional growth.
In August, Gabriella and I hosted our first spiritual retreat in Las Vegas, called "It's Your Spiritual Journey," which was a tremendous success. This month, we are excited to host our inaugural 3C Summit - Create, Connect, Collaborate. The summit will bring together keynote speakers, panelists, workshops, and podcast sessions, providing attendees with a wealth of knowledge and opportunities to engage and grow.