We had the good fortune of connecting with Claudia Gilani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Claudia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Starting a business was never part of my plan! Throughout my life, I’ve faced ongoing health challenges. By the time I reached college, my condition worsened significantly. I struggled with anxiety, depression, severe cystic acne, chronic fatigue, persistent body aches, and even chronic laryngitis. Simply getting through each day was a Herculean task, and there were days when getting out of bed felt impossible. Yet, I persevered, continuing my studies and maintaining a social life, doing my best to enjoy my youth.

Everything changed in 2020. The global quarantine, while challenging, turned out to be a hidden blessing. It forced me to confront my health issues head-on—issues that had gone unaddressed for too long. I was tired of doctors offering prescriptions that merely managed symptoms; I wanted answers and healing. I realized that while Western medicine excels in emergencies, it often overlooks the underlying causes of chronic illnesses and the paths to true healing.

I began to experiment with my health, using myself as a test subject to explore the impacts of diet, lifestyle changes, and emotional wellness. To document my journey, I started a separate Instagram account from my personal one (@healingthesource). What began as a private diary transformed into something much larger as people online discovered and were inspired by my transformation. My following grew, and I found myself fielding questions, recommending non-toxic products, and even offering the herbal infusion I developed for myself to clear my acne (now called CLEAR SKIN).

Before I knew it, what started as a side project had evolved into a full-time career. I am incredibly thankful to have uncovered a passion that I didn’t know I had. It’s astonishing to reflect on how this journey has allowed me to assist thousands in improving their lives– something that continues to amaze and inspire me every day. We all deserve answers and healing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Starting out with a conventional mindset, I always felt a nagging sense that something vital was missing. This gap led me to explore what I refer to as “original medicine”—the realm of alternative medicine. This transition wasn’t just a change in practices; it was a profound shift in worldview, requiring me to step well beyond my comfort zone and face considerable skepticism from my peers.

My journey wasn’t a straight path. It was full of ups and downs, involving lots of learning, unlearning, and relearning. This process was humbling but also very rewarding. Facing each challenge taught me the importance of resilience and keeping faith in my own vision. I sought guidance from experts in alternative medicine, invested in further education, and slowly built a community of like-minded people. All these efforts were crucial in creating Healing The Source.

A key lesson I’ve embraced through this journey is the importance of persistence. In the face of adversity, it is crucial to stay committed to your vision; this persistence is often what leads to breakthroughs. Equally important is the lesson of listening—whether it be to the feedback from clients, the signals from your own body, or the quiet voice of your intuition.

Healing The Source is more than just a wellness platform; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that’s focused on mindful and healing-centered living. My goal is to help people tap into their natural ability to heal by guiding them through the basics: eating wholesome foods, getting enough sunlight, drinking clean water, staying active, breathing properly, and finding joy in life. These simple steps can lead to profound changes in health and happiness. Come back to nature.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oooh, I love this.

If your best friend is visiting and you want to show them a fantastic time, here’s exactly what I’d recommend. For lunch, there are several amazing spots. You could go to Great White for a trendy, health-oriented meal, or Cookbook for some fresh, farm-to-table dishes. Papille Gustative is perfect for a fine dining experience, while Honey Hi offers laid-back vibes with nutritious meals. Erewhon’s hot bar is great for a quick, gourmet organic bite, and Ardi’s Eats & Sweets is a must-visit food truck! –PS: no seed oils!

Come dinner time, I’d take them to Matu if they love a good steak (grass-finished, of course), or Uchi WeHo for some exquisite sushi. Dante Beverly Hills is fabulous for mocktails and dinner, or you could try Market Venice for something a bit more relaxed yet creative. Si! Mon offers fantastic Mediterranean dishes in a chic setting.

As for activities, there’s so much to do! Have a relaxing picnic at Holmby Park, or enjoy a mocktail and some unique shopping at Anima Mundi’s store in Venice Beach. The Platform in Culver City is perfect for hanging out and exploring local shops and cafes. If they’re up for some fun, rollerskating on Santa Monica Beach is a blast. They could also join a breathwork class at OPEN, take a ceramic class at Maital Ceramic Studio, spend a few hours at the Getty Museum, or catch a show at the Geffen Playhouse. There’s really something for everyone, depending on what they enjoy!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe my current success to the incredible support from my online community, many of whom have also become real-life friends and part of my offline community. Starting from the early supporters who were with me through my healing journey, to those attending my events and tuning into my podcast, I am deeply thankful for the dedicated community and clients whose encouragement has been invaluable to me.

Website: https://www.healingthesource.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingthesource

Other: Clean Product Recommendations: https://theswellscore.com/pages/claudia?uid=71&oid=16&affid=124

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.