Sorina Phoenix Of the Cosmopolitan Mystic On How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally

Being vulnerable and authentic are some of today’s popular buzzwords. It may seem counterintuitive to be vulnerable, as many of us have been taught to project an air of confidence, be a boss, and act like we know everything. In Brene Brown’s words, “vulnerability takes courage.” So is vulnerability a strength or a weakness? Can someone be authentic without being vulnerable? How can being authentic and vulnerable help someone grow both personally and professionally? In this interview series, we are talking to business leaders, mental health professionals and business and life coaches who can share stories and examples of “How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally.” As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sorina Phoenix.

Sorina Phoenix is a writer, meditation guide, and facilitator of women’s cacao ceremonies, blending spiritual wisdom with real-world practicality. With a background in physiotherapy and years of experience in energy work, Tantra, and deep healing practices, she helps women cultivate self-trust, embodiment, and transformation. Based in the Canary Islands, she shares her insights through The Cosmopolitan Mystic newsletter, workshops, and courses, creating a space where mysticism meets real life.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

Childhood was the space where I first sank my teeth into shame. From a very young age, I experienced shame in many forms, and over time, I absorbed it — believing that if I felt it, I must have been the one causing it. It never occurred to me that shame was something external, that it didn’t define me. On the contrary, I carried it as my own, convinced it was my responsibility.

As a result, I added another layer to my already distorted perception of reality: guilt. I spent my childhood and adolescence oscillating between the shame of being guilty and the guilt of being ashamed.

But childhood was also my escape. Through books, I traveled across dimensions, slipping out of my own existence and becoming an observer instead of the main character. It was in those moments that my passion for writing took root.

Some of my most vivid childhood memories revolve around true friendships, acts of nobility, inspiring teachers, and the hundreds of books I devoured.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi

We are conditioned to feel embarrassed by our wounds, seeing them as proof of our imperfections and setbacks. But we often forget a crucial truth: we wouldn’t be who we are without our struggles.

Ease and grace are beautiful states, but they don’t build character, they don’t toughen our skin, and they barely teach us anything. Wounds, on the other hand, are trials by fire — challenges that push us to reveal parts of ourselves we never knew existed.

Let’s put it this way: we need to experience duality — to navigate both the chaos and the clarity — because self-discovery happens in the mess, too.

Light is the end result. The Holy Grail. That “something” we obsessively chase throughout our lives. But the search ends when we finally receive the epiphany of light — the moment we truly understand what we’re capable of.

Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

I love The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a book I’ll never grow tired of exploring because of its mystical nature. Early on, it taught me to listen — to my heart and to life itself.

Santiago’s hero’s journey taught me about resilience, but also about surrendering to the process. Even when something is right under our nose (like his treasure), the journey cannot be skipped. This understanding brought me peace.

Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Let’s begin with a definition of terms so that each of us and our readers are on the same page. What exactly does being authentic mean?

Being authentic means being true to yourself — and it’s deeply connected to intuition. The two go hand in hand; you can’t be authentic while ignoring your intuition.

It’s like being hungry but only settling for a starter, unaware that a full-course meal is available. Intuition is constantly feeding us insight from within, but we’re often not trained to hear it. That’s why so many of us are only partially authentic.

We navigate life with a certain clarity, staying true to ourselves to a degree, yet still sensing that something isn’t fully aligned with our deepest desires.

But when someone is truly authentic, they radiate magnetic energy. That je ne sais quoi makes them irresistibly attractive — to people, to opportunities, to life itself.

What does being vulnerable mean? Can you explain?

Being vulnerable means allowing yourself to fully experience your emotions without judgment or labels. It’s an invitation to observe, rather than constantly execute. It’s about openness — meeting what’s inside without resistance.

Both vulnerability and authenticity are deeply connected to self-acceptance — you can’t embody either without first making peace with who you are.

Vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness, but in reality, it’s a sign of strength. I love this quote: “It takes strength to be soft.”

When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we invite others to truly see us. It’s an act of self-trust, and in turn, it encourages others to trust us, too.

What are the positive aspects of being authentic and vulnerable? Can you give a story or example to explain what you mean?

When I was about 12, during biology class, we were forced to watch a real-life euthanasia performed by our teacher on a rabbit. My best friend’s grandfather was a bunny breeder, and he had offered one for the class experiment.

But when the actual procedure began, my best friend and I knew we couldn’t let it happen. Something bigger than us took over, and without thinking twice, we created chaos, stole the rabbit, and ran — taking it back to my friend’s grandfather.

We didn’t care what the teacher or our classmates thought. We didn’t care about repercussions. We just knew. Our intuition was screaming inside both of us. There was no second-guessing.

To me, when authenticity and vulnerability intersect, courage is born. And in that moment, you don’t care about the consequences — because when you follow that undeniable, electric impulse, you are being true to yourself and honoring your deepest values.

Are there negative aspects to authenticity and vulnerability? Can you give a story or example to explain what you mean?

A downside of authenticity and vulnerability is the constant struggle to filter intuition from outside noise. It’s hard to know which voice to follow when we’re being pulled in so many directions.

Social media is flooded with quotes urging us to “be ourselves” — in a world dominated by filters and masks. But authenticity and vulnerability require the right environment. Choosing where to express these qualities is crucial; they should be shared in emotionally safe spaces, where support is available.

Another challenge is oversharing with the wrong people. Not everyone is comfortable with openness, and too much, too soon can overwhelm them. Some may freeze, triggering a defense mechanism that makes them question the real intention behind such openness.

I learned this firsthand when I was 18, during my Cambridge English exam — specifically, the oral test. My teacher had advised me to sound natural, relaxed, even crack a few jokes. But nerves got the best of me. In trying too hard to project authenticity and vulnerability, I ended up sounding forced and unnatural. I became someone else. Instead of being real, I had the exact opposite effect — because I was performing authenticity rather than being authentic.

From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that hold someone back from being authentic and vulnerable?

I believe that anyone who has experienced rejection — even once, in any context — may have built a protective wall around themselves. Many people fear betrayal so much that they’ll do anything to avoid it, including shutting themselves off from people, possibilities, and opportunities.

Being authentic and vulnerable means coexisting with a certain level of exposure — which, for many, can feel intimidating. No one wants to be judged, and no one wants to carry the weight of putting themselves out there.

It’s like when we were kids, trusting our parents with our secrets, thinking they were safe — only to have that same information used against us later. We’ve all been there. We all remember the exact moment our trust was broken or misused.

And speaking of family, there’s always an underlying fear of betraying others when we choose to be authentic and vulnerable. Family members often expect a certain performance from us, and being true to ourselves can feel like a direct contradiction to meeting their expectations.

What are five ways that being authentic and vulnerable pay off, and help you win, both personally and professionally?

1. Being Real

The most quintessential win of being authentic and vulnerable — both personally and professionally — is being real.

People are turned off by perfection because of the impossible, soul-crushing standards it imposes. No one wants to feel like a failure for not being “perfect.” That’s why perfection is a word I dislike and try to avoid.

When someone is authentic and vulnerable — whether in their personal life or at work — they let their guard down and say: “This is me, and I own it.” There’s nothing more liberating than watching someone live their truth, because it encourages others to do the same.

2. Imperfections Make You Magnetic

People are drawn to those who own their imperfections. Sharing an unexpected truth or a dash of self-deprecating humor can immediately set the tone for a meaningful connection.

Everyone loves a leader who can say, “I got this all wrong.” It shows humility, confidence, and an openness to growth. Similarly, a romantic partner who can admit when they’re wrong fosters deeper connection and intimacy.

3. Letting Go of Fear Invites Creativity & Flow

The moment you release the fear of failure and judgment, you unlock a world of new possibilities. Your brain starts seeing solutions that weren’t visible before.

Everything flows — work, relationships, ideas. Rigid execution patterns dissolve, making space for originality. The best breakthroughs in history didn’t come from people afraid to fail — they came from those willing to risk, experiment, and dare to be different.

Letting go of perfectionism isn’t just freeing — it’s productive.

4. Emotional Freedom Fosters Inner Peace

A wave of emotional freedom washes over you when you decide that the only person you need to impress is yourself. The moment you remove external validation from the equation, expectations and inferiority complexes fade away.

This sends the brain a peace signal, allowing it to focus on inner stillness rather than outside noise. And here’s the great news: peace is contagious.

People are naturally drawn to those who radiate it. Opportunities, projects, and people aligned with this vibration start showing up organically.

5. From Failures to Growth

Being authentic and vulnerable reshapes the world around you, particularly how you see failure — it transforms setbacks into opportunities, encouraging a growth mindset. This is invaluable both personally and professionally.

Instead of stagnating in fear, you start seeking out challenges that once felt out of reach. And here’s the best part: others will follow.

Because, at our core, we are all waiting for invisible permission from someone else. Be the ones who offers it and lead with courage.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

My theory is that we are all mystics. We’re all looking for ways to elevate our lives, and to me, mysticism is the answer, as it allows us to tune into our inner wisdom. I encourage everyone to seek mysticism within their own hearts — to uncover it from within rather than searching for it elsewhere.

The movement I hope to inspire is The Cosmopolitan Mystic’s way — a path for those who have found and embraced the journey of their hearts. Because, in the end, that is the only path we truly need to walk.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

Yes! I would love to have lunch with Joe Dispenza. I deeply appreciate his work and the impact he’s making on humanity. He opens up a world of possibilities for those willing to leave the past behind and step into a new future.

How can our readers follow you online?

You can find me on my website, www.sorinaphoenix.com. I recommend checking it out — there are plenty of free resources to support your journey.

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!