Rising from the Shadows: How Cynthia Concordia Turned Her Pain into Purpose and Power

Jun 30
4 min read

Cynthia Concordia knows what it feels like to be buried under the weight of hopelessness. For six years, she lived in what she calls a “dark bubble”—a place where grief, pain, and stagnation consumed her daily life. But her story didn’t end there. Today, Cynthia is the Founder and CEO of Dream to Rise LLC, an international speaker, international best-selling author, transformational life coach, and the visionary behind the Dream to Rise Inner Circle. Her work is transforming lives across the globe—but her rise began in the quiet, personal decision to live for something more than her pain.

The catalyst came unexpectedly. Cynthia’s son, full of dreams and aspirations, told her he wanted to attend the Culinary Institute of America. That moment jolted her into reality. “I had completely forgotten that I still had my son who needed to go to college!” she recalled. As a single parent, she felt fear and panic over how she’d support his education—but that fear sparked a powerful shift in perspective. She realized she could no longer let her past dictate her future.

Instead of surrendering to despair, Cynthia chose to act. Her son's dream became the fuel that reignited her own. She began prioritizing her well-being—exercising, eating healthier, and showing herself the same care she gave others. “I found out that taking care of my health and well-being helped to boost my confidence,” she said. “That confidence transformed my relationships and opened new doors professionally.”

Indeed, her transformation rippled into every area of her life. With renewed focus, she was promoted to HR Analyst, significantly increasing her income. She connected with mentors who helped her downsize her home and reduce her mortgage by half. Grants and scholarships eased the financial burden of her son's tuition. Miraculously, she only paid 20% of his first-year college costs—and he graduated debt-free. The ultimate celebration? A family trip to Barcelona to honor his success.

“It was all God,” Cynthia said.

“The Lord didn’t hand me the money, but He sent the right people, ideas, and support systems at the perfect time. The blessings overflowed once I aligned with faith and action.”

This deep-rooted faith continues to anchor Cynthia’s mission through Dream to Rise LLC. Her work is not only about personal transformation—it’s about empowering others to rise, especially women. Her coaching, grounded in her psychology and business background and years of HR experience at the World Bank, provides the tools clients need to rebuild from the inside out.

“Working in HR helped me understand human behavior, effective communication, and how to support people from different cultures and backgrounds,” she shared. “These are essential in transformational coaching—especially in helping clients uncover the roots of fear and self-doubt.”

And just as pivotal to her healing and leadership journey has been her writing. Becoming a multiple-time published, international best-selling author was not just a professional milestone—it was a personal breakthrough. “Initially, I was afraid to share my story—fear of being judged, of rejection, of being seen as a failure,” she admits. “But publishing my story gave me freedom.” Writing became a safe space to confront her pain, process trauma, and eventually turn that pain into purpose. It also gave her a voice—not just for herself, but for countless others still searching for theirs.

Her books, each one reflecting different seasons of her personal and professional evolution, are now helping women around the world rise from their own shadows. Through storytelling, Cynthia has built credibility as a thought leader, expanded her platform, and created a deep, meaningful impact in the lives of readers.

Cynthia teaches that fear is not the enemy, but a companion on the path to growth. Through her signature F.E.A.R. framework—Feel it, Embrace it, Act on it, Repeat—she helps clients confront their limitations and move forward with courage. “Fear doesn’t disappear. But with practice, its power over you weakens,” she explained. “You begin to realize you’re stronger than the fear that once paralyzed you.”

At the heart of her work is the Dream to Rise Inner Circle, a mastermind group she created to foster growth in four key areas: Health and Well-being, Love and Relationships, Vocation or Purpose, and Time and Money Freedom. What began as Cynthia leading weekly sessions has evolved into a collaborative, empowering space where members now step up to lead, present, and share their own transformation journeys.

“I believe that listening alone isn’t enough,” she said. “You have to practice what you learn.” That’s why members are encouraged to present their stories—identifying the internal roadblocks like overthinking, perfectionism, or self-sabotage—and share how they’ve moved beyond them. Each presentation is followed by feedback and celebration, creating a ripple effect of confidence and community.

Transformation within the Inner Circle is not a solo endeavor. Cynthia emphasizes the collective power of collaboration: “The mastermind taps into infinite intelligence and shared wisdom. It’s about being surrounded by people who believe in you—even when you struggle to believe in yourself.”

As an international speaker, Cynthia has witnessed firsthand the common struggles faced by women worldwide. Whether in the Philippines, the U.S., or across Europe, the themes are eerily similar: gender inequality, violence, economic disparities, and mental health challenges. Yet, Cynthia remains hopeful—and strategic—about how women can rise above.

“Start with a support system,” she advises. “Find or create a community where you can be mentored and supported.” From there, she recommends continuing education, engagement in advocacy work, and investing in mindset growth.

Her advice is not theoretical—it’s lived. Cynthia Concordia is a woman who moved from suicidal thoughts to global impact. From brokenness to blessing. From silence to bestselling stories. Her life is a powerful example that healing is possible, and dreams are still within reach—even after years of darkness.

And if you ask her what the true secret was? She’ll tell you plainly: “Faith. It was God’s grace, a new mindset, and the courage to act. When we stop waiting passively for change and instead rise toward the light—we discover that the light has been waiting for us all along.”

Cynthia’s mission is clear: to help others awaken to their purpose, rise above fear, and step into a life of abundance. Her story reminds us all that transformation is not a destination—it’s a decision. A daily one. And one worth making.

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