Meet Mary LuzRodriguez Alvarez |Founder of LivingSculpture Sanctuary

Photographed by Rosina Di Bello

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Luz Rodriguez Alvarez and we've shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Luz, we'd love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.

Risk is an inherent part of life - from driving a car to simply posting on social media, every action carries some level of uncertainty. If you search for the negative in any situation, you'll find it. That's the nature of perspective: we tend to find what we look for.

The only true certainty in life is that one day it will end. With that in mind, I've come to believe that how we live - how grounded, intentional, and open we are - shapes the quality of our decisions more than the presence or absence of risk itself.

Growth, by definition, involves stepping into the unknown. And with that comes risk. But what has served me most in life is not obsessing over the risk, but learning to overcome the fear of it.

Through experience, I've learned that preparation, humility, and a centered mindset are key. They help me seek out reliable sources, gather expert advice, and approach decisions with clarity. Taking risks doesn't mean acting recklessly - it means being brave enough to move forward even when guarantees are absent. When you do things with excellence and heart everything flows.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

What I'm most proud of about the business is that it wasn't created solely as a commercial or financial enterprise. It was born organically from a deep and genuine desire to connect with and protect Mother Nature, and from our firm commitment to inner transformation-to finding peace, healing what holds us back, and moving closer to our divine purpose and highest self.

What makes me proud is not only that this was our founding intention, but that everyone who visits or feels called to The Sanctuary can sense their own higher purpose. They feel inspired, surrounded by an overwhelming sense of peace. They feel at home. That's something truly special.

To be part of such meaningful and transformational rites of passage-like the birth of a child or the foundation of a family through marriage-is an incredible honor. Our guests don't just invest in us financially; they bless us with their trust and their faith. They recognize that The Sanctuary isn't just a physical space-it's a reflection of the sanctuary they're building within themselves and with one another.

I am a firm believer that any business owner who creates an enterprise from the ground up knows how challenging, exhausting, and yet fulfilling that journey can be-it is truly a gift. It was certainly not a walk in the park. Although we are considered among the best attorneys-especially my husband, who has been a premier personal injury trial attorney for over 30 years-the transition into becoming a business owner was not an easy one.

Even though I had done tremendous amounts of healing and inner work, which led me to deeply care for others-for families and their happiness-and to truly enjoy the happiness of others as if it were my own, considering that we are all reflections of each other, I learned that emotional compassion alone doesn't necessarily help with running a business.

One of my biggest challenges was managing personnel. I've always been passionate, resilient, and held very high performance standards. But in the beginning, I didn't know how to select the right team-how to identify high performance individuals, train them, motivate them, retain them, and help them grow toward their dreams. Our goal is to fulfill the dream of The Sanctuary, and when The Sanctuary wins, we all win.

At first, I wasn't a pushover, but I wasn't strict either. I tried to be more like a friend than a boss-and that definitely didn't work. What helped me tremendously was learning how to manage people effectively, and most importantly, how to help them get crystal clear on what we're doing. To envision the business as an unlimited enterprise, as a limitless creation. Because when you're connected to Source, there's never a shortage of ideas.

I learned the business side of things by joining entrepreneurial groups like EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization), which offers incredible education and connections with committed, high-level business owners. I also took part in powerful workshops from Cardone Ventures, and read amazing, transformational bookslike TeamWork and Start the Work by Natalie Dawson.

Now, I have a high-performance team that I feel truly honored to lead. But I don't take that position lightly. I'm blessed to work alongside incredible, highperformance souls who are committed to the sanctuary, and to evolving into their highest selves-so that their dreams can come true too: dreams of stability, joy, health, happiness, self-love, and self discipline-for the greatest good.

One of the most important lessons I've learned is that a true leader must lead by example. If you expect something from others, you must first embody it yourself-with integrity, fearlessness, and absolute clarity in what is expected. And you must lead in such a way that when the company wins, everyone wins. It's a blessing to be able to share financial abundance with an amazing team. It's part of the natural and healthy flow of currency-of financial blessings becoming blessings for others.

I also learned that as a leader, I'm not meant to be a friend in the traditional sense. It's similar to the role of a parent: you're not just meant to be your child's best friend. Instead, your role is to equip them with the tools, guidance, love, and values they need to become the highest version of themselves. The same is true for your team. Your job is to guide them with honor and integrity, helping them rise into their full potential.

At the same time, you—as the leader—must always evolve. You are the limit of your company. If you stagnate, you create a glass ceiling that affects everyone beneath you. But the world is infinite. There is limitless abundance and so many possibilities to create, to grow, and to change lives.

I firmly believe we must always foster growth, never fear it. We must reject the mindset that teaching too much will cause people to leave. If you lead with heart, soul, and vision and continue to grow yourself—your team won’t leave. Why? Because you are helping them thrive.

The greatest gift you can give your team is that pure, unconditional love, guidance, and leadership—that’s what we call a “sanctuary family.” It’s a community of such high values that all we want is to grow and create something sacred together. And within that space, there is always the opportunity for transformation.

What people truly need to know is that everything is possible. We are the creators and masters of our own lives. Along the way, society, culture, and even family—often without realizing it—try to impose the illusion of limitation and scarcity on us. But that’s all it is: an illusion.

Once you begin the journey of inner transformation—awakening your inner healer—you no longer need others to tell you who you are. You simply know. You begin to align naturally with practices that elevate your being: eating healthfully, meditating, and using the many tools available to reprogram the self-limiting beliefs that have held you back. From that place, everything becomes possible.

You start to discover a whole new world—a world where everything you came here to experience begins to manifest as you step into your light. And if you combine that inner awakening with the right tools and technologies—business systems, optimized procedures, strategic clarity—it all begins to flow. The process becomes harmonious, seamless, and free of limits.

You can have everything your heart desires—but no amount of outer success or material wealth will bring true happiness if you don’t already possess the richness of spirit within. The same goes for outer beauty. It will never be enough unless you also carry inner beaut —unless you can look in the mirror and recognize the value you bring to the world.

True wealth begins in the heart. It’s about becoming a blessing to others—helping them grow, transform, and rise into their own power. Not by enabling them, but by empowering them to stand independently and fulfill their unique purpose. That is the highest honor. That is divine work.

When you become a channel for that level of purpose—with purity, with clarity, with determination—it is incredibly powerful. And it is such a profound blessing.

For that reason, I will never retire.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There are so many beautiful, wise, and powerful souls who have played a meaningful role in my journey, and I’m deeply grateful for each of them.

First and foremost, my beloved Wonder Woman daughters, Arya and Hanna, who have taught me the true meaning of unconditional love and the embodiment of creation. They are constant reminders of strength, grace, and inspiration.

To my husband — my partner, and wonderful father for our children — thank you for seeing in me what I couldn’t yet see in myself. Your belief and example of constant growth have been transformative.

I also want to honor the incredible impact of Tony Robbins and his seminars, which opened the door to personal empowerment and limitless possibility.

The transformational work of Dr. Brian Clements and Ana Marie Clements at the Hippocrates Health Institute, the breakthrough programs from Landmark, the powerful seminar of Dr. Amanda Hanson “Midlife Muse” and the deeply healing guidance of Sitara through her Theta practice have all been instrumental in my growth.

I carry deep gratitude for the wisdom and light of Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Lisa Nichols, Regan Hillyer, Natalie Dawson , Dr. Gena, Dr. Bob Willix, and the radiant energy and support of Michelle and Angie Domit.

Every one of these mentors, teachers, and soul guides has helped shape the woman I continue to become — and I carry their light with me on this ever-unfolding journey.

SOURCE: https://shoutoutmiami.com/meet-mary-luz-rodriguez-alvarez-founder-of-living-sculpture-sanctuary/