Unlocking Success and Fulfillment: A Conversation with Dr. Stephanie Barnes

Success and fulfillment are often seen as two separate pursuits, but what if women could have both? Dr. Stephanie Barnes, a healthcare innovation attorney and empowerment coach, believes that women don’t have to choose between professional success and personal fulfillment—they can embrace both simultaneously. As the Liberated Lawyer, she has dedicated her career to helping high-achieving women create lives that are fit, fulfilled, and free. Through her strategic approach and deep understanding of personal development, she equips women with the mindset, tools, and strategies needed to achieve everything they desire and deserve. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Barnes shares her powerful Five B’s framework, designed to help women shift from merely dreaming about success to actively achieving it.

In this interview, Dr. Barnes delves into overcoming self-doubt, curating the right support system, and making bold, confident decisions that align with a greater purpose. She discusses the importance of defining one’s why, leveraging challenges as motivation, and creating strategies that lead to long-term success. Drawing from her book Disruptive Elevation, she explains how setbacks can serve as catalysts for growth rather than obstacles. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or simply a woman looking to unlock your full potential, this conversation offers invaluable insights into navigating challenges, taking control of your choices, and building a life that aligns with both success and fulfillment.

Thank you so much for joining us, Dr. Stephanie! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?

Absolutely! By profession, I’m a healthcare innovation attorney, but at my core, I am the Liberated Lawyer. My passion is helping high-achieving women live a life that is fit, fulfilled, and free. I truly believe that women don’t have to choose between success and fulfillment—we can have both. Too often, women feel like they must sacrifice one for the other, but that’s simply not true. My mission is to equip women with the strategies to achieve everything they desire and deserve without feeling like they are constantly having to compromise their happiness or well-being. I firmly believe that success is not just about what we achieve externally but also about how fulfilled we feel internally. My work is dedicated to helping women recognize their power, step into their brilliance, and take control of their choices so they can create a life that aligns with their purpose and passions.

That’s so inspiring. Many women want to be high achievers but don’t know where to begin or struggle with self-doubt. How do you help women transition from wanting success to actually achieving it?

I teach women to live life in the and, meaning they don’t have to choose between success or fulfillment—they can have both. This requires harnessing the power of choice, and I guide women through my “Five B’s” framework, which helps simplify the process. First, there are Beliefs—women must believe that their dreams and goals are possible and that they are capable of achieving them. Next, the Board represents the people in their circle—success is influenced by who we surround ourselves with, and it’s essential to build a team of supportive and empowering individuals. Then comes Brilliance, which is about recognizing one’s strengths and leveraging them effectively. The fourth B, Big Mad, is about turning frustration into determination—using challenges as fuel for motivation. And finally, the Beckoning Light is the ultimate why—the deeper purpose that drives everything. When women align these five elements in their lives, they can shift from dreaming about success to actively creating it.

I love that approach. Many women believe in their potential but struggle with self-doubt. How can they strengthen their belief in themselves?

Strengthening belief starts with shifting perspective. Women need to recognize that they have nothing to lose by believing in themselves—only success and fulfillment to gain. The biggest hurdle is often the fear of failure, but failure is not the end; it’s part of the journey. Just like in scientific research, where experiments don’t always yield expected results but still provide valuable information, every experience—whether successful or not—is a step forward. Women need to embrace the mindset that every attempt teaches them something and gets them closer to their goals. When they can reframe failure as a learning tool rather than a final verdict, they begin to trust themselves more and take bolder steps. It’s also crucial to practice self-affirmation, surround themselves with supportive people, and remind themselves of past achievements to build confidence.

That’s so true. Speaking of support systems, how important is it to have the right people in your circle?

It’s critical. The people around us shape our beliefs, our habits, and ultimately, our outcomes. That’s why I emphasize having a strong board—a personal advisory team made up of five types of people: Cheerleaders who offer constant encouragement, Coaches who push you forward and hold you accountable, Counselors who provide wisdom and mentorship, Champions who advocate for you in spaces where you may not be present, and Connectors who introduce you to new opportunities and resources. Being intentional about curating your inner circle can make all the difference between stagnation and exponential growth. If the people around you don’t inspire, challenge, or support you, then it may be time to reevaluate those relationships and align yourself with individuals who elevate your mindset and ambitions.

That makes a lot of sense. But what about people—especially family—who may not be supportive or even discourage your growth?

That’s one of the toughest challenges because we love our families and often want their approval. However, it’s important to recognize that not everyone can fully understand or support our journey. Some family members discourage growth out of fear—they worry about the risks involved and want to protect us. Others may feel insecure or envious when they see someone else leveling up. The key is understanding who falls into which category. If someone is toxic and constantly undermining your confidence, it may be necessary to set boundaries or distance yourself for the sake of your own growth. If they simply don’t understand but mean well, you can still maintain a relationship while limiting how much you share with them about your goals. I like to use the analogy of a rocket launching into space—sometimes, in order to reach higher levels, you have to let go of certain boosters. Not everyone can accompany you to your next stage of growth, and that’s okay.

That’s a powerful analogy. Let’s talk about brilliance—how can women recognize and maximize their brilliance?

Brilliance is about recognizing what makes you excellent and learning how to use it to your advantage. Everyone has a natural way of achieving excellence, but many people don’t take the time to analyze what makes them successful. Think about everyday routines—if you always get ready for the day in a certain order, that’s a system that works for you. In the same way, women need to examine what strategies, habits, and strengths have contributed to their past successes and turn them into a repeatable process. The more intentional you are about recognizing what works for you, the easier it becomes to apply those methods in other areas of life. When you understand your unique strengths, you can leverage them more effectively and build confidence in your abilities.

That’s fascinating! Many people struggle with decision-making. How can they become more decisive?

Decision-making is about confidence and clarity. The word decide comes from the Latin root -cide, meaning “to cut.” When you make a decision, you are cutting off other options and committing to one path. The fear of making the wrong decision often leads to inaction, but the truth is, inaction is also a choice—just not an intentional one. To become more decisive, women must learn to trust their instincts, gather necessary information, and take action. Not every decision will be perfect, but every choice is a learning opportunity. The key is to make informed decisions, commit to them, and adjust when necessary rather than staying stuck in indecision out of fear.

That’s so empowering. I’d love to hear more about the “Big Mad” concept. How does frustration play a role in achieving success?

“Big Mad” is about turning frustration into motivation. Challenges are inevitable, but instead of letting setbacks discourage them, high-achieving women can use them as fuel to push forward. When faced with obstacles, it’s easy to feel stuck or overwhelmed. However, if women learn to channel that energy into action, they can stay determined even in difficult times. The most successful people aren’t the ones who never face failure; they’re the ones who keep going despite setbacks. When you learn to embrace difficulties as part of the process rather than roadblocks, you become unstoppable.

And that ties back to strategy. What’s your definition of strategy, and how can women implement it effectively?

Strategy involves two things: knowing what you need to do and knowing who you need to become. Many people focus only on the what—the actions, the plans, the external goals—but they neglect the who. Success requires personal growth, mindset shifts, and resilience. Even if the perfect opportunity comes along, if you haven’t developed the right mindset and skills to handle it, you won’t be able to sustain success. Strategy should always include both—clear action steps and a focus on self-improvement.

That’s so insightful. Now, let’s talk about purpose. Why is it important to define your “why”?

Your “why” is your guiding light, the compass that keeps you moving in the right direction even when obstacles arise. Without a clear sense of purpose, it’s easy to get distracted, discouraged, or feel unfulfilled even when achieving external success. When you know your why, every decision becomes easier because you can measure it against your greater mission—does this align with my purpose, or is it just a temporary distraction? For me, my mission is to inspire excellence in others, and that drives everything I do. Whether I’m working in law, coaching, or writing, I make sure that my actions align with my deeper purpose. That alignment gives me clarity, motivation, and the ability to navigate challenges with confidence. Defining your why helps you stay anchored in what truly matters and prevents you from chasing success that doesn’t fulfill you.

I love that. Now, let’s talk about your book. Can you tell us about Disruptive Elevation?

Absolutely! Disruptive Elevation: When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned but Goes Exactly As It Should is a book about embracing life’s unexpected twists and using them as stepping stones rather than setbacks. I wrote it during the pandemic while reflecting on the major disruptions I had faced—divorce, illness, career changes. Initially, those experiences felt like derailments, but in hindsight, I realized they were actually setting me up for a higher level of growth and fulfillment. The book teaches readers how to shift their perspective on challenges and use them as opportunities for elevation. Too often, people get stuck when life doesn’t go as planned, but the reality is that sometimes the best outcomes come from the unplanned detours. This book helps people develop resilience, agility, and a success mindset, so they can navigate disruptions with confidence rather than fear.

That’s a message so many people need to hear. If you could leave our readers with one key takeaway, what would it be?

The biggest takeaway I want readers to remember is that your life is shaped by the power of your choices. Every single day, you have the ability to choose how you respond to situations, how you invest your time and energy, and how you show up in the world. No matter what challenges arise, you are never powerless—you always have the ability to make a decision that moves you forward. Even when external circumstances are beyond your control, your response to them is within your control. Choose growth, choose resilience, and choose to believe that success and fulfillment are both possible for you. The more intentional you become about your choices, the more you create a life that aligns with your dreams and purpose.

That’s an incredible message. How can our readers further follow your work online?

I make it easy to connect! You can find me at DrStephanieDBarnes.com, where you’ll find my blog, podcast, and coaching programs. I’m also active on all major social media platforms under Dr. Stephanie D. Barnes, where I share insights, strategies, and inspiration for high-achieving women who want to step into their power. I encourage everyone to reach out, follow along, and join me in conversations about success, fulfillment, and personal growth.

Thank you so much! This has been an inspiring conversation, and I know our readers will gain so much from your wisdom.

Thank you! I always say, I hope you felt something, learned something, and most importantly, do something with it! Empowerment comes from action, and I hope today’s conversation inspires people to take that next step toward the life they truly deserve.