I was referred to Gina Clapprood by an amazing friend of mine, who happens to be a celebrity tarot reader. She works with A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, but, every once in a while, she needs some guidance for herself—so she calls Gina. She suggested that I do the same.

That was six years ago. Ever since I have contacted her anytime I needed to make a big choice or validate my intuition when it didn’t seem logical. She has been able to support me in becoming more clairvoyant myself and more confident in my inner guidance. 

She’s not your typical woo-woo reader. She’s a very down-to-earth, funny, matter-of-fact, kind, but also realistic human. She has had a day job in the corporate world and is happily married with three kids. So, unlike many of the readers I’ve met along the way, she’s very “normal” by societal standards. She works with questions very well: she gives you both guidance from her master helpers and also space to disagree if something doesn’t resonate with you. She helps you weigh your options and take an in-this-lifetime look at things. She’s also nonjudgmental and brings light and humor when things feel sticky. 

Over the years, Gina has become someone I talk to like a friend. Having her support during shifts and scary times has helped me find peace with many struggles, plus self-love and acceptance. She’s great for a quick ask or an in depth reading and is available via email, so it’s easy to get guidance.

I sat down with her to learn more about how she helps people: 

Erica Cornwall: Can you describe what you do? And when did it all begin? 

Gina Clapprood: For me, the two answers go hand in hand: As a little girl, I was always conflicted. I possessed wisdom beyond my years, but didn’t understand how I could have that knowledge. Various members of my family explained that I had a “gift:” intuition. As it turns out, this kind of knowing runs in my bloodline. At first, I tried to hide what I felt and knew out of fear of being judged by outsiders. However, over time, I felt compelled to embrace it and help others.

At 15, I started meeting with family members and friends to offer them intuitive insight and advice on the challenges they were facing and how best to proceed. I don’t know how to explain it other than I would get a feeling deep in my gut and know the answers to their questions. I would see images in my mind’s eye to help explain those answers or predictions and was always floored when someone would confirm what I was seeing. I would also use a regular deck of playing cards to help with messages and guide my insight. To this day, it still surprises me! Over the years, my clientele grew, and I started my own business at the age of 18.

I’ve come a long way since then. I’ve thought hard about my work, advising others. Recently, I decided to up my game and incorporate more into my practice to reflect a more seasoned and confident me. I have years and thousands of hours of client service behind me. Both experience and time are extraordinary teachers, and I was ready to expand my wisdom. I have leveled up my own personal growth and know, without a doubt, that I am living my purpose, helping people find and live theirs. I was ready to live my truth and pass that truth onto others.

Today, I have two life coaching certifications, as well as a certification in holistic nutrition. I felt that having something more concrete than my intuition alone would offer my clients added security, so they could trust my advice in matters of the heart, health and more. As a lifestyle coach and advisor now for more than 20 years, I provide support and insight to help my clients achieve their goals, make real changes and become their ultimate selves.

EC: What is the most common struggle you encounter and how do you provide support?

GC: The majority of my clients need the guidance and confidence to take control of their lives and, not only listen to their internal compasses, but own them. Usually, when something in your life feels off and things are not working out, it’s because they are not supposed to work out. Many times, we go against what we truly believe in and want for ourselves because it’s not in keeping with “the norm.” My advice is to remain true to who you are at your core, do what makes you happy—really happy. Live without regrets and stop self-sacrifice.

EC: How can people better connect to their intuition, deciphering between true insights and “mind messages”?

GC: The way I decipher this is from the feeling I get. When I feel that connection to something deep in my gut, I know it’s my intuition guiding me and to pay attention. When I have a random thought, that is more a mind message for me, and I usually write it down and try to decipher it further. Then, I watch for any signals as to why I had the thought as I carry on throughout the day.

My advice to others wanting to connect to their intuition would be to trust themselves. We can all possess the gift of a higher awareness. Listen to those random thoughts that pass through your mind and write them down.  Test yourself repeatedly and see what they may mean for you as time passes. If you have this sense that something is sitting in the deep pit of your stomach, pay close attention to what you are doing at the time, who you are talking to, what happened right before you experienced this feeling, etc.—and then learn to trust those feelings more and more. Your intuition will strengthen the more open you are to receive the signals and messages.

EC: Tell us about writing your book!

GC: I did not tell a single soul that I was writing a book, or, what turned out to be, two books. I was going through an incredibly stressful time in my life and needed some kind of outlet and release to keep me sane. I had always wanted to write a book, but I didn’t know what about. One evening, I had a random thought pass through my mind to write about all the commonalities I find with clients who are not confident enough to put their own needs before others, out of fear and guilt. I then felt that feeling in my gut about it and, literally, sat down that same night and began to write. 

I am married and have three boys, but I decided that I was going to take my own advice for a change and write this for me, making use of the little time I had. So, that meant I would get on the computer and write every night after 9pm. I kept it to myself because I didn’t want anyone else’s opinion of what I was writing about to cloud my own momentum. I didn’t want to hear even the tiniest bit of apprehension about the subject etc.  This was mine, and I didn’t know what would even become of it. All I knew at the time was that it was therapeutic for me.

The goal of my first book, You Can Be a SELFish “B,” is to allow readers to love themselves first. The message is to take care of you and stop over-compromising. The “B” stands for the obvious, “bitch,” but also all the other identifiers in our lives from “bachelorettes” to “bosses” to “badasses.” It’s about letting go of the guilt and setting yourself free. 

EC: What is your process?

GC: I start by quieting my mind and centering myself. I then ask for guidance from my higher self, guides and angels to help me focus on my intention, concentrate and remain open to any messages that need to be heard. I always come from a place of good and love. When I am working with a client, I make sure they know that whatever advice I give is coming from a combination of my intuition, thoughts and feelings—usually all at once.

EC: These days, many women aren’t settling down until later in life. Is this a common concern among your clients? What do you tell women who feel worried about finding a partner and family?

GC: I absolutely see this as common and do hope that other women can see this, as well. We live in a different time now. Women are focusing more on their wants and needs, hopes and dreams, before settling down. It isn’t the top priority anymore. If it happens earlier, that’s great, but if it doesn’t, women are more confident in who they are and what they want. When they do find that partner, it is all the more special because this is someone they really do want to spend their life with; it’s not about society’s pressures. 

I want every woman to know: no one is looking at you. No one is judging you against any timeline. Sure, you’ll hear rumblings from relatives about when you are going to settle down, or that your biological clock is ticking, but, ultimately, you have to live your life how you want. Do not settle for someone just because you have this idealistic image of being married at 25 and having kids right away. You’ll end up with regrets, more often than not; I know, I see it all the time. When the right partner comes along, regardless of your age, you will know. And, if you’ve put yourself first and know what you want and deserve, I can assure you that you will have a very successful relationship and much more. 

EC: Your work requires a lot of energy. What are some ways you keep yourself feeling healthy and balanced? 

GC: I like to switch it up. I enjoy a walk or jog outside when the weather is nice. It takes care of clearing my mind while burning calories. A run on the treadmill is great and convenient when I can’t get out of the house because of the kids or a time constraint. I’ll hit the boxing bag at home because it helps me let out some aggression (ha!). Also, I lift weights and have been doing more body weight and resistance workouts, as well. Yoga is something I really want to learn, and my goal is to practice more in the months ahead.

EC: If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

GC: I would tell myself not to be so worried about what other people think—and not be such a goody-two-shoes. I followed all the rules and was always afraid of what would happen if I broke them. Or I would listen and never speak my opinion out of fear of rejection or worse. Now, I would tell my younger self to break the rules, question the status quo and speak up when something doesn’t feel good or right. That it truly is okay to put yourself first and be happy doing what you want to do.

EC: What is the best way for people to reach out, who want to work with you?

GC: My ideal client is someone who is ready to make a change and get the most out of their path in life. They are open to making small changes and will be able to look back and see the big changes that resulted from working together. I work with people of all ages and statuses, from those entering college years to those running major corporations.