Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaina Puff.
Hi Alaina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my journey toward becoming a school psychologist over a decade ago, fueled by an unwavering passion to help children reach their fullest potential. I’ve always felt deeply called to be of service—to contribute to something greater and make the world a better place. While that calling hasn’t changed, my path has taught me one of the most important lessons: you can’t truly serve others until you’ve learned to pour into yourself.
As I moved through my career, I sought out job changes, returned to school to pursue my doctorate, and even made a cross-country move—all in hopes of relieving the dissatisfaction and burnout I was experiencing. But no matter how many changes I made, that familiar sense of exhaustion and disconnection always followed me. On paper, I was a high-achieving, successful professional. But internally, I felt like a fraud. My work was draining, and my life felt increasingly unsustainable.
In graduate school, we often hear the phrase “self-care” tossed around—a gentle reminder to take care of ourselves under the weight of overwhelming demands. But the truth is, those demands don’t stop after graduation. In helping professions, we’re expected to give endlessly, often at the cost of our own well-being. I was burnt out, disheartened, and struggling to find any sense of balance.
Eventually, I reached a breaking point. I knew I had to turn inward and began working with a therapist for support and guidance. That process illuminated something major: the traditional talk therapy model I had been trained in wasn’t working for me. I needed something deeper, more embodied, more intuitive.
And that’s when everything began to shift.
Through my own healing journey, I founded Flow State Coaching and Consulting, a holistic approach to wellness that honors both the intuitive and the psychological. Instead of focusing solely on what’s “wrong,” my work highlights your inherent gifts, creating more space, balance, and clarity in your life.
Flow State was born from a desire to help others reconnect with their intuitive and sensitive nature—to support them in creating a regulated, fulfilling existence in a world that often prioritizes logic over embodiment. For most of my life, I too was caught in the loop of over-intellectualizing. But now, I deeply believe that our future lies in awakening the inner wisdom held in our bodies. When we learn to listen to that inner knowing, we unlock not only healing—but the path to our truest desires.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road—but one that’s been profoundly meaningful.
There have been many seasons where I felt lost, burnt out, or like I was carrying more than I could hold. One of the biggest challenges was realizing that what I had worked so hard to build—a successful career as a school psychologist—was no longer aligned with who I was becoming. I checked all the boxes, achieved all the milestones, and yet internally I felt exhausted and disconnected. That sense of misalignment was hard to ignore, but even harder to face. It forced me to let go of identities and roles I had poured so much into.
Grief has also played a huge role in my journey. Personal loss cracked me open in ways I never expected and invited me into deeper healing than I’d ever experienced. It asked me to pause, soften, and really listen—to my body, my spirit, my intuition.
Another major struggle was confronting my own conditioning around productivity, perfectionism, and what it means to be “successful.” I had to deconstruct the idea that I needed to earn rest, or that worth was tied to achievement. It took a lot of inner work—and still does—to unlearn those patterns and choose a path that feels more spacious and self-honoring.
What I’ve learned is that the road isn’t supposed to be smooth. The messiness is where the magic lives. Every challenge, burnout, pivot, and moment of doubt has been a breadcrumb guiding me home to myself—and ultimately into the work I now feel most called to do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Flow State Coaching and Consulting?
My business, Flow State Coaching and Consulting, was born out of a deep desire to bridge the gap between intuition and mental wellness—especially for those who don’t always fit into traditional systems. I work primarily with highly sensitive and intuitive individuals—kids, parents, women, and business owners—who are seeking a more aligned, embodied, and soul-led way of living and leading.
What sets Flow State apart is that it’s not just mindset work or surface-level strategies—it’s soul-level transformation. I combine my background as a school psychologist with intuitive coaching, somatic practices, and holistic tools to help clients reconnect to themselves, regulate their nervous systems, and find clarity in their lives or businesses. Whether we’re working through parenting challenges, intuitive development, trauma healing, or growing a soul-aligned brand, I guide people back to their inner wisdom.
At the heart of it all, Flow State is about reminding people of their power, helping them trust their gut, and offering them the tools to build a life or business that feels deeply rooted and soulfully aligned. Whether you’re navigating parenting, healing, entrepreneurship, or a major life transition—I want you to know: you don’t have to do it alone. There’s a more easeful way forward. And it starts within.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin.
When I was starting out, I thought I needed the perfect plan, the perfect brand, and every single credential or certification to “deserve” a seat at the table. But the truth is, clarity comes from action, not from overthinking. You learn by doing, by showing up, by being in the work—not by sitting on the sidelines trying to perfect everything first.
I wish someone had told me that my energy, my lived experience, and my being were just as valuable as my degrees or training. That being authentic and deeply present would matter more than being polished or “professional” in the traditional sense.
Also—trust your intuition. If you’re building something soul-led, you’re not supposed to follow a traditional path. You’re creating something new, and that takes courage. There will be noise, comparison, doubt—but stay connected to your “why” and surround yourself with people who reflect your highest self back to you.
And lastly: you’re allowed to grow as you go. You’re allowed to pivot. You’re allowed to evolve. Nothing needs to be perfect—just aligned. Start messy. Start small. But just start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flowstateaz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralainapuff/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Flow-State-Arizona-61551044495228/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlowStateAZ
