Meet Barbie Ray, a speaker, coach, and unstoppable force of positivity who has survived life’s toughest battles to inspire others. Known for her resilience, humor, and radiant spirit, Barbie has faced near-death experiences, years of immobility, and ongoing health challenges—yet she continues to rise each day with a mission: to empower people to overcome their traumas, unlock their inner greatness, and step into leadership with heart and soul.
At Humans of Fuzia, we are proud to feature Barbie because her story embodies courage, gratitude, and the belief that mindset shapes destiny. Her voice reminds us that every challenge can be transformed into fuel for growth, and that laughter—even in pain—can be the strongest medicine.
Q: Barbie, can you share your personal mission and vision with us?
My mission is simple yet powerful: I want to empower people to become leaders and do something with it. Every person has magic within them—gifts that can not only change their own life but also uplift others. I believe that when people discover their greatness, turn it into opportunities, and grow wealthy (financially and spiritually), they can then give back through charity, service, and kindness. If more people lived this way, the world would be an unstoppable force of good.
Q: What inspires your coaching and speaking work?
So many of us carry traumas, old wounds, or the voices of bullies and doubters from our past. Those voices become barriers we place in front of ourselves. My passion is to help people clear those blockages, rewrite their story, and recognize that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
I remind my clients that if they’re not moving forward, they should pause and ask: What am I doing to block myself? Because the truth is—there are no real barriers in life, only the ones we place in our own path.
Q: You’ve been through a lot personally. Would you share a bit of your journey?
They call me the Grim Reaper’s favorite chew toy because I’ve faced death more times than most. I’ve survived a swarm of bee stings that revealed a life-threatening allergy, carbon monoxide poisoning, years of immobility after a spinal injury, two spinal surgeries, and severe internal damage from medications. For over a year, I couldn’t walk or move my arms. Doctors told me I’d never recover.
But I did. Through grit, natural healing, and determination, I reclaimed my mobility. I walk today because I refused to give up. I believe I’m still here for one reason: to make a difference in this world.
Q: That’s incredibly powerful. How do you translate that into your current work?
I speak at events and I’m currently working on a collaborative book and live event in Las Vegas, bringing together thought leaders like Rashida Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali), James Bonecrusher Smith (Heavyweight Champion of the World), Frank King (comedian and suicide prevention leader), and Karen Hall (emotional intelligence expert from the LA Tribune).
I’m also developing a training course on AI—teaching everyone from corporate CEOs to young entrepreneurs how to train their AI tools to become their best business partners.
And because laughter heals, I co-host a comedy show with Karen Hall called Unstoppable AF (Unstoppable and Funny)—spreading joy as part of empowerment.
Q: How do you keep going despite ongoing health challenges?
It all comes down to mindset and gratitude. I still face health struggles, but I remind myself daily of what works—my arms move, my legs walk, my heart beats. I choose to focus on gratitude, because gratitude rewires your mind. If you wake up and say, “I can walk today,” that’s already a gift. Gratitude helps me shift perspective, and perspective is everything.
I’ve also been deeply inspired by my son, who has a rare condition called aquagenic urticaria—an allergy to water. Rain, sweat, even tears burn his skin. Yet every day, he gets up and runs our family business. He is my hero and a living example that strength is born from struggle.
Q: What legacy would you like to leave?
If I could leave one message, it would be this:
“Laugh in the face of pain. Bring power to yourself in the face of challenge. And always believe in a better tomorrow.”
That’s the legacy I want to leave—for women, for men, for young people, for leaders—for everyone.
Connect with Barbie Ray
You can connect with Barbie on https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbie-ray-91295316/
✨ Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
