Roxie Nafousi has been hailed as the queen of manifestation. Her debut book, MANIFEST: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life, immediately became a best-seller when it was published in 2022. She really propelled manifestation into the mainstream.
Her podcast, RISE, sees her interview well-known people and experts about their wellness journeys and what we need to include in our lives.
In 2018, Roxie turned her life around after hitting what she says was her “rock bottom”. She swapped her “hedonistic” lifestyle for a self-care wellness journey. And she will be sharing her knowledge at this year’s ELEVATE Fit Fest, where she is headlining the wellness festival.
Read our full inspirational chat with Roxie here…
You have such an inspirational journey. What would you tell your younger self?
I’d spent so many years trying to shrink myself to be liked, to fit in, to be the version of me I thought everyone else wanted. I’d tell her that the very things she’s ashamed of, the rock bottom, the insecurity, the feeling of not belonging, are the things that will one day become her purpose. And I’d tell her something I really wish I’d known sooner: your worth was never up for debate. You don’t have to achieve it or earn it or prove it. It’s already yours. My whole journey has really just been me slowly coming back to that truth.
How has your relationship with manifestation changed over the years?
Hugely. When I first found manifestation, I think I saw it as a way to get things. The dream home, the relationship, the success. And those things matter, I’ll never pretend they don’t. But over the years, it’s become so much less about acquiring and so much more about becoming. Manifestation now is the daily practice of choosing who I want to be and trusting that the right things will meet me there. I’ve also made real peace with surrender, which used to be the hardest step for me. Early on, I held everything so tightly. Now I understand that letting go is the secret sauce to it all.
Where do you even start with manifestation?
You start with clarity. So many people want “more” or “better” or “happier”, but the universe can’t deliver on something vague. So the first step is genuinely getting clear on what you want your life to look and feel like, across every area, not just career. Write it down. Picture it in real detail. The second piece, and honestly the one people skip, is believing you are deserving of it. You can have the clearest vision in the world, but if deep down you don’t feel worthy of receiving it, you’ll keep blocking it without realising. So if I had to give one starting point, it would be this: get specific about what you want, and then do the inner work to believe you’re allowed to have it.
You’re a best-selling author, you have a hugely successful podcast and a perfume brand. Do you ever pinch yourself?
All the time. I genuinely never lose sight of where this started. In 2018, I was at my absolute rock bottom. I didn’t have a plan for any of this; it just unfolded as I did the work on myself and my purpose. So yes, there are moments, holding a book in my hands, or hearing from someone whose life has shifted because of the work, where I stop and really take it in. I’m definitely proud of what I’ve built and grateful for every single person that has let me in on their journeys along the way.
What are your three non-negotiable wellness rituals?
First, my morning practice. Before I reach for my phone, I take a few minutes for gratitude and to say positive affirmations for the day ahead. It sets the tone for everything. Second, supplements. I swear by them, and how I feel physically has a huge effect on how I feel mentally and emotionally. And third, sleep. I’m quite protective over my rest now. I track it, I prioritise it, and I’ve stopped treating exhaustion like a badge of honour. The inner work is so much harder when you’re running on empty.
Talk to us about getting involved with Elevate Fit Fest.
I said yes to Elevate instantly. It’s one of those rare spaces where people come together to genuinely invest in themselves, mind and body, and that’s exactly where I believe manifestation belongs. For a long time, the inner work got treated as something separate from the physical, but the two are completely intertwined. The way you move, rest and speak to yourself is manifestation in action. So to bring my work to a festival that already values movement, nourishment and community feels like coming home to the right room. I can’t wait!
Before we let you go, what’s next for you?
My fifth book, which feels like the most personal thing I’ve ever written, and I’m so excited for everyone to read it. Beyond that, I have a number of live events coming up, including Elevate Fit Fest in Ireland, where I’ll be speaking this September. I’ll also be hosting a smaller, more intimate event on 4th September, which I’m really looking forward to. Connecting with people in person is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do, so having opportunities to do that in different settings is incredibly special.
Munster’s first dedicated health and wellness festival, ELEVATE Fit Fest, has established itself as one of Ireland’s standout wellness events, blending movement, mindfulness, and connection into a dynamic two-day festival atmosphere. Across both days, Elevate Fit Fest will feature high-intensity workouts, immersive fitness classes, wellness experiences, and live entertainment. Attendees can expect sessions led by leading trainers, interactive fitness zones, reformer pilates studios, an on-site padel court, as well as dedicated recovery and wellness areas designed to
support performance and wellbeing, all in the incredible setting of Shanbally House.
ELEVATE Fit Fest takes place on September 5th and 6th. Get your tickets here.