How Embodied Leadership, Personal Power, and Divine Intuition Built The One Empire

Lisa Toland is the founder and visionary behind The 1 Empire, a global movement rooted in personal power, intuitive leadership, emotional intelligence, and embodied purpose. With a mission that began as a whisper in her childhood, “be aware of the one”—Lisa has transformed this calling into a worldwide philosophy that empowers women to rise in truth, wealth, purpose, and emotional mastery. Raised in a service-oriented family, she learned early what it meant to show up for the one person whose life you could change. Over time, that idea evolved into a profound understanding that every woman is the One—the carrier of a unique mission, a divine assignment, and a presence capable of shifting the world.

Through The One Woman, The One Podcast, The One Movement, and her soon-to-launch One Foundation, Lisa is building a full ecosystem of mentorship, storytelling, and legacy. Her work blends intuitive guidance with practical emotional intelligence, helping women align wealth with purpose, relationships with standards, and ambition with rest. Known for her visionary thinking and heart-first leadership, Lisa guides her community toward reclaiming financial sovereignty, acting on intuitive nudges, and stepping fully into who they are becoming. Her message remains simple and unforgettable: You were never meant to blend in—you were born to stand out. You are the One.

You often speak about The One Empire and personal power. What does “The One” truly mean to you?

For me, The One is not exclusive—it is expansive. I am the One, and you are the One. Each of us is one in 8.3 billion, completely unique, living our own big, bold, beautiful life. The idea began in childhood when my parents taught us to notice the one person who needed help, the one whom God placed in our path. As I grew older, this principle evolved into understanding the power of singular moments: how one thought can spark innovation, one word can save someone, one action can change a life, and one conversation can shift a destiny. In business, it’s the same—serving the one client in front of you, recognizing the one collaboration meant for you, and following the one intuitive nudge that alters your trajectory. Personal power comes from knowing your value, honoring your standards, and acting quickly on your intuition. We become the One by choosing alignment daily. Today, that philosophy lives through The One Woman, The One Podcast, The One Movement, and soon The One Foundation.

How do you define embodied leadership?

To me, embodied leadership is when your inner truth and your outer expression are in complete congruence. It is not about perfection; it is about alignment. Embodied leaders live intentionally, care deeply, and share from their lived experience rather than theory or performance. It requires being connected to your intuition, staying open to guidance, and responding to inspiration without delay. Intuitive action is an essential part of embodied leadership, because it allows us to lead from a place that is both grounded and divinely guided.

You blend communication, relationships, purpose, wealth, and love. How do you keep these aligned?

Alignment, for me, is an ongoing conversation with God—Source. I listen, reflect, and stay intentional with the language I use. Our words and thoughts genuinely shape our relationships, our wealth, and the opportunities that surround us. I treat money like a relationship and give it the same gratitude and respect I give my friendships, my business, and my blessings. And when something in my life feels off, I consciously redirect my focus toward everything that is working, growing, and flourishing. That shift in attention always brings me back to alignment.

What internal barrier was the hardest for you to overcome?

My biggest barrier was my lifelong insecurity around being on camera. I never gravitated toward the spotlight—I was comfortable being the cheerleader, the connector, the supporter. So stepping into more visibility, whether through social media, magazines, or upcoming TV opportunities, has required discipline and devotion rather than desire. I also struggled with perfectionist tendencies, which I eventually realized were just procrastination in disguise. What helped me move forward was recognizing that our message isn’t about us—it comes through us. To honor that, I had to get over myself and show up for the mission.

Do you see yourself moving more into mainstream visibility?

Absolutely. The universe has made it clear that hiding is no longer an option for me. I love interviews, conversations, and anything that allows me to connect deeply with people. While video is still my least favorite medium, I’m growing into it. I thrive in one-on-one interactions, but I’m expanding into larger platforms because the mission requires it.

What decision shifted your trajectory the most?

The biggest shift happened when I started acting on intuitive nudges immediately. No overthinking, no waiting for perfect timing—just trusting and moving. Some of these nudges pushed me emotionally outside of my comfort zone. Others required letting go of relationships, beliefs, or familiar patterns. But every time I chose action over hesitation, everything accelerated. My intuition strengthened, opportunities expanded, and my path became clearer.

How do you hold both ambition and rest while building an empire?

I honor both energies equally. My masculine side thrives in building, creating, and innovating. My feminine energy requires stillness, quiet, and reflective time to receive clear guidance. Some of my best ideas come in moments of rest—in the shower, on long walks, or during quiet drives. A healthy empire needs both structure and flow, effort and ease. Ambition creates momentum; rest refines it. Together, they create sustainable growth.

What role have relationships and mentors played in your growth?

Relationships have been everything in my evolution. They act as mirrors, reflecting where I’ve grown and where I still need to embody my own teachings. The right relationships inspire, support, elevate, and expand you. I used to over-give and surround myself with people who didn’t uplift me, but that changed when I raised my standards—not boundaries, but standards. When I honor my standards, the people in my life naturally honor them too. My mentor, Melanie Ann Layer, has been especially influential. For seven years she has supported my growth in ways that are impossible to quantify. She is love, grace, wisdom, bravery, and beauty in one human being, and I’m deeply grateful for her presence in my journey.

What ritual keeps you centered?

My guiding ritual is devotion. I am devoted to myself, my word, my work, my growth, and my purpose. Every day, I check in with a simple but powerful question: Is this in alignment with the woman I am becoming?

That question shapes everything—how I speak, what I purchase, how I invest, and how I show up. My morning reflections set the tone for the day, and I recalibrate midday when needed with breath, presence, and intention.

How do you help people reclaim their financial power?

I teach that money is a relationship. The way you speak about money, the way you treat it, the emotions you feel when you spend or receive it—all of these shape your financial reality. Gratitude, respect, and trust are foundational. Sometimes the work is less about making money and more about becoming the type of person who can hold and honor the wealth waiting for them. Financial power comes from micro-shifts in thoughts, words, and actions. When your future identity aligns with your financial intentions, wealth naturally expands.

And for you—what shifts are you making financially right now?

I’ve stopped worrying about money entirely. I’ve learned that when I follow divine guidance and act on purpose, money always shows up. Every intuitive step I take leads to more abundance, often in unexpected ways. My focus is not on money itself—it’s on the mission. The money follows.

When someone feels lost in their work, how do you guide them back to purpose?

I invite them to explore what brings them genuine meaning. What would they do if no one were watching? If money were not a factor? Passion, purpose, and profit don’t always come from the same place, but they can work together. The key is reconnecting with what activates you and trusting that money will flow where alignment lives. Purpose often arrives through unexpected portals—it’s about staying open and curious.

What is your vision for The One Movement in the next 5–20 years?

I see The One Movement evolving into a global community with thousands of people rising in truth, wealth, emotional intelligence, and service. I envision more stories shared through The One Podcast, more retreats and in-person gatherings, and deeper collaboration with aligned leaders. The One Foundation will launch with quarterly donations to global causes. We will also integrate AI in ways that expand the movement’s reach and amplify its impact across the world.

Close your eyes. Everything you dream of has already happened. What does your day look like?

I see myself living by the ocean—barefoot, peaceful, with the wind in my hair and the sound of the waves as my daily soundtrack. My community is flourishing, with women around the world standing confidently in who they are. My work flows with ease, my purpose is lived fully, and my heart is filled with gratitude, joy, and freedom.

And finally—what is the one message every woman needs to hear?

You were never meant to blend in—you were born to stand out. Your soul chose this exact moment in history. Your voice, your presence, your quirks, your laughter, your struggles—all of it matters. Write the book. Sing the song. Build the empire. Create innovation. Life is finite. Your impact doesn’t have to be. You are the One.

Photography by Lindy Lin