Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Author Maria Castellucci Moore On How to Align Your Goals with Your True Self
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Play-keep it light and happy! Whatever your goals are, if you are flexible and light about it-the Fun will reap the rewards!
Finding and living in alignment with your true purpose can be a transformative journey. Yet, many struggle with identifying their life’s purpose and aligning their goals with it. In this series, we aim to explore how individuals discover their purpose and create a life that reflects their authentic selves, leading to greater fulfillment and success. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Maria Castellucci Moore.
Maria Castellucci Moore is a Multi-award-winning author and winner of the Gold Mom’s Choice Award. Maria Castellucci Moore strives to bring passion and enthusiasm to all her endeavors. A trailblazing entrepreneur, first-generation American, writer, and mother to four children, Maria is a lover of all things European and has found great passion through her travels to Paris, Italy, Spain, and South America. Her affection for winemaking, foreign languages, the arts, ballroom dancing, and traveling has given Maria a unique and grateful perspective on life. Her love for her family and helping others through charitable giving has enabled Maria to thoughtfully curate purposeful life adventures. Maria Castellucci Moore earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Dominican University on a tennis scholarship, and later pursued studying at New York University and the London School of Economics with a focus on global affairs. In 2016, with her siblings, Maria founded Castellucci Napa Valley, a luxury wine and real estate brand. Maria runs her wine label and a family real estate development company in the greater Bay Area. She is a board member of the San Francisco Opera Guild and is enthusiastic about building opportunity and community through the arts. Maria has also been named Director at Large for the San Francisco Opera Guild Board and Napa Valley’s Ambassador to Charitable nonprofit organization, Roots of Peace — an organization that demines war torn lands and plants fruit orchards and vineyards worldwide. Maria also received the 2023 Most Intriguing Award for Napa Valley.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
During my personal self discovery journey and after a personal trauma experience, I learned that happiness is unique to each and every individual. I became fascinated with the way in which our bodies responded to trauma and the literal shutting down and deflect mechanism that brought me into a deep deep downward spiral. Through my healing process I found the avenue to self love and radical healing that took place through mindfulness modalities, spiritual awakening and now a completely new vibration and higher self that allows for huge growth and expansion. As a mother of 4, wine proprietor and children’s book author, I found these vehicles healing to me and now able to expand upon all my companies and myself in ways I never imagined.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I would have to say my husband is my biggest cheerleader and has been in the trenches with me when times were dark and a huge supporter of my work and my best friend to say the least!
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Being a successful leader in business and personal life requires a deep commitment to the craft but most importantly a strong love of learning. Without the spirit of learning to better ones self and having less ego in your craft, you are best able to grow into places you never imagined! I devour books, podcasts, and try to get my hands on all the material around my work and others work to learn from them. Listening and learning are the biggest and most undervalued traits to success.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Was there a defining moment or experience in your life when you felt a clear sense of your purpose? How did it influence the goals you set from that point forward?
Absolutely! Once I began using the modalities for healing my trauma, I noticed a radical shift in self confidence, self respect and stepping into my power. I learned that YOU are the only person who can truly get you to where you want to be in your journey. My clear purpose in life is to share my story and inspire others who are rockstars out in the world, but may be needing that extra boost of confidence and moral behind the scenes that life is what you manifest it to be and how you think, translates directly into the power and purpose you give your work. With confidence and security, you can make anything happen!
What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?
Find a simple morning and/or evening routine that aligns with your highest goals, highest self. Pay attention to where you feel most alive. For me its writing, expressing and being creative. We, as human beings are meant to create. Not only create the life we want, but are meant to use our sensorial awareness to experience life in a heightened state of being. A warm bath, a candle and a great book, a walk in nature, a yoga class-all great places to look within; that is where our transformation lies.
How do you differentiate between external pressures — like societal expectations — and the inner calling that aligns with your true self?
I think there is an inner knowing when something feels off balance, or out of alignment-it will “call” you to either close up or vibrate and extend outward. When you are living in your power and purpose, your heart expands and you see others as connectors within your journey, not as competition. External pressures are stuck energy in our bodies. There is an awareness that needs to be met to feel the difference, You will know!
Can you share an example of a time when you adjusted or abandoned a goal because it no longer aligned with your deeper sense of purpose? What did you learn from that experience?
I learned that boundaries are huge in this arena. You may love someone that is close to you, but they don’t agree with nor understand your higher purpose in life. Just allowing yourself grace to hold those individuals at arms length and keep your mission sacred and your growth sacred. You will feel confident to step into your power when you are in alignement-you wont rely so heavily on what others judge you for…
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
We make excuses that there isn’t enough time, there isn’t enough money or that we have this lack mentality when it comes to our ultimate pursuits… You make time and the money will follow. When your heart is in the right place, the Universe responds with really incredible rewards. Try to take just 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes before you go to bed to make a list of prioritizing how you are going to carve out your YOU time today. Keep it simple and it will evolve as your comfort level grows.
This is the main question of our interview. What are “5 Ways to Align Your Goals With Your True Self”? (please share stories or examples)
1. Learn- read books, stay in the know and never stop learning-it will surprise you where things go!
2. Listen- Keep your ears and curiosity awake and alive to what is going on around you. We learn most from listening and not talking!
3. Play-keep it light and happy! Whatever your goals are, if you are flexible and light about it-the Fun will reap the rewards!
4. Passion- It is hard to deny this piece! When it is something you are burning to feel, others will want to know about it!
5. Last but definitely not least is Authenticity! YOU are the only YOU on planet earth. Be yourself and with passion, learning, playing and listening you will be your own magnet for love, joy and abundance!
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
Don’t be afraid. I have encountered so many people that have that manuscript written but are afraid to submit it. Leave fear behind and go for it! The worst that can happen is that you will end up exactly where you started ;)
How can our readers further follow your work?
My Children’s book series is called the Traveling Mindfulness Series. You can follow me on Instagram @mariamooreauthor or via my website: mariacastelluccimooreauthor.com I greatly look forward to your visit and hope to connect with you soon!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
