Arilda Surridge grew up in San Diego, where her life was shaped by resilience, purpose, and a strong commitment to helping others heal and grow. Raised by her mother after the tragic loss of her father before she was born, Arilda learned early lessons about self-worth, independence, and inner strength. Living in a small apartment in a low socioeconomic neighborhood, she experienced life far from the glamorous image of San Diego, but those challenges built her determination and vision for a better future. Her mother’s tough-love parenting style encouraged her to measure success through her own self-confidence rather than external validation.
Arilda pursued psychology and later earned a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, eventually building her own private practice while balancing motherhood. Today, she leads transformative retreats and coaching experiences worldwide, helping professionals overcome burnout, build community, and achieve sustainable personal and business growth.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
- How early life challenges and adversity can be transformed into personal strength, confidence, and long-term success.
- The importance of building self-worth from within rather than relying on external validation.
- How trauma-informed perspectives can shape a powerful and meaningful career helping others heal.
- The value of pursuing education and professional expertise as a foundation for entrepreneurial success.
- Why taking bold risks, like starting a business while managing motherhood, can create life-changing opportunities.
- How travel and global experiences can reshape mindset, creativity, and business philosophy.
- The importance of recognizing burnout and building sustainable systems for long-term business growth.
- How to grow from a solo practitioner into a team-based, scalable business model.
- The power of community, relationships, and collaboration over competition in business and personal development.
- How to turn passion into impact by creating experiences that transform both personal lives and professional careers.
about the show
Next Level CEO is a high-impact business educational series hosted by Daymond John, designed to spotlight the world’s most elite and insightful entrepreneurs.
In each episode, Daymond’s handpicked expert CEOs, founders, and industry leaders who’ve built powerful brands, scaled successfully, and led with vision, share their story and expertise. From disruptive startups to billion-dollar empires, Next Level CEO gives viewers a front-row seat to the real strategies, mindset shifts, and leadership moves behind business excellence.
This is what works.
It’s a rare look inside the minds of those who’ve actually built something that lasts.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow, a business owner ready to level up, or a leader who’s hungry to learn from the best, Next Level CEO delivers the playbook from those who’ve already won.
