10 Questions for Iyanla Vanzant

Life coach and relationship expert tackles personal crisis of "Basketball Wives" star Evelyn Lozada on show premiere

Iyanla Vanzant's new show, "Iyanla, Fix My Life," premieres September 15 on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. For her first show, Vanzant chose to help “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada deal with deep-rooted issues and the pain from the violent end to Lozada's relationship with now estranged husband, NFL star Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson.

Vanzant speaks with Loop 21 about her goals for the show, her own personal struggles, and why she thinks African Americans have a tougher time than whites "fixing their lives" and realizing their potential.

Loop 21: You say of your show, "I'm here for one purpose—to support us in remembering the truth of who we are." How does one remember the truth of who he or she is?

Iyanla Vanzant: You've got to begin within and move beyond the external validations and attachments and connections. It begins with your daily spiritual practice or whatever you call it. Even for atheists—even if an atheist doesn't believe in God, they believe in something, even if it’s breathing daily.

Loop 21: How does a life class differ from a session with a psychologist or psychiatrist?

Vanzant: A therapist or psychologist is looking at the condition of your mental state, your emotional state, motivations and pathologies and behavior and beliefs. I am looking at the condition of your soul. I believe that as you recognize and understand the condition of your soul, you are empowered to change your mind and beliefs, and that will change your behavior, and that will change your situation. Your soul is the fingerprint of God in your life. If you believe that God is about suffering or that you are disconnected from your source, that will be your life.

Loop 21: Are there some people who cannot be helped?

Vanzant: If they don’t choose it they cannot be helped. It has to be a choice.

Loop 21: What is the thing that has surprised you the most in doing this show?

Vanzant: How long I can stay long awake and talk and make sense!