What inspired you to become an executive/life coach and advocate for women’s empowerment? 

I was inspired to become an executive/ life coach and advocate for women after reaching a point where I questioned if there was more to my professional pursuit. I had achieved my career goals and was outwardly successful, but was not experiencing the desired fulfillment. I set out to find the “more” in my life, which led me to pursue an additional career path as a certified executive/life coach. This path was the “more” I longed for. I was determined to empower other women to discover the “more” in their lives and thereby experience fulfillment for their souls.

Can you share a personal experience where you struggled to balance your career and personal aspirations?

While pursuing my executive/life coach certification, I also worked full-time as an attorney. This required me to attend online classes after a demanding day in court. I often found myself sleep-deprived and running on fumes. Yet, I remained focused on my goal, cut out distractions, and kept moving forward until I achieved my goal.

What defining moment led you to focus on helping women gain clarity and confidence in their lives? 

Upon entering my executive/life coaching certification program, I thought I would learn how to help others discover the “more” in their life and experience fulfillment, beyond career success. However, I found that coaching was about learning how to gain clarity and confidence for my life.   I found my “more” through coaching, which inspired me to empower other women to gain clarity and confidence in their lives.

What are the most common roadblocks that prevent professional women from living authentic, purpose-driven lives? 

The most common roadblock that professional women experience that prevents them from living authentic, purpose-driven lives is fear. Fear comes in many forms – fear of failure, success, or the unknown. I work with my clients to dismantle their fear by getting them to see they can change the fear-based narrative that impedes their growth. Once clients tap into their power, a visible shift occurs, allowing them to create a new narrative and life.

Why do you think so many women struggle with confidence in leadership roles? And how can women redefine success on their terms instead of based on societal expectations? 

Many women struggle with confidence in leadership roles because they have been indoctrinated to think and feel, consciously and subconsciously, that they are not worthy of the leadership position that men typically hold. Without a woman knowing her true worth, she will continue to experience struggles in leadership positions. A woman can redefine success on her terms instead of societal expectations by speaking her “truth” – even when it is uncomfortable. In doing so, she embraces her authentic self and refuses to allow external forces to define how she shows up.   She gains the courage to stand for what she believes in and is willing to walk away from situations that demand she compromise her core values and thereby forfeit her truth.

What strategies do you recommend for women to balance their professional ambitions with personal well-being? 

One strategy for women to balance their professional aspirations with their well-being is to develop habits that support a healthy lifestyle – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Another strategy would be establishing a workout routine supporting your physical health. Find a workout routine that can easily be incorporated into your day, such as a power walk during lunch. Another strategy would be to develop a morning mindset routine where you pray and meditate on how you want your day to flow. Yet another approach would be to read empowering scriptures or quotes at various times throughout the day to help you keep your mind in a positive state and help regulate your emotions.  

What are some key mindset shifts that women need to embrace to lead fulfilling lives? 

Women must embrace three key mindset shifts to lead fulfilling lives: (1) Prioritize and practice self-care and self-love. So often, women look for others to love them, pour out love, and expect love in return, only to be left empty because there was no exchange of love. Women must stop pouring from an empty cup and fill it with self-care and self-love. (2)  Walk and speak your “truth” – get comfortable with being authentically YOU. Often, women shy away from walking and speaking their truth because they are concerned about what others will think or want to please others. Women must release the desire to please others. The cost of pleasing others drains the lifeblood out of women and causes them to operate from an empty cup. (3) Work at dismantling limiting beliefs that do not serve them in being the BEST version of themselves. Your beliefs should empower you to pursue and achieve the endless possibilities that life has to offer.

How does leadership change when women embrace authenticity instead of conforming to traditional expectations? 

Leadership changes when women embrace their authenticity instead of conforming to other people’s expectations. Authentic leadership is about leading in alignment with your core values and beliefs, and not just following the norms or expectations set by others. The mask that was hiding their authentic self is no longer used. They discover their superpower when leading from a space of truth and strength.   They experience fulfillment from leadership, not just success.

What can women expect from your coaching programs and speaking engagements? And how do your retreats help women transform their lives? 

When they engage with my work, women can anticipate a profound transformation. I support women in discovering their authentic voice and truth. Those who join me in coaching or speaking engagements can look forward to tapping into their God-given gifts, skills, and talents. My retreats are a sanctuary for women to rejuvenate their lives, speak their truth, explore their life purpose, and affirm their self-worth.

What is one of the most powerful success stories you’ve seen from your coaching work? 

I worked for a non-profit providing coaching and conflict resolution to those on the managerial level. I had to assist in resolving a conflict between two managers who had not spoken to each other for over a year. In a matter of hours, I worked with them together and one-on-one. I could ascertain that they both were tied to a narrative about each other that was not true. I had the massive task of getting them both to see that at everyone’s core, people want to be seen, heard, valued, and supported. If people do not feel seen, heard, valued, or supported, they will create a narrative that makes them feel comfortable and justified for the existing friction. I successfully got the two managers to create a new narrative grounded in truth, love, and mutual respect.

How has your role as a licensed minister influenced your approach to coaching and leadership? 

As a licensed minister, I have developed strong communication skills. I can read nonverbal communication and listen deeply with empathetic ears. I have also cultivated the ability to provide unwavering support and guidance to people in need, which are essential skills for coaching and leadership.

How do faith and spirituality play a role in helping women lead more fulfilling lives? 

First, one must define faith and spirituality before explaining how both play a role in helping women live more fulfilling lives. Faith is a deep-rooted belief in something without proof. The Bible states, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”  Spirituality is connecting with something more significant and more powerful than oneself. People experience a “supernatural force” that overrides any human experience. To have a more fulfilling life, one must exercise their faith, which means stepping into “unknown territory” with the expectation that things will work in your favor because God is leading you. Spirituality also plays into a more fulfilling life because we all need to connect to a higher source (God) to receive guidance and strength to navigate our lives. Through my coaching, I help women along their faith walk so they can live more fulfilling lives.

What does living an authentic life mean to you, and how can women achieve it? 

Living authentically means speaking my “truth” and aligning with my core values and beliefs. It means I am not conforming to societal pressures or other people’s opinions of me. I am free to live my life to my drum beat. I no longer allow others to shake my confidence level because I am not concerned with what others think of me.

What changes do you hope to see in how women approach leadership and personal growth in the next decade? 

Women should approach leadership and personal growth in the next decade by encouraging the next generation of leaders to lead with authenticity and transparency that aligns with their core values and strengths. They should create and foster environments that support future leaders in living purpose-driven lives, welcoming diverse ideas, and fostering global collaboration. Women’s organizations/ associations should develop mentorship programs that groom the next generation to lead.

What legacy do you hope to leave through your work? I hope to leave a legacy of compassion. 

I am a servant leader who continuously sows seeds of encouragement, unconditional love, and inspiration in women and young girls. In doing so, I hope future leaders will pay it forward so that we see more of what unites us than divides us.  

If you could give one piece of advice to women striving to create purpose-driven lives, what would it be? 

I advise women seeking to develop purpose-driven lives to allow their authentic voice to be heard. It’s essential to speak your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. People may not like that you spoke your truth; however, they will respect you for operating in integrity by speaking your truth.

How can readers of FEMENA take the first step toward a more confident and fulfilled life today? 

The first step towards a more confident and fulfilled life would be to examine your life – look at what works and what does not. Be honest with yourself, and make the necessary changes. You want to live a life where you are walking in your truth and making no apologies for doing so. Your thoughts, words, and actions are all coming into alignment, which makes you feel more confident and fulfilled.