Becoming a Resilience & Leadership Coach

Transforming Pain into Purpose

Life hasn’t always gone as planned for me, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. From the pain of losing a partner to suicide, becoming a single parent, and navigating overwhelming grief, I understand what it feels like to be completely lost, uncertain, and overwhelmed. I also know what it’s like to rebuild - to find strength when it seems impossible, to rediscover hope, and to create purpose from the rubble.

As a Resilience and Leadership Coach, my journey has taught me that there’s always a way forward. It’s not about having all the answers but finding the strength within yourself to take the next step. I’m passionate about helping others navigate their toughest transitions and move forward, even when life feels uncertain.

My career journey has been anything but a straight line. I’ve relocated several times from Europe to Asia and with each move, I found myself starting over in unfamiliar environments. I also shifted careers from nannying and teaching to nursing and coaching. What’s always remained constant for me, though, is my deep desire to serve and help others. After 30 years of experience, I’ve come to understand that it’s not about perfection, but about finding your inner strength and courage to move forward.

Evolving Through Constant Change

Along the way, I’ve faced profound challenges, including living with chronic pain for 18 months and navigating life until I finally had my hip replacement in 2024. I’ve also raised a teenager on my own, rebuilt my life after loss, and continued to evolve through constant change. These experiences shaped how I view leadership, resilience, and self-direction.

I first discovered the Coaching Academy just before COVID-19, and attending their free Introduction to Life Coaching event was a turning point. It felt like I had found the path I’d been searching for all along.  The timing wasn’t quite right at first, but in January 2023 - after relocating back to the UK - finally could embrace this exciting new chapter.

In addition, my work with neurodiverse children over the past two years has deepened my understanding of resilience and adaptability. Supporting these children has shown me the importance of embracing diverse ways of thinking and being, and how each of us has the potential to build resilience in our own way. For me, resilience and leadership start from within. It’s about embracing your struggles, finding strength in your journey, and using those experiences to create the life you want.  My story isn’t just about bouncing back from life’s challenges - about growing stronger, more adaptable, and more compassionate with each step.  

How to build resilience and leadership skills? My top tips:

1. Get Clear on What You Want: Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you - in your career, relationships, or health. Once you have that clarity, break it down into small, doable steps. A clear direction makes it easier to take action and build momentum.
2. Trust Yourself and Let Go of Self-Doubt: Stop second-guessing yourself. Start making decisions, even if they’re not perfect. Each choice, big or small, helps you build confidence and move forward.
3. Build Consistent Habits: Real change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the small, daily actions that add up over time. Focus on what you can do today - simple step at a time. Those little habits, done consistently, will lead to real, lasting transformation.
4. Pause and Reflect: When things feel overwhelming, instead of just pushing through ask yourself: What do I need right now? Strong leaders don’t just charge ahead - they know when to pause, regroup, and move forward with intention.
5. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Energy: Saying no can be hard, but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out, it’s about making space for what truly matters. Protect your time, your energy, and your well-being.
6. Celebrate Small Wins and Keep Going: Every step forward is worth celebrating. Progress isn’t always big or linear - it’s in showing up and doing your best. Just like building muscle, resilience and confidence grow with consistent practice. Keep going.

Resilience and leadership aren’t about never falling; they’re about embracing the process of experimenting, learning, and making new choices. Just like building physical strength, the effort you put in today makes you stronger for tomorrow.

When you lead yourself first - with clarity, intention, and self-compassion - everything around you shifts in ways you never imagined. The journey may not be easy, but every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to the life you’re meant to live.

Thank you Andrea for sharing your powerful story of resilience, transformation and leadership.