Freedom to Flourish

it’s probably best that I share with you a defining moment, and resulting “compelling story”, that brought me to where I am today – Empowerment Coach and Mindset Mentor for women with a history of trauma who want to change their lives in exactly what to do to end the drama of abuse and trauma; have big breakthroughs and ah ha moments and feel empowered and excited about their future.  

That defining moment in my life happened in 1986 when I asked for a divorce from my husband and decided where my life was headed. 

I met him at 17 and was married and emigrated to South Africa at 23 where we stayed for the next 17 years. My four children were born there. My relationship with my husband was very emotionally abusive. If you’ve seen the film, “Sleeping with the Enemy,” you have some idea what I went through. My opinions didn’t count; I was belittled in front of our children and friends; with no money of my own. I also had to account for every cent used, in writing; my music had to be turned off when he came home; his plate had to be washed separately so the toast didn’t squeak on it and the bacon served on the left, egg on the right and tomatoes at the top; If I momentarily forgot, I got shouted at and doors slammed; I had anxiety attacks at the sound of his car arriving. In 1973 when my first born was only 4 weeks old, my parents visited us. I cooked a meal for us all, husband arrived, went to the phone and invited his parents down for a BBQ ignoring us and his prepared meal. That really hurt. A friend said I was afraid of him, they were correct. 

My choice at that time was suicide or divorce. I had actually planned my suicide – a Friday afternoon in my bedroom, a call to the police and use a gun with the backdoor open so the blood would go outside and they could deal with it before my children got home. I didn’t want to be a bother in death either.  

Luckily, a friend got me to seek help. A realisation moment came at Stellenbosch University, where my Clinical Psychologist wanted to prove to me that, not only am I not worthless, in fact I was in the top 2% of the population for intelligence, verbal and practical, I am also blessed with a lot of common sense too. I stared at him and said ‘If I am so flippin’ intelligent, how come I am in this mess?’ He calmly looked at me and said ‘Joanne, it is understandable you are in this mess, you’re out of your own culture and group of friends IT IS HOW YOU USE YOUR INTELLIGENCE TO GET OUT OF THE SITUATION’. . I fought for my divorce and custody of my children in the Supreme Court of Cape Town. And I won. We returned to England without any financial support from him whatsoever.  

So there I was. 40 years old. homeless. four children with a tiny sum of money to figure out how to start our lives over again. My retired parents were great. I knew I had to work. I also sought support from the church and found comfort and protection there. I began to put one foot in front of the other to heal my past and create a new future for me and my family.  

I started an Open University degree course in psychology as well as working full time in marketing while raising my kids. I worked in victims’ support and did that work for over three years. While doing that work, it dawned on me that my marriage was in fact emotional domestic violence. I can understand what it is to not have the will to breathe. I’ve been there.  

Since then, I cleaned up my past and started teaching women who have had abuse and trauma blocks in their lives how they can do the same: I watched their lives opening up to happiness, a good job, a loving relationship, a flourishing sex life, their rapid rise in confidence, their courage soared and freedom replacing the dread and victim state too! I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping other to live their happiness to the max.

 I’ve worked with many private clients, spoken in front of countless groups: I lived my dream of raising four very strong, independent and courageous children and enjoying the company of my grandchildren; and I have created The Freedom to Flourish UK™Empowerment Programme for Women at their turning point in life to end the drama of abuse and trauma; have big breakthroughs and ah ha moments and feel empowered and excited about their future – a coaching and healing process every woman needs to raise your self-worth, build confidence and heal her fear/hurt/guilt from the past, and help move forward into now. You will be able to give yourself permission to want what you want and the tools to give you results… You can bank on it!

 Who are your clients?

I work with people just like you who are educated women, business women, holistic practitioners, energy workers, sales professionals and women entrepreneurs who are really good at what they do. however, they have never been able to escape and shed their past baggage of emotions that stand in their way of success and extreme flow of happiness. 

Professionals
Doctors 
Solicitors
Nurses 
Police Officers 
Married and Single Women wanting more out of life
Recently divorced Women over 38
Baby Boomers
Entrepreneurs, Business Owners
Lawyers, Managers 
Consultants
Teachers
Health & Wellness Consultants
Speakers
Estate Agents
Sales Professionals
Photographers
Image Consultants
Artists
Creative and Spiritual Entrepreneurs