I grew up as the third of four sisters. My sisters seemed to be a combination of articulate, funny, and fearlessly confident. I, on the other hand, was painfully shy, the kind of shyness that makes your thoughts loud on the inside but hard to share out loud.

My shyness ran so deep that I often relied on my younger sister to speak for me, ordering food, making friends and going first so I didn’t have to. Simple situations felt overwhelming: worrying about saying the wrong thing, replaying conversations in my head or staying silent even when I had something meaningful to contribute. My quietness was often misunderstood. Often people assumed it for arrogance or not caring, when in truth, I cared deeply but didn’t know how to express myself. Over time, this meant missing out on opportunities, not because I lacked ability or ambition, but because fear held me back from putting myself forward.

Everything began to change when I became a single parent to my two daughters. I realised that if I wanted to give them the life they deserved and to model the confidence and self-belief I hoped they would carry into the world, I had to challenge myself. I had to step beyond what felt safe and familiar, even when my inner voice was telling me to stay small.

Through my own journey of counselling and life coaching, I slowly began to build confidence - not the loud or extravagant kind, but a steady, grounded confidence rooted in self-understanding, compassion and courage. With the right support around me, I learned that growth doesn’t come from the absence of fear, but from learning how to move forward alongside it.

Starting my own practice was one of the biggest steps outside my comfort zone and one of the most meaningful. Today, I’m deeply passionate about being the support I once needed.

I know that change is possible with the right support because I’ve lived it.