Tag: health

Q and A with Lynn from the Outer Banks, North Carolina

“When you’re struggling to say above water, it’s important to fill yourself with positive information.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I’ve always been passionate about children, and empowering women and kind of why they got into the situations they got into. My background is psychology and education. Currently, I left owning two businesses; they were two child care centers that I created a model for because it just got to be too difficult to manage my health and run the two businesses effectively.

Both centers transferred to their new owners in May 2024, but since September 2023, I have been writing novels. Currently, I’m working on completing the edits for a trilogy called Partner in Dreams. Once the edits are done, I will be looking for an agent at that point. I’ve always been creative and needed an outlet for it, and writing has always been something I had done…poems, screenplay ideas, novels, but this is a little bit different in September 2023. I can’t even describe it…some sort of download of an idea, and I wrote everything down almost in narrative as a first draft so I would be able to get everything out in time before I forgot it.

So, I had three books almost written in the span of two months. Now that I have more time, I’ve been going back and completing the edits that I received when I had a developmental review of the books. Aside from that trilogy, I also have 10 other works in progress. Some are almost complete; others not so complete. That was to be my plan B; although, I’m completely open to whatever or organically comes to me. I have a website, www.happyendingauthors.com. I’ve been fascinated with happy endings and happily ever after, although life doesn’t always hand that to us. When you’re struggling to say above water, it’s important to fill yourself with positive information.

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Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up rather poor in a fairly large city in Pennsylvania, the third largest city to be exact. I didn’t feel like we were poor until I realized that all of my clothing was hand-me-downs from other people in the neighborhood who were grown up, so things were not “in trend,” and that is when I noticed I was different.

That aside, I’ve always been driven to get to college I was the first and only one in my family until I had children that went to college. Education was very important to me. I remember my mom saying, “Why don’t you take typing in case the education thing doesn’t work out?” And I was like, “What?!” It fueled me to go where I wanted to, and I paid for everything pretty much by myself. I worked in the summer full-time and saved money for the school year. Once I got to year three, my parents did help me with some apartment expenses, thank goodness! But I lived with four other girls and it was an adventure. I do, however, think that not listening to others and how they wanted to take me away from where I wanted to be was a definite help. There are things, however, I wish I would have known because my family didn’t have a lot of money, so planning for retirement was just not something they did.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: The only thing I guess that I would want other people to take away from my story is it’s all up to you. If you want it, you have to learn to be resourceful and figure it out, don’t listen to what other people are saying to you; listen to the voice inside. I can tell you countless stories of people saying that can’t be done, you shouldn’t do that, that’s not going to work, etc. If you feel like it is, you have to find a way to do it.

When my husband and I split up, I was only working a few hours, teaching at local community college, and really not making enough money to stand on my own two feet with three kids. At that point, my youngest might have been in fourth grade, my son who’s the middle child was in fifth grade, and my oldest was in seventh grade. That started the decade of horribleness; it’s the only way to put it. There’s plenty of times you feel like you hit a brick wall or it hit you, and you cry, you get frustrated, you meditate, you pray, and then you wake up the next day, and you feel better.

If it wasn’t for my ability to try to keep my head above water and figure things out and visualize where I wanted to go all at the same time, I probably would have driven off a cliff. Well, I know I would have driven off a cliff. Every morning, I would talk myself out of killing myself. Usually, the last thing that would get me out of bed was I have three kids and my ex-husband would forget to feed them and not go to their games, and I just decided I got to get up. The other thing I’d like you to take away is no matter where you are in life, put money away for retirement, even if it’s a little bit in a Roth IRA because the earlier you do it with the compounded interest, the better chance you have it taken care of yourself when you’re older and you won’t have to hustle like I do still.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: Feminism started when I was very, very young, and it was just the push for us to have equal rights; that’s all we wanted was to be equal. To have equal access to opportunities and possibilities and pay equity just like men. When I was young, I couldn’t get a credit card without my husband’s signature, and that pissed me off more than anything. In the very beginning, when I was really young, there was no safe abortions or clinics where we could go when you didn’t have a lot of money for health care and OBGYN type. Thankfully, that changed as I got older, and planned Parenthood was my first clinic going there to make sure I had birth control and that I was safe when I made the decision to have sex.

I think social justice in all of its forms is important because no one voice is any more important than another. When I got out of college and I took a treatment counselor position at a women’s prison after my internship with the detention home, I found that I was getting paid the same as a man in my job. It was a set pay, no matter who you were. I felt good about that, but most every other position I have taken, with the exception of adjunct teaching, men always got paid more or they got the opportunities quicker to move up, so it’s always been my lifelong goal to do things on my own.

In 2020, finally, I purchased my own dream house without anybody else’s signature, and the keys were handed to me, and I can’t tell you how great I felt. I bought my own house; it was almost new, on water, at the beach. Exactly everything I had visualized had finally come to fruition, almost eight years later. And here I am now, with three houses on the beach; one is a long-term rental house, and the other one is an Airbnb three blocks from the beach. None of which I needed anyone’s signature or help or money! I did it my way.

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Q and A with Ihra from Manila, Philippines

“…every challenge, every late night, and every tough decision has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought possible.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I have been in the talent acquisition field for over a decade now and have been managing people from the junior level up to those who have been in the industry longer than I have. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a manager is watching your team grow and succeed.

I’m passionate about mentoring, coaching, and helping individuals unlock their potential. I find great satisfaction in identifying someone’s strengths, nurturing their talents, and guiding them toward achieving their personal and professional goals.

I believe that a positive work environment is crucial for success. I’m passionate about cultivating a culture where people feel respected, motivated, and empowered. This includes advocating for work-life balance, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring open communication within the team.

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Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up in a close-knit family that emphasized the importance of education, hard work, and kindness. My parents were my first role models; they taught me the values of perseverance, dedication, and empathy.

Growing up, we weren’t wealthy, but we were rich in love, support, and encouragement. My parents always made sure that I had access to good education and opportunities to explore my interests.

Academically, I was always driven. I loved learning and excelled in my studies, often pushing myself to be at the top of my class. Subjects like English and Mathematics fascinated me because they allowed me to understand people and cultures, while math and science challenged my analytical skills. Education was more than just a means to an end—it was a way to explore the world and my place in it.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: One of the most important things I’ve learned is the power of resilience. Life as a single mother can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But every challenge, every late night, and every tough decision has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought possible.

Resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up every time. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. Whether it’s leaning on family, friends, or community resources, reaching out for support is a strength, not a weakness.

It’s easy to feel like you’re falling short when juggling so many roles, but remember that you are enough just as you are. The love, effort, and dedication you pour into your family and work are what truly matter. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be valid and valuable.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: To me, feminism means advocating for equality, respect, and the freedom for all individuals—especially women—to make choices that align with their values, ambitions, and needs without judgment or restriction. It’s about breaking down the barriers that have historically limited women’s opportunities and recognizing the diverse ways in which women contribute to society, both inside and outside the home.

Feminism, to me, is about embracing the full spectrum of what it means to be a woman today—strong, vulnerable, ambitious, nurturing, and unapologetically ourselves. It’s about fighting for a better world not just for ourselves, but for future generations.

MORE FROM IHRA: As I always say: Travel like there’s no tomorrow. Dance as if no one is watching. Laugh until your jaw hurts. And love as if it’s your first and last.

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Q and A with Philomena from Dublin, Ireland

“You are the leading lady in your own life, so write your own script.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: That’s easy—helping women in their 30s get clear on what they actually want, drop the constant comparison, and start building a life that feels right for them. It hasn’t always been this way for me. For a long time, I was caught up in trying to tick all the boxes—chasing someone else’s version of success, always feeling behind. It took a while, but I got to a point where I realized that wasn’t working, and I needed to figure out what I actually wanted.

Once I started focusing on what aligned with me and stopped stressing about where I “should” be, everything changed. Now, I’m on a mission to help other women do the same.

Currently, I’m working on two major projects: First, I’m a mindset and clarity coach offering a 12-week coaching program that helps women figure out what they really want and cut through the noise of external expectations. We focus on breaking limiting beliefs, creating goals that feel meaningful, and developing a mindset that empowers you to get there. It’s about reclaiming your life—on your terms.

Second, I’m also running 30 & Thriving Tribe, it’s an online group where I provide free weekly training for women in their 30s who are tired of feeling like they’re running in circles. This is a space for those who are ready to stop worrying about where they “should” be and start figuring out where they actually want to go. It’s about gaining clarity, confidence, and the courage to take the steps that lead to a life you love. It is a community of likeminded women there to relate and lift each other up, helping other women break free from the bullshit expectations, and start thriving. That’s what gets me up in the morning. Because I know what it feels like to be stuck, and I’m here to show them that they can rewrite their own story, just like I did. And my favorite line right now is–You are the leading lady in your own life, so write your own script.

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Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I went to an all-girls school for both primary and secondary school in Dublin, Ireland. I then went on to do a one-year course to become a legal secretary–I never took this route; instead, after this course, I travelled the world for a year with my sister. I was actually very undecided whether to go, but am so glad I did; I had so many amazing experiences that I will hold with me forever.

I am super close to my family, they are so so supportive of me and I really am blessed. I know not everyone is as fortunate in this area, so I truly am very grateful to be in this position. They encourage me to follow my dreams, lift me up when I need it, and most importantly they are ALWAYS there for me. I love them so much.

After a toxic and narcissistic relationship, I didn’t think good men existed, but, they do, and I am in a happy committed relationship now that we call a partnership, and we are the best team! I love learning new things and growing as a person, so I have done a lot of education courses and hobbies that have earned me diplomas and certificates in everything ranging from business management, beauty, and Reiki to name a few (I know all very different areas), but honestly, that is what has led me to becoming a coach. I was always chasing something that I didn’t know what it was…until now. I will continue to nurture and improve myself and my skills, because I really do love seeing the growth and things I have overcome. I want to be the very best version of myself, and what lights me up is really putting the work in and knowing that I am a strong woman.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: One of the biggest things I’ve learned through personal development is that real change happens when you decide to show up for yourself. For so long, I was stuck, thinking I wasn’t where I should be, frustrated with life, and waiting for things to just click. Spoiler: Nothing clicked until I started putting in the work—learning about myself, facing the hard truths, and unlearning the patterns that had me trapped in that endless cycle of “not good enough.”

Once I got into personal development, things started shifting. I learned that I wasn’t powerless, and I didn’t have to wait around for life to change. I could take control of the narrative and create the life I actually wanted. It’s funny because once you start working on yourself, you realize just how much power you’ve been giving away. And here’s the thing: it’s not some overnight, magical transformation. It’s daily work.

Journaling was one of the things that helped me process my thoughts and emotions. It wasn’t just about writing; it was about understanding myself on a deeper level. Asking myself the tough questions—like, what do I really want? What’s been holding me back? Once I started being honest with myself, I could see the areas where I needed to make changes. Mindset work was a game-changer, too. Shifting from seeing failures as catastrophic to viewing them as lessons was a whole new world for me. I stopped being so hard on myself and started embracing the idea that I didn’t need to have everything figured out right away. The more I leaned into that, the less afraid I became of taking risks.

I also learned the importance of setting boundaries—saying “no” without feeling guilty. Seriously, once you start protecting your energy and stop over-committing to things that don’t align with your goals or values, life gets a whole lot better. And let’s talk about the importance of investing in learning—whether it’s through books, courses, or working with a coach. Personal development isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process, and the more you learn, the more you grow. Oh, and gratitude. That was a game-changer, too. Shifting my focus away from what was lacking and learning to appreciate the good things in my life completely flipped my perspective. The point is, personal development is all about consistently showing up for yourself, making small changes, and staying open to growth. The more you put in, the more you get out. It’s about taking control of your own story and realizing that you can create the life you want, even if you have to start from scratch.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: To me, feminism is about choice and freedom. It’s about owning your voice, your decisions, and your path without feeling the pressure to conform to what society expects of you. Feminism means breaking away from the idea that there’s a set timeline or a “right” way to live, especially for women. It’s about reclaiming the narrative, ditching those boxes that tell us we need to have it all figured out, or that success means ticking off someone else’s checklist.

Feminism is also about support. It’s lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down. It’s challenging the bullshit comparisons and judgments we face daily—whether it’s about our careers, relationships, or bodies—and creating spaces where women feel heard, understood, and valued. At the core of it, feminism is about equality, yes, but also empowerment. It’s the belief that we get to decide what makes us happy, what drives us, and what’s worth our time. It’s knowing that our worth doesn’t hinge on external validation or meeting someone else’s expectations. It’s the freedom to be unapologetically yourself, no matter what.

MORE FROM PHILOMENA: First of all thank you for taking the time–time is so precious, so I really appreciate yours. But also, for you still reading, take a moment, think, are you happy? If the answer is yes–FANTASTIC!! If it is no–please then ask yourself another question: What will make me happy? Then….GO DO THAT.

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