We’re excited to feature Emily Jane Neilson in our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series. Emily’s journey is both inspiring and heartfelt. After a successful corporate career, she embraced new-age leadership and holistic well-being, driven by a deep belief in living life to the fullest. As a mother, coach, and mentor, Emily passionately supports women in creating balanced, fulfilling lives. Join us as Emily shares her story, insights, and dedication to empowering others to live authentically and with purpose.
About Your Journey
TBN: Emily, can you share a bit about your personal journey and how it has shaped your approach to life and living authentically?
EJN: Let me rewind the clock about 30 years ago when I was an innocent 6-year-old girl. From the outside, I was living a normal happy childhood. I’d go to school, I’d get good grades, I was into a lot of extracurricular activities, had some beautiful friends. But behind closed doors there was a sadness, shame, and heaviness that I was carrying that in hindsight caused me to grow up well before my time. My mum battled her whole life with her mental health so she was in and out of hospital, causing a lot of disruption and instability to my family. The cycle of her being well and unwell was one of the only constants I could anticipate, so we’d enjoy the good times as a family while we could.
At the start of 2013, I was navigating a breakup after 7 years together and moved back home with my parents. Only to have my world flipped on its head after a couple of weeks and we found that my mum had tragically died unexpectedly as a result of medical malpractice on the 16th of January 2013.
Ultimately the system failed her, and it failed my family and me after she’d passed away. From that experience, I made it my mission to share and highlight a better way to live and holistic well-being.
My deep “why” has always been rooted in a profound belief that life is meant to be fully lived and savored. I want to ensure that both myself and others can experience the fullest potential of life, overcoming hardships and embracing the beauty and magic that existence offers. I’m committed to empowering and supporting others to live extraordinary lives, filled with adventure, and fulfillment, and to harness their power to consciously create the life they desire, their masterpiece life.
TBN: What does a typical day look like for you, balancing your roles as a coach, mentor, and mother?
EJN: My family is my highest priority so at the beginning of the month we usually plan out our calendar and quality family time, including time for our marriage. My husband and I share the same love language of quality time so it’s usually adventures away or fun experiences. Once that’s planned out, I’ll plan out health, self-care, and business. So while a typical day has changed for me over recent years, especially after leaving corporate, it all comes back to values alignment for me.
I usually wake up with the sunrise and sneak in a 10-15 minute meditation before the kids wake up if I can, if not they join in. Then we’ll enjoy connection time as a family, I’ll prepare a nourishing breakfast for us all and get ready for the day. Next is movement in some form like a beach walk, gym, or pilates to move out of my head and into my body and raise my energy levels. This is usually the time I’ll complete some of my own personal and professional development as well and tap into my own mentorship and coaching. Now, I’m ready to start my business day, I’ll review my intentions for the week and check in and respond to clients. I usually batch my tasks so that I can work smarter, not harder, and remain present with my kids. So someday I’ll be prioritizing content creation, others it’s back-end system tasks, and others will be hosting coaching calls or programs.
Thankfully my 4-month-old baby still naps a lot at the moment so I can largely work around them. But I know my schedule is likely to change down the track and I’ll likely work some nights after the kids go to sleep, which has never bothered me, I’m usually more creative then anyway. I’ll finish up my day by setting intentions for the next day, and then collect my eldest from school. We have after-school activities most days. Then dinner time is very much a present time for us all, another connection point to chat about our days. We’ll do our bedtime routine with the kids and they’re all usually down by 7 pm and that’s when Dan and I get to check in with each other. Some days it’ll be a long debrief, other times we might do our own thing. Our relationship has been based on open and honest communication from day one. This has saved us more times than I can count. Before bed I’ll unplug, read and/or journal if my mind is racing with thoughts and ideas. And then lights out, I’ll listen to hypnosis and I’m usually asleep within 5 minutes. Bliss!
Views on Life and Family
TBN: How has being a mother influenced your perspective on life and your approach to nurturing both your family and your career?
EJN: Motherhood was the ultimate initiation for me. It’s definitely softened me since becoming a mother. Before kids, I attached so much of my identity to my career and “climbing the corporate ladder” meaning that I was successful. So the first few months of maternity leave forced me to unravel my whole identity. I had this beautiful innocent baby relying on me for her every need and the fierce unconditional love that I experienced was something I wasn’t expecting to have such a powerful impact on me. I noticed that she watched my every move, she took it all in. And it made me really question whether the patterns that I was conditioned to, were the ones I wanted to influence her with. I realized that I didn’t want to miss out on those big moments of those first few crucial years of her life.
At the same time, I wanted her to know that if she wanted to choose a different path to the one the world told her to take. She had everything within her to make it happen. I didn’t wake up one day and believe I was worthy of the life I live now. It was one step, one choice, one day at a time. As a parent, I am one of the most influential role models in my children’s lives right now. So I want to show them that whatever they dream now is possible for them to create and that a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction has more value than chasing a life that isn’t true to them.
TBN: What values are most important to you in both your personal and professional life, Emily, and how do you incorporate them into your daily routine?
EJN: My values are Family & Connection, Holistic Well-being, Spiritual Growth, Freedom & Adventure, and Impact & Prosperity. I’ve designed my days so that each area of my values is touched in some way most, if not all days. When I make big decisions, I usually check on the alignment with my values, even as far as what we spend money on as a family. I use my values as a guidepost to whether I’m in alignment with my purpose, and I’ve found that now I’m able to integrate them both professionally and personally, whereas before I had different sets of values depending on the environment I was in. I believe breaking free of this is a true holistic success. Also, I get to be authentically me and share my gifts no matter where I am, no masks – what you see is what you get. And when you do that, you can see the light in others clearer too – the light in me honors the light in you – Namaste!
The-Better-Emily
TBN: What practices or routines do you follow to maintain your mental and physical well-being?
EJN: Meditation, hypnosis, reiki, and breathwork have been game-changing for me mentally. It allows me to awaken my consciousness and live intentionally. Physically, movement is my outlet. Time for just me, to get out of my head and into my body – it’s always “me against me”. I notice the voice of my ego so much more when it comes to movement. I find it interesting that the patterns that show up through movement are usually showing up in another area of my life unconsciously so it has a holistic benefit for me. I’ll also get regular bodywork treatments like remedial massage or a Chiro adjustment.
Then there’s nourishment – I love to cook! And after facing many health-related challenges over the years (endometriosis and Hashimoto’s) I fell in love with the fact that food really can be medicine. I’ve created a healthy food culture in my home that I’m proud of. I know it’s laying the foundations for my kids that I wish I had when I was younger.
TBN: How do you stay grounded and aligned with your purpose amidst the demands of your various roles?
EJN: Part of my check-in each day is with my vision statement and my deeper why. Within my vision statement, I’ve highlighted my strengths and values and how I stay in alignment with them. It’s a truly beautiful piece that pulls me forward to my highest potential each day. It allows me to wire my mind to follow that vision when I’m making seemingly insignificant daily decisions. It’s like a daily devotion just for me and the masterpiece life I’m creating. I review and adjust it regularly, particularly when I achieve things within that vision. I love to make it a sacred practice that helps me drop into my feminine flow too.
TBN: Can you share a personal story that illustrates how you’ve navigated a challenging time?
EJN: I found this challenging to choose just one experience.
The chapter that held the richest lessons for me was just after I decided to leave corporate and go all in on my business. I was also in the middle of a 2-year unexplained infertility journey, and anyone who’s been through infertility knows how much it can consume you, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.
A few weeks after I resigned, I found out I was finally pregnant. We were elated! And I was nervous. I’d just given up a healthy and stable paycheck for the rollercoaster life of entrepreneurship. But I trusted myself and stayed on the path. We had our early scans and saw the baby’s heartbeat at 8 weeks, everything was looking perfect.
Just as I was about to launch my first mastermind, I had my 12-week appointment. There was no heartbeat. I’d experienced a missed miscarriage. All of the hopes and wishes I’d been dreaming up a couple of months prior all came crumbling down at that moment.
Losing my baby destroyed me, us both. We’d already shared with people so the task of sharing the news broke me down. I went into hibernation for a month where I could barely find anything to be grateful for. My grief consumed me.
I leaned into my mentor and I stripped everything back to basics, starting with self-compassion and care. I rebuilt new foundations and slowly I began to heal. After a couple of weeks of prioritizing nothing but the foundations and family time, I found myself able to speak about it.
TBN: What have you learned from that experience?
EJN: From this profoundly challenging experience, I learned several invaluable lessons:
1. The Power of Vulnerability: Sharing my grief with others was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it also became one of the most healing. It taught me that being vulnerable is not a weakness; it’s a strength that fosters connection and support. This understanding has been pivotal in my coaching practice, where I encourage my clients to embrace their vulnerabilities as a path to growth and authenticity.
2. Resilience and Self-Trust: The experience reinforced my belief in my own resilience. Despite the intense grief and the uncertainty of my new entrepreneurial journey, I found that I could navigate through the darkest times. Trusting myself and my decisions, even when everything seemed to be falling apart, became a cornerstone of my personal and professional life.
3. The Importance of Self-Compassion: In the aftermath of the miscarriage, self-compassion became my lifeline. I learned to be gentle with myself, to allow myself to grieve fully, and to prioritize my well-being above all else. This lesson in self-compassion not only helped me heal but also deepened my empathy and compassion for others, which has profoundly influenced my approach to coaching.
4. Building Strong Foundations: Stripping everything back to basics and focusing on the fundamentals—self-care, family, and simple joys—was crucial in my healing process. It taught me the importance of having strong foundations, both in life and in business. These foundations have provided me with the stability and clarity needed to rebuild and move forward with purpose and determination.
5. The Gift of Perspective: Experiencing such a profound loss shifted my perspective on what truly matters. It reminded me of the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. This perspective has become a guiding principle in my life and work, inspiring me to help others find fulfillment and meaning in their own journeys.
Navigating this challenging time was a transformative experience that has shaped me into the person and coach I am today. It reminded me that even in the darkest moments, there is an opportunity for growth and healing. This journey has equipped me with a deeper understanding and empathy, which I now bring into my coaching practice to help other women navigate their own challenges and find their path to fulfillment.
Philosophy and Inspiration
TBN: What inspires you to live an energetically aligned and purpose-driven life?
EJN: Living an energetically aligned and purpose-driven life has created a depth of fulfillment that I believe can only be experienced. There are a few things that inspire me to stay on this path:
1. My own Personal Journey and Transformation: Reflecting on my journey from a successful and award-winning career in corporate finance to becoming an entrepreneur and coach, I’m able to draw constant inspiration from the personal growth and transformation I’ve experienced. Overcoming challenges, grief, loss, and setbacks has shown me the importance of self-compassion and self-belief. These experiences have not only shaped who I am but fueled my desire to help others navigate their own paths.
2. Witnessing women step into their power: My mission to empower women who feel stuck and stagnant in life and their career, and help them discover their true potential is a constant source of inspiration. As I see my clients’ breakthroughs and transformations. Seeing them gain clarity, build confidence, and create fulfilling lives and businesses—motivates me every day to keep showing up no matter what. Knowing that my work can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life and the ripple effect it can have on future generations, drives me to live with purpose and intention.
3. Alignment with My Values and Passions: Living in alignment with my values – like freedom, impact, and spiritual growth – keeps me energized and focused on my bigger mission. My passion for personal development and my commitment to helping others align their lives with their true selves are at the heart of everything I do.
4. Spiritual and Energetic Practices: My spiritual beliefs and practices play a crucial role in keeping me aligned and purpose-driven. I’ve learned to trust my intuition and follow my inner guidance. Practices like meditation, journaling, and connecting with nature help me stay grounded and attuned to my energy. These rituals not only nourish my soul but also allow me to be guided to my higher purpose.
5. Continuous Learning and Growth: I am inspired by the endless opportunities for growth and expansion. I am constantly seeking ways to expand and elevate my knowledge and skills, whether it’s through reading, attending workshops, or working with mentors. This commitment to lifelong learning not only enhances my personal and professional development. It also allows me to provide the highest level of support for my clients, as well as be an influential role model for my family.
6. The Impact of My Work: The positive impact of my work on others is a powerful source of my daily inspiration. When I see my clients transform their lives, achieve their goals, and live more authentically, it reaffirms my purpose. It could be as simple as a little message to share their wins with me, or sitting with them celebrating achieving major milestones in their career and business. Their success stories and gratitude fuel my passion and drive to continue making a difference.
7. Connection with a Like-Minded Community: Being part of a community of like-minded individuals who share similar values and aspirations is incredibly inspiring. Surrounding myself with supportive, passionate, and purpose-driven people creates a positive feedback loop that reinforces my own commitment to living an energetically aligned life.
In essence, my inspiration comes from a combination of personal experiences, a deep desire to empower others, alignment with my core values, and spiritual practices, continuous growth, and the impactful connections I make along the way. These elements collectively drive me to live a life that is not only aligned with my true self but also purpose-driven and fulfilling.
TBN: How do you encourage others to embrace their unique paths and live authentically?
EJN: Encouraging others to embrace their unique paths and live authentically is at the heart of my coaching and mentoring philosophy.
Firstly a safe and supportive space is a must for me. I make it my mission to create a space where my clients feel heard, seen, and accepted without judgment. I lead by example and model authenticity and vulnerability by sharing my challenges and experiences openly. I show that it’s safe to be real, authentic, and true. And that this fosters trust and inspires them to embrace their own unique journeys.
Something that I noticed was missing in corporate was the identification, honoring, and celebration of individual strengths. In my mentorship spaces, I feel it’s important to not only create a safe space for my clients to know and own their own strengths but also for me to celebrate and reflect back to them what they may not notice. I guide my clients through processes of self-discovery to help them uncover their passions, values, and purpose. Then, they can show up fully and gain clarity on what truly matters to them and what they want to achieve.
In everything I do, I encourage my clients to be kind to themselves and embrace self-compassion and acceptance. This helps to create a healthy self-image and empowers them to step into their authenticity. It allows them to identify and challenge any limiting beliefs and fears helping them to replace self-doubt with self-belief.
Once this foundation has begun to form we can then work together to get clear and set authentic goals and intentions that align with their truth. We work together to question where societal expectations and external pressures are influencing their intentions. And dive deep into the truth of what they desire so the goals they set and the vision they hold are meaningful and fulfilling to them. This creates holistic success on their terms and leads to a more authentic and satisfying life.
This clarity allows me to share and equip my clients with practical tools and strategies, pulling from my own extensive toolkit, to ensure that their success is inevitable. This includes techniques for building self-awareness, resilience, and a positive mindset, managing projects and energetic capacity, planning for prosperity to do the things they want to do, and emphasizing a commitment to forever and constant growth.
Finally, the key ingredient that so many people skip over is to intentionally recognize and celebrate any and all progress and achievements, no matter how small. This is crucial to reinforce their sense of accomplishment and for maintaining motivation and confidence. Life is meant to be celebrated after all!
Emily’s Advice
TBN: What advice would you give to women who are seeking to create more balance, freedom, and fulfillment in their lives?
EJN: I believe that creating more balance, freedom, and fulfillment in life is a deeply personal journey, but here are some pieces of advice I often share with women who are seeking to achieve this:
1. Prioritise Self-Care: Balance begins with valuing yourself enough to prioritize time just for you. Make sure to carve out time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. This could be anything from exercise and meditation to reading and spending time with loved ones. Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining your well-being and productivity.
2. Define Your Values and Priorities: Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are your core values and priorities? Understanding these will help you make decisions that align with your true self and bring more meaning and fulfillment to your life. When your actions are aligned with your values, you’ll find greater satisfaction and purpose.
3. Set Boundaries and Create Standards: Learn to set healthy boundaries to protect your time and energy. It’s okay to say no to commitments that don’t serve your well-being or align with your goals. Boundaries help you maintain balance and prevent burnout, allowing you to focus on what’s most important to you. Standards, on the other hand, describe what you are and aren’t available for and reinforce who you want to become. Over time, as you lead with and adhere to the standards that are non-negotiable to you, boundaries are no longer needed as much.
4. Pursue Your Passions: Identify what brings you bliss, joy, and fulfillment, and prioritize time for those activities. Whether it’s a hobby, a side project, or a career change, pursuing your passions will lead to a more fulfilling and enriched life. Don’t be afraid to explore new interests and as I always say, “always follow the whispers of your heart”.
5. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Lean into your challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Adopting a growth mindset allows you to learn and evolve continuously, which is essential for personal expansion and fulfillment. Remember, it’s never about perfection – as I teach my kids – practice makes progress.
6. Seek Support and Community: Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals who uplift and inspire you. Look for the people that speak to your potential, and won’t let you settle. The environment is everything! Having a strong support system will give you encouragement, advice, and a sense of belonging. Whether you join groups, networking events, or connect with people who share your goals and values, whatever you do, step out of your comfort zone. And seek out mentors that expand you and call you into your higher vision.
7. Practice Mindfulness and Presence: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to stay present and grounded. It will help you to reduce stress and increase your awareness of the present moment, allowing you to enjoy life more fully and make intentional choices.
8. Create a Vision and Set Goals: Develop a clear vision of what balance, freedom, and fulfillment look like for you. Reverse engineer from that vision and set realistic and actionable goals that move you towards its actualization. Break down your goals into manageable steps and don’t forget to celebrate your progress along the way.
9. Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability: Life is dynamic, and it’s essential we remain flexible and adaptable. Be open to change and willing to pivot and adjust your plans as needed. Flexibility allows you to navigate life’s uncertainties with grace and resilience, maintaining your balance and focus. The most flexible person always wins!
10. Trust Yourself and Your Journey: Have faith in your abilities and trust the process. Your journey is unique, and it’s essential to honor your path and your timing. Believe in yourself and your capacity to create the life you desire. Trust that you have the strength, resources, and wisdom to achieve your goals and find fulfillment as and when you need to.
Balance, freedom, and fulfillment are available to us all. But it is a journey of self-discovery, intentionality, and continuous expansion and elevation. If I can design a life that reflects my true self and brings me joy and ultimate satisfaction, you have that exact same power too.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.
