This week I turned 57.
I have to tell you, the first half of this year was tough.
Financially, I took a big hit.
It’s a situation I’ve been in before, and that provided me with comfort because I knew, rather than hoped, I could conquer the situation I found myself in.
But it was hard; my income had to stretch further than it ever had. I’ve had conversations with creditors and found myself challenged on every side. It wasn’t that I didn’t have income, it was that my income was working too hard.
I stripped back my team to reduce costs (luckily, working with consultants rather than employees). They have been incredibly supportive, trusting me and what I am building.
I got super clear on what I would and would not be doing:
I changed my Brilliance Collective Programme into a community, The Circle of Brilliance Collective, a space for women in senior leadership to grow, connect, develop and support the women coming up behind them.
I postponed this year’s The Brilliance Summit to 2027 because I knew that my nervous system just couldn’t take the pressure of putting it together. It will be back.
I completely revamped my coaching to Activation Access Hours, one of the best things I’ve done, providing support to clients when they need it, removing the 6 sessions model from my practice. They get more of me, more support, more development, more activation.
I changed what I call myself after a conversation with Sope Agebelusi – looking at my Clifton Strengths and what I actually do, the word Activation stood out. Hence, the Activation Method. I help women in leadership reclaim their power, their strength, their strategy and their badassery. I’m transformational – don’t just take my word for it, look at my testimonials.
I’ve had some deep shocks to my system and my life. Deeply wounded and yet still, the work I have done on myself over the years has fortified me, and still I rise.
As a Cancerian, I’ve often made it OK for others before making it OK for myself, but that went out the window this year. I choose me, over and over again, now.
I’ve gone deep on the ancient wisdom and natural intelligence I have. I’ve not ever before owned it the way I do now, previously giving myself a hard time for not having a degree. It’s refreshing, because I know who I am and I know the impact I have.
I’ve stood in my power and asked those around me to own theirs: my husband, my girls, my friends and my clients. I’ve done what I ask of my clients. I’ve reclaimed me and my power in so many ways.
There are things that at 57 I’d have hoped I’d have had in place, but it hasn’t worked out the way I hoped. So now, at this ripe age, I take comfort from those who have gone before me. The men and women who made their fortune in the 50s, 60s and 70s. I have by no means hit my zenith.
Whilst I have done things others could only dream of, I know there is so much more in store for me and so many more women’s lives I am here to positively impact.
This birthday, I rise unapologetically me, warts and all. I glory in my highs and in my lows, the learning I’ve gained, the people who have come and gone in my life and what they have taught me about me.
I refuse to be anyone but me. I am open, honest and warm. I am powerful, energetic and straight as an ace. I love a bit of banter, I love people, and I cannot lie, I can be hypercritical, but my takedown is usually followed by a full-on build-up.
I, like you, am a complex human being.
As I celebrate me and living a full 7 years longer than my father. I say thank you to life for the gift of living.
I shout out to every one of my Circle of Brilliance Collective founders who trusted before I’d even built the community properly, to my Activation Access clients, some of whom have been with me for years, who continue to trust themselves with me. To the friends who remind me that I am someone who is worthy of friendship, to my sisters who I know pray for me even though I am no longer a Christian, to my husband and children who continue to love me and remind me that I am worthy.
2026 has been revealing, but my sense of self has never been fuller. As I rise, I want to take as many women in leadership as possible with me.
I’ve got some big goals I want to achieve in the next three years. I hope you’ll walk the journey with me.
July has always meant the start of a new journal for me, no matter how much of the previous journal I have used. This is my New Year.
So, as I celebrate and give away The WIN Challenge, I also celebrate a new chapter and the opportunity to get to know you better.
Happy 57th Birthday to me x
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