EIGHT women from across the world, brought together by a Warrington businesswoman, have shared their stories of resilience in a new book.
Their aim is to ensure people don’t feel alone in a time of trauma.
Former teacher, author and positive psychology coach Louisa Herridge, 42, from Paddington, has soared to the top of the Amazon best-selling charts with “From the Ashes: She is ignited” written in partnership with local mum Amy Turner.
Louisa, mum of one, already has three bestselling books and a globally sought-after coaching programme, which is setting women free from their past.
She has united with eight other female entrepreneurs in a bid to collectively inspire women with their stories to help readers find the “fire and light of life”.
Only two years ago, Louisa was depressed, unhappy and felt stuck, following a violent assault that resulted in complex trauma, PTSD and emotional and psychological burnout.
She said: “I had stopped living.”
After some time, support and coaching, Louisa started to feel a little light ignite within – she knew had to leave her successful teaching career that was making her miserable and re-invented herself in order to self-heal and find a better life. The new book encourages others to develop resilience and show strength in the face of pain or grief.
Local collaborator Amy Turner, from Penketh, is a former teacher and now director of her own language school, Lingo Languages. She shares her own powerful story over overcoming cancer.
Since beating the disease, she has become an avid fundraiser and has raised a considerable amount for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, which is very close to her heart after being treated there. She also works with other charities.
When she’s not abseiling down a building or sky diving out of a plane to raise money, she enjoys yoga and is a qualified reiki practitioner.
In the book. she describes her transformation from stressed-out, overworked teacher and tells how surviving cancer gave her the push to set up her own business.
She said: “When life gave me something beyond my control, only then did I stop fearing change.”
Other chapters in the book cover subjects such as the science of happiness, overcoming trauma, infertility, anxiety, cancer, unbreakable bonds, time to shine, freedom to be yourself, dealing with loss and grief, meditation, treating yourself, motherhood, careers, motivation… and much more.
Louisa added: “One thing that all the women who have contributed to this book have in common is resilience. Life sends us unexpected horrors at times and the only thing we can do is carry on. Being resilient is often not on purpose, it is something that we find when we have no other choice. Resilient people are strong enough to adapt and change.”
Print edition of ‘From the Ashes; She is Ignited’ can be bought from Amazon for £10.99. Kindle edition: £7.99.
