Nyoka's Path to Coaching: From Challenges to Empowerment

Nyoka’s journey to becoming a life coach is deeply rooted in her personal and professional experiences, reflecting a profound commitment to nurturing, empowerment, and community support. Becoming a mother at a young age, Nyoka embraced motherhood naturally, finding joy and fulfillment in nurturing and caring for her four children. Her family is her priority, and this extends to her four stepchildren and two grandsons, creating a large and loving family circle that she cherishes deeply.

?Nyoka's early life was marked by significant challenges that shaped her perspective and fuelled her passion for supporting others. At the age of seven, her parents separated due to family and domestic violence, a traumatic event that turned her life upside down. This period of her life was characterised by instability and hardship, including experiencing homelessness and attending a total of 27 different schools. Despite these difficulties, Nyoka found strength in supporting her mother in raising her siblings, often wishing for the support that was inaccessible to them due to racial discrimination and the threat of family separation.

?Nyoka’s professional life has been dedicated to the caring profession, where she has gained vast experience and expertise. Her guidance, counsel, and compassion have had long-lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Nyoka's solution-focused approach and high work ethic propelled her into senior roles quickly, where she continued to make a difference in the lives of those she worked with.

Her ability to connect with individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds and her dedication to giving back to the community have been central to her professional success. Nyoka thrives in roles that allow her to contribute to improving and supporting communities, driven by a belief in making a difference.

?The hardships Nyoka faced ignited a passion in her to empower others. She believes in equipping people with the knowledge, tools, and skills to navigate challenges and create the life they want to live. Her experiences have inspired her to support people in breaking the cycles of poverty and disadvantage, helping them fulfill their purpose, feel connected and loved, and know where they belong.

?NYYANI is the realisation of Nyoka’s dream—a business dedicated to positively influencing and empowering individuals, families, and communities. The concept of NYYANI began in 2006 during a transitional period in Nyoka’s career. The name NYYANI is a beautiful amalgamation of Nyoka and her daughter’s names, symbolising ‘Waterlily Peace.’ Waterlilies represent beauty, resilience, and the ability to rise from humble beginnings to achieve great things. Peace symbolises societal friendship and harmony, free from hostility and violence.

As a life coach agency, NYYANI supports clients in achieving their goals and aspirations. The agency addresses community-based challenges, taking risks and making efforts to create positive societal change through innovation and investment in others. NYYANI's purpose is to provide a platform and the tools needed to empower women, men, children, young people, elders, families, and communities.

NYYANI also supports Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in developing their staff, particularly Aboriginal staff. The agency works with mainstream employers, including corporations, private businesses, and government and non-government agencies, to develop and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and ensure cultural safety and competence within their organizations.

?Nyoka’s journey from a young mother facing significant hardships to a successful life coach and founder of NYYANI is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and passion for empowering others. Her life's work reflects a commitment to nurturing and supporting individuals and communities, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their full potential. Through NYYANI, Nyoka continues to make a meaningful impact, fulfilling her dream of creating a platform for empowerment and positive change.

?

?

?