About Me

Hi and welcome! I’m Melissa, a South African life coach and creative encourager, and I’d like to share a little about myself with you…

My husband will tell you that I am an absolutely amazing wife (he knows what’s good for him) whose only failing is a strong aversion to baking.

I am the lucky mom of two gorgeous daughters. One is a kind, beautiful and compassionate teen and the other is a sassy, adorable and loveable tot. They are both the sunshine of my life.

I am a Catholic Christian and my faith is central to my life. I believe that I have a purpose to fulfil and that God will continue to guide me and provide everything I need to live that purpose.

I was obsessed with horses for most of my life and I had my own beautiful thoroughbred named Campaign (Cammy) for many years. The passion faded somewhat as circumstances shifted my interests, but I was lucky enough to live one of my dreams for a while assisting in therapeutic horse riding lessons for children with special needs.

I went to Prinshof School for the blind and visually impaired and I am so grateful to have had such a wonderful adapted schooling experience (except for one of my high school maths teachers – I’m convinced she was trying to slowly devour our souls).

I went to the University of Pretoria for four years in which time I earned a BCom Hons in Informatics. I also got to work as an assistant lecturer in the Informatics department in my final year. Anxiety, panic and visual impairment made for an interesting varsity experience, but the positives far outweighed the negatives.

I moved to a small town and worked at a job I hated for a while (no, I did not appreciate the opportunity at the time). I was lucky enough to be able to stop working and become a full-time mom which was fantastic.

I got a dream work-from-home job managing a website, writing and doing admin for an online business. I’m still lucky enough to have that job and I really enjoy it.

I decided that I needed something a bit more suited to my interests and life than a degree in Informatics, so I completed a post graduate certificate in education for foundation phase. During the practical segment of this I realised that as much as I love teaching, managing a class of thirty kids just isn’t feasible for someone with less than 10% vision without some major adaptations.

I am a lifelong learner and I never got over the sponge-stage that kids go through. I don’t ever want to stop learning and growing.

I have volunteered as a cub-scout helper and a depression and anxiety support group facilitator in the past. I currently facilitate an online Panic and Anxiety support group through SADAG (the South African Depression and Anxiety Group).

My faith, background and abilities led me down the path of life coaching which has become my passion and a big part of my purpose. I studied through New Insights to become a certified life coach and don’t plan to stop building up my skills, knowledge and experience any time soon.

I am a total nerd and I love reading, especially within the fantasy genre. I also love video games, but as an adult there is just so little time to play. I’m also interested in everything nerdy and related to nerd-culture.

I love animals, especially dogs. My little Kierra (Scottie) loves me too, but mostly when I have food.

I love various forms of exercise, especially HIIT (high intensity interval training) and I also love food. The two have balanced out to some degree up until now with food winning out only slightly.

What’s next for me? God willing, amongst many other things I hope to continue to blog, share on YouTube, offer online support to others struggling with anxiety, and expand my coaching practice to include new and exciting things.