Who is Awena?
Hey lovely!
I’m so happy that you have found me!
I also really appreciate you taking this time to get to know me a little better as I know how insanely busy life can be with a little one by your side, so thank you.
I’m Awena and I’m a Maternal Wellness Therapist - A unique fusion of Occupational Therapy & Holistic Life Coaching. I am a wife to an awesome man, proud mum to one tiny little firecracker and the founder of Motherhood Transitions by Awena (formerly Naomie Ella - Motherhood Transitions).
I'm passionate about supporting mums to regain their sense of self, refocus on their wellbeing and develop healthy lifestyle habits so they can rise and thrive in all aspects of motherhood. Happy healthy mamas!
As I sit here writing this I'm pleased to say that I have a good & happy family life. I’m exactly where I want to be and my boy is my world, but it wasn’t always like this for me. My journey into becoming a mother took off a rocky start.
Motherhood arrived...
My story isn't uncommon, I am a woman who struggled silently for months with postnatal depression, too scared to say anything, riddled with guilt and anxiety.
It felt like a I was having a personality, and identity crisis. Mixed with sleep deprivation, I grieved heavily for my old life and at one time had no idea who I really was, nor was I enjoying motherhood.
This experience was far from what I was expecting motherhood to be like. But it's my story and without it I wouldn't be here writing this today.
After about 10 months in, and following a major breakdown, I decided to take a path of recovery and self-discovery. I pulled myself out of depression, shifted focus onto my health & wellbeing and began to re identify with the new me.
My postnatal recovery processes - Maybe this can help you too!
I used my skills as an Occupational Therapist to assess my situation and come up with a plan to move forward. I made an appointment with a Nutritional Therapist, attended regular Yoga classes and gave myself permission to take some 'me time' which enabled me to figure out my purpose, my path, and my identity again.
From doing this I started to build my life back up in a sustainable way. I was able to explore the new me, to evolve and grow.
I did five things that changed my life:
- 1I opened up to the universe, asked for a sign and surrendered to the phase.
- 2Allowed myself time to explore creativity and try new things.
- 3Asked for help and carved out time to refocus on my mental health and wellbeing.
- 4Completed a Nutritional Therapy plan.
- 5Went back to Yoga classes.
And guess what…!
Following the exact steps I took to postnatal recovery, combined with the skills, tools and techniques I have used in Occupational Therapy and Life Coaching, I have been able to develop a powerful therapeutic program for mums like you! Helping you to show up and thrive and be authentically you!
All mums deserve to be flourishing in motherhood!
Motherhood can be and deserves to be such a joyful experience, new love blooms and a profound sense of achievement runs through you.
But I also get that sometimes it’s difficult to recognize or fully enjoy this experience when you are utterly exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed.
That's why I do this work, to help you step into the mother and woman you want to be!
It’s an Entrepreneur life for this Mama!
The life I lived pre-kids was wild and free, as I am sure you can relate. Dedicated to my work as an Occupational Therapist, I built up a good reputation, and I loved my work. I earnt good money and I enjoyed spending it too!
I loved my work was because I got to spend my days supporting other people to live independently and feel safe, to feel empowered, fulfilled, and happy.
But I knew I couldn't return to my old job after maternity leave, not in the traditional sense of working 9-5 with long commutes, limited to someone else's rules.
I knew I had more to give, more to do, I had a drive to make change happen and do something that would impact the lives of others on a wider, even global scale.
I knew there were other mums out there who would benefit from my recovery process too.
Supporting mums to develop positive maternal mental health and wellbeing is the most important aspect to my work.
Giving guidance on how to improve and develop a growth mindset and instill positive thought behaviours, while learning how to connect with their instincts so they could feel confident in making their choices, not guilty for feeling like they have failed, is key.
You are never failing, you are always learning!
If I was able to redesign my life and reclaim my identity, I knew I could help others do the same.
I would love nothing more than for you to be feeling deeply connected with who you are as a woman and a mum, empowered and in control.
Motherhood Expectation VS’s Reality
One of the biggest light bulb moments was when I learnt all about Matrescence – The transition a woman goes through when becoming a mother.
The thing is, we are too often faced with an unrealistic image and expectation of what motherhood ‘should’ or ‘will’ be like. We all have our own image in our minds of who we will be and how we assume we will manage.
Sadly, many new mums are not provided with some of the amazing tools and techniques available in order to manage motherhood with the strength, love and compassion it deserves.
Are we prepared enough for motherhood?
I meet far too many mums who are feeling alone in their thoughts, hit with feelings of guilt, self-judgment and self-doubt.
I want you to know, It really doesn’t need to be this way!
With the right level of help and support you can be enjoying motherhood without losing yourself!
That’s why I set up The Connected Mother Collective, a FREE Facebook group to give mums a safe space to navigate motherhood without judgment but with nurture and support.
We are in this together, no mum is alone, we all need our tribe.
It all starts with you!
I believe every mother already has everything she needs inside her to excel in motherhood, she just needs a little gentile guidance along the way.
I want you to know that you can easily move away from feeling overwhelmed and lost and be living your best life yet, feeling happy, healthy and loving who you are in motherhood.
All it just takes one small step in the right direction by putting yourself as the priority for positive change.
So, my big question to you is.... Are you ready?
Then do not worry my lovely, the good news is that I can help you every step of the way with all of this...Yeay!
To find out how I can hep you to refocus on your well-being, your dreams and create the life you truly deserve here!
Professional Credentials
Awena has a BSc in Occupational Therapy, and a Diploma in Life Coaching.
Awena consistently draws up on her knowledge and skill set from her personal and professional life to deliver at her best.
A soul driven entrepreneur and the founder of Awena – Motherhood Transitions. She has created an online platform and community for all mothers to feel safe, understood, nurtured and together.
Through her blogs, online transformational programs, her tribe group, retreats and her 1-1 coaching, Awena has been able to create a holistic wellness business which supports mothers going through their transition into motherhood and beyond.
Keen to pursue her continuing professional development, Awena is currently studying part time in:
• Advanced CBT Therapy
• Neuropsychology
• NLP Master Practitioner
• Mindfulness
• Child Psychology
• Postnatal Depression Awareness
Things you might not know about me!
I can’t wait to get to know you more too!
Ways to Work With Me
