Ella Hicks

Do you remember when you decided to make that big life change? You imagined getting your life back on track and following your dreams towards a better future. However, your best-laid plans didn’t quite cut it, and you found it hard to make any ground. Taking those first steps can be daunting and even feel impossible at times. Being committed to change is the first step towards a new life, but you might just need an extra push to help guide you along the way. That’s where a coach can really benefit you.

I spent years searching for a therapist who was capable of understanding my needs. Every therapist I met felt somehow unqualified to help me. I later learned that because none of them were trauma informed, they were not only not helping me, but they were often retraumatizing me. They weren’t able to connect in a personal way to where I was coming from and they didn’t know how to guide me into my future. I had run so far from myself that I didn’t know how to move forward. Therapists are there to help you work through your past. I needed help in starting over. I needed a roadmap to my future, and I had no idea how to go about creating one. I finally realized that I needed a different type of practitioner; I needed a coach. Someone who could empathize on a personal level but had the skills needed to help me move forward and thrive.

In my late twenties, I found myself trapped in an abusive marriage, the veil of love obscured all of the warning signs to me, not that I would have recognized them anyway. What began as a whirlwind romance soon descended into a nightmare of abuse and manipulation. The honeymoon phase shattered with an explosion, leaving me terrified and uncertain of what lay ahead.

Over the years of our marriage, the abuse ebbed and flowed, a relentless cycle of hope and despair. Despite the red flags and the escalating danger, I clung to the belief that love could conquer all. It wasn’t until the arrival of my children that the gravity of the situation became undeniable. The pressures of parenthood only fueled the volatility, and I knew I had to break free to protect my children and myself, but I didn’t know how. I was threatened that if I tried to leave, it would be the end of all of us.

Leaving behind everything I knew, I made a literal leap of faith—one cold, dark night, with a child on each hip and nothing but the clothes on our backs. It was a moment of profound uncertainty, stepping into the unknown without a roadmap or safety net. Home, career, friends, colleagues, finances, identities—all left behind in pursuit of safety and freedom.

As I started out on this journey of survival, I faced unimaginable challenges and moments of deep despair. Isolation and fear were present every day. The road to healing was long and arduous, but through sheer determination and the unwavering love for my children, I found the strength to rebuild my life from the ground up.

Rebel Thriver emerged from the depths of my own struggle—a beacon of hope for survivors like me, seeking solace and solidarity in the face of adversity. It all started as a humble blog, a space for me to connect to other survivors for support. I reached my hand into the darkness, and I still can’t believe how many hands reached back to me!

Today, Rebel Thriver stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit—a community of survivors united in our commitment to healing and empowerment. Our mission is clear: to provide holistic support to survivors of domestic violence, offering a lifeline in their darkest hours. Healing comes to us more fruitfully when we are in community with women of similar life experiences. It is in the shared stories of struggles and triumphs that humanity takes root, and healing can begin.

Today, I am an international life coach for women, certified in trauma and mindfulness. I work with women in transition after a major life change (divorce, domestic violence, career change), and with women who are wanting to heal and move on from a life of abuse. I provide the empathy and knowledge needed to guide you towards a thriving life.

If you are feeling lost right now, please know that new beginnings are possible! The first step in healing is to be able to acknowledge that you are worthy of a life full of love and joy. As a coach, I can guide you as you let go of the past in order to reclaim your life, and thrive in the present. I am very familiar with rock bottom, but I have succeeded in getting back up, starting over, and building not only a wonderful life but also a thriving community. I can work with you to create a roadmap forward that will help you find your way back to yourself and home to a healthy, happy, and balanced life.