Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Brothers.
Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey hasn’t been easy—it’s been raw, painful, redemptive, and holy.
I was licensed as an evangelist in 1996 and ordained in 1999. For nearly 20 years, I worked in the disability services field, helping families navigate life-altering transitions. I had what looked like a beautiful life—a family, a marriage, a clear sense of purpose. But behind closed doors, I was about to face a storm I never saw coming.
When my marriage ended, I was completely devastated. I had built my identity around being a wife and mother, and when that life fell apart, so did I. I didn’t know who I was anymore. I was drowning in depression and anxiety and came dangerously close to taking my own life. I still remember sitting on the edge of the bed, pills in hand, hearing the voice of the enemy telling me to go through with it. But then I heard another voice—the voice of God—interrupting the lie. That moment became a divine turning point.
Even after that, the healing wasn’t immediate. I struggled through a season of shame, loneliness, and decisions I deeply regretted. I was still in ministry, still showing up on Sundays, but inside I was shattered. I begged God to sit me down because I felt unworthy to serve. But God didn’t discard me—He loved me through it. And slowly, He began to rebuild what was broken.
Years earlier—before I ever hit rock bottom—God had planted the seed for a book in my heart. After walking through the depths of pain and restoration, I felt Him calling me to finally write it. That book, Identity Shift: Crossing Over to Kingdom, became my testimony in print. And through that process, God began stirring something deeper in me—a call to walk with other women who feel lost in life transitions, just like I once was.
That’s what led me to launch my coaching practice. Today, I serve as a Life Transition & Wholeness Coach, guiding women through my RHR Framework—Reset, Heal, & Rebuild. I help them rediscover their identity, rebuild from brokenness, and move forward with clarity and purpose. This isn’t just business for me—it’s ministry. It’s redemption. And it’s proof that God really does bring beauty from ashes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been an easy road—at all. Starting and growing my coaching business has come with a lot of challenges.
One of the biggest struggles has been having to wear all the hats. Because consistent income hasn’t always been there, I’ve had to learn how to do just about everything myself—web design, content creation, marketing, tech, client management—you name it. I didn’t come into this with a full team or a big budget. It’s been me, trusting God and figuring things out one step at a time.
It’s also been hard trying to connect with my ideal clients—women I know I’m called to serve, but who may not realize yet just how much they need what I offer. Many of them are stuck, overwhelmed, or hesitant to invest in themselves, even though they’re craving transformation. Learning how to speak to where they really are while also showing them what’s possible has been a growth process.
Then there’s the imposter syndrome. It has creeped in at times, especially in a saturated coaching space. With so many voices online, it’s easy to wonder, Does mine even matter? But I always come back to this: what I offer isn’t surface-level—it comes from lived experience, real healing, and my relationship with God. That gives me the confidence to keep showing up.
Transitioning from a ministry mindset to a business mindset has also been a learning curve. I’ve had to embrace the fact that charging for my services doesn’t take away from the heart of what I do. It allows me to serve from a full place and sustain the mission long-term.
And honestly, balancing it all—coaching, content, speaking, home life, and my own spiritual and emotional health—has been tough. I’ve had to learn how to set boundaries, rest when needed, and let go of the pressure to do it all perfectly.
So no, it hasn’t been easy. But I believe in the work. I believe in the women I’m called to serve. And I believe that God is guiding each step, even when it’s hard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the Founder and Owner of Empowered For Change, LLC, where I serve as a Life Transition & Wholeness Coach. I am also an ordained Evangelist, Emotional Healing & Identity Speaker for Women Healing from Life’s Deepest Wounds, Podcast Host, and Author. My work is centered on helping women reset their mindset, heal from emotional wounds, and rebuild their lives with purpose and clarity—especially after major life transitions like divorce, identity loss, or burnout.
I officially launched my business after retiring from a nearly 20-year career in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. I started the LLC in 2018 while still working full-time, but it wasn’t until I retired in 2022 that I was able to fully step into what God was calling me to do.
In my previous career, I served in multiple leadership roles—including as a Case Manager\Support Coordinator—helping individuals and families access vital services and navigate complex systems. I also supervised group homes and developed new programs as Director of Resource and Respite Services for The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of service coordination, needs assessment, and building individualized support systems. Now, I bring that same skill set into my coaching practice—except now I’m helping women, not just navigate systems, but rebuild their sense of identity and walk into wholeness.
Most recently, I launched a new extension of Empowered For Change, LLC dedicated to Disability Navigation Services—offering independent, private consulting to help families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Florida. My services include support with the APD intake and eligibility process, understanding Florida’s iBudget Medicaid Waiver, waitlist navigation and documentation strategies, guidance for families new to Florida, and emotional, faith-friendly support for caregivers. While I am not a Medicaid provider, Support Coordinator, or affiliated with APD, my goal is to reduce overwhelm and help families feel informed, prepared, and supported from the very beginning. This service complements the work of support coordinators by offering an additional layer of clarity, compassion, and practical help during a very stressful time.
What I’m most proud of is that everything I teach and coach around comes from lived experience. I’ve walked through deep valleys—divorce, depression, anxiety, low self-worth, even a suicide attempt. And by the grace of God, I came through it. That transformation became the foundation of my book, Identity Shift: Crossing Over to Kingdom, and ultimately, my coaching framework.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just coach from theory—I coach from a place of anointing, authenticity, and applied experience. I bring together my faith, my human services background, my personal healing journey, and practical tools to guide women through deep, lasting change. I don’t offer quick fixes. I walk with women as they do the heart and soul work required to become whole.
My approach is holistic—addressing mindset, identity, self-love, forgiveness, boundaries, and spiritual connection. I integrate prayer and biblical principles alongside practical coaching tools. Clients often tell me they feel seen, safe, and spiritually supported in a way they haven’t experienced before.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just a business for me—it’s a calling. My life is proof that no matter how broken things may feel, God can rebuild it all. And I’m honored to help other women discover that truth for themselves.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
For me, the most important quality behind my success has been resilience—but not just the kind the world talks about. My resilience is rooted in my relationship with God.
I’ve been through some incredibly painful seasons—divorce, depression, identity loss, and moments where I didn’t know if I’d make it through. But each time, God met me in the middle of the mess. That resilience didn’t come from pushing through on my own—it came from surrendering, learning, healing, and allowing God to rebuild me from the inside out.
That same resilience now shows up in my business. Whether I’m facing financial uncertainty, learning something new, navigating slow seasons, or trying to reach the women I’m called to serve—I don’t quit. I adapt. I pray. I press on.
What’s helped me continue showing up is knowing that my work is bigger than me. I’m not just building a brand—I’m walking out a calling. That mindset keeps me grounded, focused, and willing to keep going, even when it’s hard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amandabrothers.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/coachamandabrothers
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/coachamandabrothers
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/coachamandabrothers
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@coachamandabrothers
