Rising from Adversity: Howaida Abdalla's Journey to Empower Women
Jul 20, 2024At EmpowHer, we are honored to share the inspiring stories of women who overcome immense challenges to uplift others. Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Howaida, a professional podcaster, life coach, and government administrator from the UK. Her journey from a challenging childhood in Africa to becoming a beacon of hope for women worldwide is truly remarkable. Here’s an in-depth look at her story and the powerful insights she shared.
Meet Howaida: From Africa to the UK
Howaida describes herself as an ordinary girl from southeastern Africa with dreams and ambitions. Moving to the UK, she completed her education and now pursues multiple opportunities. She is a motivational speaker, a life coach specializing in self-confidence and self-belief, and the host of the "Women Empowerment: Impact for Change" podcast.
The Path to Coaching
Coaching wasn't always in Howaida 's plan. It emerged as a goal in 2020 when she started writing down her aspirations. She recalls feeling lost at one point, unsure of her direction. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s advice to stand still and connect with oneself, Howaida took a month-long course with a mentor from the US, which led her to pursue coaching. She joined the Jay Shetty Certification School, graduated in December 2023, and immediately launched her business, Growth Hub Coaching.
The Power of Stillness
Howaida emphasizes the importance of stillness in achieving clarity. In moments of chaos, she practices self-care by listening to music, cooking, walking, and meditating. These activities help her reconnect with herself and shift her energy positively. She also stresses removing negative influences from one’s life as a vital part of self-care.
Overcoming Cultural Challenges
Howaida 's journey is deeply influenced by her cultural background, where women’s self-confidence is often undermined. Growing up in an environment that devalued women’s emotions and ambitions, she faced discrimination and emotional abuse. Teachers in her school discriminated against her because of her dark skin, further damaging her self-esteem. Despite these challenges, Howaida worked tirelessly to excel academically and professionally.
A Prayer for Change
Howaida 's turning point came through her faith. She prayed for an opportunity to escape her environment and achieve her dreams. When she arrived in the UK, her English was poor, and she had to work night shifts in a factory while attending school. She persevered, improving her English, completing her education, and eventually securing a government job.
Inspiring Others
Howaida ’s hardships fueled her determination to help others. She started her podcast to provide women a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Her coaching practice focuses on helping women develop self-confidence and self-belief. She wants to be the support system she lacks, ensuring that no woman feels alone in her struggles.
Practical Advice for Self-Care
Howaida offers practical advice for self-care:
- Practice Stillness: Find moments of calm to connect with yourself and gain clarity.
- Engage in Joyful Activities: Listen to music, cook, walk, meditate, or do anything that brings you joy.
- Remove Negativity: Eliminate toxic influences from your life to foster a positive environment.
- Seek Support: Reach out to supportive communities and individuals for encouragement and guidance.
Connecting with Howaida
For those interested in connecting with Howaida, hiring her as a coach, or listening to her podcast, she is active on various platforms:
Howaida ’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the unwavering pursuit of one’s dreams. Her journey from adversity to empowerment is an inspiration to women everywhere. At EmpowHer, we celebrate Howaida 's contributions and look forward to sharing more stories of women making a difference in their communities and beyond.