My Journey from Survival to Thriving

For most of my life, I never really gave much thought to things like awareness or mindset. I thought life was simply about doing the next thing, working hard, and following the path I believed I was meant to take.

But what I have come to realise is that mindset shapes everything, how we see ourselves, how we respond to challenges, and even how we notice (or miss) the messages that life, or the universe, is constantly sending our way. Sometimes we dismiss them as coincidences, but what if they are not? What if they are guidance?

Looking back, I can see that I have always had people around me who were deeply spiritual, friends and family members who were very open to universal energy and higher ways of thinking. I did not necessarily understand it, but because these people were important to me, I stayed open to their perspective. Seeds of curiosity were planted, even if I did not know it at the time.

It was not until I found myself truly stuck that I began to understand. I was running my café, something I thought I wanted, something I had worked incredibly hard for. As a qualified chef, I wore many hats, owner, manager, chef, leader, and mentor. On the surface, it looked like I had created what I wanted, but deep down, I was questioning everything. Did this really bring me joy? Was this the life I wanted? I loved aspects of it, but I also wanted balance. And the truth was, what I thought I wanted and what I actually wanted were not working together.

At that time, life felt like a relentless blur. I was running the café while also raising three kids. All my pregnancies were rough, but my last one fell during my café years, and honestly, I do not know how I fronted up to work every single day. On top of that, I was constantly rushing: get to work, get the kids to school, back to work, juggle the never ending list of tasks, pick the kids up, race to afternoon sports, head home to a messy house, throw dinner on the table, fit in some chores before collapsing into bed. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically.

Even though I had always had a strong interest in health and fitness, during this period, I was not prioritising myself at all. I simply did not have the headspace. I felt like I had fifty million tabs open in my brain. There were ideas for the café I wanted to bring to life, but I never had the energy or clarity to follow through.

That was also when I started to realise that maybe the café dream was not actually what I wanted. I had poured so much of myself into it, but deep down there was a constant questioning: Is this really my path? I felt torn between what I thought I should want and what I truly wanted deep down.

This was the space I was in when I was first introduced to The Pillar Code. For anyone who has been through the process, you will know that one of the first steps is creating a Fix It List. Mine was dominated by issues around my work and career. At the time, it felt overwhelming, but it was also the first time I truly looked at what was not working, instead of pushing through on autopilot.

And that is the thing about awareness. It shines a light where we have been avoiding looking. It is uncomfortable at first, but it is also the beginning of change.

Since going through The Pillar Code and learning to truly look at what was not working, my perspective has shifted. I have realised that awareness is not just about mindset, it is about opening yourself to guidance, to messages, to the possibility that life is always showing you what you need, if you are willing to notice. 

When I finally made the decision to sell the café, I gave myself space to simply live without being locked into job commitments or constant demands. And whilst this was short lived, it was strange. All the noise in my head disappeared, and honestly, I was bored. I felt uncomfortable without the chaos I had grown used to. I thought I needed to fill that space back up with more noise, more busyness. But a friend helped me see that what I was experiencing was not boredom at all, it was peace.

Now, life looks very different for me. I can be present for my kids and I prioritise my family, my mental and physical health above everything else. Most importantly, I feel excited for life again. I love nothing more than making memories and being more present with the people I love. Where I once felt like I had no time for myself, let alone anyone else, now I feel like I have more time for everyone. 

I feel like my brain has been rewired. I think more clearly. I handle life’s ups and downs differently. Negative situations still happen, of course they do, but now I have tools to use when things do not go to plan. Instead of spiralling or staying stuck in that negative space, I can shift forward.

And the ripple effect of that is powerful. I know I am showing up as a better mum, a better wife, and a better friend, and that makes me proud.

Even though so many positive changes had happened, after I sold the cafe I was still questioning my bigger purpose. I had moved into The Expansion Code, a follow on program where I touched base with my practitioner once a month. It was during one of those sessions that she floated the idea of me becoming a Pillar Practitioner.

I laughed at first, but that question stuck with me. I sat on it for a few months, asked questions, and began to realise that maybe, just maybe, this was something I could step into.

That transition from wanting and chaos to choosing and peace not only changed how I lived, but also sparked my curiosity about helping other women create the same transformation.

Something I have learned through The Pillar Code is WANT is an acronym for Wishing And Not Taking. Wanting keeps us stuck in chaos. Thanks to The Pillar Code, I have shifted from wanting to choosing. I now have the conscious awareness to choose and receive, rather than sitting in that state of want and feeling powerless.

Today, The Pillar Code is more than something I have gone through, it is part of my purpose and it’s my part time business. Becoming a practitioner has given me a way to stay aligned, maintain my peace, and help other women shift from autopilot to living with awareness and choice.

Helping women who are stuck on that unconscious treadmill, not even realising they are not living the life they could be choosing, is what truly fills my cup. Watching them shift from overwhelm to clarity, from autopilot to conscious living, and witnessing them step into the life they were always capable of creating, that is the greatest gift of all.

And I am honoured to share that I have seen incredible transformations firsthand. Here are some words from women I have worked with:

“The Pillar Code journey gave me a deeper sense of purpose and inner peace. Personally, I felt more positive about myself, experienced significant emotional growth, and was even able to come off my antidepressant and anxiety medication. I also developed a stronger sense of gratitude for the present moment and all that I have. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for real transformation and a more fulfilling life. A big thanks to my practitioner Amy for taking me on this journey. The tools I have learnt can be used anywhere at any time and have certainly helped me in stressful times.”

“I have just completed the 12 week Pillar Code program with Amy. I thought I was helping her out by putting my hand up, boy was I wrong haha! The amount of healing I did not even know I needed came up week after week. Amy was patient with me, answering all my questions, and the changes I have seen within myself have blown me away. I cannot recommend this modality enough. Amy has been fabulous throughout the entire journey. This program is all about true growth. Worth every penny and worth the time. You are worth it. Amy is worth it.”

So I guess the question I would leave with you is this: where in your own life could awareness change the way you see things?

The truth is, acceptance comes first followed by awareness. It can feel overwhelming to face what has been hiding in the background, and it is not always easy to know how to turn that awareness into action. That is where support can make all the difference.

I have been through that journey myself, learning to notice, understand, and act on the messages life was giving me, and I know how powerful it can be to have guidance along the way. If you are feeling stuck, unsure, or ready to create more balance and clarity in your life, I would love to help you explore what is possible for you. Sometimes a little perspective and encouragement is all it takes to move from overwhelm to confidence and forward motion.