about
About Jo-Anne
Thoughtful work at a human pace.
You’re not broken. You’re just becoming.
About — Introduction
I help people in the in-between remember who they are and continue, from the inside out.
I’ve lived city and farm, boardroom and barefoot; not because I failed, but because I listened. Some turns I chose; others, life insisted on. Illness, loss, burnout, rebuilding — each one taught me how to sit with uncertainty, tell the truth, and find the next honest step.
I work with people who are carrying a lot and are tired of pretending it’s fine. My work isn’t hype, performance, or quick fixes. It’s ground, clarity, and practice — human pace, nervous system first.
Change will happen. Becoming is the part you can still claim.
If you’re at a threshold — no longer who you were, not yet sure who you’re becoming — I’ll walk with you: steady, attentive, and real.
What I believe
Beneath everything, this is what I trust about people and change:
- Learn to read the world — Literacy isn’t only books; it’s noticing patterns, naming pressures, and asking better questions.
- Think for yourself — Advice is easy; discernment is work. We choose what’s true over what’s trending.
- Choice is power — Agency changes outcomes. Even the smallest chosen step alters the whole path. Small, honest choices change a life.
- Change begins inside — When you shift, your relationships, work, and rhythm shift with you. Change can be gentle and still real.
- Be present, prepare wisely — Live today with attention; plan tomorrow with kindness.
- Let love lead — When in doubt, ask: “What would love require here? ” Then act.
- Dignity over being right — Respect is non-negotiable; we trade score-keeping for understanding.
How this shapes my work
This is how those beliefs show up in our work together:
- Questions before answers — I help you read the situation — context, pressures, patterns — so your answers fit your life.
- Clarity, not complexity — I make tangled things understandable.
- Care you can feel — Attention, follow-through, and a pace that respects your nervous system.
- Your discernment, not my script — I’ll offer tools; you’ll choose what’s true.
- Agency in every session — We end with one honest step you can actually take this week.
- Inside-out change — We work where you actually have influence: nervous system, boundaries, rhythms, meaning.
- Practical + humane — Focused next steps with a light plan for what’s ahead.
- A values compass — We sense-check options against love, care, and integrity.
- Respectful space — Private, trauma-aware, no-performance required.
What this work can give you
Ground to stand on. You leave steadier, not spun up — with words and a way to see what’s real.
One step you can actually take. No homework for homework’s sake — just one next step that fits your life.
Held with care. Warm, steady partnership without performance or pep talks.
A pace your body can hold. Closer when you need holding, spacious when you need breath — human rhythm, not hustle.
Private, humane, un-hyped. Your story stays yours; the work is quiet, kind, and real.
If you’d like to work together, you can read more on the Coaching with Jo-Anne page.
Boundaries & ethics
- Private, always. I don’t use testimonials. Your story isn’t marketing.
- Confidential sessions. I keep minimal notes, used only to serve your process.
- Human pace. We meet more often when you need holding; less often when you need space.
- Trauma-aware, scope-true. If something belongs with a therapist, doctor or specialist, I’ll say so and help you find the right support.
- Informed consent. We’re clear on what coaching is — and isn’t — before we begin.
- No recording by default. Sessions aren’t recorded unless you specifically ask and consent in writing.
- Respectful space. Non-judgmental, inclusive, dignity first.
- Clear logistics. Simple scheduling, fair rescheduling, no surprise fees.
- Data care. I don’t sell or share your data. Email is used for your work only.
This work is coaching, not therapy or medical care.
Roots & training — and what it gives you
I was raised in a culture of self-learning, classical foundations, and clear, modern thinking — and shaped by building a life by hand. I studied education, social science and environmental management; walked with teams and senior leaders through change, built small businesses, and made a life on real soil by always looking for answers you can live. That mix of study and practice — learning and building — is the spine of my work, steady, human, and usable.
What that gives you
- Plain-language clarity. Tangles become understandable.
- Good questions in order. We find the right next question fast.
- A builder’s mindset. No hacks — steps you can live, test, and keep.
- Steadiness under pressure. You feel held, not hurried.
- Respect for your life as it is. We match the pace to your season.
- A living tradition. Old ideas tested against a modern life—we keep what endures.
Credentials in brief
Herschel Girls’ School alumna
University of Cape Town (Social Science, Education, Environmental Management (Hons)
Consultant and Corporate Trainer (IT adoption & workplace skills)
Small-business founder and Independent coach.
Selected Clients: Shell Oil SA, Digitron Software & Technology, The New Clicks Group, Gabriel Shock Absorbers SA.
If this sounds like you
We can begin with one quiet hour and see what, if anything, is needed next.
$88 USD · 60 minutes · Zoom or phone
Curious about what this looks like over time?
Explore The Becoming Pages
Practicalities
- Where: Remote, worldwide. Camera optional — audio-only is welcome. Zoom or phone.
- Time zone: My calendar shows your local time and I’ll accommodate you where I can.
- When: Weekdays. Limited weekends.
- Between sessions: Brief check-ins via email or message.
- Accessibility: Flexible pace (breaks as needed), audio-only is OK, captions on request. I’m happy to adapt—tell me what helps.
FAQ
Quieter ways to begin
· Email me · Visit the Library · Read Conversations · Barefoot Notes ·
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just space to think out loud.