Meet Bretta Perry, a registered nurse turned life design coach who is redefining resilience for women navigating life’s toughest transitions. After nearly two decades in nursing, Bretta faced workplace toxicity that pushed her to her breaking point—but instead of letting it define her, she transformed her experience into a framework for healing and empowerment. Through her self-developed FIRE Method and upcoming coaching programs, she guides women, especially those in midlife, to reclaim control, set healthy boundaries, and design a life that truly aligns with who they are. Humans of Fuzia is featuring Bretta’s story to remind our 5-million-strong community that empowerment often begins with saying “enough.” Her journey embodies both He for She and She for She—a call for empathy, growth, and shared strength across all genders.
Q: Bretta, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey?
I’ve been a registered nurse for almost 19 years, and most recently I worked as a virtual nurse. Unfortunately, the environment became very toxic—newer nurses didn’t want us there, and management ignored the abuse. One day, after yet another cruel message written on the whiteboard, I snapped. I yelled at everyone and, as you might guess, that was the end of my job. It wasn’t my proudest moment, but it was a turning point. I realized I didn’t have to keep accepting mistreatment. That realization became the foundation for everything I’m doing now.
Q: That’s such a powerful transformation. What did you take away from that experience?
The biggest lesson was—you don’t have to take it. You can walk away. You can set boundaries and choose peace over chaos. That’s where my FIRE Method came from. FIRE stands for Foundation, Invitation, Response, Evaluation. It’s a way to assess what truly belongs in your life. I created a workbook around it and found that it really helps people—especially women—pause, reflect, and move forward without self-destruction.
Q: How does the FIRE Method work for someone going through burnout or major life changes?
You can start with just the four letters—F, I, R, E—and journal around them. It helps you figure out what’s supporting you and what isn’t. I’m developing a coaching program and a workbook-based video series so women can guide themselves through the process or do it with my support. It’s all about reclaiming clarity and calm instead of reacting from pain.
Q: You mentioned your focus is on middle-aged women. Why that group specifically?
Because we’re often in the middle of everything—kids leaving home, parents needing care, bodies changing, and sometimes marriages ending. There’s so much transition. I’m in perimenopause myself, so I understand what that feels like. Middle-aged women are strong and experienced, but we’re also tired of carrying it all. I want to help us find balance again and honor the cycles we go through—child, maiden, mother, crone, warrior. Life moves in circles, and we deserve support through every season.
Q: How are you spreading awareness about your work?
I’ve started a website—brettaperry.com—and I’m building my presence on Substack, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I share my own reflections and lessons so women can see that it’s okay to talk about burnout, change, and boundaries. The more conversations we have, the more we realize we’re not alone.
Q: What challenges have you faced while building your coaching practice?
Honestly, technology. Website building has been a steep learning curve, but as a nurse, I’m used to poking at things until they work! I’m also learning how to make my direct, no-nonsense communication style more approachable. I can be blunt, but I’m learning to soften that without losing authenticity. The biggest challenge is visibility—getting my voice to the women who need to hear it.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
My dream is simple: to help women find freedom—personally, emotionally, and financially—and to do it while living life fully. I want to travel the country with my husband in an RV, visit my grandkids, and work from anywhere. That’s the beauty of the digital world—we can build meaningful lives on our own terms.
Q: What message would you like to leave for women who may be struggling right now?
Don’t do what I did. Don’t let things build up until you explode. Breathe. Step away if you need to. Ask for help—it’s not weakness. And if you’re a nurse, especially, remember that being strong doesn’t mean doing it alone.
“Entrepreneurship, to me, is a healing journey. It stretches you, makes you face yourself, and reminds you that growth is possible—even after you’ve burned out.” — Bretta Perry
Connect with her
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretta-perry-rowell-bsn-rn-hc-bc-2039a063
