Vanessa Coultas is a life coach, parenting mentor, and founder of Whole Needs Parenting, a unique approach that helps mothers understand their children’s emotions while healing their own. After navigating her own difficult childhood, becoming a widow with four young children, and rebuilding her life in a new country, Vanessa turned her lived experiences into a mission: to support mothers who feel overwhelmed, unseen, and pressured to “do it all.”
Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Vanessa because her work deeply aligns with our global community of 5.2 million women, entrepreneurs, creators, and change-makers who are united by the mission of She-for-She and He-for-She empowerment. Her story brings invaluable hope, resilience, and practical wisdom to women across the world.
Q: What inspired you to become a coach?
Vanessa: I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior. I studied psychology, worked for over 12 years in child behavior, and became a parent myself. My own childhood wasn’t great, so I was always searching for what could make things easier for mums and children. When I became widowed with four children while living in a different country, life became incredibly challenging. I learned so much from that experience, and I realized I didn’t want other mums to take years to understand what I had to learn the hard way. That pushed me into life coaching, and for the last five years, I’ve combined life coaching with parenting support to help mums live happier, calmer lives.
Q: For someone wanting to reach you, what’s the best way?
Vanessa: I’m active on LinkedIn and Facebook—my name is unique, so it’s easy to find me. I also have my website, lifementoringnz.com, and another link that connects to the same place: mumsstress.co.uk.
Q: Can you tell us more about how your programs work?
Vanessa: My programs are designed for busy mums. They’re online with short, two-minute videos so they can learn at their own pace. But the most important part is the support—they get weekly check-ins with me and can message me anytime. I want mums to succeed, not sign up and disappear. The approach I use is different. Instead of focusing on “managing behavior,” we focus on understanding what the behavior is communicating. Children’s feelings matter, and we grow when we understand them—not suppress them. As mums, we also grow with our children.
Q: What challenges do you feel women still face worldwide?
Vanessa: It’s sad that even today, women still aren’t in the positions they deserve. It makes their path harder. Women deal with stresses that are different from men, and we need to work with who we are—not against ourselves. Whether someone is neurodivergent or not, it’s about embracing your strengths and stepping into your power.
Q: What message would you like to share with budding women entrepreneurs?
Vanessa: Be yourself. Don’t fight who you are. Use your strengths and build your happiness.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge for you as an entrepreneur?
Vanessa: Society puts a lot of pressure on us. Everyone is so busy, and we get caught trying to do everything for everyone. But that leads to neglecting ourselves. We wear multiple hats—parent, entrepreneur, leader—and that’s okay. But we must stop aiming for perfection and stop trying to do it all.
Q: And what’s the best part of being an entrepreneur for you?
Vanessa: Choice. Freedom. Once you realize you are in control, you can create balance. You can choose your pace. And using your strengths to help others—it’s incredibly fulfilling.
Q: Since AI is transforming industries, what are your thoughts on it?
Vanessa: Change is normal. It happens in every generation. AI is just the next step. We shouldn’t fear it—just use it wisely. People once feared computers, the internet, even video-to-DVD transitions. But each new technology opened new doors. AI is the same—embrace it as a tool.
“Be yourself, work with your strengths, and build the happiness you deserve.” — Vanessa Coultas
Connect with Vanessa:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessacoultas
Want to be featured?
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