Anne Fatima Jackson
Anne Fatima Jackson is a Psychotherapist, Life, Career, Relationship Coach, Founder & CEO of One Life Coaching ME.
She tells us that, ““You Gotta Be”-Des’ree:a motivating song telling us to be confident in ourselves and gain the strength to face life’s different situations, which was very valid for my life and now is what I help my clients achieve.”
When faced with unexpected hurdles in your business, how do you stay strong?
When I was 4 years old, believe it or not, I’d make my dolls argue and then I’d gather them for a talking session. Amazing to look back and see that those doll-sized disputes were my first foray into the world of therapeutic intervention. Fast forward a few decades, add in formal education and a whole load of life experience, and here I am – still playing therapist -this time with real people and obviously more profound breakthroughs. It’s safe to say my childhood ‘therapizing’ sessions set the stage for my current role in guiding real-life transformations.
How do you determine the success of your business beyond financial metrics, focusing on factors like customer satisfaction and community impact?
To my beautiful younger self,
There is absolutely nothing wrong with you, my sweet, sweet love. None of what is happening to you is normal for a child to have to go through. Please remember these words when the daily chaos begins, and please don’t blame yourself. You have done nothing wrong. In fact, you are a radiant, warm, caring, intelligent soul, my love. You just don’t have the safe space in which to be yourself and that is not your fault.
For now, my love, it’s okay to be silent – your quiet strength is serving you well, it’s keeping you safe. You’re navigating a path where the grown-ups should be catching you when you fall but they are the ones pushing you down so you are doing your best to keep yourself safe and that is amazing, sweetie. Don’t give up my little one. The day will come when love surrounds you abundantly.
To my courageous teenage self,
As you tread these uncertain paths of adolescence, questioning your place in the world is not a flaw. Your uncertainty is a million times compounded by the chaos caused by those who are meant to love you so it’s okay to be so unsure, Be gentle on yourself, my darling.
It’s also okay to dream big, even when those closest to you attempt to dim your light. Keep dreaming and keep believing because I promise you my lovely that you will shine bright in the future.
Please believe me when I tell you that you will discover that safe space in which to fit in, where you will thrive and succeed. Not only that, but your beautiful light, once subdued by terror, will become a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for others. Hold on to your dreams for you are exceptional, my love, and one day the world will witness the incredible person that you will become.
All the love and kisses in the world,
Your happy, fun loving, carefree older self xxxx
PS – you will love life so hang in there. 🩷 🩷 🩷
Can you recount a pivotal moment in your business journey where you saw remarkable growth or witnessed a transformative change, showcasing the impact of your products or services?
Psychotherapist and Life Coach with over 14 years of hands-on experience working with teenagers, adults, couples and families across demographics to foster psychological, emotional and mental wellbeing.
In your view, how crucial is mentorship for the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial path?
Reflecting on my journey, unexpected plot twists have been the architects of my unconventional yet deeply fulfilling path.
Always dreaming of living in France since childhood, I pursued my first degree in International Marketing & French, enticed by the opportunity to spend time in the most romantic country of the world. The picturesque vision included meeting a French man and raising adorable French children who would utter in perfect French accents, “maman, je veux pipi.” Little did I anticipate that my destiny would lead me to an English Northern Lad in France who would later become my husband.
My initial career in the glamourous world of multinational advertising was the epitome of my dreams. I couldn’t fathom ever leaving it. Yet one day, absentmindedly swivelling on my office chair, I heard myself say “It’s time to be a teacher.” I was as surprised as everyone that these words left my mouth especially as, with my limited knowledge, I had never held this career in high regard. Nevertheless, propelled by this sudden insight, I embarked on a whirlwind journey—completing a master’s in Linguistics in France within six months (no small feat) and a P.G.C.E in 6 months, to transition into the role of a Secondary Modern Foreign Languages Teacher.
England to me had always meant London but destiny led me to the north of England, where we purchased a house together and a decade after meeting, married. We planned a honeymoon in Rio de Janeiro but in a last-minute twist, the trip fell through, and the only option left to us was Dubai. I remember saying angrily, “Why would I want to go to the Middle East for a honeymoon?” Little did I anticipate that walking onto Beach Road in the scorching heat of August, the day after we landed, I would discover where to build my forever home and my safe haven. Fast forward 24 years, and I am still happily here.
I found unexpected joy in teaching in Dubai. The children were incredible, the schools were safe, and the staff was lovely. This became my new normal, and I excelled in my teaching career, with schools actively head hunting me – an unusual occurrence in this field.
However, life had another twist in store for me. A series of unfortunate events outside my control led to my total breakdown at 38. Though painful, it became my chance to start anew. I got the rare chance to rewire my neurological pathways in ways I saw fit – an experience for which I will always be immensely grateful.
Happy in my career and life, little did I expect the next twist. Walking across the playground with my bestie one day, I heard myself say, “It’s time to be a therapist, it’s time to attend to the adults.” A seemingly implausible career change at 42 led me first into life coaching and then into psychotherapy—my most rewarding profession yet.
Parenthood, too, brought its share of unexpected twists. Parenting neurodivergent children – an ASD genius son with an IQ of 180 and an extremely bright ADHD daughter -made me have to throw away the customary parenting manual and learn to navigate what was back then still very much unchartered waters. Doing so with no help from a husband who had no interest in his family added to the challenge. Yet, these challenges have not only become sources of strength, shaping both my life and career, they led me to being able to successfully help other neurodivergent people in their lives’ paths.
The discovery of my husband’s infidelity shattered my belief in our marriage. Despite having always proudly declared that I was totally against divorce, ending the marriage was my best decision to date, bringing peace to myself and my children. I am now a firm believer that it is better to succeed in life than stay suffering inside a broken marriage. And the knowledge gained led me to become a relationship expert to keep couples together as well as a Divorce Coach, helping people navigate these turbulent waters safely.
Success beyond my imagination followed these tumultuous events. Becoming a sought-after expert in national and international media to eventually hosting my own TV show was an accomplishment I had never envisioned.
In summary, every twist and turn in my remarkable journey has been a crucial chapter in my extraordinary life leading me to happiness, joy, and fulfilment.
And now I get to help others navigate their twists and turns to find their joy and their fulfilment.
What is your business focused on, and how does it contribute to making a positive difference in the world?
I would like to travel forward in life to see the 5 most important women’s rights – the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage -be prevalent throughout all nations, cultures and creeds.
If you could invite three fictional characters to help you plan your next project, who would you choose, and why?
1)Elizabeth Bennet from “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen:
Elizabeth’s wit, resilience, and ability to navigate societal expectations make her a valuable companion. Drawing inspiration from her journey of self-discovery, I believe she would bring a fresh perspective, challenging conventions and encouraging authenticity.
2) Lisbeth Salander from “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson:
Lisbeth’s unconventional approach to problem-solving, resilience, and ability to navigate complex situations make her intriguing. Her fierce independence and determination to expose the truth align with the challenges I’ve faced. Lisbeth would bring a unique perspective to challenging norms.
3)Liz Lemon from “30 Rock”:
Liz Lemon’s character represents a blend of humor and resilience in navigating the challenges of a demanding career. Liz’s ability to find humor in life’s complexities would add a lighthearted touch to the planning process of my next project. Her experiences in the media industry also align with my own, making her a relatable and pragmatic guide.
Together, this trio of fictional characters would bring a dynamic mix of intelligence, resilience, humor, and a commitment to authenticity – creating a synergistic force that aligns with the diverse and unexpected twists of my life’s journey.