Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bernadette M. Colin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bernadette, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

BEST Life Coaching LLC offers online coaching services designed to enhance life experiences for individuals seeking personal growth. Our primary focus is on supporting elderly people as they navigate the changes that come with their golden years.

The inspiration for this business stems from my own life journey, which has been marked by significant transitions and challenges.

As a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, I have faced extraordinary hardships. In 2001, I sought asylum in France, bringing with me all the difficulties inherent in such a situation. This move required my family to adapt to a harsh climate, unfamiliar culture, and entirely new way of life. Later, in 2010, we embarked on another major transition by migrating to the United States, once again starting from scratch amidst pain and uncertainty.

These experiences taught me the value of embracing change, even when faced with tough decisions. In retrospect, I realize how beneficial emotional support would have been during those trying times. This realization fuels my passion for helping others who are going through similar life-altering transitions.

A second pivotal experience that shaped my business vision came from volunteering at a local nursing home. There, I observed that many residents seemed unaware of the reasons for their placement. Some, tragically, believed they were there simply to await death. Others had lost contact with their families or lacked any meaningful connection to loved ones.

This experience illuminated the lack of preparedness many aging parents and their families face when transitioning to nursing home care. It’s a profound decision that permanently alters lives, and both parties often need emotional support to navigate this change smoothly. This is where BEST Life Coaching steps in, offering guidance and support to ease these challenging transitions.

Through BEST Life Coaching, I aim to provide the emotional support and guidance I wish I had during my own life transitions, helping others to navigate change with resilience, dignity, and hope.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Bernadette, and I am a Strategic Intervention Coach with a master’s degree in Psychology and certification as a life coach. I work with people facing significant life challenges, helping them confront their fears, find clarity in their desires, and create actionable steps toward a fulfilling future.

My own life journey has been marked by profound struggles, including surviving a genocide, navigating the challenges of migrating twice across continents, and repeatedly starting from scratch. These experiences of extreme difficulty and pain shaped my resilience and ignited a passion for helping others find strength and clarity in their lives. I know firsthand the fear and uncertainty that can accompany life’s hardest moments, and it is my mission to empower others to overcome the fears that hold them back from living their fullest, most flourishing lives.

When someone is in the middle of a tough situation, it’s easy to feel trapped, helpless, and unable to see a way out. My role as a coach is to provide a new perspective—to help my clients see possibilities and choices they might not recognize on their own.

Reflecting on my own life, I think of my journey from homelessness to becoming stateless, to refugee status, and finally to life as an immigrant. Each step was a new challenge: from adapting to the harsh climate and culture of Europe after leaving my home country, to ultimately building a new life in the United States. Every transition, while difficult, strengthened my resilience and revealed my capacity to start over and thrive.

Today, I use these life lessons to guide and support others who may feel lost or overwhelmed in the face of adversity. My goal is to help people see their own potential for resilience, growth, and transformation, guiding them to move beyond fear and into a life of strength and possibility.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, I carry an experience that has indelibly shaped my identity and worldview. This harrowing chapter of my life, while profoundly traumatic, has become a wellspring of personal growth, emotional intelligence, and unwavering resilience that I draw upon daily.

During those 100 days of terror, I faced unimaginable challenges. With two small children in tow, I was forced to constantly seek refuge, moving from one hiding place to another to evade the relentless pursuit of killers. The anguish of witnessing loved ones brutally slaughtered etched a permanent scar on my heart, forever altering my perception of life.

In the aftermath of such immense suffering, I discovered depths of compassion I never knew existed within me. This newfound empathy has enabled me to forge deeper, more meaningful connections with others, particularly those grappling with their own hardships. My journey through darkness has equipped me with a unique ability to support and guide individuals facing life’s most daunting transitions.

The old adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” resonates profoundly with my experience. As the Bible teaches, even in the darkest of situations, there is potential for greater good to emerge. Today, I stand in awe of the path that has led me to where I am, filled with immense gratitude for the strength and wisdom I’ve gained.

Perhaps the most transformative aspect of my journey has been the power of forgiveness. I’ve chosen to forgive those who committed unthinkable atrocities, not for their sake, but for my own healing and growth. This act of forgiveness has liberated me from the shackles of hatred and bitterness, allowing me to move forward with purpose and hope.

My experiences have crystallized into a clear mission: to leave a legacy of love and compassion. I strive to be a beacon of hope for others, a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit. My purpose is to ensure that those facing adversity feel seen, supported, and empowered to uncover their inner strength.

As I continue on this path, I am committed to being a compassionate guide, offering patience, understanding, and unwavering support to those navigating their own life challenges. Through this work, I hope to transform the pain of my past into a force for positive change, proving that even in the wake of unspeakable tragedy, it is possible to rebuild, to find meaning, and to create a life filled with purpose and love.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a time when I was working for an international organization in Geneva, Switzerland—a prestigious role that many dream of. But then, an opportunity arose for me to move to the United States and pursue the American dream. It was a leap of faith, as it meant leaving behind a stable job for an uncertain future, with no guarantees waiting for me in the US. Yet, I made that difficult choice, motivated by a vision of greater opportunities for my family. Looking back, it stands out as one of the best decisions of my life. It wasn’t the easiest path, but it was undoubtedly the most rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bestlifecoachingnj.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestlifecoachingnj/