Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dionne Nicholls-Germain. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dionne , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
What has me fired up each day is imagining a world where millions of people are regularly forgiving themselves and others more easily. What would there be more of? What would there be less of?
No one just wakes up and says they want to tackle the topic of forgiveness. This was calling that God put on my life and by choosing forgiveness, I was able to co-create a healthy loving co-parenting relationship after infidelity, see my marriage restored and reconcile with my father after 30 years of being estranged. As a result, my life is unrecognizable.
Turning my pain to purpose, I am committed to supporting women who struggle with letting go of anger and resentment learn how to forgive the hard things so they can be set FREE, reclaim their POWER, JOY, and PEACE, and create deeper, more fulfilling relationships—especially with themselves. I am so excited to share the limitless possibility and blessings made available when we forgive.
And, the transformative healing effects of forgiveness are exponential and generational. In addition to us becoming the highest and best version of ourselves when we forgive, everyone attached to us wins, including family, friends and colleagues, communities and so much more.
As a former perfectionist and a Life & Leadership Coach who has spent hundreds of hours coaching leaders and founders around the world and in a variety of companies, agencies, and institutions, what I also discovered is that we all share the same human conditions—self-doubt, insecurities, fear of failure, and difficulty moving on from mistakes or harmful experiences. These realities can lead to anxiety, burnout, impostor syndrome, and more.
The truth is that we can be really, really hard on ourselves—and it’s holding us back. Practicing self-forgiveness will help you unlock your true potential and move forward.
Consider who you can become on the other side of forgiveness. Letting go of grudges and negative emotions expands our leadership capacity by making us more adaptable, resilient, and growth oriented.
Forgiveness is one of the highest forms of personal transformation so it is so rewarding to see people’s growth, regain hope and freed up to step into their purpose.
Dionne , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Also known as “The Joy Coach,” I am a professionally trained Life & Leadership Coach with hundreds of hours of coaching experience. Inspired by my own personal story of reinvention, she founded Live Your Best Life for You, a personal development, leadership training, and speaking business serving an international clientele dedicated to supporting female executives and entrepreneurs to reach their full potential and excel at work, at home, and in their relationships.
After leaving a 20-year corporate career in fashion as a single mom at 40, it is her belief that ANY WOMAN at ANY AGE at ANY STAGE can reinvent her life.
Turning her pain to purpose, Dionne is the creator of the powerful Conquering Unforgiveness Mastermind and the author of The 90-Day Conquering Unforgiveness Journal. She helps people who struggle with letting go of anger and resentment learn how to forgive the hard things so they can be set FREE, reclaim their POWER, JOY, and PEACE, and create deeper, more fulfilling relationships—especially with themselves. By choosing forgiveness, she has co-created a healthy loving co-parenting relationship after infidelity, seen her marriage restored and reconciled with her father after 30 years. Learn more at The Conquering Unforgiveness Movement.
She has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Propel Women, is a recurring guest on Negotiate Anything, the #1 negotiation podcast in the world, and a public speaker, who has appeared as a panelist at the PayPal Headquarters Black Love & Economics Event 2023, and a keynote speaker for the Hostos College Family Empowerment Program 2023 graduating class.
THE BOOK: THE 90-DAY CONQUERING UNFORGIVENESS JOURNAL for HIGH-PERFORMING HIGH ACHIEVERS
My Inspiration:
As a former perfectionist and a Life & Leadership Coach who has spent hundreds of hours coaching leaders and founders around the world in a variety of companies, agencies, and institutions, what I’ve discovered is that we all share the same human conditions—self-doubt, insecurities, fear of failure, and difficulty moving on from mistakes or harmful experiences. These realities can lead to anxiety, burnout, impostor syndrome, and more.
The truth is that we can be really, really hard on ourselves—and it’s holding us back.
Forgiveness is Good Business:
Forgiveness has the power to help us move forward. When we’re able to forgive ourselves and others, in our personal lives and in the workplace, we can become more resilient, emotionally intelligent, growth-oriented leaders who cultivate psychologically safe environments in which teams feel they have permission to be their authentic selves. All of this creates fertile ground for deeper connection, better decision-making, trust, success and innovation. Studies also show that employees experience a 74% reduction in stress and 50% increase in productivity. The bottom line: forgiveness is good business.
Studies show that more than 80% of people experience impostor syndrome at some point in their career. 20% experience it regularly. And that women are at a 75% higher risk of experiencing imposter syndrome than men. -Forbes
How it Works:
The 90-Day Conquering Unforgiveness Journal is a way to intentionally practice forgiveness every day –to make forgiveness a lifestyle using daily prompts, tools and other resources. It will help you commit to your own highest purpose, heal your mind, body, and soul, and take daily actions and decisions from a more whole and empowered place as a leader both at work and at home.
THE PROGRAM: THE CONQUERING UNFORGIVENESS MASTERMIND
What client appreciate about my approach to this hard, messy thing called forgiveness is that I make it DOABLE, PRACTICAL AND ACTIONABLE.
I’ve had the honor of teaching my program, The Conquering Unforgiveness Mastermind, in South Africa at the Executive Playground Leadership Development Retreat in March, at Hostos College, New York University, The Living Your Best Life Women’s Seminar 2024, The Kingdom Women’s Conference 2023 and will be bringing it to the executives of the Government of Canada this May for Mental Health Awareness Month to name a few.
Testimonials:
“I have not stopped talking about your workshop!!
Dionne, you have impacted my life in a way I can’t explain.
The forgiveness work is NOT for the weak! Through the teachings of your Conquering Unforgiveness Mastermind, you have single handedly changed my life and freed me up from 40 years of pain!”
-Sybil Ferere, CEO, The Fragrance Creator
“Dionne’s work has profoundly impacted my perspective. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of forgiveness as a tool for personal growth. This new mindset has reshaped my daily interactions, fostering resilience and a more compassionate approach to those who may have wronged me.”
– Judy Blades, CEO Pleasant Respite Oasis Caregivers Retreats, Atlanta, GA
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dionne for delivering an exceptional workshop at NYU Opportunity Programs for STEP parents. The presentation was not only informative but skillfully organized, with a well-crafted PowerPoint that enhanced our learning experience.The program provided actionable concepts that encouraged application. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for insightful discussions, and the topic resonated well with all attendees. Dionne’s knowledge and expertise were evident throughout, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to have participated in such a powerful event. Thank you for a memorable and enriching experience.
– Malgorzata Aguero, LMSW, New York University, Student Counselor, Opportunity Programs, New York, NY
Bloomfield Public Library has had the privilege of working with Dionne for both our Professional Development Day and for a virtual 2-hour patron program. At first, going into the workshop, you may not think it applies to you, but after learning about Dionne’s personal story, different types of forgiveness, and relating to others, you learn forgiveness is for everyone and can be applied in so many ways. Some ways that come with reflection and based on our BPL discussions, include the current state of the world, a parent who has passed away and all of the things you never got to discuss, a sibling who you cannot agree with, high trauma incidents, as well as past and current workplace peer relationships or bosses. Dionne creates a supportive environment for us to self-reflect and grow. I look forward to expanding our forgiveness workshop offerings in a series for our new buildings.
Sara Ray, Adult Services Librarian, Bloomfield Public Library
I’d never thought of forgiveness as a skill set. In the past I’d felt fortunate when I stumbled upon forgiveness, and tortured when I couldn’t find it. Dionne breaks forgiveness down into actionable steps. And the safety she holds for you and those sharing the space makes it possible to do the emotional work we often shy away from. Forgiveness is a skill one can work on. My mind is blown. Thank you for forever changing my healing journey.
Debbie Saroufim, Body Acceptance Coach, Los Angeles, CA
Book Reviews:
Dionne has truly captured the link to all hearts. None of us can say we have no one to forgive but what I discovered through this amazing journal is forgiving myself was the biggest healing turning point of this 90 day journal! It hit me after day 40 or so…. I weeped and I am so grateful I released so much hidden emotions! I truly feel closer to God, this journal is life changing I recommend the entire world to forgive! Thank you so much for this amazing gift of forgiveness. ps: this is the perfect gift for your loved ones and those whom you have forgiven, it has a beautiful compounding affect🙏🏽 Dionne is a gift to this world!
–Sybil
I am going through the book for 90 days and it has been a great experience for me. Dionne provides perfectly curated affirmations and quotes to get started on the daily journaling. Forgiveness capacity for others has been unlocked as I start this process with myself. This truly is the gift for YOU. No matter your station in life, practicing forgiveness is a life-changing element. This is a life-giving experience and journal process that only will be seen by being willing to be with yourself and practice forgiveness.
–Jasmine
Dionne has created an incredibly powerful and enriching journal on the power of forgiveness in your everyday life. My favorite part of the book is all the rich teachings in the first 30 pages that focuses on the science of forgiveness and the author’s personal story. This journal makes an amazing gift for anyone in your life, especially the high performing high achievers who need to learn how to be more gentle with themselves.
–Samantha
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
So, the first time I decided to pivot was after I thought fashion was it. That was the dream. I had moved from my small town of Ottawa, Ontario, with the big dream of working on Fifth Avenue in New York City, which I got to do for over 20 years. I traveled to the most beautiful places in Europe and throughout North America working for women’s luxury European brands. But then, at some point, I just felt that there was more I was supposed to do, that there was a bigger calling on my life. I didn’t know exactly what it was. Initially, I thought I wanted to become a kindergarten teacher. I just loved when my son was about that age; he was such a sponge.
Interestingly, right around that time, my son’s father reached out. We were no longer together at this point, but he said, “Dionne, I want to launch a financial literacy youth program. Will you help me?” And I was like, wow, okay, it’s still educating, it’s still empowering the next generation, just in a different way. So, I thought, okay, this is interesting, but it’s my ex. I had to take time to really think and pray on it. Then I decided to go for it. That was my first lesson: your gifts don’t always come packaged exactly the way you expect them to. So, stay open.
I’m happy to say I went for it! Now, remember, I’m a fashion girl with no financial background. He was the finance guy. We were college sweethearts, when he moved from our small town to work on Wall Street. This was his jam. But here we are, building out a curriculum, building a website. Before you know it, we set up our nonprofit and launched the program in under-resourced areas, high schools, and youth nonprofit organizations. We taught thousands of young people. From that, a five-star rated podcast was born, which has touched 1000’s young people around the world. We got signed to a network; it just kept growing. But I thought, hmm, even though I knew I wanted to use my voice, this still was not it. This still felt like his dream, and I still hadn’t found my next chapter yet.
Interestingly enough, when I met my now husband, he had just hired a life coach . He let me sit in on his sessions, and I was so fascinated by his interactions with the coach that when she was looking for new registrants for the program, I went for it. Even though I did get my certification and graduated in 2019, I was still dabbling between being a mom, new relationship, running a nonprofit, podcast host, and consulting. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit, when everything went quiet, that I said, okay, God as I pulled out my journal and asked, what is the meaning of this moment? And what came back to me was ‘pivotal’: this is a pivotal moment. I started writing down everything I wanted to create for 2020, and I’m happy to say that I fulfilled them all. I launched my coaching practice, Live Your Best Life for You, full force and the rest is history. I have not looked back. I started with 1:1 coaching, then small group coaching, then Executive Coaching for leaders around the world. And, now I have added speaker and author to my name. That would be one of my most monumental pivots which took place as a single mom, at 40 years old after a 20-year singular career. That is why it is my belief that any woman at any age at any stage can reinvent their life.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the lessons I had to unlearn was that things had to be perfect. Through my own healing journey, coaching and spiritual growth I realized that it’s better to start and trust that God will do His part. The most important thing is to get started; everything doesn’t have to be perfect. I can’t say I’m truly a former perfectionist—I’m a recovering perfectionist because it can still show up in different ways. But I have come a long way in that I’d rather get started, get the momentum and figure everything else out along the way. This was a big lesson to unlearn because success loves speed, and perfectionism can be a form of procrastination—a distraction from doing what you’re really committed to.
This behavior started when I was a kid, trying to keep everyone happy and especially pleasing my parents. My dad suffered with mental illness which could make things tumultuous at times in the home, so I thought that if I got perfect grades, kept my room neat, and performed perfectly at gymnastics, it would make my parents happy and keep the house peaceful. As I grew older, I also realized it was hard for me to receive or ask for feedback. Now, I have a much more empowered relationship with feedback because it doesn’t mean something negative about me. It doesn’t mean I’m a mistake or a failure; it just means there are things to tweak—maybe a new strategy or approach.
Understanding that feedback is nourishment that helps you grow and expand was the game-changer. Once I recognized that feedback is valuable, I understood that it doesn’t define me but helps me improve. This realization made a world of difference in my life. Now, I can hop on an IG Live without needing everything to be perfectly scripted or my hair perfectly coiffed because the message and serving others are so much more important. I understand the difference between approaching a project with spirit of excellence, which focuses on the bigger mission you are committed to, and perfectionism, which puts the all the focus spotlight on you. “Ta da!” Look what I did, it’s perfect!” I’d rather do the best I can and glorify God rather than try to be perfect and seek all the attention. These have been some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liveyourbestlifeforyou.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dionnenicholls/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dionne.nicholls
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionne-nicholls-germain-38a0161/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC46PuFYM0pPTbKAaWYPfMzA
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/90-Day-Conquering-Unforgiveness-Journal-High-Performing/dp/1998287041/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kwamechristian/2024/01/18/mastering-the-art-of-forgiveness-the-key-to-conflict-resolution/?sh=7b21b43358ef
https://www.propelwomen.org/content/are-you-too-hard-on-yourself-tips-to-boost-selfcompassion-and-reset-your-life/gjebq5
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/negotiate-anything/id1101679010?i=1000652471353
