We were lucky to catch up with Joy Erika Diwa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Joy, 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?

I guide multi-passionate women to have the confidence to go after what they really want. I was so used to numbing myself to be as efficient as possible in work and in my relationships, that I forgot how to feel.. anything. So it took me finally breaking down to realize that I didn’t want to keep living a life that didn’t make me happy. For the first time, I was ready to let that light take control of my life. I wanted to say no to things that weren’t worth my time, energy, and money, and start saying yes to the things that are. In the process of getting certified as a life coach, I realized that the people I want to help are the women who are just like me, trying to figure out what really lights them up. And so, I got certified and created Be My Own Joy, a self-confidence life coaching business to help women come back to that light inside of them, so we can both find what makes us happy together.

Joy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey, I’m Joy. I am a proud Southeast San Diego-raised Filipina-American, fueled by delicious coffee, good r&b and deep conversations. My job as a Self-Confidence Life Coach is to help you feel good in your body, own your greatness, and grow in the spaces you’re in. Think of me as the person in your passenger seat. It’s up to you to drive us to your destination, but I can help you navigate where to go, point out the areas you may be missing, and fill up your tank when you’re feeling low on gas. I help you assess where you are now, where you want to be, and what’s stopping you in the way of getting there. We are not therapists or consultants; we are guides that call you out on your excuses and call you in to notice the behavior stopping you from being who you want to be — all with compassion and patience. The women I work with tend to have trouble finding their voice to speak up for themselves; doubt the decisions they make; struggle with creating boundaries and sticking to them; or they want more for their lives, but don’t know where to start. I offer a free discovery session and am about to launch a Discord on community, too.

Have you ever had to pivot?

For the past eight years of my life, I’ve been a high school educator. Right around when the pandemic started, I realized that teaching, although one of my passions, was not something that filled my cup the same way anymore. I found myself having panic attacks waking up, crying on the way to work, sometimes causing me to call in sick, because I couldn’t show up and be the educator I wanted to be for my students. I spent all day as an AVID coach telling my students that they have everything they need to find careers that made them happy, while I was always feeling like I wasn’t living the life that I truly wanted. I felt like a hypocrite because I wasn’t practicing what I preached. So, this 2021-2022 school year was my last and I officially turned in my keys. Now, I’m giving myself a short break to put my life back together, and figure out what I really want for myself. It’s the biggest risk and pivot of my life, but I already feel lighter now that I’ve finally put myself first.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Lumia Coaching (lumiacoaching.com) was the greatest resource that I have invested in as a coach. The program gave me research-based coaching methodologies, business systems, and the community that still continues to support, train, and provide resources when I need support. It’s the best space to find people who think like me and want to support people who want to better themselves and others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bemyownjoy.com
• Instagram: bemyownjoy
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joy-erika-diwa-b66b6b93

Image Credits
Photos from: Hannah Bernabe, Paolo Jay Agbay, and Adrian Mique