We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joai Broughton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joai below.
Joai, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My story of confidence and healthy self esteem wasn’t a straight line; it was a series of twists, turns, and the loops & hurdles. I had to recognize a starting point.
I struggled with self doubt and like others, I struggled with listening to critical voices, both external and internal. I realize that in order for me to overcome this, I had to become vulnerable. I realized that there was no perfect time but even at my lowest I had to recognize that the only way out was through.
I started with small, yet significant steps. I embraced the saying “I’m fearfully and wonderfully made”. I found ways to see myself through a different lens. Finding beauty in the imperfect, the impermanent, and the incomplete. This mindset shift allowed me to embrace my quirks and unique attributes that make me who I am.
I then immersed myself in developing a growth mindset. Instead of running away from challenges, I began to see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Each challenge I overcame, no matter how small, it helped me adopt the mindset that it was not happening to me but for my good. This help build me to be a greater version of myself.
I found strength in community. I couldn’t do this alone, because I simply didn’t have the capacity to move forward without help. I sought out mentors, joined groups, and surrounded myself with positive influences. Through this encouragement and awareness, I realized that most people of success, struggle at some point with their confidence and self esteem. This propelled me forward when self-doubt tried to anchor me down.
I made a daily practice of prayer, worship and affirming myself. I focused on what I did well and my achievements, no matter how minor they seemed, and celebrated them. This practice taught me to value the process and progress, not just the outcomes.
The pivot in my confidence came from learning to say ‘no.’ Setting boundaries was both empowering and freedom. I taught myself that my time, energy, and feelings are valid and important. Which helped to not fall into people pleasing and fulfilling someone else’s narrative of my life.
I want be absolutely clear, developing confidence and self-esteem is a continuous process. I’m still learning, growing, and facing new challenges. But now, I do so with a strong sense of self and the knowledge that I have the tools to navigate whatever comes my way.
I want to encourage anyone struggling with self-esteem, know that: you are capable, you are worthy, and your story is far from over. Your journey is as unique as you are, and every step, even those taken backward, is a part of your journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Coach Joai Broughton’s journey is not one of chance, but of purposeful transformation. Once a president of a thriving software company, her professional life took an unexpected turn when she was laid off. This moment of adversity sparked a revelation that would pivot her path towards her true calling — life coaching. But for Joai, coaching isn’t just a business; it’s a calling that she feels chosen for, a divine mandate to guide others to freedom.
The inception of Be Free Coaching & Consulting came from a profound realization that many individuals are prisoners of their own limiting beliefs, which in turn hamper both their personal lives and business ventures. Joai saw that the key to unshackling these chains was not merely in setting goals, but in altering the very fabric of one’s mindset to achieve true freedom.
With a vision for liberation, Joai’s approach in coaching merges the nurturing with the pragmatic, providing a balance of tender guidance with uncompromising accountability. Her straight-forward methodology does not shy away from the tough conversations needed to spur change. It’s her unwavering commitment to her clients’ growth that makes her stand out; she’s not just coaching strategies for life and business, she’s coaching for life transformations.
Through Be Free Coaching & Consulting, Joai leverages her extensive experience in business and her innate gift for empathy to create a space where individuals can rise above their limitations. Her coaching style is an embodiment of her vision — it’s where freedom meets the strategic, where the soul meets the systematic, and where every client’s potential is realized in the most empowering way.
Joai’s life is a testament to her belief in the boundless nature of the human spirit. From a software president to a master life coach, her story is a beacon to all who seek to break free from the invisible confines of their minds and step into a life of true freedom and fulfillment.
About BE FREE COACHING & CONSULTING
In the bustling heart of ambition and enterprise, BE FREE Coaching & Consulting stands as a sanctuary of transformation and empowerment, a place where the intangible chains of limiting beliefs are broken and new horizons of personal and professional success are unveiled. Founded by Joai Broughton, a former software company president turned master life coach, BE FREE is more than a coaching business — it is a vessel for liberation, a testament to the power of purpose-driven change.
The story of BE FREE begins with Joai’s own pivot from corporate leadership to entrepreneurial vision. When the world of stable employment gave way beneath her, Joai embraced her layoff not as a setback, but as a clarion call to her true life’s work. She recognized a universal truth: that many individuals are confined not by the walls around them, but by the barriers within their minds. It was this insight that birthed BE FREE, a name that itself is a promise of what is to come for those who embark on the journey with her.
Joai’s vision for BE FREE is rooted in the concept of true freedom — the idea that real success, happiness, and fulfillment come from within and that unlocking this potential is the key to an extraordinary life. Her approach to coaching is a reflection of this philosophy: nurturing yet straightforward, compassionate yet accountable. Joai’s unique blend of warmth and wisdom fosters an environment where tough love and gentle guidance coexist, where clients are not only heard but are also challenged to grow beyond their perceived limits.
At BE FREE, coaching transcends the transactional. It is a transformative experience, where each session is a step towards self-discovery and each strategy a move towards mastery of one’s own destiny. Joai brings to the table not only her extensive business acumen but also a profound understanding of the human psyche, enabling her to tailor her coaching to the intricate needs of each individual.
The impact of BE FREE Coaching & Consulting is evident in the lives it touches. Entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals — people from all walks of life have found in Joai a coach, a mentor, and a catalyst for their evolution. Her clients learn to navigate the complexities of life and business with a newfound clarity and confidence, armed with the tools to maintain their course towards success.
BE FREE is more than a coaching service; it is a movement towards inner emancipation. It stands as a beacon of hope for those yearning to break free from the shackles of conventional mindset and chart a course to their true north. In a world rife with pressures and expectations, BE FREE Coaching & Consulting emerges as a haven where freedom is the foundation upon which dreams are built and actualized.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I look back at everything that’s gotten me here, three things really stand out: resilience, empathy, and strategic acumen. Resilience? That’s my foundation. It’s kept me steady when things got shaky and turned what could’ve been total disasters into my biggest wins. Empathy has been my heart in all this, allowing me to really understand where my clients are coming from and ensuring my coaching truly resonates. And strategic acumen? That’s been my brain, helping me make smart moves and build BE FREE Coaching & Consulting into what it is today. These aren’t just skills—they’re a part of who I am, and they’ve made all the difference in my work and in the lives of those I coach.
For those just starting out, let’s talk about amping up those three key areas: resilience, empathy, and strategic acumen.
Resilience is all about bouncing back and keeping your cool when life challenges you. My advice? Start by setting small challenges for yourself. Push your comfort zone a little at a time. And when you stumble—because we all do—reflect on what went wrong, learn from it, and come back stronger. It’s about building up slow and steady!
Empathy is not a weakness but a powerful tool. You’ve got to listen—and I mean truly listen—to people’s stories. Spend time understanding people or just have deep, meaningful conversations with individuals from all walks of life. The more perspectives you understand, the better you’ll connect with others and your audience.
And strategic acumen? That’s like playing chess with your life. You’ve got to think a few moves ahead. So, dive into books, podcasts, anything that kick-starts your brain. Learn from the pros. And don’t be shy about asking for feedback. Strategy is about knowing where you are, where you want to be, and how to bridge that gap.
Remember, these qualities take time to develop. Be patient with yourself, stay committed to learning, and keep pushing forward. You’re winning already because you’ve started.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who’s standing on the edge of transformation, ready to leap but maybe not sure how. They’re typically professionals or entrepreneurs who’ve hit a wall, whether it’s because they’re tangled up in their own limiting beliefs or they’re just too close to their own story to see the next chapter. They come from all sorts of backgrounds, but what they have in common is this burning desire for something more—more freedom, more fulfillment, more impact.
They’re individuals who are not just looking for quick fixes but are willing to dive deep, confront their challenges head-on, and do the hard work of personal growth. They’ve got to be resilient, open-minded, and ready for change. I’m talking about the kind of people who value empathy, understand that strategic thinking is key to elevating their life and business.
My clients are the ones who appreciate a straightforward approach with a blend of nurturing support and accountability. They’re not afraid to be held responsible for their progress, and they actually crave the clarity that comes from someone who’s not afraid to challenge them. They want that honest feedback, that prophetic insight that cuts through the noise and gets right to the heart of what’s holding them back.
So, if you’re someone who’s ready to be free from the mental blocks, to embrace your potential, and to put in the work to see real change—then you’re exactly who I’m here to serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.befreewithjoai.com
- Instagram: befreewithjoai
- Facebook: befreewithjoai
