Meet Edwina Adams

We recently connected with Edwina Adams and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Edwina, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I believe purpose emerges from our deepest struggles, not in spite of them, but because of them. When we look back at where we’ve been wounded and what we’ve overcome, we often discover our calling: to help others navigate those same dark waters.

My journey to finding purpose wasn’t immediate or obvious. I had a wonderful childhood, but I was painfully quiet – the kind of child who would whisper to my mother in public rather than speak up. Later, I married someone who turned out to be a con man, which was deeply humiliating and shook my trust in my own judgment.

Even as I rebuilt my life, finding success in my career, marrying a wonderful man, and raising two beautiful children, I carried that shame silently for sixteen years. I had healed, but I hadn’t found my voice.

Then in 2020, I nearly died. In that moment of facing mortality, I had a profound realization: I had been given gifts through my struggles, but I was keeping them to myself. My silence wasn’t protecting me anymore, it was preventing me from helping others who might be walking the same difficult path I once walked.

That’s when I decided to start making what I call ‘NOISE’. That’s my acronym for a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength and Encouragement. I realized my purpose wasn’t just to survive my experiences, but to transform them into a bridge for others. Every wound we heal becomes wisdom we can share, if we have the courage to turn it into NOISE.

My purpose is to help others understand that whatever they’ve been through, the shame, the setbacks, the moments that nearly broke them, these experiences can become their greatest source of strength, not just for themselves, but for others who desperately need to know they’re not alone.

Your purpose, just like mine, won’t be found in what went “perfectly” for you in life. It will arise from the struggles you have overcome.

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?
Professionally, I wear several hats that all connect back to my core mission of helping people transform adversity into their greatest asset . I’m a motivational speaker, personal brand coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and podcast host, but what ties everything together is my work with ambitious experts through my new Authentic Authority Academy, where I help them break free from the fear of visibility and teach them how to turn their story into their authentic authority.

What excites me most about this work is watching the transformation that happens when someone realizes their struggles aren’t something to hide from, but rather their greatest source of credibility and connection. Through my speaking engagements, I share my NOISE framework—Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength & Encouragement—with audiences across the country, showing them how to use their story as their authority so that they can align their purpose with their desired lifestyle to thrive in life.

My coaching work focuses specifically on helping business owners, both men and women, move beyond what I call ‘sophisticated suffering’, that place where you might look successful on the outside but you’re still operating from a place of hustle and grind rather than authentic alignment. I teach my clients to embrace what I call the ‘Align & Thrive’ method, turning their purpose into profit while eliminating that exhausting hustle mentality and teach how to incorporate a personal brand using their authentic story.

What makes my approach unique is that it’s born from real-world experience. As a military veteran, retired paramedic, and entrepreneur who survived a con man marriage and a near-death experience, I don’t just teach theory, I teach from the trenches.

My podcast, called Let’s Make Some Noise, showcase stories of people who’ve turned adversity into positive NOISE, proving that no matter what you’ve been through, you can build a life of impact and purpose.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to help people understand that their wounds can become their wisdom, their struggles can become their strength, and their voice, no matter how quiet it once was, can become their greatest tool for creating positive change in the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back at my journey from that quiet child who whispered to her mother in public to someone who now helps others find their voice, I can identify three qualities that were absolutely transformational:

First is resilience, not just the ability to bounce back, but the capacity to bounce forward. When my first marriage to a con man left me humiliated, I could have let that define me. Instead, I learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding the fall; it’s about how you choose to rise. For those early in their journey, I’d say start small. Practice getting back up from minor setbacks so you build that muscle for when bigger challenges come. Remember, every time you choose to keep going despite adversity, you’re building your resilience reserves.

Second is authentic storytelling. For sixteen years, I kept my story locked away out of shame. But I learned that our stories, especially the messy, imperfect parts, are our greatest tools for connection and impact. The moment I started sharing the story, everything changed. My advice: start practicing vulnerability in safe spaces. Share your story with trusted friends first, then gradually expand your circle. Your struggles aren’t your shame, they’re your superpower.

Third is what I call purposeful alignment, the ability to align your work with your deeper why. As a military veteran and paramedic, I was always helping people, but it wasn’t until my near-death experience that I realized I needed to help people in a way that utilized my unique story and perspective. This alignment gave me the courage to step into my authentic authority. For those starting out: don’t wait for perfect clarity. Start with what you know right now. Ask yourself: ‘What struggles have I overcome that others are facing?’

Your next level of impact is hiding in your past pain. The beautiful thing about all three of these qualities is that they’re not talents you’re born with, they’re skills you develop through intentional practice and the courage to show up authentically, even when it’s uncomfortable.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! I’m always looking for meaningful collaborations that amplify the message of turning adversity into authentic authority. There are several types of partnerships that really energize me:

First and foremost, I’m actively seeking more speaking opportunities. The stage is where I feel most alive and most aligned with my purpose. There’s nothing quite like the moment when someone approaches me after a talk, many times with tears in their eyes, telling me they desperately needed to hear that message, or sharing how it’s inspired them to make significant changes in their lives. Those conversations remind me why I do this work. I’m looking to partner with event planners, conference organizers, corporate leaders, and association directors who want to bring a message of hope and transformation to their audiences.

I’m also interested in collaborating with other speakers, authors, and coaches who share similar values around authentic storytelling and turning struggles into strength. Whether it’s joint speaking events, podcast swaps, or co-creating content, I believe we’re stronger when we amplify each other’s voices.

Additionally, I welcome partnerships with organizations, nonprofits, or businesses that serve people who are navigating difficult transitions, whether that’s career changes, personal setbacks, or entrepreneurial challenges. My military background and experience as a paramedic give me a unique perspective that resonates particularly well with first responders, veterans, healthcare workers, and business owners who are dealing with high-stress situations.

If you’re reading this and thinking we might be a good fit for collaboration, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me through my website at EdwinaAdams.com, where you can learn more about my speaking topics and reach out directly. Let’s explore how we can work together to help more people make their own positive NOISE in the world.

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