We were lucky to catch up with Emefa Boamah recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Emefa, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?
My life has been a combination of wild and sometimes unbelievable moments – from growing up in Ghana’s lush landscapes, sprinkled with some trauma and poverty and witnessing the strength of my mother and grandmother, to navigating the busy-ness of the United States. All of which embedded empathy into who I am today.
Growing up in a multigenerational household, community, respect, and collective well-being were like the air I breathed.
When I first landed in the US, it was exciting, diving headfirst into working where I quickly climbed the corporate ladder in luxury hotels and a boutique Leadership Academy, living what seemed like the dream life among the city’s high rises and rubbing shoulders with influential folks. I thought I had arrived!
But fast forward to 2020, well, we all know what happened! COVID hit me hard, leading to being in the hospital, a near death experience, and being out of work for months. Talk about a wake-up call, one that forced me to slow down and re-evaluate everything.
The road to recovery was a rollercoaster, and another health scare sent me back to my roots in Ghana, seeking guidance from my ancestors. There, in the heart of my homeland, I felt a powerful sense of “yes” from the universe. A pivotal moment that grounded and connected me with wise mentors and elders. Witnessing their unwavering support and wisdom was a masterclass in empathy as they helped me navigate what came next with a renewed sense of purpose.
That’s when I started integrating holistic healing methods like breathwork and sound healing into my life and work. It all stemmed from a deep empathy for the whole person – body, mind, and spirit, and just felt natural, considering all aspects of someone’s well-being.
Now, as a multi- certified Coach, Guide, and Facilitator, I use somatic and embodiment based tools to help women to heal, grow and make impact. I cannot do this work without connecting deeply with individuals and understanding their struggles so I can walk alongside them through their journeys. My own experiences of trauma and healing allow me to empathize with their pain and resilience on a profound level.
Meditation, meaningful conversations, active listening and cultivating deep friendships continues to hone my ability to be present with others.
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?
I am a Taurus who embraces the finer and slower things in life. Two years ago, I made a conscious choice to step away from the over-caffeinated, rush-fueled lifestyle that many changemakers fall into. Instead, slowness and intentionality are the cornerstones of my life and work. I find joy in laughter, deep hugs, and intimate time with family and friends. I’m also a budding homesteader with dreams of growing my own food and deepening my relationship with the land I live on. This journey includes building a medicine and initiation portal to guide women as they navigate significant life transitions.
The vision for my movement has always been to create a global movement on Embodied Leadership and Leadership for Women. My new mission is to hold sacred, delicate, and potent spaces for soul-led, heart-centered, and mission-driven female entrepreneurs. I guide them through life’s transitions with love, care, and wisdom, helping them build lives and businesses that feel like home while making income and impact.
My past experience in high-pressure hospitality and event management roles, including prestigious luxury establishments like the Ritz Carlton, cultivated my unique ability to curate inclusive and transformative spaces. Inspired by my grandmother’s advice to “not let anyone leave your house hungry,” I aim to create nurturing and supportive environments in my life and business.
To build a sustainable life and business as a mission-driven woman, I believe we need to:
Integrate Magic and Method
Harmonize Spirituality and Strategy
Balance Playfulness and Productivity
What excites me most about my work is witnessing the profound transformations in the women I work with. It’s incredibly special to see someone reclaim their sense of self and step into their power. The moment a woman realizes she can heal and lead from a place of wholeness and authenticity is magical!
I recently launched Rites of Passage, a transformative 3-month program inspired by the Heroine’s Journey. It guides women through separation, liminality, and reintegration with coaching sessions, access to resources, and ongoing support. They can choose their own adventure in three ways:
One-on-One: Personalized support for 3 or 6 months to dive deeply into their unique journey, embrace uncertainty, and find your way home with new insights. This option is for the woman who wants intimate support.
Group Container: A virtual 3-month program for soul-led, heart-centered female entrepreneurs to align who you are with what you do. This is for the woman who is seeking community, sisterhood and to be supported within a group. Enrollment is ongoing.
InnerVerse Plant Medicine Preparation & Integration: A journey with sacred plant medicine, including four preparation sessions, a journey, and four integration sessions. This is for the woman who desires to dive deep into her being and explore what’s there.
Other Offerings
Somatic Alignment Sessions: These are an excellent way to get to know me and my work. We work together to calibrate your nervous system, facilitate healing, unlock somatic leadership, and manifest your dreams. Option to purchase a 1 time session or a package.
Sound Healing and Breathwork Events: Local community events to foster collective healing.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most most important qualities, also known as my zone of genius, are:
1. Somatic and Embodied Healership and Leadership: It is common to lead from the head, because that’s what we’ve been taught for years. My unique approach is to encourage women to reconnect with their bodies, minds and spirit and to learn how to follow their guidance in their lives.
2. Childlike Wonder and Playfulness: I often say that we are all children playing pretend as adults. My clients and I use tools like breathwork, dancing, meditation, and creating art to reconnect them with their inner child – uninhibited, curious, and hopeful. Reclaiming this childlike wonder unlocks a part of them that ensures sustainable healing and joyful loving.
3. Using Core Values as North Star
Leading authentically builds trust.. Reconnecting with my true core values helped me really get clear on what matters and how to communicate that in a way that creates deep connection with others. I’ve seen this blow people’s minds when they are confused about a decision and I ask them – “what would (said core value) do?”
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
As a trauma survivor and entrepreneur, I know all too well the feeling of being overwhelmed so here some grounding my toolbox to help me come back to center – feel welcome to steal any of them.
1. Simple Pleasures: Sometimes the most effective techniques are the simplest. Walking barefoot on the earth, practicing deep breathing, or even taking a few moments to feel your feet on the ground can bring your focus back to the present and reduce mental clutter.
2. Move & Breathe: Releasing tension and shifting energy through movement and breathwork is a powerful tool. This could be a yoga session, a dance break, boxing session or specific breathwork techniques like deep belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing, all helping to restore calm or get you out of a slump.
3. Nature’s Embrace: Nothing quite resets me like spending time in nature. Whether it’s a park walk, sitting by a river, or simply being outside, nature has a calming and restorative effect. Even a short walk can clear your mind and reduce stress.
4. The Power of Ritual: Creating a calming ritual can be a great way to find stability and peace. This could involve lighting a candle, setting an intention, and spending a few minutes in quiet reflection or journaling. Regularly practicing this ritual provides an anchor when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
The key is to find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine. Remember that consistency doesn’t always equal frequentcy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emefaboamah.co/starthere
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemefaboamah/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emefaboamah/
Image Credits
Laura Boyd Photography
Yara Photography
Shelbie Whitten
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
