Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Joy Duke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katie Joy , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from a mix of lived experiences, spiritual practices, and a deep commitment to loving myself and healing. It’s not just something I was born with, but something I’ve nurtured and continue to build every day.
As a storyteller, I’ve learned to turn my experiences into sources of strength. I share my journey—especially the parts of surviving breast cancer and navigating grief after my daughter died—because those stories hold the lessons I want others to learn from. For me, resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about showing others how to rise after hard times. Through my storytelling, I can inspire and offer hope, because I know that if I can do it, so can others.
But here’s the thing: resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about slowing down. I’ve come to realize that taking time to rest is one of the most powerful things I can do. Whether through yoga nidra, meditation, or simply lying down and letting go, I’ve learned that resilience is about being present with myself, not doing more. If I hadn’t taken the time to rest and recharge, I wouldn’t have been able to make it through some of my toughest moments.
Self-compassion is another big part of my resilience. It’s about loving myself fully, with all my flaws and imperfections. The more I care for myself, the more I can show up for others. When I give myself the kindness and care I long for from others, I’m able to extend that same kindness to my family, my clients, and the people around me. It’s this circle of love that helps me bounce back when life gets tough.
But my resilience isn’t just about inner work—it’s also deeply connected to my faith. I believe that God, or Source energy, is within me, guiding me and giving me strength. This connection to something bigger than myself keeps me grounded and provides me with the courage to face whatever life throws my way. When I feel tethered to that higher power, I know I’m not alone in my struggles.
At the core of my resilience is a simple truth: I am enough. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I’ve spent a lot of time undoing the perfectionist mindset that told me I had to always be “perfect” or “good enough.” Now, I embrace my imperfections and see them as part of what makes me whole. That shift in mindset is the foundation of my resilience.
So, where do I get my resilience from? It comes from my stories, my self-compassion, my faith, and the love I give and receive from others. It’s a practice, one that I continue to strengthen every day. And it’s something I share with others, so they can tap into their own strength, too. For me, resilience is about slowing down, being kind to myself, and trusting that I have everything I need to not just survive, but thrive. And that’s what keeps me going, no matter what.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Katie Joy Duke, a life coach, memoirist, public speaker, and retreat leader, passionate about guiding individuals through their personal transformations. Through my coaching I help people—especially those in transition—unlock their full potential by breaking free from limiting beliefs and reconnecting with their true essence. My approach blends deep self-awareness with practical tools to bring about lasting change, whether it’s in their personal life, career, or creative pursuits.
What excites me most about my work is seeing my clients rediscover their inner strength and power. I love helping people peel back the layers they’ve built up over the years—whether through grief, trauma, or societal conditioning—and return to the core of who they truly are. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness that “aha” moment when someone realizes that they’ve always had the tools within them to create the life they desire. And I’m deeply passionate about creating safe, nurturing spaces where these transformations can happen.
One of the things that makes my work special is how it blends personal experience with proven coaching methods. Having walked through my own challenges—losing my daughter, surviving breast cancer, and transitioning from a legal career to life coaching—I bring a depth of lived experience that allows me to meet my clients where they are. I’ve been there. I understand what it takes to rebuild and rise again, and I’m honored to guide others through their own journeys.
I’m also excited to share my latest offering, Light Me Up: A Six-Week Self-Awareness and Empowerment Intensive. This program is designed to help people in transition—whether it’s dealing with burnout, creative stagnation, or life shifts—distinguish their Values, Essence, Survival Mechanism, Priorities, and Life Vision. Over the course of six 60-minute coaching sessions, participants will explore their unique path and build a more aligned, fulfilling life.
In addition to Light Me Up, I offer one-on-one coaching, transformational speaking engagements, and retreats where we dive deep into self-discovery, resilience, and creative empowerment. I believe that true transformation happens when we slow down, reconnect with our inner wisdom, and give ourselves the space to grow and evolve. That’s what I aim to provide through all of my offerings.
If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about your next steps, I’d love to connect and see how we can work together to create the life that lights you up. You can book a free discovery call or learn more about Light Me Up through my website.
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?
Looking back on my journey, I can pinpoint three qualities that were truly game-changers in my transition from law to coaching, and they continue to shape my path today.
First, my willingness to sit with the unknown was crucial. The leap from a well-established career in law to becoming a life coach felt uncertain and, honestly, a little crazy at times. But instead of trying to control the unknown, I learned to embrace it. There’s power in not having all the answers right away, and I allowed myself to trust the process, knowing that everything would unfold as it needed to.
Second, I had to be willing to risk failure. There were so many moments when I doubted myself—when the fear of failing felt overwhelming. But I kept showing up, even when things didn’t go perfectly. Every time I felt scared or uncertain, I reminded myself that the fear was part of the journey. It was through those risks and missteps that I grew and learned the most about myself.
Finally, my ability to return over and over to a space of trust was essential. Trusting in the bigger picture, in the mystery of life, and in my ability to reinvent myself helped me stay grounded through the chaos of change. There were moments of doubt, but each time I leaned into that trust, I found my way forward.
If you’re early in your own journey, whether in coaching or healing, my advice is to trust the process. Fall in love with the journey itself, because it’s not about being perfect or having all the answers. You are always learning, growing, and evolving. It’s vital to approach the transition with a beginner’s mind, no matter how much experience you had in your previous field. Be willing to make mistakes, be wrong, and not have all the answers. That’s how you’ll cultivate curiosity and keep moving closer to your dreams.
And most importantly, go for bold! Go for NO! Embrace the possibility of failure, because each “no” is one step closer to a breakthrough. Keep asking the next question, and trust that the answers will come.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A book that has had a profound impact on my development is *Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes* by William Bridges. This book was a game-changer for me as it provided a framework that helped me understand and navigate the inevitable transitions I’ve faced in my own life. It was especially valuable during my shift from a career in law to becoming a life coach, and it continues to guide me as I support my clients through their own transitions.
One of the most impactful insights from the book is the way it redefines *endings*. Bridges explains that every transition begins with an ending, but far too often, we think of endings as final and complete—“that’s it, it’s over, there’s nothing left.” In reality, how we view and embrace endings is crucial for what comes next. For me, the transition from law to coaching wasn’t just an ending to a career—it was the beginning of something new. Embracing that mindset shift allowed me to view the change as an opportunity rather than a loss, and that’s something I now encourage my clients to do.
Another key nugget of wisdom is the concept of the *neutral zone*. This is the often confusing and uncomfortable space between what’s ended and what’s to come. It’s a time when you feel disconnected from the past but are not yet emotionally connected to the present. It can feel like a lull, a moment of no progress. But Bridges teaches us that the neutral zone is actually a time of deep reorientation. For me, it was a period of self-reflection, where I could reimagine my life’s purpose and how I wanted to serve the world. I now encourage those I work with to embrace the discomfort of the neutral zone, knowing that it’s a crucial step before the new beginning.
Finally, the book emphasizes that a *new beginning* requires more than just persevering. It requires awareness—recognizing both external signs and internal signals that point the way to the future. This idea was pivotal when I launched my coaching practice. It wasn’t enough to simply “keep going.” I had to learn to tune into what my soul was telling me about what I wanted to create, and I had to trust that I was stepping into something bigger than myself.
*Transitions* continues to be a guiding light for me and my clients, helping us navigate life’s changes with grace and understanding. It taught me that transitions are not just something to endure—they are something to embrace. It also helped me realize that change is an opportunity for reinvention, not just an end. For anyone experiencing a transition, I highly recommend this book as it provides a roadmap for navigating the inevitable twists and turns of life with clarity and hope.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katiejoyduke.com
- Instagram: @katiejoyduke
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiejoyduke/
Image Credits
Photography Credits to Emma Marie Milner
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