Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Feathers
Hi Deborah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Deborah Feathers, and I am a 29 year old, born and raised in Miami, Florida. I am a certified life and success coach, mindset coach, NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) Practioner, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Practioner, T.I.M.E (Time Integration for Maximum Empowerment) Techniques Practioner and Clinical Hypnotherapist. I graduated from Capella University with my bachelor in science in psychology in December of 23, and I am now 25% done with my masters in science in marriage and family therapy and plan to move on to my doctorate after. I hold a 4.0 GPA, and I am a member of the Delta Kappa Honor Society and NSLS (National Society for Learner Success).
13 years ago, my life was changed forever when a surgeon made a mistake during surgery by nicking my left ureter. In women, the ureters pass the mesometrium and under the uterine arteries on their way up to the urinary bladder. In the medical field, they have a phrase for remembering this anatomical relationship, and that is “water (ureters) under the bridge (uterine arteries).” It is because the ureters are commonly ligated during surgery, that doctors use this expression to avoid exactly this mistake. This is how I have come to know the phrase, “water under the bridge.” To most, “water under the bridge” is used to refer to events or situations that are in the past and are consequently no longer to be regarded as important or a source of concern. In time, through perseverance and perspective– this is also how I have come to know the phrase “water under the bridge.””
At the age of 16, I spent 5 months in the hospital. I had 4 surgeries, 2 PICC lines placed, countless labs, and IVs to the point where they were placing them in my wrists and feet, and was taken off food for weeks to months at a time. I was in the ICU with ascites, peritonitis, and sepsis, unable to breathe, in multi-organ failure, and near death. I went into surgery at 11 o’clock on a Sunday night. I knew I was dying. I will never forget telling my mom “goodbye” and doing everything in my power to make sure she knew I loved her because I didn’t think I’d wake up from the emergency surgery. I repeated over and over again, “You know I love you, right?” And by the grace of God, I made it through the night. A surgeon saved my life by discovering that my abdomen had filled with 2.5 liters of urine, and the source was the nick on my ureter. I would go on to be diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and have my gallbladder and part of my liver removed. Everything that could have possibly gone wrong in the hospital went wrong. It was like Murphy’s Law: Hospital Edition.
When I came out of the hospital on my 17th birthday, PTSD soon set in, and as a result of that severe anxiety, depression and OCD. It was a new world outside of the hospital, and as much as I wanted to go home, nothing seemed familiar anymore. Friends were focused on school and dating. I was focusing on just getting through the day and whatever that meant. Grappling with excruciating pain and nausea, flashbacks and nightmares, panic attacks, and bouts of depression, I began to feel inadequate. I was in what they called the “hospital/homebound” program, which allowed me to complete school and graduate on time with my class. The only problem was they didn’t offer the honors classes I was used to taking before I got ill, and the higher level math courses like calculus and trigonometry my friends were taking weren’t offered either. Though I graduated with a 3.9 GPA, I still felt stupid. Nevertheless, I went and applied at a local college. Unfortunately, they were not very accommodating of people with disabilities and at the time, I was not very educated on my rights afforded to me by the ADA (American Disability Association). I was told by the school that there was a list of professors who “worked well with people with disabilities” and to try to choose their classes. To quote one professor, “everyone has problems.” Which is true, but not everyone does their homework assignments with a bucket next to them so they can throw up. It got to the point where I could get good grades, but I needed extra time on assignments, and not all professors were willing to accommodate. I eventually began to think college was simply not a possibility for me, so I had to make the extremely hard decision to leave.
I didn’t know what to do with my life now. My biggest fear was living my life as a couch potato. Waking up, taking my medication, eating, and then sleeping just to repeat it all again the next day. I had to believe there was a reason I survived that night in the hospital. I was so close to death that there had to be a reason I was still here. There had to be a purpose I was put on this earth. There was something I still needed to do here.
The next few years were hard. Just when I thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, as my grandfather would say, “it turned out to be a freight train.” I had avoided dating like the plague. I figured, who wanted to be both boyfriend and caregiver? Which really wasn’t for me to decide for men who came around and showed an interest. But I was a master at pushing guys away. When I finally decided enough was enough, and I needed to give somebody a chance if I ever wanted to get married and have children– I was quickly met with regret. It took me 6 months and the help of a therapist to even be able to say what had happened to me. I was raped and beaten.
Experiencing sexual assault is something that you can’t truly understand until it happens to you. It profoundly changes your perspective and alters who you are as a person. For a long time, it deeply affected me, impacting every aspect of my life.
Before it happened, I had a certain view of the world, one that was perhaps more trusting and innocent. But after the assault, everything changed. Trust became harder to come by, and the sense of safety I once took for granted vanished. Everyday interactions became tinged with anxiety and fear. I could jump at the knock on a door.
Emotionally, I was shattered. The trauma seeped into my thoughts, affecting my ability to focus and feel joy. Relationships became strained as I struggled to connect with others while dealing with my own pain and confusion. There were days when simply getting out of bed felt like an insurmountable challenge.
The assault didn’t just hurt me physically; it attacked my sense of self-worth and security.
Eventually, the weight of everything became too much to bear. The emotional and psychological toll of the assault pushed me to a breaking point where I felt utterly hopeless and overwhelmed. In that dark place, I contemplated ending my life, believing it was the only way to escape the pain.
One day, I made the decision to attempt suicide. I was convinced that this would bring an end to my suffering. But in that critical moment, something within me made me stop. Perhaps it was a glimmer of hope, a realization of the love and support around me, or a fear of what my loss would mean for those who cared about me– especially my mom and brother.
I reached out for help and found the strength to survive. It wasn’t easy; it required me to confront my trauma and seek the support I needed to begin healing. The healing process has been long and difficult, requiring immense strength and support. Although I am working towards recovery, the impact of that experience continues to be a part of who I am. It’s an ongoing journey to reclaim my life and rebuild my sense of self. However, this experience became a turning point, motivating me to reclaim my life and start the long journey towards recovery.
Surviving that moment of despair taught me about my own resilience and the importance of reaching out for help. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one where I gradually learned to cope, heal, and rediscover the strength within myself.
Then one day, I was watching Dr. Phil, and he mentioned the importance of joining organizations like C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. It piqued my interest, but I didn’t know much about it or how to get started. The idea of using my own experiences to help others resonated deeply with me, yet I felt uncertain about taking the first step.
Not long after that, I attended a local harvest festival. Among the various booths, I came across one with a recruiter looking for people to join the Florida Guardian ad Litem program. I learned that the Guardian ad Litem program is similar to C.A.S.A. It’s a volunteer-based initiative where trained advocates represent the best interests of children in the dependency court system. These volunteers work to ensure that the children’s needs and rights are met while navigating through often complex legal and social service systems.
The role involves spending time with the child, gathering information from everyone involved in their life, and making informed recommendations to the court about what’s best for the child’s future. It seemed like the perfect fit—a way for me to transform my trauma into a positive force, helping others, particularly children and teens, who are vulnerable and in need of support.
Joining the program gave me a renewed sense of purpose. It allowed me to channel my experiences into something meaningful, using my understanding of trauma to empathize with and advocate for those who need it most. This opportunity not only helped others but also played a crucial part in my own healing journey.
Through this program, I have seen the best and the worst in people. I’ve encountered extremely challenging situations, including being handed a case that was described as, and I quote, “the worst case we have in the state.” There have been times when I got back in my car and broke down crying, stayed up all night worrying, and held hands with children and families through their darkest days. It’s taken its toll on me in many ways, but it has also been the best experience of my life.
This journey, despite its hardships, has been incredibly rewarding. Through the Guardian ad Litem program, I met my two intelligent, funny, kind, charismatic, and beautiful daughters, whom I now can’t imagine my life without. The impact these children have had on me is immeasurable. While I’ve strived to make a difference in their lives, they have done even more for me. They’ve brought joy, love, and a renewed sense of purpose into my life, helping me heal and grow in ways I never thought possible.
Throughout this journey as a Guardian ad Litem, I was fortunate to have an amazing child advocate manager who recognized my dedication and potential. She saw how effective I was in my role and encouraged me to go back to school, believing in my ability to make an even greater impact.
Inspired by her confidence in me, I finally took the plunge and enrolled in Capella University’s psychology program with the hopes of becoming a therapist. Despite my initial doubts and the challenges posed by my health issues, I was determined to succeed.
To my astonishment, I completed my first semester with a 4.0 GPA. Achieving this academic success was a significant milestone for me, reaffirming that I was capable of more than I had imagined. Capella University played a crucial role in this achievement by working closely with me to provide the necessary accommodations for my health needs, essentially making college a viable option for me.
This educational journey has not only been a testament to my resilience and determination but also a crucial step toward fulfilling my goal of helping others as a therapist. The support from my child advocate manager and the flexibility offered by Capella have been instrumental in making this dream a reality.
A year and a half after starting my journey at Capella University, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in General Psychology. Fueled by my passion to help others, I immediately enrolled in the Master of Science program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Now, I’m 25% through my master’s program and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Determined to offer my clients as much as possible, I have been considering getting certified as a life coach for quite some time. It felt like fate when I saw an Instagram ad for Amanda Bybel’s coaching certification program. Intrigued, I asked for more information, and everything seemed to align perfectly, leading me to sign up.
After completing over 300 hours of online training and a 6 day retreat, I became officially certified as a life coach. This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, enhancing my ability to support and guide my clients through their personal journeys.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a certified life and success coach, mindset coach, and practitioner of transformative techniques, my business is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. I provide a compassionate, supportive, and non-judgmental space for clients to explore challenges, identify strengths, and unlock potential. Specializing in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Time Integration for Maximum Empowerment (T.I.M.E) Techniques, and clinical hypnotherapy, my holistic approach addresses both the conscious and subconscious mind for lasting change.
My empathetic and results-driven coaching style focuses on overcoming limiting beliefs, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being. My mission is to guide individuals on a path to self-discovery, empower them to embrace their strengths, and elevate their lives to new heights of fulfillment and success. Through personalized guidance, support, and actionable strategies, I aim to ignite transformation, cultivate resilience, and inspire clients to live authentically and passionately, realizing their fullest potential. I believe my clients can and will achieve anything they set their mind to!
What sets me apart is my integrated approach to personal development and transformation. Combining my certifications in NLP, EFT, T.I.M.E Techniques, clinical hypnotherapy, and mindset coaching, I offer a holistic toolkit tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. These techniques can be used individually or in combination to address a range of challenges, including personal development, mindset and motivation, professional growth, stress management, parenting, sex and relationships.
My brand is built on creating a supportive and nurturing environment where clients feel safe to explore their challenges and unlock their full potential. I prioritize building strong, trusting relationships, empowering clients to overcome obstacles, and achieve personal growth. My approach is solution-focused; my goal is not to keep clients indefinitely but to guide them through their program and help them graduate to a better, more fulfilling life.
Currently, I offer three distinct life coaching programs designed to meet varying needs and goals: Awaken, Inspire, and Manifest, collectively known as AIM.
Awaken is a 12-week (3-month) program that focuses on initiating your personal transformation and creating foundational shifts in your mindset and behavior. It is ideal for you if you’re seeking to kickstart your journey towards personal growth, clarity, and purpose.
Inspire is a more intensive 6-month program tailored to you if you’re looking to delve deeper into your personal development journey. This program provides comprehensive support and guidance to help you foster sustainable changes, enhance resilience, and achieve significant milestones in various aspects of your life.
Manifest is a comprehensive 1-year program designed for those committed to profound and lasting transformation. This program offers you an immersive experience aimed at empowering you to manifest your long-term goals, cultivate lasting habits, and create a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
Each program is structured to provide progressive coaching sessions, personalized strategies, and accountability measures to support you throughout your journey of self-discovery and growth. Whether you’re seeking to overcome challenges, enhance your mindset, or achieve specific life goals, these programs are designed to empower you to thrive and lead a more fulfilling life.
Now, looking back at the difficult times and the hurdles I’ve overcome, it all feels like water under the bridge. My journey from being a Guardian ad Litem to pursuing higher education and becoming a certified life coach has transformed my life. The challenges that once seemed insurmountable have become stepping stones to a fulfilling and purposeful career. I’m grateful for every experience, every person who believed in me, and every opportunity that came my way. They have all led me to where I am today, ready to help others navigate their own paths to healing and growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://deborahfeathers.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_feathers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborahafeathers/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@deborahfeathers
Image Credits
Leo Rojas
