About Elysa Roberts, PhD, OTR/L, MCC, CLC
Why I Work In the Ways I Do
My passion is equipping deep thinkers, helping professionals, creatives, and emerging entrepreneurs to reconnect to inner wisdom, shift paradigms, clarify what matters most and show up authentically and confidently at work, at home, in relationships and in the mirror.
What gets me out of bed is another chance to stir up passion, purpose and possibility within the hearts and minds of those I encounter.
What makes for a great night’s sleep is sensing that someone somewhere within my reach felt the fear and did it anyway; showered in self-compassion instead of self-criticism; ate dessert first; dismissed the doubt in making their daydream reality; colored way outside the lines; spoke up to shut down diet culture; chose pleasure over the Patriarchy and/or otherwise expressed their soul’s vibe.
At the core of my passion, expertise, and approach are my studies and experiences. The pinnacles AND the pitfalls of my experiences inform as much of why you are reading 'about me' as any certification, degree or credential I hold!
Lessons from my studies and experiences give me deep understanding of how easy it is for our essence, self-esteem, and confidence to get derailed by trying to uphold societal and familial rules, buried beneath layers of doubt and/or stuck in ruts physically, mentally, financially, etc.
Equally, I've learned it takes guts and heart to do the work to recalibrate our mindsets, sync our inner essence with our outer expression and dare to do what lights us up, scratches that itch, and/or defies being typecast or underestimated.
How I Do This Work
I combine story, science, strategy, and soul in my Keynote talks, Masterclasses, workshops and distinctive coaching offers. As a speaker, teacher and/or coach, I’m known for my authenticity, approachability, passion from the podium, and capacity to challenge with compassion. I spark thinking and acting with greater conviction, meaning and passion.
I work virtually or in-person, 1:1 and in groups with clients who are individuals, organizations, or businesses. My work takes the shape of inspiring and informative keynote talks, impactful workshops, and sharing in transformative coaching conversations.
Those I've worked describe me as a Soul Coach, Vision Keeper, Champion for Change, Spirit Mumma, Fairy Godmother, Bonus Aunty and Firecracker of Passion. These testaments are humbling and gratifying because it means how I work is working.
What’s Behind Why I Do What I Do
Looking back from my mid-50s, I’ve become who and offer what I needed leading up to mid-life. Growing up, I was driven to keep the peace, behave and avoid conflict. I went to extremes to reach certain familial and societal ideals, while rebelling against others that made no sense to me. I often ended up going against the grain without even trying – my hair too curly, thighs to wide, soul too woo-woo, life and career choices too alternative. I'd try for years to 'fix' myself, force my square peg into a round hold, 'tame my curls' and quiet my mind. I got pretty good at this 'act' for a while - often looking like I had things figured out. Meanwhile, inside I was filled with doubt and angst.
Thankfully, time, tolerance for failure, courage to be vulnerable, and willingness to invest in myself, led me here - Living BARE and equipped with tools to design my authentic lifestyle, livelihood and legacy.
My talking points, coaching programs and tools are infused with my years of lived experiences, research findings, skills training and experimentation. I love showing you how insidiously and intentionally societal norms and systemic influences work to dishearten and distract. And I love teaching how to intercept those acquired limiting beliefs keeping too many from showing up, speaking up and taking up space.
I abhor Patriarchal conditioning, Diet Culture and 'isms' and 'phobias' (e.g., ableism, racism, anti-semitism, transphobia, etc). I love revealing divisive tactics of these constructed forces (e.g., diet porn, the bro-code, stigma and tall poppy syndrome) and teach ways to take back our power no matter our age, educational level, how we identify or our size or shape.
Ultimately, my work is my work. I draw on my 20-year trek to freedom from an eating disorder, passion for blending science and intuition and ongoing learning to make my speaking, teaching, and coaching more inclusive, affirming, and accessible.
What’s Behind How I Do What I Do
I expanded my ‘practice’ beyond traditional occupational therapy and into Speaking, Coaching, and Intuitive Guidance YEARS ago. My own investment in professional coaching helped me realize I can communicate my messages and methods farther and faster if I do so in a private practice, beyond the 'boxes of bureaucracy'.
Working here, outside the traditions, rules and constraints of the medical model, healthcare system or curricula in Higher Education, means I can use my skills, gifts, and unique background with more people in more spaces and across more geographic places.
I am a BARE Certified and Master Certified Coach and Certified Life Coach. My coaching is endorsed by trademarked, inclusive, and International Coaching Federation-accredited methodologies.
American-born and raised – now living in Australia – I’m a seasoned University educator with a PhD and MS in occupational therapy and background in sociology.
Every day I draw on my rich and diverse education, ‘out of the box’ thinking, and partnering style from 30 years in traditional and innovative roles as an occupational therapist, university educator, and/or personal or corporate coach. I am committed to being a sound investment.
When I’m not unearthing people’s worth or making a scene, I am probably eating dark chocolate, walking along the coastline of Awabakal Country a.k.a. Newcastle, Australia or my other home in southeast Florida, and noticing signs from the Universe assuring me I’m on the right path
with pleasure,
Elysa (she/her)
Let’s connect. Click here to book a 45-minute (no cost) Discovery Call to see if and/or how working together is a fit.
Listen to part of the story of how I got into this work - click here