Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Aja.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Angela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My passion is to coach, mentor and inspire women toward a healthy self-esteem, strong sense of identity and confidence at their core not because I’m always the most confident woman in the room. It’s not because my knees never knock or my hands never get clammy. It’s because I’ve been through an identity crisis of epic proportions and walked it out. I’ve worn masks in an effort to cover up my dirty little secret… I was a leader and I was insecure with an identity that was built on a faulty foundation. My low self-esteem wreaked havoc in my relationships and rocked my confidence down to my core. On my expedition to finding my core identity, I uncovered my message from my mess. My life long struggle with my identity has become specialization. I now use my experiences as a platform to present the lessons I’ve learned and the strategies I’ve employed, to coach, mentor and inspire women toward a healthy self-esteem, a strong sense of identity and confidence at their core.
I had a fairy-tale life. I was working in the profession that I had prepared all of my life for. My dad was a pastor of a church and my mom was the ultimate pastor’s wife. I grew up in the church, went to Bible College and married a man from Bible College who was preparing for the ministry. We got married and took our first church right after graduation. I was raised to be a supportive wife and an attentive pastor’s wife. After 23 years of marriage and the ministry, my ex-husband made choices that didn’t include his family and didn’t include the ministry. My life went from a fairy-tale to a nightmare.
The surface problem was that I experienced heartbreak, abandonment and betrayal. I suffered devastating loss after bankruptcy, foreclosure and financial ruin. The damage was insurmountable. I walked away from my titles, carrying a heavy load disillusionment and disappointment.
The deeper problem, however, was that I was no longer a wife and I was no longer in the ministry. The two major foundations on which I had built my identity were swept away in a swift stroke.
I went through an identity crisis of EPIC proportions!
I had built my whole identity around supporting a man in the pursuit of building his dreams, even at the expense of my own. I had constructed a foundation for my self-esteem based on my position. I was left unfulfilled, lonely and devastated. My inner world and my outer world collided. I created an identity that was centered on what I did versus who I am. I had set myself up for disappointment.
I went through a roller coaster of emotions and unhealthy relationships.
Convinced that I was the victim in my own story, I become adept at telling my sad tale. Still in the middle of my IDENTITY CRISIS, I went from finding my identity in a man and the ministry, to finding my identity in my misery; until I met my life coach. I met a woman who offered me a new solution. She asked me a question that would change the trajectory of my life. She said, “What do YOU want?” I don’t think I had ever considered that question. She taught me that my suffering wasn’t from what happened to me but from my perspective about what happened. She gave me a plan find out what I truly wanted and she called me to action.
I got an Identity Makeover!
I realized that every problem I’ve ever had and every time I’ve felt stuck in life, it has been because my inner world didn’t match my outer world; I was disconnected to my true identity. I was always trying to fit into someone else’s mold. Since that time, my journey has taken me in some interesting twists and turns, leading me on the path to restyling my life so that my inner world and my outer world are both built on a firm foundation (an identity makeover, if you will). That’s why my passion is a community of confident women showing up in the world fearlessly to make a bigger impact.
My professional qualifications include being an ordained minister, certified life coach, a professionally trained chef, published author and speaker. I spent 25 years developing powerful mentor-ship programs for women that resulted in leaders who have gone on to make a strong impact in their communities.
I’m a foodie through and through; a bon vivant, if you will (one who has refined taste, especially when it comes to food, drink and the enjoyment of life) which led to my professional training at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, Texas.
I am a mother of four amazing kids and a self-proclaimed “Glammaw” who goes by the name, “Mammaw”, to four precious grand-babies. I describe myself as a family fanatic and a Mid-western girl with a Texas twist. My two greatest passions in life are the transformation of food and the transformation of people.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but I believe that a smooth road does not give you an opportunity to develop character.
Growing up in a Christian home, as the pastor’s daughter, there was a saying that “PK’s (pastor’s kids) are the worst”. I was not your typical PK. I was a leader in the youth group and lived a wholesome lifestyle. When guest ministers used to come through and tell of their grandiose transformation from a life of sin to a life of separation, I used to pray and say, “But God, I don’t have a testimony!” I grew up in the church, went to Bible College, married a minister and never stepped outside of my bubble…until all hell broke loose in my life.
Suddenly, the little girl who didn’t have a testimony added some new tales to her story. I experienced divorce, utter financial devastation, betrayal, abandonment, heartache and an identity crisis of epic proportions. I went from being the “first lady of the church” to single mom. I went from preaching in the pulpit to selling windows door to door. I went from living on a Texas ranch to living in an apartment, sleeping on the floor, eating on the floor and playing Yahtzee on the floor with my kids.
Never having worked outside the home, I had to find a way to support my kids. I have done all kinds of jobs. I have worked in the door-to-door window sales business, the roofing business, and the wine-tasting business. I’ve worked at William Sonoma, setting up displays in the middle of the night. I’ve been a personal chef, a caregiver to the elderly and the disabled. I’ve even been a bouncer (funny, but true) and a movie star (well… an extra on some TV shows and movies). I can truly say that I have done whatever it takes to provide for my kids.
So, no, it has not been a smooth road but I’m happy to say that that’s not where the story ended! I now have a beautiful home with beautiful furniture, thriving children and a business that allows me to use all of my life experiences to inspire people and to be a living example that God is the God of the turn-around and that hardships and trials can be the vehicles of transformation, strength and fortitude. Our mess can reveal our message and triumph can come out of tragedy!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Private, one to one coaching is a progressive, dynamic and thought-provoking conversation that brings clarity to where you currently are, precision to where the dream of your heart longs to take you, what’s standing in your way and builds a bridge between the gaps. I will hold you accountable to YOUR dreams and desires so that you can achieve them. Coaching is a collaborative partnership. It is a sacred space where you can feel heard, honored and valued; a safe, judgment-free zone to grow.
I specialize in coaching, mentoring and inspiring women toward a healthy sense of self-esteem, a strong sense of identity and confidence at their core.
I am an advocate in overcoming insecurity and developing unshakable confidence, especially to women in transition.
I’m a big proponent of emotional responsibility, identity development and confidence that comes from deep within the core of who you are.
Confident women, showing up in the world fearlessly to make a bigger impact are what my community is all about.
I am most proud of the transformations that take place in my clients and the work that they do. The women that I work with are so committed to creating a life that’s worth celebrating and the transformations that take place in their life are astounding.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe that Houston and specifically, The Woodlands is a fantastic place to do business. The community is one of the most giving and gracious community that I’ve ever been a part of. The residents of this area are committed to personal growth and living at their fullest potential. I believe that the efforts of the residence of Houston during Hurricane Harvey are a perfect example of the quality of people that live in this area.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angelaaja.com
- Email: angela@angelaaja.com
- Facebook: @angelaajalifecoach
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
