What if the only thing standing between you and the life you say you want… is the way you see yourself?
In this powerful episode, Lola Owolabi—internationally recognized leadership and transformational coach, award-winning author, and founder of Proud To Be Me—dives deep into self-worth, confidence, and what it really means to live authentically. From losing her father at a young age to being raised by a single mother of five and navigating life between cultures, Lola’s story is one of resilience, identity, and rising beyond circumstances.
But this isn’t just about her journey—it’s about yours. Lola challenges the idea of being “self-made” and instead highlights the power of community, radical responsibility, and intentional action. Through her work in coaching, faith leadership, education, and transformational retreats, she empowers women to stop shrinking, face their fears, and step boldly into who they are meant to be. If you’ve been playing small, waiting for the right time, or doubting your worth—this conversation will push you to think bigger, move faster, and believe deeper.
✨ About the Guest ✨
Lola Owolabi is an internationally recognized Leadership and Transformational Coach, award-winning author, and Founder of Proudtobeme, an international NGO empowering women and young people through creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, and employability. With over 20 years of experience, she is known for her ability to inspire, equip, and transform lives through coaching, education, and social enterprise.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and the Institute of Leadership and Management (FInstLM), Lola holds a Master’s degree in Coaching from the University of Warwick. She serves as Coach-in-Residence at York St John University, where she leads programs in personal development, empowerment, and curriculum innovation.
Through her initiativesincluding Tech 4 Teens, Empower Tours, and Transform with Lola, she has helped hundreds of individuals unlock their potential, build confidence, and create meaningful social and economic change.
As the author of the award-winning book If She Can, So Can You, Lola continues to motivate audiences worldwide with her signature message of resilience, self-belief, and transformation. Her work bridges empowerment and action, helping people not only to dream but to rise, lead, and leave a lasting impact.
📢 Important Links 📢
Connect with our Guest:
Website: https://lolaowolabi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachlolaowolabi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lola-owolabi-frsa-finstlm-ma-9abb422/
Connect with Women Thrive Media:
Women Thrive Summit: https://womenthrivesummit.com/
Become a Guest on the Women Thrive Podcast: https://womenthrivemedia.com/podcasts
Women Thrive Book: https://womenthrivesummit.com/book/
Women Thrive Magazine: https://womenthrivemagazine.com/magazine/
➡️ Show Highlights
(00:00) Introduction
(04:00) Lola’s painful childhood and the foundation of her mission
(07:00) Lessons from her mother: independence and taking action
(12:50) Why “self-made” is a myth and the power of community
(16:20) Life is short: why you must live fully and stop holding back
(21:40) Common fears women face (failure, judgment, not being enough)
(25:10) The importance of networking, excellence, and personal branding