About Coach Contessa

A Teenage Mother of 3…

From a young age, Contessa had to learn how to breakthrough various challenges that she faced in life. She was only 14 years old when she became pregnant with her first child. Overwhelmed by the sudden and drastic changes in her life, and feeling all alone, Contessa dropped out of school in the 9th grade. When she was 17 years old, she gave birth to her third child.

As a teenage mother of 3 small children, a high school drop out, and the victim of domestic violence, Contessa applied for welfare and began receiving food stamps to put food on the table. On many occasions, she ran out of food, formula, and diapers, between welfare checks, and had to seek help from the local food banks.

Contessa felt stuck, alone, and afraid in her situation. She knew she needed to find her higher purpose in order to create a better life for her and her children. One day, while riding home on a bus, she was approached by another young lady who was happy and excited. This young lady shared her story of elation with Contessa. The young lady explained how she was getting ready to graduate from LPN (License Practical Nursing) school and how she could now get a good paying job. The young lady then encouraged Contessa to do the same. She gave Contessa the name of the LPN school she was graduating from. At that moment, Contessa realized that becoming a nurse was her God-given purpose!

Around that same time frame, Contessa had a meeting with her Welfare Case Worker. Her Welfare Case Worker informed her that she could go to school for free. All of her childcare, school tuition, supplies, and transportation, would all be funded by the Welfare System! For the first time, in a long time, Contessa felt a sense of great purpose. She now had hope to provide a brighter future for her children. Help with her school tuition and childcare, was the breakthrough she needed!

After obtaining her GED, Contessa wasted no time studying for the LPN entrance exam and applying to the LPN program. After one full, long year of study, Contessa graduated from the LPN program. Her first full paycheck proved that it was all worth it. She was able to get off of welfare and focus on creating a better quality of life for her children.

Although she was no longer on welfare and had a nice paying job, her children were growing, and Contessa realized that she needed to do more.

In the midst of yet another abusive relationship and after the birth of another child, Contessa slumped into depression. With the recent passing of her mother to cancer and minimal contact with her estranged father, Contessa felt she had no one to turn to for help.

One night while working the 11-7 shift as a LPN, her co-worker came to work raving about a recent church experience. Her co-worker was going on and on about how good God is, and how God did this for her. Although Contessa had heard about God and was even baptized as a young girl, she had no real experience with God.

Desperate, lonely, and confused, Contessa decided to rededicate her life to Christ. As a Born Again Christian, she began to go to church, pray, and to seek a true relationship with God. She even attended Ministry School. It was in her pursuit of God that she developed a deep spiritual connection with her Creator. To this day, she attributes her inner strength, guidance, talents, success, and many breakthroughs, to being closely connected with God in prayer. She believes that it was only the grace of God that allowed her to know and to flow in her God-given purpose.

From Purpose to Higher Purpose….

Contessa landed a job as a LPN at a long-term care facility as a county employee. The county offered 100% tuition assistance for any LPN who wanted to go to RN (Registered Nurse) school. After working for the county for 5 years as a LPN, Contessa took advantage of this breakthrough opportunity and pursued a her higher purpose to become a RN. Two years later, she graduated from the Community College of Allegheny with an Associate Degree in Nursing. Soon afterwards, she sat for her nursing boards and became a Registered Nurse after the 2nd try.

She became a RN Nursing Supervisor and received a 50% pay raise. In a few short years, Contessa had tripled her income. By this time, her husband had no children of his own and very much wanted to try. Contessa became pregnant with her 5th child.

She continued to work as a RN Nursing Supervisor, but as her family grew, she once again felt the need to do more. She felt as if she was being called to go back to school. At the same time, abusiveness and infidelity forced her to leave her husband. This life crisis made her even more determined to push harder and to pursue her higher purpose.

Two years later, Contessa graduated from an online program at Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Science In Nursing Degree. She maintained the same job position, reconciled with her husband, and decided to immediately go back to school.

After another 2 years of schooling, she graduated from the University Of Pittsburgh Nursing Program with a Master of Science in Nursing Degree and a major of Family Nurse Practitioner. She sat for her Nurse Practitioner exam and became a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner 3 days before she gave birth to her 6th child.

Soon after the birth of her 6th child, Contessa realized that her marriage would not survive the new and continued challenges. She was emotionally drained. Once again, she fell into depression and became despondent.

She began to attend church more regularly and sought the counsel of her Assistant Pastor. Through prayer and spiritual guidance, she found the inner strength to breakthrough her depression. She found the courage to search for a new job and was blessed with a position that paid 6xs more than her former job! Contessa separated from her husband for the final time and decided to trust God to help her raise her children.

Since she made more money and was able to work fewer hours, her dream of obtaining her Doctorate Degree was in full reach. In August 2013, Contessa graduated from Chatham University with high honors and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree.

Living In Her God-given Purpose Today….

Contessa has learned through life experience how to pursue her God-given purpose and how to trust God to help her breakthrough poverty, loss, depression, and fear. As a Born Again Christian, retired Nursing Professional and experienced Woman of God, Contessa is a triple threat to the kingdom of darkness. She brilliantly uses all of her skills, talents, and resources to advance the Kingdom of God! Contessa specializes in helping those who are stuck, frustrated and overwhelmed, to both discover and to pursue their God-given purpose.

Today, Contessa is a Christian author, Motivational Speaker, Course Developer and Trainer, as well as, an Inspirational Life-purpose Coach. She is also the founder of Facebook group, Purpose-filled & Blessed, which serves to encourage, inspire, and uplift those who are looking to discover and pursue their God-given purpose.