Opening Quote
“There is nothing as powerful as a woman who loves—and refuses to stand down.”
I was thinking about my mum today and her friends, the “aunties” that I grew up with When my own mum died (I was in my 40s) , two of the aunties stepped in to make sure I was ok. Because they loved her, they would make sure that who she cared about was ok too
My mum do gentle indifference.
If she loved you, whoever you were, you knew it.
If you needed care,( or a roof over your head, school uniform or a meal) whoever you were, you received it with love and compassion. Mostly people didn’t know, it was only after her death that many stories came to light.
She’d defend you before you even realised you needed defending. I asked for a new reading book in school once and my teacher said I’d read the old one too quickly – my mom stepped into action and got every fast-reading 5-year-old in that class a new book.
You see that’s the thing, when she got behind a cause , others joined her and the rules changed.
In the way she’d say your name—firm, direct and unique tone—when you were about to settle for less than she believed you deserved. (sadly, I didn’t listen when it mattered most).
I can still hear it. “That’s not for you, you deserve better”
Not unkind. Not loud. But absolute and also realising that people sometimes need to learn from mistakes. There was forgiveness for learning and always a bed to come home too.
And if someone crossed a line? There was no hesitation. (stand back everyone)
She just well… stood for what she felt was right. She didn’t tolerate unfairness or harmful stupidity.
Firm. Grounded. Resolute, take absolutely no prisoners and then Done. (But not or ever forgotten)
No one too powerful or important to escape wrath.
And the thing is—no one questioned it.
Because it didn’t come from ego.
It came from something far more powerful:
The ferocity of love, values, sense of what was right or wrong for herself , others and the world. I call it Fierce Intention.
It took me a very long time to see it.
Why it matters
We often misunderstand power in women.
We’ve been taught to associate it with volume. With dominance. With force.
But the most powerful women I’ve ever known—women like her—operate differently.
I’ve seen them in my personal and professional life. I’ve been so lucky to have been led, coached and mentored by them. I’ve aspired to be like them.
Their strength isn’t loud. It is decided.
They don’t fight everything. But pursue what they stand for and what is required – completely. My mum had a saying if you cant get in by the front door – go round the back! There was always a way.
This is what Fierce Intention really is:
Not pushing harder.But being so clear on what matters that you no longer waver.
It makes boundaries easier to keep.
I believe
Most women don’t struggle with boundaries because they’re weak.
They struggle because they’ve disconnected from what they truly care about. Time, energy and headspace are taken up with the mundane – or other people’s priorities. What they care about deeply is often lost under the overload of midlife.
Much of coaching time can be spent on unearthing that. That’s when women start to feel lighter. Articulating what’s important and giving yourself permission to drop the rest.
Because when something truly matters to you—
You don’t negotiate it. You no longer apologise for it either
“You don’t protect what you’re unsure about—you protect what you love.”
Some final thoughts
Midlife isn’t about becoming harder.
It’s about becoming more devoted.
To your energy.To your values.
To your headspaceTo the life you actually want to live now.
This is where Fierce Intention shifts from effort to instinct.
Because it’s no longer about proving anything.
It’s about protecting and nurturing what matters.
Not overthinking.
Not perfect wording.
Just knowing—and acting.