Healing After Trauma: Bethina Akeni’s Inspiring Path to Purpose and Community Impact

Some stories arrive like a gentle stream. Others come crashing in like a wave, soaking you in the truth that life can be both unbearably hard and unimaginably beautiful.

Bethina Akeni’s journey is one of those stories.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Bethina’s early years were a mix of cultural richness and emotional turbulence. At just eight years old, she moved to Germany — a shift that not only uprooted her from the familiar streets of Lagos but also shook her sense of identity. “I didn’t quite know where I belonged,” she reflects. That struggle with belonging would follow her through much of her early life.

Childhood, for Bethina, was marked by more than just cultural transitions. She experienced emotional rejection and violence — wounds that shaped how she saw herself and the world. “When you grow up feeling unwanted, it changes the way you trust,” she says. “It can take years to undo.”

At 20, she became a mother. Motherhood is transformative for anyone, but for Bethina, it became both a lifeline and a mirror. It showed her the depths of her resilience, but also reflected the healing she still needed. There was even a dark moment during her pregnancy when she almost gave up entirely. “Something inside me — maybe the thought of my child — pulled me back. That was the start of my real healing journey.”

Today, Bethina works as a social worker, supporting both the elderly and young people. The job has taught her that human needs are more alike than they are different. “Everyone wants to feel seen, valued, and connected,” she says.

But her work extends beyond her job description. Through her initiative, Heavenly Connect, she helps people — especially Africans — relocate to Germany and start fresh. “It’s about giving others what I wish I had when I first arrived here: guidance, empathy, and someone who understands.”

And now, she’s stepping into a new chapter — preparing to study law. It’s a dream she’s carried since childhood, now fueled by a mission to serve and advocate for her community. “Nobody could help me unless I helped myself,” she says. “That’s what I want to teach others: You have more power than you think.”

Bethina’s spiritual journey has been just as significant as her professional one. “I’ve learned that forgiveness isn’t about excusing what happened — it’s about freeing yourself,” she says. She grounds herself through self-care, reflection, and a determination to keep moving forward, no matter how slowly.

Her message to anyone feeling stuck or rejected? Your past doesn’t define you. Take one step at a time. Healing is possible.

Bethina Akeni’s life reminds us that the road from pain to purpose is rarely straight, but it is always worth walking.

If her story touched you, share it with someone who needs hope today.

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From Barefoot Backpacker to Conscious Leader: Jem Fuller on Flow, Leadership and Resilience – Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations

What does it really mean to live and lead with purpose in today’s complex world?In this episode of Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations, Tobi is joined by leadership coach, author, and facilitator Jem Fuller, whose extraordinary life journey spans barefoot backpacking across the Indian subcontinent and senior leadership roles within multinational organisations. Together, they explore conscious leadership, communication, resilience, and how to create flow, clarity, and meaning in both life and work.Jem shares how travel and cultural immersion shaped his understanding of shared humanity, why communication is the foundation of healthy workplace cultures, and how leaders can build resilience through mindset, mindfulness, and small daily habits. This conversation is a powerful invitation to rethink success, lead with self-awareness, and serve something greater than yourself.In This Episode, You Will DiscoverHow life at the extremes shaped Jem’s leadership philosophyWhy communication is essential for trust, collaboration, and cultureHow diversity strengthens creativity and problem-solvingWhat conscious and servant leadership really meanPractical ways to build resilience through habits and mindsetWhy mindfulness and gratitude enhance leadership presenceHow to discover and evolve your purpose and mission in lifeKey TakeawaysWe share far more in common than we realiseFear often comes from misunderstanding and unfamiliarityCommunication shapes culture and psychological safetyGreat leaders prioritise the greater good over personal gainResilience is built through small, consistent daily practicesMindfulness strengthens clarity, emotional regulation, and flowPurpose is not fixed. It evolves as you growSound Bites“We have far more in common than we think.”“A good leader believes in something greater than themselves.”“Diversity is not optional. It is essential.”“Small habits, practised consistently, change everything.”“You get to create your purpose in life.”Chapters and Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Flow, Success, and Conscious Leadership02:10 Jem’s Life Between Extremes07:20 Lessons from Barefoot Backpacking and Travel12:40 Shared Humanity, Fear, and Difference16:00 Why Communication Shapes Leadership and Culture23:30 Understanding Communication Styles28:50 Creating Thriving Workplace Cultures31:10 What Defines a Good Leader35:00 Building Resilience Through Habits and Mindset41:30 Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Perspective47:00 Finding Purpose and Mission in Life51:20 Jem’s Work, Retreats, and How to ConnectAbout Jem FullerJem Fuller is a leadership coach, author, and facilitator who works with CEOs and senior leaders across government, private, and not-for-profit sectors. He helps leaders develop conscious leadership, resilience, and healthy workplace cultures.Jem is also the founding director of an international leadership retreat company, guiding leaders on Conscious Leader programs in the Indian Himalaya, Bali, the Kimberley, and Costa Rica. His diverse life experiences inform a deeply human and grounded approach to leadership and personal growth.Connect with Jem FullerWebsite: https://jemfuller.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemfuller/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jemfullerYour transformation begins the moment you decide to look within.Let this book walk with you.👇 Get your copy:US/Intl: https://amzn.to/3Kk5wh4EU: https://amzn.to/48sFnG6Could you support us by becoming a Patreon? Please consider subscribing to one or more of our offerings at http://patreon.com/MirrorTalk We use and trust these podcasting tools, software, and gear. We’ve partnered with amazing platforms to give our Mirror Talk community exclusive deals and discounts: https://mirrortalkpodcast.com/best-podcasting-tools/

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From Barefoot Backpacker to Conscious Leader: Jem Fuller on Flow, Leadership and Resilience – Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations

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