Skip to content

About Tonya

dscf13051

 

When introducing ourselves, I guess we all have two versions: the social/official version that houses our degrees, awards, certifications, and all things boring, so I’ll give you that version first. 

The Official Me

I am a Martha Beck trained life coach.  Before pursuing a career as a coach, I worked as a registered nurse for 13 years.  I also have a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Boston Universtiy.  I received training at the International Sommelier Guild based out of Toronto, Canada.  I also work as a freelance writer.

Now, I’ll tell you who I really am.

I am a woman who, like many of you, had struggled in my life, until one day I realized that I was creating all of my own problems. With that epiphany, I put my weapons down and began to create the life I’m living now, which includes a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, a handsome stepson, three dogs, and a cat. 

I’d rather be in nature than any place on earth. A walk in the woods is where I connect to my Higher Being.

I love Kanye West and Yo-Yo Ma, and I think Allison Krauss has the voice of an angel.

I am seriously addicted to morning coffee with my husband. I’m not sure if it’s the coffee, the rising sun, or the man.

I think the female spirit is the most beautiful, complex thing God has ever created, other than the Kreb cycle. 

I believe that we can do anything we put our minds too. If you don’t believe me, watch  Man on Wire.

I believe our small daily habits create the biggest results. 

I am a huge believer that our thoughts create our reality.

I love coaching women to achieve extraordinary lives.

I eat kale for breakfast, and I love the taste of fresh beet, carrot, apple, celery, and ginger juice.

I also love the taste of cheap Chinese take-out.

I still get acne.

My daily reward is a hot bath with bubbles. 

I am a Southern gal turned Francophile who continues to struggle with the language, but I continue to butcher it with pride.

Some of my best life lessons were taught by those without a college degree.

I look back at my life in amazement at how far I’ve come, and how much more there is to do and be.

 


Tonya Leigh Williams

“All that we are is the result of 
 what we have thought. 
The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” — Buddha

 

Me on Weight

When asked why I coach women on their weight, I reply, “Why wouldn’t I?” I have been where they are. I am a believer that the best healers are those who have healed themselves, and although I’m not promising you a miracle, I am promising you a opportunity to take a really big look at your life, find what’s broken, and fix it. 


“The best gift you can give the world is your own joy.”
– Tonya


Me on Food 

I’m a weight coach who loves food. Yes, that’s right; I love to eat.  In fact, I think food is sacred, and that is why I’ll never turn it into a point system or a weapon to punish yourself with. 

I love to cook a good meal, pair it with good wine, and share it with good friends.  But, I also love to move my body and sometimes find a walk after dinner to be the best dessert. 

I love sharing my passion and knowledge of nourishing nutrition. I eat better than ever, and I feel better than ever. That is not a coincidence. 

Me on Travel

Travel intoxicates me.  Seriously, I believe I could wake up in a different part of the world every morning of my life and feel like I’ve been handed a million bucks.  In fact, the experience of travel is priceless. Once you’ve encountered a place and its people, your life is forever changed.  The culture, foods, language, art, and scenery go much deeper than the experience itself; it is forever a part of my soul.

Me on Life

I am seriously in love with life, but that doesn’t mean that I walk around with flowers in my hair , singing, “Love is in the Air.”  I still occasionally scream at my daughter, eat too much chocolate, curse when provoked, and I’m still working through a few domestic challenges, but here’s the difference. I see the world in many shades of grey now. No longer is everything so black and white. This alone has given me permission to be gentle with myself and the world in which I live.

Me on the Human Spirit

- Every person is unique
- Each person has intrinsic worth
- An individual has the capability to do amazing things
- The Universe will help the person who helps him/herself 
- If a person can change his thoughts, she can change her life
- Each person can rewrite her own life story
- Human beings are all creative creatures
- Little Turtle steps create BIG results
- Every person deserves respect
- We must be accountable to ourselves
- The road less traveled is usually the most rewarding, and often, the most fun
- Our only limitation is our mind

31 Comments leave one →
  1. jeff permalink
    December 26, 2008 3:56 pm

    Amazing writing… do I know you???

    • justbliving permalink
      December 26, 2008 6:26 pm

      If you’re lucky!!!

  2. David Cranman permalink
    December 31, 2008 1:30 pm

    Very inspirational, thanks for the excellent site!

    • justbliving permalink
      December 31, 2008 2:05 pm

      HI David,

      Thanks for the comment. I hope 2009 will be a great year for us all!

      Hope to see you in March. Maybe we can get together for dinner.

  3. December 31, 2008 5:05 pm

    Tonya!

    What a fabulous blog! I love reading your entries…you are such a fantastic writer. Keep it coming, girl…You are amazing!

    Melissa

    • justbliving permalink
      December 31, 2008 5:50 pm

      Melissa,

      It’s people like you that make life so sweet. Thanks for your support. And I can’t guarantee what will keep coming, but I’ll keep showing up for the game!

  4. Denise Claire permalink
    January 1, 2009 2:03 am

    It is a joy to read your blog! YOU are an inspiration! xoxo

  5. January 3, 2009 11:04 pm

    T – you are such a talented, beautiful woman! You walk your talk and inspire all of us in your wake.

    Thanks for including me on your journey and I’ve just bookmarked your site and marked it as “my favorite!”

    xx Cin

    • justbliving permalink
      January 4, 2009 3:09 am

      Cindy,

      It’s people like you that make my journey so incredible!!! Thanks for being a part of my tribe.
      xoxo

  6. Pete Fischer permalink
    January 19, 2009 1:57 am

    T,

    Great website. I have learned so much about you. Pete

  7. Liz Boyer permalink
    January 24, 2009 12:07 pm

    WOW! I could feel the energy. You have such a great insight. I have really enjoyed the time spent reading your thoughts. Sincerely, Liz

  8. January 24, 2009 7:09 pm

    Thanks Liz. Everything I write is meant to help people in some way. My energy comes out of a love of life and people.

  9. Eddy Wetterland permalink
    January 30, 2009 6:56 pm

    Hi Tonya,

    I absolutely love the photo at the top! Looks like you’ve found one of your long lost Boston University peers, amongst the brownstones, on Commonwealth Avenue :]

    Keep up the great work! ~ Your pal, Eddy

  10. Mariane Combs permalink
    January 31, 2009 12:53 am

    WHAT A GREAT WEBSITE! THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH ME, YOU ARE AMAZING!

    • January 31, 2009 2:17 am

      Thank you so much Mariane! I’ll be sure to let you know when my website is up and running!!

  11. Julia Cutler permalink
    March 16, 2009 5:08 pm

    thank you for your wonderful blog. i really enjoyed a piece of France you brought in your daily journal. i feel like i went there myself!

    thank you
    Julia

    • March 16, 2009 8:31 pm

      Hi Julia,

      Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and I’m glad I could give you a little piece of France. Oh, how I love that place.

      Hope to see you in the gym soon.

      Tonya

  12. May 15, 2009 4:02 am

    You are an amazing person and writer and your clients are blessed to have you!

    • May 18, 2009 12:21 am

      Tess,

      Thank you so much. I am so honored to work with such amazing people!

  13. sarah permalink
    May 22, 2009 4:41 pm

    love u mom!!! Your website is looking good!!!

  14. June 7, 2009 8:25 pm

    Tonya, your website and blog are so inspiring and beautiful. You are giving such a wonderful gift to all of us. I wish you continued success on your journey. Have a great ride.
    Love,
    Carole

  15. Angela permalink
    August 17, 2009 3:13 am

    At first I was thinking, “gee, I wish more people could be like Tonya!” Then I remembered, sometimes it’s the bitter that makes you see the sweet!

    Thanks for being “the sweet” side of life :-)

    - Angela

    • August 17, 2009 10:21 am

      Hi Angela,

      Wow, thanks for the comment.

      The truth is that I have many sides, and sweet is just one of them. Thanks to using the tools that I teach clients,the “bitter” takes up a smaller slice of the pie now, but hey, I”m human, and it still rears its head sometimes.

      Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you’ll check in periodically to see what’s happening.

  16. November 18, 2009 6:54 pm

    I have reviewed your blog and must say thank you for spreading great information to the public on women health topic. I have a website called NewDoctor.com which is medical professional database and has a 100,000 traffic value each month. And it is totally FREE of charge. So I wanted to promote your website for FREE.We own more than 100 medical related websites that will definitely help you in spreading your great informational resource. I have a proposal for partnership with our website through link exchange program, which will definitely help in promoting your website. Please reply me with your interest level. I am looking forward for your reply. Reply me back with URL in subject line to avoid spam.

  17. Georganna Fisher permalink
    December 3, 2009 2:29 pm

    Hi Tonya!
    Just had a chance to check out your site for the first time. I am so inspired. You have a great thing going here. Thanks for all your words of inspiration. Keep up the great work. I look forward to reading more!

    Georganna

    • December 3, 2009 3:11 pm

      Hey there-

      Thank you SO much. I feel so honored to do this work. I am surrounded by such amazing women who inspire me daily!

      t

  18. January 14, 2010 6:25 am

    Hey Tonya,

    You are such an inspiration to me. I have set up now for almost 3 nights just to read your site and searching for more.

    Just knowing you personally, as that young girl back home, puts me in “awe” . I know we have so many things out on the market today just to make a dollar, but I know this is from the a soul that desires to inform and help others make it through to the “just b living”.

    Reading the part of the “in between” really has hit home for me! I have so many situations in my life right now that are in that “in between” area and I am so thrilled to have reconnected to be able to gain such the insite and know how to be able to make those descisions.

    I am so excited for you and for myself as well and I look forward to reading more of your writing’s. You are truely a blessing at a needed time in my life!

    • January 15, 2010 3:46 am

      Sherry-

      Thank you SO much for reading my blog. I am a big believer that our paths cross at different times for different reasons. xo,t

  19. Sarah Harrelson permalink
    February 10, 2010 12:02 am

    WOW mom I love your writing! keep up the good work!!!!

    love
    piccatchu

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out / Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out / Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out / Change )

Connecting to %s

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.