My 20 years of teaching, diverse education, Gottman and Spirituotherapy training, pastoral role, parenting, and managing a mental health home have shaped my brand: Jodi Bryant of LifeChange Resources

“Believing in ourselves as Christ sees us can profoundly impact our mindset and ultimately our health.”

Jodi Bryant, founder and Executive Director at LifeChange Resources, is a respected figure in the faith-based coaching and counseling industry. Her journey is all about resilience and purpose. Despite tough times, her faith kept her grounded. By prioritizing self-care and pushing through setbacks, she's achieved what once seemed impossible. Guided by her faith, Jodi's story has gone from surviving to thriving.

LifeChange Resources offers coaching, counseling, and consulting services rooted in a Christ-Intervention approach, emphasizing spiritual formation as integral to unlocking growth and freedom in every aspect of life. LifeChange supports individuals, families, children, and teens facing various challenges, including abuse, addiction, and behavioral issues. With compassion and understanding, LifeChange provides a path to recovery and reconciliation, guiding clients towards managing and overcoming their difficulties. 

LifeChange Resources is based in Saskatoon, Canada.

The Silicon Review contacted Jodi Bryant for an interview, and here’s what she had to say.

Interview Highlights

How would you describe your professional journey so far? Tell us about a few roadblocks and learning lessons that helped you grow through the years

My career journey has prepared me for this moment, where I am fully engaged in what I love. Reflecting on life's ups and downs, choices made, and circumstances faced, I feel like I am exactly where I should be. While I have felt this way before, it's in my 50s that I feel most aligned with my purpose. Balancing various roles and the never-ending to-do list remains a challenge, but I am learning to let go of the pressure to do it all.

I have high expectations for myself and need to continually reflect and reevaluate my Now, my Next, and my Not-yet columns to stay in balance. Juggling personal commitments like meditation and self-care alongside the demands of daily life can be challenging. I have learned to prioritize and schedule these personal appointments, even if it means making sacrifices in the short term. It's a conscious effort to not let busyness dictate my life but to take control and live intentionally. By training myself to live against the current of our fast-paced society, I have found greater harmony and reduced chaos in my life.

Despite grappling with anxiety, depression, trauma, insecurity, and fear in the past, my faith has remained a steadfast anchor. I have always believed that I have a purpose on this earth, regardless of the struggles I face. Understanding that pain serves a greater meaning and acknowledging life's injustices, I have found solace in the presence of God. My faith has provided me with a sense of grounding, granting me a peace and freedom that's hard to articulate. However, it's important to acknowledge that healing from grief and pain often takes time, and I have encountered my share of challenges and hardships along the way.

There was a period in my life where I juggled various roles – teaching, playing piano and singing, being a pastor’s wife, organizing events, serving on boards, and studying – all while raising three boys and being young and married. Saying no was difficult because I thrived on being busy and purposeful. However, this lifestyle eventually led to near burnout. Despite seeking help, I faced misdiagnoses, conflicting advice, and chronic pain without relief. I felt overwhelmed by the need to find solutions for my health issues. This challenging time became a catalyst for reimagining my life. My physical health declined, and I encountered limitations I hadn't faced before, impacting my emotional well-being. I had to reassess my career, prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and explore new paths. The burnout forced me to pause and rethink my approach to life.

I vividly recall the days when I could only manage four purposeful hours in a day, confined to my bed. It was a pivotal moment where I had to learn to receive help, let go of household responsibilities, and find opportunity within the crisis. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens, and indeed, I realized I had been shouldering too much pressure and expectation. I had to prioritize relaxation and treat rest as equally important as work. Balancing work, rest, and play became essential. With the guidance of a spiritual director, I discovered the significance of caring for my own soul and finding rest amid life's demands. Learning to be present in my actions, finding peace in the journey I was meant to undertake, and navigating through the chaos required overcoming numerous obstacles. Despite my faith in my calling, I often battled negative thoughts and unrealistic expectations that tempted me to fear disappointing others. It felt like a constant struggle within my mind. However, through embracing my own brokenness, I found the fertile ground to become a healer despite my wounds.

Even after achieving success, certain triggers could still catch me off guard. For instance, in a party-plan company where I excelled, I earned trips, jewelry, and even the fourth coveted Mustang convertible (2010) offered to top performers. Despite meeting the criteria, when I acquired it, I simply picked it up from the dealership and drove it home. I struggled to celebrate myself; I knew I earned it, but wondered if I was worthy of such a reward. While I acknowledged and celebrated my team's achievements, I found it difficult to extend that same celebration to myself. Hearing doubts from significant others only fueled my insecurities. I vividly remember stepping outside to verify if I did. There it was – a stunning 2010 cherry wine Mustang convertible, a remarkable accomplishment indeed. Despite receiving praise as an exceptional employee, teacher, and counselor, I sometimes struggled with feeling like an imposter. Overcoming these self-limiting beliefs required untying the negative scripts that threatened to derail my purpose and aspirations to make a difference in the world.

Despite early setbacks and self-doubt, I have defied my own limitations and achieved more than I once thought impossible. In Grade 6, I couldn't carry a tune and felt sidelined as a red-faced flower while others took the spotlight. Fear and anxiety held me back from embracing my talents. However, I later found solace in playing the piano, which eventually unlocked my ability to sing. This newfound confidence led to winning a music scholarship, succeeding in an international singing/songwriting competition, and even producing a CD that continues to generate royalties since 2002. Similarly, I once believed university was out of reach, only to earn the prestigious President’s Entrance Scholarship, securing my place on campus at a young age when living off-campus wasn't feasible. Despite dire predictions at my wedding, my marriage has endured for over 33 years, filled with deep love and mutual respect.

Believing in ourselves as Christ sees us can profoundly impact our mindset and ultimately our health. For me, this belief had two dimensions. As an adult, I held onto the conviction that I could overcome any challenge: "I can do all things!" This faith was repeatedly validated in my life experiences. However, there was also an inner child within me, still trapped in the anxieties of youth – haunted by doubts, fears, and a profound sense of disapproval and rejection, particularly from women. Criticism felt like a dagger, triggering tears at the slightest imperfection. Shame whispered that I was flawed, a mistake. Struggling with depression and a relentless pursuit of perfection, I felt burdened by the weight of my own expectations. Yet, leaving home at 16 marked a turning point. Away from the environment that stifled me, I began to thrive. I sensed the power of prayers and the wisdom of others guiding me through the shadows of my childhood trauma, enabling me to rise above and grow.

In my mid-30s, I faced a myriad of health challenges including thyroid and parathyroid issues, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and nerve problems. The birth of my first child was particularly harrowing, with a labor lasting over 40 hours and resulting in nerve damage, depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. Amid these trials, working in a network marketing party-plan spa company became a transformative experience, shaping my identity in profoundly positive ways. It provided a platform for overcoming fears, recognizing my strengths through others' perspectives, and establishing boundaries against those who sought to undermine or misjudge me. Teaching remained a passion, stemming from the love and support I received from my own teachers and the deep connection I felt with my students. My love for humanity as a whole remains firm.

Coaching has been a guiding force in my life, empowering me to set boundaries while simultaneously celebrating and empathizing with clients through life's highs and lows - from the joy of a new birth to the sorrow of loss or addiction recovery. Through coaching, I have learned the art of processing and letting go of what no longer serves me while embracing what does. Counseling and spiritual direction have provided me with invaluable insight into the complex needs of my clients, guiding them through their own journeys with empathy and understanding.

The idea of LifeChange has emerged organically from the seasons of my own life, leading me to embrace the present and eagerly anticipate the future. From my own healing journey has blossomed an abundance of profound growth and fulfillment. What was once a story of victimhood and survival has transformed into a narrative of resilience and success. As I have healed, I have discovered the freedom to wage war against adversity and emerge victorious; a journey I believe is available to us all as we seek meaning and fulfillment in our lives.

Q. How do you integrate your diverse background in counseling, coaching, and leadership to facilitate holistic transformation in your clients' lives?

At the core of everything I do is my faith as a follower of Jesus Christ, guiding me to maintain strategic boundaries for my well-being. My passion lies in nurturing healthy relationships and serving as a voice to help others. Witnessing growth and learning in people brings me immense joy. I believe in lifelong learning and strive to be a reflective practitioner. My greatest desire is to embody hope and love for those in my sphere of influence. I genuinely care for all people and wish for everyone to reach their fullest potential and live their best life.

I utilize various modalities and tools from my toolkit based on the circumstances and issues at hand. My approach involves integration, education, attentive listening, empathetic understanding, and leveraging my innate gifts to intervene. Counseling or coaching isn't just a job to me; it's a calling. I am committed to working with anyone seeking healing and willing to put in the effort.

I believe in the harmony of the soul, spirit, and body, and my professional development efforts are focused on nurturing all three aspects. I am currently working towards a Functional Nutrition certification to further support this holistic approach. Every aspect of my journey thus far has woven together meaningfully, creating a synergistic whole. My faith is a cornerstone of my life, and those who seek my guidance know its importance to me. I am equipped to support individuals in exploring faith and spiritual matters if they choose to do so.

For 15 years, I have trained in inner emotional healing, integrating Christ-centered methods with Spirit-led guidance. When we invite the Holy Spirit into sessions, incredible transformations happen. That's why I say, if nothing's worked for you, come to LifeChange.

My 20 years of teaching, diverse education, Gottman and Spirituotherapy training, pastoral role, parenting, and managing a mental health home have shaped my brand. Handling a business and staying calm in chaos add to it. Furthermore, facing fear, depression, anxiety, trauma, and insecurity has given me a deep understanding of vulnerability and authenticity in loving others. My diverse integration allows me to connect with almost anyone, and I remain committed to continuous learning and growth.

At LifeChange, we are proud to serve diverse communities, including First Nations, African, Filipino, Pakistani, and more.

Q. Could you share a pivotal experience from your career that significantly shaped your approach to counseling and coaching?

I remember a coach advising me not to pursue a spiritual life coach designation while I was finishing my executive life coaching training in the mid-2000s. He thought it might not be a good move. Despite his advice, I felt drawn to it. At the same time, I was volunteering at a healing ministry school and found it very transformative.

Later, I decided to survey people, as many as 80, and it turned out that everyone I asked wanted coaching in spiritual and emotional areas. The healing program I was involved in was faith-based, and everyone who took it experienced spiritual and emotional healing. I took a risk and became a spiritual life coach, and it paid off later when corporate companies sought out faith-based counseling services.

Q. Given your extensive experience in both professional and nonprofit sectors, how do you navigate the intersection of business acumen and compassion in your counseling and coaching practice?

Learning through trial and error has been my main teacher, along with studying others' successes and failures in my field. It's tough to have difficult conversations sometimes; I used to avoid them to spare feelings, but I have worked through that tendency. In our field, supervision and mentorship have been invaluable, especially learning from those with decades of experience. That said, embracing failures as lessons and being willing to speak honestly yet kindly has been key.

Confrontation still makes me anxious, but I have realized it's necessary for growth, both for myself and others. Balancing confidence with humility is crucial; remembering that we are all flawed helps keep me grounded. Compassion is essential, especially when making tough decisions or delivering difficult news. It's about walking alongside others, understanding their perspective, and making choices with kindness and wisdom.

Q. Could you explain your services in brief?

LifeChange exists to offer clinical and/or pastoral certified coaching, prayer counselling, professional counselling, and mental health support in the private and public sectors of Saskatoon and beyond, offering consulting and journeying alongside the Church, community, clinics, businesses, non-profits, and organizations needing what we offer.

He’s an example: “We have come alongside church plants, businesses, and ministries in a multitude of ways, using LifeChange https://lifechangeresources.ca/and Reconciliation Resources https://www.reconciliationresources.ca/, which has its charity status under the Great Commission Foundation https://thegc.org/ca/projects/reconciliation-resources.”

Our charity provides healing and support opportunities through volunteer counseling interns and recovery groups for individuals facing life's hardships. We offer assistance with spiritual, emotional, and mental health challenges, as well as relational healing. Our other services include psychoeducation, one-to-one or small group support for individuals, families, couples, youth, and children dealing with issues such as alcoholism, abuse, trauma, grief, and more.

Thanks to generous donors, we keep costs minimal or free of charge. Many who find healing with us return to serve as testimonies of their progress and freedom.

At the beginning, I provided mobile services, traveling around the city to assist those in need. As time went on, I rented office space. Over the past five years, as our children grew, we transformed a space in our home into a large living room/library to accommodate our work.

Q. How do you integrate spiritual formation into the teaching and counseling services offered at LifeChange Resources, and what role does it play in fostering personal growth and freedom?

I view spiritual formation as a process of nurturing our spiritual intelligence and aligning our lives with the needs of our spirit. Rather than from a purely religious perspective, I approach it relationally, as a follower of Jesus Christ. I believe he guides me in my faith journey through various means like scripture, people, experiences, and impressions, if I am open to listening. This perspective is central to my work, indicated by the title ‘Reverend’ beside my name. So, people are fully aware that there is opportunity to explore their spiritual journey along with their emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

I see spiritual health as foundational to overall well-being, influencing our mental and physical health. Practices like meditation, prayer, and relaxation techniques help calm our nervous system, reducing stress and emotional reactivity. Strengthening our spiritual ‘muscles’ through spiritual formation enables us to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience.

I believe spiritual formation is essential for healing from past hurts and navigating life's difficulties, but each person's journey is unique. My ongoing study in functional nutrition further enhances my ability to support holistic healing. We can’t be perfectly healed this side of Heaven, though miracles can and do happen, but it’s beneficial to address spiritual formation in the lives of those who desire growth in all Spectrums’ of Vitality (see image).

As I already said, our spiritual life deeply influences our emotional, mental, and physical well-being, which in turn impacts our relationships and choices. Addressing the root spiritual issues that affect us can lead to healing from negative patterns and beliefs, such as generational issues, unresolved trauma, or unhealthy communication habits. Psycho-education on spiritual matters helps us connect with our inner selves and understand our identity and purpose.

LifeChange focuses on addressing current needs, working through negative patterns, and striving towards personal growth. In our recovery groups, we witness lives transformed by individuals who choose to heal, nurture their souls, and embrace spiritual principles, leading to growth in virtues like love, joy, and peace.

Q. What does the future hold for you and your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

I hadn't planned on expanding LifeChange at all, but it's been growing organically. My waitlist sometimes stretches beyond a month; considering adding more counselors besides could help meet the increasing demand. We are also focused on producing publications and developing ideas to better prepare supervisees entering the field. Every client, from younger children to college-aged individuals and couples, receives my utmost care and attention. I see LifeChange expanding to include experts in various areas and reaching underserved communities, such as in Africa. Collaborating with diverse therapists, such as Josephine, to serve with excellence is a priority, as it aligns with our mission to make a positive impact locally and globally. As we build a larger leadership team, each step forward will be carefully considered to ensure we are moving in the right direction.

Leadership | LifeChange Resources 

Jodi Bryant, founder, serves as the Executive Director at LifeChange Resources.

Josephine Rwankuba recently joined LifeChange Counselling Inc. After completing a six-month practicum under Jodi's guidance, she was extended an invitation to join the company as a partner, which she attributes to Jodi recognizing her potential. Josephine admires Jodi's work as both a counselor and a reverend. 

“My diverse integration allows me to connect with almost anyone, and I remain committed to continuous learning and growth.”