Nichole Nunes, founder of The Empowered Lyfe—Loving Yourself Faithfully Everyday—has spent years championing the idea that true confidence begins with self-acceptance. She firmly believes that when individuals, particularly children, recognize their inherent worth, it lays the foundation for a bright and purposeful future. As a mother, empowerment coach, and author, Nichole has dedicated her life to creating safe spaces where people can learn how to nurture a healthy sense of self, strengthen their faith in God, and celebrate their uniqueness.
Her vision materialized through two children’s books, each inspired by her own family. Nichole’s personal experiences have equipped her with the practical wisdom needed to transform life’s obstacles into meaningful lessons. Through storytelling, workshops, and a soon-to-be-launched self-love teaching academy, she continues to share a message of hope that resonates with readers and students alike.
Stories That Spark Inner Growth
Nichole’s first book, Short Hair Is Awesome Too!, follows a lively eight-year-old girl named Mackenzie. Drawing inspiration from her own daughter, Jade Mackenzie, Nichole sheds light on the universal struggle children face when comparing themselves to others. Young Mackenzie’s journey highlights the challenge of feeling different because of her short hair. Yet instead of feeling discouraged, she learns to honor her individuality by embracing the features that set her apart. The book encourages young readers to see beyond their perceived flaws, affirming that true beauty shines through self-confidence, gratitude, and a willingness to be oneself.
Her second book, I Am What I Say I Am, introduces Jax, a spirited character modeled after Nichole’s son, Jaxon. This tale demonstrates how positive affirmations have the power to shape a child’s self-image. Whether Jax is exploring the neighborhood or chatting with friends, his uplifting words act like seeds of hope, reminding everyone that the way we speak about ourselves can influence how we feel and act. Alongside his sister Mackenzie, Jax shows readers that believing in oneself and trusting in a higher power can pave the way to limitless possibilities.
Nichole’s connection to these narratives runs deep: her own children, now ages 20 (Jade) and 16 (Jaxon), exemplify the transformative potential of positive self-talk and unwavering faith. By observing their growth into confident young adults, Nichole has witnessed firsthand how essential it is to start cultivating self-worth early on.
Representation and Inclusivity
An essential element in Nichole’s work is representing diverse voices. Through her books, she places children of color at the forefront, showcasing experiences that are often overlooked in mainstream storytelling. In doing so, Nichole ensures that every child, regardless of background, can find characters who resonate with their reality. She believes that this inclusive perspective not only affirms a child’s sense of belonging but also broadens empathy among all readers.
This commitment to representation is deeply tied to the mission of The Empowered Lyfe. By highlighting the beauty in every culture and life experience, Nichole lays the groundwork for unity and acceptance, paving the way for a more compassionate future generation. Her stories underscore that each individual, with all their unique characteristics, possesses something special to offer the world.
Beyond the Pages: A Growing Movement
While her children’s books capture hearts through engaging characters and uplifting themes, Nichole’s dedication to personal growth extends far beyond storytelling. She is creating a self-love teaching academy under the Empowered Lyfe umbrella, aiming to offer courses, tools, and support for individuals—especially women—who aspire to forge stronger relationships with themselves and with God. Through this academy, Nichole plans to provide strategies for developing resilience, nurturing self-worth, and cultivating faith, helping people discover pathways to a more fulfilling life.
Additionally, Nichole has authored a book of poetry that addresses similar themes of self-discovery and empowerment. Each poem underscores the importance of turning inward, finding one’s inner voice, and recognizing that personal challenges can become opportunities for profound change. Whether through poetry or children’s literature, Nichole’s guiding principle remains clear: unconditional self-love, rooted in faith, is the key to a meaningful and joyful existence.
By bridging the gap between written word and practical guidance, Nichole hopes to show people of all ages how to apply the lessons from her stories to their everyday lives. Whether a parent reading bedtime stories to a child or an adult seeking deeper self-awareness, the overarching goal is to remind everyone that their worth is not determined by external expectations but by the knowledge that they are already enough.
Cultivating Lasting Confidence
From sharing simple yet powerful affirmations with children to helping women reclaim their self-love through personalized coaching, Nichole’s impact is centered around one core message: individuals have the capacity to transform their own lives. Her work invites people to break free from self-doubt, embrace faith, and cultivate unshakeable confidence.
In Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am, Nichole introduces readers to Mackenzie and Jax—two spirited young characters who learn vital lessons about acceptance and the potency of uplifting words. These characters serve as gentle reminders that transformation happens when we speak positivity over our hearts and trust the journey ahead.
Ultimately, Nichole Nunes’s hope is that by reading her books or engaging with her academy, readers will feel empowered to celebrate their unique gifts. Her dedication to uplifting others has created a movement that prioritizes self-belief, kindness, and the understanding that every person carries an incredible treasure inside—waiting to be uncovered by love, faith, and the simple act of embracing one’s truest self.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My name is Nichole Nunes, and I am an Empowerment Coach, author, speaker, and attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. While I have had a successful career in law, I realized that my true passion lies in making a deeper, more personal impact on people’s lives. This realization inspired me to transition from full-time legal practice to empowerment coaching, writing, and motivational speaking.
I now focus on helping individuals—especially women and children—rediscover their self-worth, embrace authenticity, and create lives they love. Through my coaching programs, I provide tools for personal growth, healing, and transformation. As an author, I’ve written two children’s books, Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am, which teach self-esteem, self-love, and the power of positive affirmations. I’ve also written a book for women, With the Beauty of a Butterfly, a book of poetry on the road to hope, healing, and transformation.
My mission is to empower others to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact on the world.
Can you please tell us about your journey?
My journey has been one of self-discovery and redefining my purpose. While practicing law, I found myself constantly searching for a career path that truly fit me. No matter how much I tried, I felt like a round peg being forced into a square hole. While my legal career brought success, it lacked the deeper fulfillment I craved—the ability to uplift and transform lives in a more personal, impactful way.
This realization led me to create The Empowered Lyfe, where LYFE stands for Loving Yourself Faithfully Everyday. Through this platform, I coach women on their journeys of self-love, healing, and empowerment. I also recently launched The Empowered Lyfe Training Academy, where I provide personal development training, coaching, and empowerment workshops designed to help people unlock their full potential and live purpose-driven lives.
My passion for inspiring others also led me to become an author, writing three books which highlight that we are strong, capable, and worthy.
While I still maintain my legal expertise, stepping into this new chapter of empowerment coaching, writing, and speaking has been the most fulfilling journey of my life. I’ve finally found what fits—a purpose-driven path where I can inspire positive change, connect with others, and help them believe in themselves and their limitless potential.
Please tell us about your Children’s books.
I’ve always believed in the power of stories to inspire, heal, and transform. That belief inspired me to write two children’s books: Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am. Both books are deeply personal and were inspired by my own children, Jade Mackenzie and Jaxon, who serve as the main characters. Their real-life experiences taught me the importance of helping children embrace who they are, love themselves, and speak positivity into their lives.
Short Hair Is Awesome Too! was inspired by my daughter Jade Mackenzie’s experience with self-esteem and body image. It’s a story about embracing uniqueness, celebrating individuality, and finding confidence in how you see yourself, even when the world may see you differently.
I Am What I Say I Am focuses on the power of words and affirmations. Through the story of Mackenzie and Jax, children learn how speaking positive affirmations can shape how they see themselves and the world around them. It’s a lesson about creating your reality through belief, positivity, and self-worth.
What makes these stories even more meaningful is seeing how my own children, now 20 and 16, have benefited from the lessons in these books. Watching them grow into confident, resilient, and goal-oriented young adults has reinforced my belief in the power of self-love, authenticity, and positive affirmations.
Both books are especially meaningful because, while they address children of all colors, races, and nationalities, they center on children of color, offering representation and stories that reflect the diversity of their experiences. My hope is that these books empower children everywhere to see their unique value, believe in their potential, and know they can overcome any challenge and achieve greatness with the right mindset and tools.
What strategies helped you become successful in your journey?
As a child, I struggled with very low self-esteem, a challenge that followed me into adulthood. I made a promise to myself that my own children would have a different experience—that they would be raised with a strong sense of self-worth and love. This commitment to fostering self-love in them became the foundation of my work and inspired me to create spaces where others can learn these invaluable lessons.
I’ve also stayed committed to my faith and personal growth, constantly learning, reflecting, evolving, and depending on my Higher Power, which for me is God. Practicing self-love, speaking positive affirmations, and reframing challenges have been essential tools in my life.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the power of being value-driven, committed to making a difference in the service of others, and surrounding myself with a supportive community. I’ve been willing to adapt and embrace change and healing, transform my passion, and manifest it in all areas of my life, and I’m dedicated to helping others do the same.
Any message for our readers
It is possible to love yourself faithfully every day. No matter where you are on your journey, you have the power to take control of your life, rewrite your story, and step into your full potential. Get in the driver’s seat and take the wheel—I’ll be there to guide and support you every step of the way.
Whether you’re looking for personalized coaching, motivational speaking for your school or event, interactive workshops, or meaningful gifts like my children’s books, Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am, I’m here to help you or your loved ones on this incredible journey of self-love, empowerment, and personal growth.
Now is the time! You are worthy, capable, and destined for greatness. Reach out—I’d be honored to walk this path with you.
Thank you so much, Nichole, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!