About

Hi, I’m Joan Russell! 

I am a professional Life Strategist, motivational coach and speaker. I’m also a multifaceted entrepreneur who has had gigs as varied as music ‘zine co-founder, petsitter, jewelry creator, concert promoter, A-list event bartender and Disney executive. I’m currently Senior Director of Inflight Entertainment, Content services at Anuvu and founder/organizer of the Adventures in San Diego Meetup group. 

All of that is to say I have a bunch of training and experience under my belt, and also totally get what it feels like to be adrift -- not knowing your place in the world when others seem to know their path and have it all figured out. What it feels like to be exhausted, feel unworthy and anxious, knowing there is something out there for you and wondering when your time will come.

You are not alone!

It has been a long path for me on this journey. In one single day in 2008, I was laid off from my job, the company I was starting was DOA due to 2 clients declaring bankruptcy on the same day, and my father came home from the hospital so incapacitated that he needed full time care. One of my friends said my life “control-alt-deleted”! 

This led to a three year odyssey where I started two businesses that went bust, tried to sell fashion in a recession (tip: don’t do that), became a bartender and worked events such as the SAG Awards, Grammy Awards, NBA Finals and the Oscars (silver linings: always wanted to go to the Grammy’s and Oscars), and finally had to short sell my home, lost everything, and was in a massive amount of debt. I was on the brink.

One day the Louise Hay book “You Can Heal Your Life” fell off a library stack in front of me, and that event led me to begin to heal my life — and to learn about self-love, coaching and personal development — and then help others heal their lives as well. Sometimes it’s the little things that lead to so, so much! 

Since then, I’ve worked in an industry I love for over ten years and moved up through the ranks. I quit drinking and smoking and am the healthiest I have ever been. I am debt free and living in San Diego - a place I’ve dreamed of living since I was 16. I’ve learned that I’m a woman of many talents, and one of them is to help professionals transform their lives. I’ve provided strategic guidance and coaching to many - sometimes with very quick results!

I’ve trained with some of the best in the industry in coaching and energy leadership. Strategy is one of my top strengths and connecting the dots is like breathing to me, it is so natural. I’m honored to share that strength with others. I’ve taken many courses and been in sacred containers for modalities such as embodiment, human design, astrology, somatic healing, meditation and mindfulness. I’m here to share my stories and gifts with others, be a healer, and help to bring about transformational change.

I believe that everyone has the potential to be who they want to be, and my business anchor is to be the guide for you that I wish I'd had during my own journey.

So if you're feeling stuck, lost, or uncertain, I'm here to help. Let's work together to uncover your strengths, identify your goals, and develop your personal roadmap to get you where you want to be. You're not alone, and your Intuitive North is waiting for you.