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Here’s the truth: you don’t need to push harder. You need to feel safer. Real transformation happens when you stop fighting your inner world—and start understanding it.
At the core of our work is a simple but powerful idea: Your nervous system is in charge—and when you learn to work with it, not against it, everything changes.
Through neuroscience-backed speaking and coaching we help high-achieving professionals regulate their systems, rewire old patterns, and rise into authentic, sustainable leadership. If you’re ready to stop surviving and start leading from your deepest truth— Let’s begin.
growth starts here
YOUR GUIDE TO
unlock your authentic self
Understanding your nervous system is the key to moving from overwhelm to balance, from simply surviving to thriving. This free guide breaks down the three core states—Ventral, Sympathetic, and Dorsal—and helps you recognize how they shape your emotions, decisions, and connections. With this one-page roadmap, you’ll gain tools to shift into a grounded, creative, and connected way of being—empowering you to live a life aligned with your true aspirations.
Download now and take the first step toward clarity and self-awareness.
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Hi there!
I'm Vanessa McNeal
Vanessa is not your average speaker or life coach. She is a mental health expert, a relatable well-being and performance coach and an inspiring keynote speaker who draws on personal storytelling and science-backed techniques resulting in deep personal transformation.
She delivers clear steps and measurable outcomes for high-performing leaders seeking alignment between the life they have and the life they dream of.
Her voice has captivated audiences and transformed lives nationwide for companies and organizations like the U.S. Army and Air Force, F&G, and Athene. Vanessa has been honored with prestigious awards, including a Girl Scouts Inspiring Women of Iowa Award and an Iowa State University Statement Maker Award. Her work is rooted in compassion, empathy and creating wholeness and well-being.
Vanessa’s growth journey and trauma-informed work create lasting results and sustainable success by designing tailored programs customized to individual client needs.
Her fierce yet nurturing presence sparks transformation with every client and audience she touches. — Vanessa leads with purpose, grace and clarity. Her talks and coaching empowers others to shed limiting beliefs, embrace authenticity and embody the full power of who they are meant to be.
MOVING AUDIENCES AND CHANGING LIVES AROUND THE GLOBE INCLUDING:
Take a step
It’s time to stop going through the motions and start living with purpose, clarity, and confidence. At Authentically You, we guide you to break free from what’s holding you back and step into a life of authentic alignment. Thriving isn’t just a dream—it’s a decision. Let’s make it happen.
from merely existing to thriving and powerful.
put a finger up if this is you...
(Don't worry, you're not the only one)
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You feel like you’re in the passenger seat of your life and are ready to take the steering wheel (with the help of a GPS, of course)
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You are ready to level up in your career and fulfill your purpose but you don’t know where to start
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You know you’re destined for greatness but don’t know how to get unstuck from your current position
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Your life no longer aligns with the current or future versions of yourself
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You are a burnt-out high-achiever seeking a life of ease, purpose and clarity
You deserve to feel inner peace and a clear sense of purpose. With the right tools and support, life as you know it can completely change. By working with me, you can step into a new reality with a clear blueprint that leads to reduced burnout, trauma resolution, restored self-confidence and deep fulfillment. With my step-by-step guidance, we will deep-dive into every major area of your life to identify your goals and uncover what has been holding you back before creating a sustainable plan to help you achieve them. The hardest part is getting started. The good thing is you don’t have to do it alone. Take my hand and let’s begin this transformation journey together.
Services
let's work together
HERE'S HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER:
Vanessa delivers powerful keynotes and workshops on workplace well-being, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Blending neuroscience, storytelling, and practical strategies, she equips professionals and leaders with actionable tools to navigate stress, overcome adversity, and thrive in today’s demanding world.
Want to shortcut your path to more fulfillment and live the life your soul craves? I work one-on-one with driven professionals who have created a lot of success, yet lately have felt stuck and unsure how to remove what is holding them back.
Visit our Resources page for empowering videos, upcoming events, insightful musings, and practical tools designed to help you thrive. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or actionable strategies, everything you need to grow is just a click away.
real clients. real results.
"I thought I had a lot of things figured out, but there was a lack of joy in my life and there was a level of stress that I knew I could not maintain going forward."
So I decided to invest in myself and go through 12 weeks of coaching with Vanessa and it literally has changed my path and my daughters. Vanessa taught me how to live without armor and that is the most valuable lesson. I was going through life very protected and she taught me I didn’t have to do that and trust in my capabilities. That changed how I show up in my life and in my work with my team.
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This has really changed the projection of my life
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2x
TEDX SPEAKER
150k
ONLINE COMMUNITY
2k
PODCAST DOWNLOADS
150+
COACHING CLIENTS