Nichole Nunes, the visionary behind The Empowered Lyfe—short for Loving Yourself Faithfully Everyday—has dedicated her life to helping others discover their inner strength. As a devoted mother, an empowerment coach, and now a children’s book author, Nichole knows exactly how to weave inspiring messages into stories that resonate with readers of all ages. Her passion for guiding children toward healthier self-esteem and unwavering faith has culminated in the creation of two heartfelt picture books that capture the wonder of growing up with love and positivity.
Both stories, Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am, showcase the experiences of her own children, Jade Mackenzie and Jaxon. These books emphasize the life-changing impact of affirmations, the importance of individuality, and the power of having faith in God to remind young minds that they are perfectly made.
The Magic of Words and Self-Love
Nichole firmly believes that words hold a profound power. They can uplift, motivate, and shape a child’s identity. When children learn to speak kindly about themselves and to see their unique worth, they begin to develop a sense of empowerment that can guide them throughout life. This theme runs through both of her picture books.
Short Hair Is Awesome Too! was inspired by the real-life experiences of her daughter, Jade Mackenzie. At eight years old, Jade wrestled with feeling different because of her short hair. Rather than waiting for self-confidence to appear on its own, Nichole wrote a story highlighting the positive sides of embracing what sets each person apart. Young Mackenzie in the book learns that the qualities she initially views as flaws are actually what make her a beautiful and distinct individual. By walking in her own truth and celebrating her features, Mackenzie discovers that short hair—and by extension, any personal trait—can be truly awesome.
I Am What I Say I Am centers on the dynamic energy of Nichole’s son, Jaxon, and focuses on harnessing positivity through affirmations. This story features siblings Mackenzie and Jax, guiding young readers to see how declaring uplifting words about oneself can shift perspectives and open up exciting possibilities. As Jax ventures through everyday life, he teaches his friends (and readers) that words can serve as a powerful tool for building confidence, nurturing faith in God, and realizing that everyone has the potential to achieve greatness.
Stories That Reflect Real Life
From childhood to the teenage years, both Jade Mackenzie (now 20) and Jaxon (16) have put these lessons into practice. Seeing them grow into capable, self-assured young adults underscores the transformative nature of having a strong sense of self and a steadfast belief in one’s abilities. Nichole’s parenting journey helped her understand that children—no matter their background—benefit immensely from tales that celebrate diversity, self-acceptance, and the power of faith.
Her books are also intentional about featuring children of color in lead roles. Nichole recognizes the importance of young readers finding relatable characters who look like them and deal with challenges that mirror their everyday lives. Representation shapes how kids view themselves and others, which is why both Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am proudly depict characters of various backgrounds. This approach helps all children see that they are valuable, worthy, and capable of success, regardless of appearances or circumstances.
Fostering Confidence in All Children
Through Empowered Lyfe, Nichole works to spread a message of hope, faith, and kindness. Whether she’s coaching women in self-love or guiding children toward a positive mindset, Nichole teaches that everyone deserves unconditional acceptance. In fact, her work with adults parallels the lessons in her children’s books, emphasizing self-talk, resilience, and the healing process of stepping into one’s God-given purpose.
Nichole’s devotion to helping others has led her to start a self-love teaching academy where she plans to share practical tools for overcoming doubt, nurturing spiritual growth, and supporting lifelong mental well-being. This academy will offer guidance not only for adults searching for deeper self-awareness but also for parents who wish to model self-confidence and affirming language for their children.
In addition to her children’s stories, Nichole has published a book of poetry that explores themes of healing, identity, and embracing one’s journey. Like her children’s literature, her poems are infused with hope and reassurance, creating a safe and inclusive space for readers of all ages to reflect on their own paths to wholeness.
Carrying the Torch Forward
Above all, Nichole aims to show every reader that they are enough just as they are. By uplifting others through heartfelt stories and community support, she hopes to transform the way people view themselves, fostering a sense of self-worth rooted in faith and positive thinking. Her children’s books serve as colorful reminders that life’s greatest adventure is learning to love oneself wholeheartedly.
From the energetic escapades of Jaxon in I Am What I Say I Am to the poignant self-discovery of Mackenzie in Short Hair Is Awesome Too!, Nichole’s family-centered narratives reinforce the idea that each person has the power to speak life over their dreams and ambitions. Through The Empowered Lyfe, she’s extending an invitation for everyone, young and old, to step into a future defined by love, confidence, and a steadfast belief in their own brilliance. By reminding children that the key to empowerment lies within, Nichole proves that the most magical stories are often the ones we live out every day.
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!
