Immediately as Lea arrived for our interview in a red sports car, with bright pink Betty Boop car seat covers and an extraordinary hat, I knew that this girl is not afraid to shine. I thought ‘I’d like to be more like that’. And I quickly discovered, as we chatted away the afternoon, that this is no false bravado. Lea is the epitome of the “Attitude Goddess”, walking her talk and living by example. She is a wonderful blend of vivaciousness, wisdom, joy and spirit. That determined, resourceful, ‘I’ll do what I need to’ attitude has brought Lea through many life challenging experiences and her willingness to trust in heart’s wisdom has brought her much joy and many blessings.

Spirited Women: How long have you had this wonderful, sparkling attitude, Lea?

Lea: It began early in my life. Growing up I found that I didn’t seem to fit into a box or pigeon hole. I was always a little left field, or different, a fact that my parents found difficult to fathom.

Spirited Women: And how did this affect your formative years and education?

Lea: As a teenager, I decided I wanted to be a builder. I left high school to attend an all boys’ tech college. I did well but wouldn’t compete with the chauvinistic attitudes of the boys there so I returned to high school to focus on science. My careers officer advised me that even though I had the grades, University wouldn’t suit me. So I applied for jobs in the paper I felt I was suited to, regardless of the qualifications that were listed. I landed a job in a respected medical research facility straight out of high school.

Spirited Women: That’s not surprising, given your ability to positively present yourself and professional confidence. And where did that lead, Lea?

Lea: I was uncomfortable with some of my observations at the research facility, so I left and moved into sales. Over the next seven years I married, gave birth to two beautiful boys, built two houses (couldn’t get that out of my system) and eventually ended up working for a business that built kitchens. Another job that I walked into without qualifications and excelled at. Unfortunately I was confronted yet again by the ‘boys club’ mentality and knew it was time to move on.

Spirited Women: You were in Melbourne then, so how did you end up in Queensland?

Lea: Having been on holiday visiting my Godmother in Yeppoon, I noticed what a positive effect the weather seemed to make to my eldest son’s chronic asthma. I did not hesitate to sell my house in Melbourne and move my children to Yeppoon where I bought another building project - a rundown beach house. (My baby goddess was born later in 1999)
As a single mum with no job - times were tough. But it taught me so much about independence and my own capabilities. I became resourceful and adaptable and learnt a lot about how my attitude affects everything. It was a fantastic learning and life experience. I decided to preserve the fruit falling off the trees in the garden. When I mentioned this to her mother, she said ‘You don’t know anything about making jams and pickles’. I said, ‘I’ll learn’ (- notice a common theme here! - Ed.). I turned it into a successful little business and was the first home based registered kitchen in the shire.

Spirited Women: Yes, we heard that you even won awards at the Brisbane Ekka.
So, when did you move to the Sunshine Coast?

Lea: Eight years later I moved my family to the Sunshine Coast where I continued with a great reputation for my prize winning sauces and pickles at Eumundi markets. With many personal challenges eventually my heart told me that it was time to change. In 2003 life took a turn. After becoming sick and undergoing surgery, I felt strongly that people needed my help, so I launched into personal development. I became a life coach, NLP practitioner, Thought Field Therapist and trainer and am now studying for a doctorate.

Spirited Women: Was that when you first decided to empower women?

Lea: I always sensed that I was being led toward empowering women. I just didn’t know how it was going to eventuate. But like everything else in my life, I followed my intuition and listened to my heart for guidance.

Spirited Women: Tell us about your business Women with Attitude -“Attitude Goddess” and the Goddess Chakra Oils?

Lea: My business stems from a passion to want to make a positive difference; it is multifaceted, having evolved from many personal and career experiences, combining my science background with spiritual wisdom and a whole lot of creativity.
Inspiration from my dear Nanna, my personal health issues with my passion for natural wellbeing birthed the Goddess Chakra Balancing Oils. Designed to help balance and heal the chakra energy, the oil blends are powerful, easy and fun to use.

Spirited Women: And you have published a wonderful book of lyrical affirmations for women. Please tell us how that came about.

Lea: It is imperative that anything that I create becomes a tool for women - something that keeps adding to their lives the more they use them. It seemed only natural that a book should follow. My book “Attitude Goddess - Every Women’s Guide to Having It All!” is written in rhyme, tapping into the power of the subconscious mind, combining the magic of verse, while providing practical steps and guidance to create an abundant and amazing life.

Spirited Women: So, Lea, how do you account for your success?

Lea: I show people the path by shining my own light. Everything I have done is based on hard work, following my intuition and absolute belief in what I do. I don’t pretend to know everything and am quick to seek help and advice from those I love and respect. We can never learn enough, I believe in lifelong learning.
‘Success comes to those who believe that anything is possible.’
My oils and book are now sold internationally and I have consulted thousands of people, including high profile speakers, spiritual gurus and business professionals. I get the opportunity to guide women from all walks of life at Mind, Body, Spirit Festivals. My first book was self published and through a series of serendipitous events I felt blessed that it was picked up by Brumby books.

Spirited Women: And we understand that there is a new book in the wind. What is that about?

Lea: Yes, keeping it secret until the release (Big Smile!) It’s been quite an exciting journey. When I recently felt another book in me; I sold off all my worldly goods and gave the rest to charity, I just kept the bare essentials. Then began ‘asking’ for a boat to live on while writing. I believe: If you ask, you receive ... and I did receive. Not just a boat, but the queen of the river ... one of the Kookaburra Queens at Eagle St Pier on Brisbane River. My heartfelt thanks to Captain Jim Kelly of Brisbane Cruises and his team for turning that dream into reality.
The whole experience seemed divinely guided, even down to the words I wrote. Three months and two books later (the second one was a surprise, even to me), I am back on the Sunshine Coast, gearing up for new adventure.

Spirited Women: And what might that be?

Lea: I am in the process of turning my acreage property into a Goddess Retreat. Another dream that has fast forwarded into the now as I allow the flow to happen. The retreat will be a place for women to stay, while providing a space for relaxing, inspiration, being and learning.
There are so many women living small lives, not allowing themselves to be all that they can be. I want to show women that it can be different if they just step up, be open to new learnings, simplify and put themselves first for a change while allowing themselves to be and have fun in the process.”


Between you and me, Lea has many more dreams and with her uncanny ability to manifest, I have no doubt that they will reach fruition. Just being around Lea inspires you to want to reach for the stars.
Take her advice. If you don’t like what’s in your life then change your attitude – go on think like an Attitude Goddess.

Ps. Stay tuned for the publishing of Lea’s new books and the opening of the retreat.