We’re proud to introduce Alexandra Murray, a 2025 AccelerateHER Cohort whose journey into life coaching grew from her own transformation. After experiencing burnout and feeling stuck in her career, Alexandra found a path that allowed her to reconnect with purpose and now she helps others do the same. As a certified life coach, she’s passionate about guiding people through clarity, confidence, and growth as they build lives that align with who they truly are.
● How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
In Feb. 2024 I left my 10+ year corporate career in Healthcare Marketing to pursue my passion to become an entrepreneur. I had months of personal development to figure out what I wanted to do in my next chapter. I had a list of my top 10 values as my guiding principles and so I came up with the idea of creating my own marketing agency - it’s the best thing I could think of (it checked 80% of the boxes on my values list). When I left my job, at the end of February, I already had everything lined up from my website to my vendors - I was ready to go! After I left, my very wise husband told me just to take a break and make sure this is what I wanted to do before I jumped into my Marketing Agency. I thought he was crazy because I was ready to launch, but I took a few weeks. One day, I wasn’t doing anything productive and was actually doom-scrolling on Instagram Reels, like an adult, when I came across an ad for Jay Shetty's very own “Jay Shetty Certification Coaching School”. At that time I was a big fan of Jay Shetty, his teachings, philosophies, books, and his podcasts. But I didn’t know what a coach was, I had never heard of a coach, and I most certainly didn’t know it was a job/career you could have. So, because I loved his message, I called the school, took what they told me a coaching career entailed back to my list of values I wanted as an entrepreneur and I realized it checked 100% of the boxes. With the main one being “helping others”. I was sold and so I went back to schools to become a Jay Shetty Certified Life and Success Coach.
● What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerged in your work?
After I got my certification, it took me a minute to figure out what my niche would be in coaching. I was like every other coach and wanted to help and serve everyone. I quickly realized that I was serving no one. I realized that one of the areas I naturally excelled at in my corporate career was growing others and helping them reach their full potential and when I started to network I realized that I was surrounded by entrepreneurs, business owners, and career-driven individuals who could use my coaching to help them with their mindset to unlock their fullest potential so that they too could thrive in their business. Although I don’t work on websites, social media or do project management, I also realized that I can help new entrepreneurs through the difficult task of choosing, building out, and managing their vendors in the marketing arm of their business so I use my skillset to advise them on that side of their business too.
● What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
For ten years, I was in the corporate world, waiting for recognition, continuously asking for permission to go to the next level, and at the same time, dealing with toxic bosses and leaders. All that stress and unhappiness eventually led to depression, and it was so bad I had to start taking antidepressants for the first time ever. That was my wake-up call. I knew I had to make a big change, so I started a self-discovery journey to figure out my life's purpose and find my joy again. That massive shift gave me the courage to quit my job and launch my own business as a business coach. Now, my mission is to help other entrepreneurs and business owners move past burnout to build successful, purpose-driven businesses that give them peace, freedom, and real fulfillment.
● Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you?
Yes, I probably have to many as I am a big believer in affirmation, reframing, and I love me a good motivational quote! So here is just a few:
■ Action builds confidence (keeps me moving forward, small steps, and anxiety at bay)
■ Rest is part of my strategy, not a weakness. (keeps me from feeling guilty when I feel like I am being lazy)
■ The hard work you are avoiding is probably the exact step/move you need to make to get to the next level. (moves me past fear)
■ Smile or you’re doing it wrong. (This comes from my favorite ultra runner who has run 100 miles a week for the past 4 years; if he can smile through that, so can I)
■ Goals are a place to come from, not a place to get to. (This is embodiment to me, no destination in mind but enjoying the process of creating and doing. Not just getting to the end)
● How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
I try to stick to the plan, not my mood. I also go for getting something done and not perfection, meaning. If I plan on working for an hour but only get in 15 minutes, I celebrate that instead of beating myself up. I still showed up for myself and didn’t abandon it 100%; 25% done is still better than 0%.
● What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
I love everyone I have met in the cohort and all the mentors who have come into the room and taught us something. Every week I feel like I am making progress that otherwise I would of never of made! I have my budget done for next year!! That’s such a win for me. It makes me feel seen and less a lone knowing that there are a group of women who are working just as hard as I am with lots of ups and downs, wins and losses, self-doubt and confidence, all at the same time.
● Name a woman or gender-expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why?
I admire Kamala Harris because she embodies strength, resilience, and trailblazing leadership in the crazy world. All of her firsts: first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian American to serve as Vice President, she represents what is possible and progress. Her confidence, intelligence, and unapologetic voice is undeniable, and the way she inspires women to lead boldly, break through barriers,and own their power without apology.
Find out more about Alexandra on her website at https://www.unleashucoaching.com/ .