What Survived, Can Also Lead
My work at Develop Your Authority© is the result of a singular, profound realization: true authority is built on the ability to survive your own dismantling.
I spent years mapping the patterns of the human psyche, only to discover that my own chaotic and broken moments were the very times my potential was at its greatest expansion. I have come to understand that there is an essential period of psychological decomposition, a necessary phase where the roles we have played and the masks we have worn, begin to dissolve. My own transition into true agency required a period of deep isolation; a time when the universe cleared the stage so I could finally hear my own voice over the chorus of others’ expectations.
The greatest destiny is not a destination you reach; it is the person you become while you are in the void. I am here to ensure that when your truth finally speaks, I'll be there to provide steady guidance for your journey with the heart required to listen.
This Was My Story
I did not come to this work easily. My early life was shaped by relentless abuse and neglect, and later, at age 35, my body collapsed under the weight of neurological Lyme disease and variety of autoimmune illnesses. I spent years confined to a bed, and then in a wheelchair.
I was being forced to confront
what could not be outrun or overridden.
Recovery did not arrive through traditional methods alone. It mostly came through surrender, acceptance, and the slow reconstruction of my inner world. I reclaimed my life by evolving from the inside out. Now, with my work rooted in neutrality, I teach others how to return to agency, stability, and self-leadership. This path was born from lived experience, resilience, and a quiet strength created in my darkest hours.
If Adversity
Shapes You,
Let Your Authority Be The Result.
Transformed In The Dark
I imagine many who find this website carry painful or complex life histories, because kindred spirits tend to recognize one another. My own background has been layered and demanding, offering both deep challenges and profound opportunities for healing and growth.
As a young adult, I realized that meaningful change required guidance, not willpower alone. I actively sought out positive role models and teachers, working with skilled psychologists, mentors, and guides across multiple disciplines from Eastern traditions to Indigenous wisdom lineages.
Ultimately, I returned to school, integrating formal education with disciplined frameworks, then shaped them into a coherent practice.
Forged Through The Fire
"My core belief as a coach and counselor is that when someone is given the right tools, old wounds can serve as a foundation in which wisdom and grace can emerge." - Jessica Gracie
Embraced By Light
Today, I run a coaching practice devoted to helping others find their way back to themselves. I share the skills, presence, and support that once carried me through my own darkness, guiding people to the core of who they were before trauma took hold. I have reclaimed my life and I deeply believe in your capacity to reclaim yours.
Education & Coaching Credentials
2012-2019
The Women's Leadership Institute for Conscious Coaching
Master UnTherapy Practitioner
Teaching Certification
Completed a 64-hour post graduate teacher training of the UnTherapy® Program and Internship with all the rights and privileges of a proficient mentor and teacher in the fields of UnTherapy®, Positive Psychology, and Reality Therapy.
Certified Personal Development Consultant
Consulting Certification
Intensive study of life management, personal development consulting, and professional peer mentoring. 64-hour certification program.
Certified Life Coach
Life Coaching Certification
Successfully completed the 64-hour intensive study on the integrative approaches of positive psychology, mindfulness, and solution-based problem solving earning all the rights and privileges of a professional mentor.
2006-2007
The Hawaii Wellness Institute
Certified Wellness Counselor
Counseling Certification
Certified as a Wellness Counselor completing the 64-hour intensive studies with all the rights and privileges of a proficient mentor specializing in the holistic approaches of life management, personal development, consulting, and wellness counseling.
C.
“I’ve worked with Jessie for more than 5 years, through many different challenges and life changes. Her ability to apply a unique blend of empathy and practicality to any situation is truly remarkable. She is not only a great listener, but actually helps move the needle in problem solving. Her gift at synthesizing our sessions in notes I can refer back to is an added bonus. I highly recommend her to anyone who is ready to embrace change- big or small- and lean into their own agency to make things happen.”