I’m a Haitian-American woman who is passionate about dance, nature, social, racial, and economic justice, wellness, empowering others in being their authentic selves, and making an impact through being of service. Being my authentic self is non-negotiable to me. I’m a misfit, yogi, mental health advocate, and a clean eating enthusiast; I wrote and self-published an ebook, Love Light Recipes in 2014.

I’m a Certified Leadership Coach, a Certified Coach in Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging, a Wellness Consultant, an Author, and a Speaker who helps rising and established women leaders find their voice, be their authentic selves, and advocate for systemic change. I also help them in their wellness journey as I believe it is important for our well-being, and practicing radical self-love/self-care it is the only way we’ll get through unsettling times and we’ll be able to show up for collective liberation.

I was born in the U.S. to Haitian immigrants and grew up in my homeland Ayiti (Haiti) from my toddler to my mid teens years until I moved back to the U.S. in Miami, Florida which is the occupied land of the Seminole and Tequesta Tribes. I love spending time at the beach which is one of the reasons I love living in Miami. Dancing is definitely one of the few things that bring me the most joy. I believe joy is an act of resistance, especially Black joy.

I credit my parents’ upbringing, growing up in my homeland, and being very much connected to Ayiti for making me an Internationalist and an advocate for justice. I care deeply about social issues around the world especially the plight of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). I envision and am committed to being part of creating a world where as individuals we care about each other and as countries there’s no such thing as individual interests and instead more common interests. I dream of a world when super powers like the U.S. see the interests of developing nations as their own interests. None of us are free and safe until we are all free and safe!

Being my authentic self, speaking my truth and often it is truth to power, loving all of me, and allowing people to truly see me and the freedom I experience doing so even though it’s scary and uncomfortable many times wasn’t always my reality. I spent many years not really knowing who I am and living my life based on who and what society and family members told me to be. I wouldn’t allow my true to show up.

I was teased and judged whenever I’d allow my true self to show up. So I kept that side of myself hidden. I was teased based on my weight and height, I’m short and used to be very skinny as a young girl. I often felt like I didn’t belong and fit in. I now know and embrace I’m a misfit, I also know like everything else it’s a journey as there are times I find myself questioning the way I feel and my experiences as a misfit.

I was compared to others in ways that made me feel uncomfortable, unworthy, not enough or like I had to be perfect according to society. Men I dated would often say I’m perfect because I often didn’t allow them to see my weaknesses and there were times it was because they didn’t think highly of themselves so they saw me as perfect even tough I’m not and am far from it.

At some point when I was turning 30 years old, I knew I couldn’t go on like I had been as I wasn’t happy or fulfilled and knew things needed to change. I realized over time I didn’t love myself much, I didn’t know who I really was and you cannot love someone you don’t really know.

Ever since I took time to reconnect with my true self. I have been continuously working on myself and I can now say today I have a very good idea who I am, allow my true self to show up and be seen, love who I am, and am continuously evolving and growing.

Nadjejda’s Professional Journey:

I’m a Certified Professional Coach through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC). I also have a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and leadership. Prior to taking the entrepreneurial route, I gained over 12 years experience working with diverse populations in the profit and nonprofit sector as a Credential Evaluator and Case Manager.

While I made a difference in these places and enjoyed working with some of these organizations, especially working with the immigrant minor population at Catholic Charities, I always felt that something was missing. However, it wasn’t until I got to a point where I felt stuck, like my light wasn’t shining and there was a wall in front of me that I needed to break through.

At that point, I knew there was no looking back and I hired my first coach to help me gain clarity about my next move in fulfilling my purpose. I had to step out of my comfort zone and trust that God/the Universe would guide me. That’s when my new journey began.

It became clear I wanted to be an entrepreneur and make a difference by empowering people. My entrepreneurial journey like all my journeys hasn’t been a linear one, you’ll find out more about it through some of my writings, interviews, events, and on the Mysfit Island Podcast where I’m one of the Co-Hosts and Co-Producers.

Nadjejda Chapoteau’s Other Passions, Personality Traits and Languages:

I’m also passionate about impacting human potential in developing countries, particularly affecting social issues, education and well-being of children and women in my homeland, Ayiti (Haiti). I love being out in nature, laughter, dance (the reason why I became a Certified Zumba Instructor in late 2010). I’m known for my for contagious energy and those who know me describe me as an authentic, positive, determined, inspiring, courageous, and kind woman and I agree with them as those are my major strengths. I’m also known as a disruptor and I own it as I believe in order to speak truth and bring about real change, one must be a disruptor many times. I’m fluent in English, French, Haitian Creole. I understand and speak some Spanish.

Nadjejda’s Hobbies and Interests:

Reading, mentoring, dancing, outdoor activities (hiking, beach, picnic), yoga, spirituality, personal growth, empowering people, traveling, cooking, enjoying many international cuisines, volunteering for causes I care about, politics, and having deep/meaningful conversations about our life journeys and humanity.