Dr Amanda Foo-Ryland is a TEDx and international keynote speaker and author with more than 30 years of experience in Human Development and Coaching. Originally from the UK, Amanda now lives in Portugal where she runs Your Life Live It which she founded in 2008. She is a number 1 bestselling author, has 1 million+ views for her TEDx talk, and is a highly commended speaker for the UK Speaker Awards. Amanda talks to NZ Booklovers.
Tell us a little about Knowing You.
It’s the difference that makes the difference. This is a journey of self discovery where I take the reader by the hand and using techniques I’ve developed over the last 18 years working with clients we uncover what their real handbrake is. The root cause, most people only ever deal with the symptoms such as lack of confidence or self esteem, anxiety or self sabotage. Then the problems return as the root cause is still there.
Together we uncover their deepest unknown, the core limiting belief that drives all the symptoms they can feel.
Who is this book for?
Anyone who feels they are stuck or keep getting stuck. We all run limiting beliefs and tend to think that this is just how we are, that we can’t change, this is an illusion. We can all change, we just need to know what needs deleting and what we want instead.
What inspired you to write this book?
My team and I have been working with clients around the world since 2008 and the area we focus on the most is what limiting beliefs are running for a client, then deleting that, this gives our clients the biggest change. It’s an important journey of discovery and not everyone can afford to work one on one with a coach. This book addresses that, it’s allows anyone who wants to really help themselves do just that.
What research was involved?
The book shares transcripts from my clients sessions, actual clients. I’ve been passionate about belief change since 2005 and dedicated my time to this. I feel that this is the single most powerful process we can run, a belief change, deleting a limiting belief and installing an empowering one. The research is mainly sharing my clients real time stories plus various experts who shine a light on what the reader is learning.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
My starting point was my why, why was I doing this and what did I want for each reader.
I would head to our vw Campervan we call Little Miss Dotty Florence five mornings a week for two hours, where I would write. I mind mapped the book first and use these maps to write each chapter.
What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?
The test readers feedback, I sent my book to 12 test readers, all hand selected. Getting their honest and open feedback to my 9 questions was the best bit for me, it showed me that my instinct was right, this book was needed. The other delight was that every client I approached about being included in the book gave me permission, they wanted to let others know how powerful the belief change process is.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
Sarah, my wife and I took our twin boys on holiday, I had one master copy from the publisher, at the time the only copy in the world, Sarah had no idea. I wrapped it and gave it to her for her birthday. She read it in one day. We celebrated because she really felt all the time away from the family was worth it!
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
As we are so early on in the year I would have to say it’s one of my boys books, it’s called ‘The Pirate Mums’ by Jodie Lanclet-Grant. It’s about a little boy who has two mummy’s, the stairs is sweet and full of kindness and love. We need more diverse books to embrace and support our little ones, this is one of them.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I’m flying from Portugal to New Zealand in a week to run my Creating Dream Teams workshops for Cookie Time, one of NZ’s most trusted brands, it turns 40 this year. They are so focused on giving their staff the very best in mental tools and wellness, so I’m running workshops for them for three weeks.
I then return to Europe where my speaking career is taking off, then off to Dallas to film for an Amazon prime channel called Speak Up to share some neural coding mind hacks. It’s busy, especially with 3-year-old twin boys!!