Rhonda Beckwith
Rhonda Beckwith is an empowerment coach, speaker, licensed professional counselor, and bestselling author of A Comprehensive Guide to Elevating Self-Esteem. She brings over 26 years of military service experience, during which she held leadership and education roles, including serving as Dean of Military Education. Her professional journey is rooted in helping individuals strengthen confidence, develop self-esteem, and embrace their authentic identity through coaching, counseling, and motivational speaking.
After retiring from the military, Rhonda transitioned into counseling, education, and coaching, where she continues to support clients through her private practice, Boldly Empowered Coaching LLC. She also works as a career counselor and adjunct psychology professor, in addition to serving in roles with organizations such as the U.S. Census Bureau and Mercy Cares, LLC. Her work blends clinical expertise with practical coaching strategies, helping individuals break through self-limiting beliefs and build healthier self-perception and communication skills.
Rhonda holds advanced degrees in psychology and public administration, along with a doctorate in clinical psychology. She is currently expanding her platform as a motivational speaker, with aspirations that include TEDx speaking and broader public engagements. Passionate about self-esteem, leadership development, and personal transformation, she is dedicated to helping others overcome internal barriers and step confidently into their full potential.
• Training & Leadership, Feminine Power & Evolving Wisdom Certificate
• National Certified Counselor
• California Southern University- Psy.D.
• Troy University- M.P.A.
• Chapman University- M.A.
• Saint Leo University- Bachelor's
• Toastmasters
What do you attribute your success to?
I would probably say my mother. She reminded me all the time in terms of getting an education, getting all that I can get, because unfortunately, she grew up in a time frame when people had children to do work. So she wasn't able to really have all of the successes that she actually prompted me to go and do. And so that is what I really attribute that to. And then I had several different teachers along the way that were also instrumental in guiding and directing and coaching and encouraging. I had a teacher when I was in seventh grade who told me if I ever ran for president, he'd vote for me. I had those kinds of people in my life. So that's been good.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most impactful pieces of career advice I've received is that one mistake does not define you. My mother was my biggest advocate and continually encouraged me to keep moving forward, learn from setbacks, and never allow temporary failures to diminish my confidence or dreams. That lesson helped me develop resilience and understand that as long as you're still breathing, you can still overcome almost any obstacle.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would probably say for them to get a really strong mentor who can actually guide and direct them, not necessarily tell them what to do, but just be a strong force for being there to lend that voice of reasoning. Because sometimes what works for one person may not necessarily work for everyone, so it's not a one-size-fits-all. So just finding someone who actually believes in them and can guide and direct them in the right direction. And that's not afraid to be upfront and honest, because sometimes you will get people who will tell you that you can conquer this, or you can do this, and it's not someone who's being honest with the person.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge, and I'm going to wear this one myself because I'm thinking about starting my own practice, is really getting in our own way. And then the real one that may not necessarily be that, is knowing the right direction to go in. But because of AI and everything else now, you can almost ask a question in terms of, I want to do this, what's my first step. So you can get that kind of guidance, but then you really then need the real person guidance piece of that. So I would say that's probably one of the single roadblocks.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, honesty, and authenticity. I believe these principles are the foundation of both effective leadership and a meaningful life. One of my core beliefs is that one mistake does not define you, and as long as you're still breathing, you can still overcome almost any obstacle. I restore myself by reflecting, going out and experiencing nature, and taking walks. In fact, I already had a walk this morning. I also recognize my own limitations and am not afraid to ask for assistance if I need it. I realize that I can try to be Superwoman, but in reality, I am not Superwoman, so recognizing my own limitations and not trying to overstep those is important to me.