Tanya Alvarez
Tanya Alvarez, She/Her, is a dedicated Life Coach specializing in supporting families, schools, military communities, athletes, and first responders through life’s transitions. Drawing on her 24 years of experience as a Personal Trainer, Nutrition Educator, and transformational leadership coach, Tanya helps clients navigate change with calm, clarity, and confidence. Her approach empowers individuals to rebuild resilience, strengthen leadership and mindset, and create thriving cultures within families and organizations.
A proud military veteran with six years of service in Intelligence, Tanya has cultivated discipline, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Her personal journey—overcoming seven major injuries and multiple recoveries—has deepened her understanding of setbacks, perseverance, and the power of rising stronger after challenges. These experiences inform her coaching philosophy: guiding people not just to survive transitions, but to emerge from them grounded, purposeful, and confident in their potential.
Beyond her coaching practice at Total Awareness Coaching, Tanya serves as an International Book Leader with The Being Movement, uniting global leaders for book readings and transformational exercises that foster personal growth, resilience, and leadership. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and one-on-one coaching, she creates safe spaces where individuals rediscover their worth, amplify their voice, and step powerfully into who they are becoming. Her mission is to build a legacy of love, leadership, and resilience—helping communities and individuals rise stronger, one life at a time.
• University of South Florida
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for helping children build confidence and emotional resilience. Over the past eight years, I’ve worked in youth development, founding Champion Within to teach kids tools for managing emotions, resolving conflict, and handling trauma. Partnering with schools and organizations, I focus on equipping children with empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills, and I’m working to expand these programs nationwide while developing resources for parents and educators.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this field to get a coach and believe in themselves from day one. Don’t compare your journey to others—everyone has a unique path. Stay grounded, keep learning, and remember that consistency and compassion will always matter more than competition.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is breaking the stigma around youth mental health and helping parents and educators recognize that emotional wellness is just as important as academics. Another is encouraging schools and local systems to make mental health education a core part of learning, rather than an optional or side program.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are faith, perseverance, and purpose. I believe that pain can be transformed into power when used to help others, and my military family background instilled in me discipline, resilience, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. I also prioritize transparency, accountability, honesty, and responsibility, and I believe that true understanding begins with intentional communication — listening as much as speaking.