“I wake up every morning to inspire others to go after their God-given dreams so they can change their world and the world around them.”

In a world that often tries to impose its expectations and norms on us, few women break through the barriers with the kind of unwavering faith and courage that Tizena has. A mother, wife, entrepreneur, and leader, she has navigated life’s challenges with resilience, confidence, and an unshakable belief in her faith. Her story is a powerful reminder that we are not defined by our circumstances but by how we choose to rise above them.

“What makes me confident in my difference is that I’m confident in who God made me to be. I’ve asked God what words he says about me, so when someone says something different, I’m like who do I believe? God or them.”

When Tizena was twelve, her mother, searching for meaning, discovered Christianity and Jesus, which began her lifelong relationship with God and an unwavering belief in who she was created to be. At just nineteen, Tizena and her husband-to-be knew they were called to be pastors one day, but they didn’t know what that would look like until they were called to co-found Lifestyle Church.

“We knew that God had called us to bring something different. He called us to live a lifestyle in faith and God. We wanted God to be your whole life and lifestyle. That’s what inspired us.”

Starting the church was a bold move that set the foundation for her journey as a leader. However, stepping into leadership as a woman in ministry was not without challenges.

“When we planned the church, God said very clearly, ‘You need to preach.’ And I said, ‘God, don’t you know women aren’t supposed to preach?’ It wasn’t necessarily pushback from the people around me; it was more from the beliefs that had been pushed onto me growing up.”

Tizena knew God was calling her to preach. Her ability to trust Him over what society says she can and can’t do has been a theme throughout her life, from overcoming personal battles to building successful businesses.

“When you’re able to trust God through everything, it brings a huge significant peace.”

As her faith and church grew, Tizena was tested in ways she never expected. When she was just fourteen, she was told by a doctor that having her own biological children would be unlikely due to a significant health challenge. Then, over nineteen years ago, her chronic headaches began. And, at the age of twenty-six, she received a phone call that would shake the lives of many… she was told she had stage three thyroid cancer. But rather than allowing fear and uncertainty to consume her, she leaned into her faith.

“I remember that moment in the car when I got that phone call. Right then in the car, I asked, do I still trust God? And the answer for me was yes!”

Her diagnosis and subsequent removal of her thyroid and the following treatments were an adventure of their own. Although she found it hard to see how it affected her loved ones, she continued to trust God’s plan for her.

Through every challenge, Tizena has sought strength in both her faith and the things that bring her joy. One of those passions is horse riding. The strength and agility of a horse beneath her, the wind rushing past as she moves through trails—it embodies the same sense of freedom and adventure that has carried her through life’s trials.

“I want to ride bareback and canter on the beach because I love the ocean and nature. I feel replenished and refreshed when I’m in nature, so on a horse I get that, and adventure, and freedom.”

Her entrepreneurial spirit has also been a driving force in her life. Since completing her business degree and specialising in accounting, she has built multiple companies, each reflecting her values. When asked about how she navigated challenges while starting her businesses, she shared that she views what most people see as failure as learning.

“When you step out and do something that doesn’t work, is it a failure? Or is it a learning? Reframing it gives you a different perspective. You can look at everything you think you’ve failed at but look at the lessons they taught you. They’re generally very valuable lessons.”

For those wondering when the right time is to take the leap and start a business, Tizena believes the key lies in shifting your perspective. Too often, fear of failure holds people back, but she encourages a different approach. One of creativity, curiosity, and possibility.

“If money wasn’t an issue and you could not fail, what would you do? Create a mind map, write everything down, write crazy stuff down, and then you can reflect on it. It expands your mind.”

Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, she emphasizes the importance of taking action, testing ideas, and if there’s something you don’t know, learn about it. For Tizena, success isn’t about achieving perfect balance but about aligning her life with what matters most.

“What is balance? The thing is, you’ve got to make sure you’re putting your priorities first in life. That’s different for all of us. Know your values. What do you value most? Put those first into your life. And the other things kind of fit in after that.”

By staying clear on her values, she has learned to make decisions with confidence, even in the face of uncertainty. To her, courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to move forward despite it.

“You can still be afraid and do something. I’m motivated to have courage because I don’t want to play it safe. I need adventure, so playing it safe is boring for me.”

This drive to embrace adventure and push beyond comfort zones has shaped every part of her journey, from entrepreneurship to faith to her personal life. For Tizena, courage isn’t just about taking risks in business or leadership—it’s also about trusting in the unknown, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

One of the greatest tests of this faith and resilience came when she was told at a young age that having biological children might not be an option. Yet, just as she has done in every challenge life has presented, she trusted God’s plan and knew that if she didn’t have biological children she would pursue adoption or other methods. Despite her earlier prognosis, she gave birth to two happy healthy young daughters, and she is raising them with the same values that have guided her—faith, bravery, and the confidence to embrace who they are.

Tizena and her husband believe that while they need to be aligned in the direction they are heading in as parents, they each have unique strengths to bring to the table. They believe that by embracing their individual strengths rather than parenting in exactly the same way, they are giving their daughters the best of both perspectives.

“If I don’t bring my strengths to the party when parenting, then the kids miss out and only get one type of parenting.”

Leading by example, Tizena has taught her girls to be firm in their faith, embrace adventures, and be the person God created them to be.

“Everyone is made so different, but everyone compares themselves to others. Comparing people is like comparing a lion and a dolphin. That person is uniquely different, how can I compare myself to them?”

Tizena’s strength lies in her unwavering determination to never give up, no matter the obstacles she faces. She’s learned that sometimes the path doesn’t go as planned, but she’s always willing to pivot and change direction when needed, refusing to let setbacks define her. Through each trial, she continues to embrace the unknown, knowing that growth comes from adapting, evolving, and pushing through the hard moments, and above all else, trusting God. Her story is one of resilience and faith, constantly reaffirming that the power to create the life you dream of is always within reach. You just need to be willing to have courage and work to your strengths while keeping your values at the forefront of your mind.

“What you’re not changing, you’re choosing. Change the story you tell yourself, change your life.”

I’ll leave you this week with one of Tizena’s favourite scriptures;

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.

Ephesians 3:20

If Tizena’s story resonates with you, if you want to live a life of adventure and freedom, I encourage you to share this post. Comment below or nominate another inspiring woman whose resilience has left an impact. Together, we can lift each other up, share our stories, and inspire and encourage each other.