Led by Courage: Jordyn Elyse’s Journey
It’s easy to talk about courage, but living it is something else entirely. Jordyn Elyse knows this first-hand. From childhood, she lived with anxiety, carried a deep sensitivity to the feelings of others, and longed to find a place where she truly belonged. Yet institutions rarely offered the comfort she needed.
She speaks candidly about her childhood and teenage years, navigating peer pressure in order to fit in. A turning point came at seventeen, when she had the chance to visit Guangzhou, China—a trip that ignited her lifelong interest in social conditions and humanity. Seeing firsthand how culture and social structures shape lives opened her perspective to how different the world could be.
After high school, Jordyn pursued tertiary education while working three part-time jobs, often to the point of exhaustion. At that time, mental distress wasn’t something openly supported, and life felt like it was weighing heavily on her. So she made a decision—to pause, and to travel through Europe, fulfilling a long-held dream.
That journey became a reset. In Edinburgh, she climbed a mountain and sat overlooking the city. In the stillness, she discovered presence and connection—an experience beyond words. From that moment on, nature became her anchor whenever she needed to pause. She learned the difference between loneliness and solitude, realising she could feel at home in her own company. This experience transformed her. When she returned to New Zealand, she completed a BA in Anthropology and Ancient History, later focusing on anthropology to explore how culture and systems shape lives. She studied structural violence and the harm caused by institutions.
Jordyn shares openly about learning to manage her anxiety—not as something broken to be fixed, but as a part of herself to embrace. A caring counsellor once told her: “There’s nothing wrong with you. You don’t need fixing.” That message changed everything.
Her authenticity led her into work addressing harm among young people. She began advocating for change and supporting those facing challenges. A call centre job might have been temporary, but a team leader saw more in her: “You don’t belong here.” Encouraged to apply elsewhere, Jordyn landed a new role the same day she graduated. That set her on a path into suicide prevention, wellbeing, and harm minimisation mahi—work that combined her skills with her heart. Choosing authenticity over compromise shaped every step of that journey.
Motherhood added another dimension of love and identity. Jordyn speaks of the joy of being a mother, of love flowing abundantly and grounding her in connection with her children.
Her courage to love fully and to be unapologetically herself has always shone through. In our professional relationship, I’ve seen her passion, humility, and deep care for humanity. She asks questions, reaches out when needed, and reminds us that true community is built on working together. Even small gestures reveal her genuine heart.
Separation tested her in profound ways. From unravelling the role of wife to moving homes, managing children, and navigating a new job, she could have turned away from the pain. Instead, Jordyn chose to walk through the storm. Even in the hardest moments, she kept putting one foot forward—not out of obligation, but out of honesty with herself. Along the way, she noticed the small acts of kindness that sustained her—tiny gestures, micro-expressions, or kind words from strangers that gave her strength.
In our conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Jordyn offered a powerful reflection on courage, vulnerability, and humanity. Her story is not just about surviving, but about embracing life’s complexity with grace and authenticity.
If I had to choose one word to describe her, it would be grace. Jordyn is someone who carries her inner flame through even the fiercest storms.
To listen to the full conversation with Jordyn Elyse, click here.
