Helen Parker: Brain surgery gave me the confidence I never knew I needed

Send us Fan MailHelen Parker shares her transformative journey from corporate workaholic to confidence coach after surviving brain surgery and discovering the power of embodied confidence through Brazilian carnival culture.• From corporate success to burnout – Helen's 20-year career including 14 years at O2 where she ran social impact programs while working 70-80 hour weeks• The turning point came in 2014 when she unexpectedly lost movement on her right side, leading to emergency brain surgery• During her seven-month recovery, she experienced profound shifts in consciousness and began her healing journey• After retraining as a clinical hypnotherapist, she identified confidence as the golden thread in all her client work• Her experiences in Rio Carnival led to insights about embodied confidence through the Brazilian "queens" who conduct energy for thousands• Nearly 70% of women report never feeling true confidence, which Helen believes stems from disconnection from our bodies• Confidence work not only heals individuals but future generations, as children often inherit their mothers' anxieties• Helen's advice: "Have the courage to take that little next step" and "The greatest purpose in this life is just to be yourself"Find Helen on LinkedIn and Instagram @helenmaryparkerco. She's recruiting women for a transformative experience at the 2026 Rio Carnival – join her confidence program and "the biggest, most badass retreat of your life."https://www.linkedin.com/company/experience-carnival-rio/https://www.instagram.com/helenmaryparker.co/Send us a comment, ask a question, or suggest a topic. We would love to hear from you