Jennifer Perri: Empowering Women to Rise Up

Jennifer Perri grew up in the small town of Eddystone, Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed an idyllic childhood surrounded by a loving family and a tight-knit community. Raised to have a servant's heart by her mother, Jennifer developed a passion for helping others that shapes her work to this day.  

Though her parents divorced during Jennifer's senior year of high school, she was focused on her own life and future at the time, so it didn't initially affect her much. However, when Jennifer got into her first serious relationship, the absence of her father as a model for a healthy marriage became evident. Despite early signs of trouble, Jennifer ended up in an abusive relationship for over a decade, having two young children, ages four and eight, with her husband.  

The abuse escalated over the years from emotional to physical violence. Jennifer felt trapped, both afraid to leave and fearful of what worse fate might befall her and the children if she stayed. Realizing the situation was becoming dangerous for the children, Jennifer finally found the courage to get out, and start a new life for herself and her children.   

Jennifer describes her early relationships after the divorce as poor decisions since she had much healing and self-work to do before she was ready for a healthy partnership. Now married to her soulmate, Jennifer has found the supportive, loving relationship she and her children deserve.  

In December 2021, Jennifer faced a major health crisis when she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome just before Christmas. This autoimmune disorder attacks the nerves, eventually leaving Jennifer paralyzed from the shoulders down within three hours of being admitted to the ICU.  

Spending a month in the hospital and continuing recovery at home in a wheelchair, Jennifer was initially told she might not walk for over a year. But she started to regain strength in her arms and, through fierce determination and rehabilitation, took her first steps just 56 days later.   

While her hands still have some numbness and weakness, Jennifer has continued to surpass every recovery benchmark through perseverance and a commitment to transparency, sharing her struggles and victories openly on social media to help others facing adversity.   

Despite the horror of being paralyzed and unable to care for herself or her family, Jennifer received an insight in the hospital about how she could still help others through simple acts of listening, empathy, and being present, even if that was all she was physically capable of in the moment. This was a definitive confirmation that coaching was her calling, a path she had already been exploring.  

Jennifer's transition to life coaching began during the loneliness and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic when she found clients reaching out for emotional support rather than financial advice. Having walked through many difficult situations herself, Jennifer brings first-hand experience with overcoming adversity to empathetically guide her clients.  

Now, Jennifer runs a thriving coaching practice focused on four key areas: mindset, money, empowerment, and divorce. Through her company, SHERO Coaching & Consulting, Jennifer provides women going through transition with the resources and support they need to gain financial literacy, strengthen their mindset, and ultimately empower themselves to independence. Services include one-on-one private coaching, group sessions and intensives, and self-paced online courses. She also works with individuals to create fulfilling visions for their next chapter in life after divorce.  

Jennifer's other company, Divorce Divas, brings together a team of female experts to guide women through the often-confusing transition of divorce. They help clients avoid detrimental mistakes and emerge feeling confident, at peace, and in control of plans to rebuild their lives after divorce. With insight and sisterhood, the Divas ensure women don't have to walk through divorce alone.  

Above all, Jennifer encourages her clients to be the sheroes of their own stories and take control of writing their futures. She stresses the importance of asking for help when you need it, surrounding yourself with a supportive community, and having the courage to lose relationships that don't serve your growth.  

Jennifer is the author of three bestselling books focused on overcoming adversity. In Dare to Succeed (2013), she joins Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul in stories of persevering to achieve dreams. In her book Quiet and Badass (2018), she collaborates with 18 amazing women from across the globe to share tales of strength through hardship. Her most recent book, Never Give Up (2023), co-authored with Dick Vitale, centers on unrelenting pursuit of purpose. Jennifer is currently working on her next book with Lisa Nichols called Rise Up, more real-life accounts of rising above difficult circumstances through resilience and drive. Her books collectively share stories of healing and empowerment.   

Jennifer believes there are blessings to be found even in the most painful challenges if you look closely. Her mission is to use her experiences overcoming adversity to inspire others to transform their own lives. She does this not only through individual and group coaching but also as an author and sought-after speaker.   

After walking through divorce, illness, abuse, and paralysis, Jennifer coaches other women from a place of hard-won empathy, insight, and wisdom. By sharing her journey candidly, she empowers people to rise up through their own circumstances to the fullest expression of who they are meant to be. Jennifer teaches by example that no matter what you face, you can access the strength within to create positive change.