What Happens When Women Stop Holding Back? Ellen Mannaert On Womanhood, Power, And Leadership

Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview

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In a world where identity, ambition, and emotional truth often collide, few voices cut through the noise with the clarity and courage of transformation coach and speaker Ellen Mannaert. Her work—rooted in lived experience across continents and cultures—challenges women to stop shrinking themselves and instead lead with depth, honesty, and power. Mannaert’s journey is not only a testament to resilience but also a blueprint for reclaiming one’s authentic self in environments that demand constant adaptation. Her perspective is reshaping conversations around leadership, womanhood, and what it truly means to belong to yourself.

Ellen Mannaert was born in Amsterdam to Ghanaian immigrant parents and raised between two cultures, shaping her into a leader who understands the complexities of identity from the inside out. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and transformation coach, she guides ambitious women—particularly women of color—in stepping into self-ownership. She is the founder of Era of You, a growing global community for emotionally aware women redefining success on their own terms.

Ellen Mannaert

Can you tell us a little about your background and how your journey has shaped who you are today?

I was born in Amsterdam to Ghanaian immigrant parents and raised between two very different worlds. At home there was Ghana – faith, discipline, community, and a deep sense of responsibility. Outside there was the Dutch reality – Western expectations, performance, and a constant push to fit in.

Very early on I learned to adapt, survive, and read the room. I became successful at that, but I also became disconnected from myself. My journey through trauma, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and healing pushed me from survival into self-ownership. Today everything I do is about helping women stop editing themselves and start leading from who they truly are.

You’ve built businesses in different industries and cultures — what has that experience been like for you?

Building across Europe, Africa, and now the Middle East has been wild, humbling, and deeply educational. Each culture has its own rhythm and blind spots. What I learned is simple: business is always about people first. Identity matters. And women, especially women of color, often have to prove themselves twice before being taken seriously. These experiences taught me to negotiate with grace, hold boundaries, and bring my full story into every room.

What inspired your shift from entrepreneur to transformation coach and speaker?

It happened naturally. Women would privately come to me saying, “I thought I was the only one feeling this way.” I realized they weren’t seeking business advice—they were seeking language for their truth. The real work I’m here to do isn’t just building companies; it’s helping women rebuild their relationship with themselves. Speaking and coaching became an extension of that purpose.

You often talk about “unbecoming” and reclaiming authenticity — what does that mean to you personally?

Unbecoming means taking off everything I put on to survive—the strong one, the good girl, the woman who never needs help. Authenticity isn’t loud; it’s grounded, uncomfortable, and honest. It means telling the truth about what you want, what you feel, and what you will no longer accept. My own unbecoming cost me certain identities and rooms, but I gained my voice and my peace.

Can you share a challenge you’ve faced along the way that really changed your perspective?

I once carried success and pain at the same time. On paper everything looked good, but internally I was exhausted. My body started saying no while my mouth kept saying yes. That season forced me to confront my patterns—over-giving, overworking, and staying in dynamics that didn’t honor me. It changed everything. I now see boundaries, rest, and healing as leadership tools.

How do you balance business, travel, family, and personal wellness?

Not perfectly—and I don’t pretend to. I’m a mother, a wife, a leader, and a woman with a story. I plan my year around energy, not just opportunities. I block time for family and for myself. I invest heavily in my physical and emotional health because my work requires presence. And most importantly, I allow myself to say, “I need help.” Balance is a continuous recalibration.

What goals are you most excited about for the future, and what legacy do you hope to leave?

My heart is fully in Era of You—the community I’m building for ambitious, emotionally aware women who are tired of growing in silence. My vision is to open Era of You communities worldwide, including in places where access to knowledge and funding is limited. This December, we hosted our first soft-launch dinner in Dubai, and it confirmed how needed these spaces are.My legacy? I want women with complex stories and identities to feel powerful, seen, and less alone. I don’t need to be remembered as the woman who did everything, but as the woman who helped others come home to themselves.

Join the Movement:

To join our waiting list for the next Era of You event and receive updates, follow @eraofyou.official on Instagram and send a message with the word “WAITLIST.” We can’t wait to welcome you into the next chapter.