The people behind the mission.
Meet the Founder
My personal journey with mental and physical health struggles has been transformative, shaping who I am today. Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and navigating the challenges of chronic illness has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to face both physical and emotional battles. I’ve walked through moments of hopelessness, confusion, fear, and self-doubt, and because of that, I deeply understand what it’s like to feel less than. Looking back, I now see those challenges as a gift, one that has given me a powerful sense of empathy, which I’m able to offer to others in their own journeys of healing.
LifeWise is more than just a wellness coaching company, it’s the embodiment of my mission to provide support in a non-traditional, meaningful way. It fills the gap in mental health services by offering a holistic, personalized approach that truly meets people where they are. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do what I love every day, to work alongside a passionate team of life-givers, and to connect with clients who inspire me.
People need others who can truly relate to the dust and fragments of life’s challenges. And that’s exactly what LifeWise is all about, helping people gather those pieces and transform them into something new and beautiful. I’m honored to provide a space where those who give and those who need can align, and where healing and growth can truly take root.
— Maddison Adkins, Founder & Advocate, Lead Mentor
Meet the Lead
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Lead Mentor, Coach & Sober Support
“I’ve had the privilege of working in this field for about nine years. When I was presented with an opportunity to work for LifeWise at the start of its creation, I knew it was absolutely something that I wanted to be a part of. The team from top to bottom is dedicated, talented, and positive, creating a healthy and happy work environment. I’m confident that I’m able to do my job to the best of my ability in great part because of this. When working with clients, it’s such a joy to watch each individual grow, take action on their own, and accomplish their many different goals that seemed so unattainable once upon a time. Getting to witness clients live happy, meaningful lives is truly an incredible experience.
When I’m not working, you can most times find me spending time with my family. I also love cooking, watching sports, trying out new restaurants, collecting art, exercising, and traveling back to North Carolina whenever I get the opportunity.”
Meet the Team
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Assessor & Wellness Coach
Though there are helpful basics that everyone can benefit from, mental health isn't one-size-fits-all -- and this is the cornerstone of LifeWise. What I love about this organization is the creative approach taken for each client: looking at their past experiences and current hangups, leveraging existing sources of support and creating new ones, and collaborating with clients on their personal goals informed by their goals from therapy. It's this gorgeous marriage of aligning what's going on inside the therapy room with the client's life outside of the room, allowing for more consistency and the opportunity for faster personal growth. And it's just not being done in many other places, so it's such an incredible thing to be a part of!
With a background in the corporate sector, I have a passion for helping clients to better understand themselves - both their personal and professional identities. I have found over the years that I enjoy career development work; understanding what motivates and disheartens us in the workplace helps us leverage the best-fit career to have a more congruent work-life balance. Speaking of... outside of work, you'll find me at the dog park with my husband and two pups - Bear and Bug - or spending time in our neck of the woods (trying to support local biz!) with friends, fam, and our church community. If you catch me on my phone, I'm most likely playing solitaire or balancing my budget in my fun budget app (the more I can gamify my responsibilities, the less draining they are - anyone with me?!). So glad to be here!
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Assessor
I deeply value the connections I’ve built through my work—not just with my trusted team of colleagues, but also with the resilient and motivated clients we have the privilege to support. With such a great foundation, I’ve cultivated my own professional network by maintaining meaningful connections with colleagues. This has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally while continuing to meet genuine individuals who trust me to be part of their journey toward growth and healing. I also love that I get to be an authentic version of myself because trust and comfort are reciprocated. With a greater sense of my self, values, and security to be myself I get to help others be themselves as well!
I’m passionate about people and play! Whether I’m connecting with audiences through public speaking or building bonds with clients, I believe in the power of movement and laughter. I incorporate these elements not only into my daily life, but also into the skills and interventions I use with clients to foster connection and growth.
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Coach
I have loved working at LifeWise with Maddison since its inception! It's a challenging and rewarding experience. We sometimes meet people at their lowest and give them hope for the future. We do this through spending time, building rapport and gaining an inside look at their world on a personal level. This helps give us insight into what changes may be implemented to improve their current situation. It’s a privilege to me when people feel comfortable sharing some of their deepest thoughts, feelings, & fears, because I know that I’ve earned their trust and they can begin the healing process.
In my spare time you might find me baking, running (so that I can eat what I bake), doing puzzles, or most likely spending time with my 3 little granddaughters!
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Coach & Mentor
Working at LifeWise has been so inspiring, whether our clients realize it or not, I learn so much from them and am always so proud of how they overcome adversity and use their experiences to learn and grow. I enjoy the relationships being built in such a supportive, empowering and meaningful community and I am so honored to be a part of it all.
I was a nutritionist and fitness professional before stepping into a mental health role. Working closely with clients as a nutritionist is what ultimately lead to my desire to want to work with clients on a deeper level in a mental health role. I continue to integrate my passion for fitness and mental health by teaching somatic exercises, aside from working at LifeWise, as I work on completing my graduate degree in counseling.
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Wellness Coach
LifeWise has such a supportive, collaborative environment, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a team that shares a deep commitment to mental health. It’s a place where I can continue growing as a professional while doing meaningful work that I’m passionate about.
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Coach
As a therapist working with my clients in their own environments, in real time as provided valuable insights into their functioning in day-to-day life. I feel the value in immediate feedback and coaching with my clients helps in the moment fine tune certain challenges and obstacles they may be facing. I am grateful for the experiences my clients have shared with me. I meet my clients at their current level whether it be deciding on career paths or some tough raw emotions in the moment that otherwise might have been missed in a 50-minute counseling session.
The relationship I build with my clients is based on respect and understanding of their present situation. I hope I can offer my clients a warm and trusting personality, so they allow me to be a fellow traveler in their lives. I strive to provide them the optimism to help guide their early experiences or misunderstandings to form the complete person and how they relate to their past, present and future choices.
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Samantha has been part of LifeWise Resources since its creation and currently serves as a virtual mentor and coach.
She brings a deep passion for connecting with people in a genuine, non-judgmental way, creating a safe and supportive environment for healing. Samantha focuses on helping clients build insight into their patterns, understand their emotional struggles, and develop healthier coping mechanisms and more authentic self-expression. Through compassion and steady guidance, she empowers individuals to explore their feelings, break free from limiting beliefs, and move toward meaningful personal growth.
Samantha’s own journey of recovery profoundly shapes her approach. Having faced her own challenges, she offers a unique depth of empathy and understanding, knowing firsthand what it feels like to navigate difficult emotions and patterns. Her lived experience is what inspired her to enter this field, and it continues to guide her practice every day.
Outside of her work, Samantha is dedicated to living a connected, adventurous, and balanced life. She enjoys traveling, expanding her comfort zone, and immersing herself in nature, culture, and time on the water. Her favorite hobbies include yoga, hiking, paddle boarding, golfing, scuba diving, learning piano, and exploring new languages.
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Coach
I have worked alongside these people for almost a year now and it has been such a joy to learn and grow with this team. I love being able to work in this field and am thankful that I’ve found my passion. It has been an amazing experience to work with clients to help them move forward in their life journey.
Outside of work I tend to be listening to as much music as possible. I also love cooking, working out, and spending time with close friends.
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Coach
LifeWise has been an incredible addition to my life! The Lifewise team is so intentional, kind, fun loving and show such care for our clients. I have learned so much in this role that I can apply towards my own therapeutic practice someday and am eternally grateful for the experience of helping client develop life skills. Lifewise is an amazing place to work where I feel respected, loved and know my voice is heard.
About me: I worked in digital marketing for 10 years and realized I wasn’t fulfilled in my career. After experience with therapy and friends and family with addiction and mental health issues, I knew I wanted to work in this field. I have a masters in psychology and am now in grad school getting my degree in clinical and mental health counseling to get my certification to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.
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Family Coach
Therapeutic Consultant, and Mitigation Specialist with over 15 years in behavioral healthcare.
In long-term recovery since 2004, Michelle combines personal insight with professional expertise to guide individuals and families through substance use, alcohol use, and mental health challenges.
She bridges the gap between recovery and the legal system—partnering with attorneys to create impactful mitigation strategies that tell the whole story behind each client.
From treatment placement and case management to expert testimony, Michelle’s work is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and holistic healing.
At LifeWise she helps families navigate the recovery journey every step of the way.
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Operations Assistant & Coach
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with clients at LifeWise Resources. It is inspiring to walk alongside clients and see their lives transformed by the work done here. I am honored to be a part of a company that supports clients in this way.
In addition to working at LifeWise, I love working with college students and young adults as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associates. In my free time I love to play pickleball, go on walks with my dog Noodle, read, and spend time with friends.
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Coach
I have been working with Lifewise since its start in January, and I have really enjoyed building meaningful relationships with clients. I love watching clients learn about themselves and use their skills and tools to help them move through life’s challenges. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help support and guide individuals as they navigate life.
A little about myself, I am a former middle school theatre teacher and am currently working on my Master’s in Social Work. In my spare time I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, going on walks, catching up with friends, performing with my improv troupe, and cuddling up with my orange tabby, Grits.
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Coach & Mentor
Constance is an emotional wellness coach who helps people feel calmer, less stressed, and more in control of their lives. I work with clients who want support, guidance, and tools they can use right away.
What I Bring to Clients
A safe space: I listen without judgment so clients can share what’s on their mind.
Simple tools: I teach easy techniques to handle stress, manage emotions, and feel more balanced day to day.
Clear steps: I help clients set small goals and create plans they can actually follow.
Encouragement: I remind clients of their strengths and cheer them on as they make changes.