Written by Hayley Godfrey

Superheroes come in many forms; however, the real-life ones don’t wear capes and their superpowers include a loving heart and the ability to create and enforce positive change.

One superhero that deserves a special mention is Alicia Wade who has risen from her own dark place to assist the community across many platforms.

Alicia, one of the co-founders of Women’s Walk & Talk Hervey Bay, shares a story of how the group came to life during a conversation at the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The idea was to create a space for women to walk, talk, and support each other. Fraser Coast Mates and Men’s Walk & Talk Hervey Bay provided collaboration, support, and guidance in setting up the initiative.

From her childhood days, walking has served as a therapeutic ritual for Alicia.

The simple act of walking to school and back with her sister laid the foundation for a lifelong connection with this activity.

As the years unfolded, she grappled with a fear of driving and battled social anxieties that loomed over her.

So, walking became her everyday lifestyle instead of driving a car.

Despite these challenges, Alicia embarked on a transformative journey, gradually building her confidence and self-esteem. It wasn’t until the age of 30 that she finally conquered her fear of driving and obtained her driver’s license.

Throughout this personal triumph, walking remained a steadfast companion, providing solace and grounding.

Alicia’s enduring relationship with walking inspired her to weave it into the fabric of her life in a profound way.

In a testament to the power of perseverance, Alicia has not only overcome her own obstacles but has extended a helping hand to others.

Recognising the myriad of benefits of walking, she established the Women’s Walk & Talk Hervey Bay charity.

This initiative is not merely about putting one foot in front of the other; it’s a movement that promotes health, fitness, and community connection through the simple yet powerful act of walking.
Alicia’s creation, Women’s Walk & Talk Hervey Bay has become a beacon for women seeking connection, growth, and mutual empowerment.

It provides a nurturing space where women can come together, share their journeys and uplift each other.

Through this charity, Alicia has not only transformed her own life but has also become a catalyst for positive change in the lives of countless others, one step at a time.

Alicia emerges as a seasoned and adept professional within the Early Childhood Education and Care domain, boasting an impressive career spanning over two decades across various Australian states.
Her extensive expertise encompasses a range of skills, from proficient business management and strategic planning to adept financial control and dynamic marketing strategies.

Throughout her illustrious career, Alicia has proven instrumental in guiding numerous early childhood services to meet and surpass national quality standards.

Her impactful contributions extend beyond the conventional realms of education, seamlessly blending with business acumen and strategic foresight.

Alicia’s multifaceted skill set positions her as a transformative force within the field, consistently ensuring that the early childhood services under her purview not only adhere to but excel in meeting the rigorous national quality benchmarks.

Motivated by an intense yearning to effect positive change in her community and discover the deeper meaning of life, Alicia encountered a profound turning point after facing the aftermath of a traumatic event – a failed marriage resulting in the loss of everything.

Battling anxiety and panic attacks in the wake of this personal upheaval, her journey took a challenging turn when her professional life as an Operational Manager became entangled in the rapid expansion of a company, ballooning from 60 to 150 Early Childhood centres within just six months.

Amidst these adversities, Alicia found herself at a crossroads, prompting her to pause her life and embark on a transformative pursuit.

Delving into coaching, she specialised in life coaching, leadership coaching, and business coaching, seeking not only personal redemption but also a meaningful legacy.

In 2018, a pivotal year in her odyssey, Alicia’s narrative took a positive shift. She not only authored a book but also embraced public speaking, sharing her powerful story of resilience against domestic violence and triumph over learning difficulties.

Remarkably, Alicia, struggling with dyslexia, defied expectations and excelled in her first semester of her Masters in Positive Psychology and earnt a high distinction.

Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration, illustrating that despite confronting formidable challenges, Alicia emerged not just triumphant but as a glimmer of hope, embodying the power of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of purpose.

In 2021, Alicia created The Gratitude Method™, a transformative approach rooted in cultivating gratitude.

The genesis of this method traces back to 2018 when Alicia birthed the Little Black Book Gratitude; journal, initially crafted through photocopying as a personal endeavour.

Its humble origins soon evolved into a notable project, with Alicia printing 100 softcover journals that traversed borders, reaching over six countries.

Observing and watching the success of the initial venture, Alicia elevated the journal to a hardcover edition, releasing another batch of 100, which swiftly sold out within six months.

The impact was more than imagined, resonating with a diverse audience whose lives were positively influenced by adopting a gratitude-centric mindset.

Messages flooded in, attesting to the method’s efficacy in transformative ways, including aiding individuals grappling with profound issues like suicidal thoughts. Recognising the potency of her creation, Alicia took a strategic step by trademarking The Gratitude Method™; solidifying its unique identity.

Furthermore, she curated a collaborative effort, publishing a book featuring insights from 22 authors across Australia, amplifying the reach and impact of The Gratitude Method™.

Alicia’s journey stands as a testament to the profound ripple effect that intentional gratitude practices can have on individuals worldwide.

Alicia has overcome a lot of obstacles to become successful and now she’s passing on her knowledge and experience to the community. She’s empowering them and giving them a voice, thereby giving them the confidence, they need to shape them lives into one full of positivity rather than one of loneliness.

And that is the true superpower.