Learning from Bravery: Reflections on a Conversation with Iona Holloway

Learning from Bravery: Reflections on a Conversation with Iona Holloway

Transformation is a core value at Televerde. It’s at the heart of how we help businesses grow and support individuals in creating brighter futures. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Iona Holloway, founder of Brave Thing, to discuss her personal journey and the lessons she’s learned about resilience, courage, and connection. It was a conversation that left me reflecting deeply, and I want to share some of the key takeaways.

Iona’s story is both inspiring and humbling. On the surface, she was what she calls “highly functioning” — excelling as an athlete, student, and professional. But beneath that outward success, she struggled with perfectionism, disordered eating, and a deep sense of isolation. What I found most powerful was how she described these struggles as a wake-up call, forcing her to re-evaluate her life and make choices rooted in bravery and authenticity.

One of the first lessons I took from our conversation is that bravery isn’t about fearlessness; it’s about strength and vulnerability working together. Iona defines bravery as the willingness to face your fears, accept help, and take responsibility for your life. This resonated deeply with me. It’s easy to avoid difficult truths or distract ourselves with busyness, but real change begins when we confront what’s holding us back and decide to move forward.

Another insight Iona shared was the importance of empathy, both for ourselves and others. Iona spoke about working with women in the Televerde Foundation’s reentry programme and helping them let go of shame tied to their past. For many of these women, the turning point wasn’t just learning new skills—it was rediscovering their own worth and realising they could create a different future. Iona’s approach is grounded in the belief that we’re all more similar than we are different, and that connection and compassion are the foundation of transformation.

We also talked about the critical role of clarity during life’s hardest moments. Iona shared how hitting her personal “rock bottom” gave her the perspective she needed to choose a different path. As she put it, “There’s always someone in your life who needs the braver version of you to exist.” That idea stuck with me. Whether it’s for ourselves, our families, or our colleagues, being brave can ripple out and create positive change far beyond our immediate circles.

Finally, Iona reminded me of the power of choice. No matter how difficult life gets, we all have the ability to choose how we respond. It’s not about denying the challenges we face but deciding to take ownership of our lives and seek support when we need it. As Iona said, “Help is often there, but you have to step towards it.”

This conversation reinforced something I see every day in my work at Televerde: transformation isn’t easy, but it’s possible for anyone. It requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to embrace both the messy and the beautiful parts of life.

I hope you’ll take the time to watch the video of my conversation with Iona. Her insights are a reminder that no matter where we start, we all have the potential to grow, connect, and thrive. It’s a lesson I’ll carry with me—and one I hope you find as inspiring as I did.