Rising Above: How Annyx Day Is Turning Adversity Into a Blueprint for Purposeful Leadership

Annyx Day’s story asks what happens when adversity becomes more than something to survive — and starts shaping the way you lead, build and create purpose.

By Mark Sephton.

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, we are often told that success is a matter of strategy, timing, and relentless execution. We look at high-achieving CEOs and see the polished end result, the thriving business, the confident stage presence, and the expanded global reach. However, the true architecture of leadership is rarely built in the boardroom during times of ease. Instead, it is forged in the quiet, often painful moments of personal struggle. For Annyx Day, the founder of Living Life Above, leadership isn't just about what you do; it is about who you become when life demands that you rise.

Annyx, a Hypnotherapist, Success Coach, speaker, and mentor, has built a career helping others navigate the complex terrain of mindset and resilience. But her expertise isn't merely academic. It is deeply rooted in a personal narrative of overcoming high-functioning anxiety, PTSD, grief and stress as a result of life-altering challenges which forced her to look inward. In a recent conversation on the Female CEO Podcast with Mark Sephton, Annyx shared her journey of personal resilience and transformational healing, proving that our greatest obstacles are often the very things that qualify us to lead others.

The Catalyst of Change: Beyond High-Functioning Anxiety

For many female leaders, the term “high-functioning anxiety" is a familiar, albeit silent, bystander. It is the engine that drives us to do more, be more, and achieve more, often at the expense of our own understanding of why we do it. Annyx lived this reality for years, operating at a level of always attaining success outwardly that checked all the boxes of her ego.  But she could not ignore that her soul was not at peace.

"I reached a point where I realised that the way I was living wasn't sustainable," Annyx reflects.

The turning point came when Annyx decided to stop surviving and start thriving. This shift required a radical commitment to self-discovery and a willingness to dismantle the limiting beliefs she had accumulated over the years. It was this "overcoming" that led her to Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), a powerful methodology she now uses to help her clients achieve the same breakthroughs. By addressing the root causes of anxiety rather than just the symptoms, Annyx found a way to bridge the gap between where she was and where she is meant to be.

The Birth of Living Life Above

When we think of the Female CEO pillars, Create, Evolve, and Overcome, Annyx Day embodies each one with remarkable clarity. Her business, Living Life Above, was created from the ashes of her own traumas. It wasn't just a career move; it was a mission and a purpose to provide in-depth support she wished she had during those dark moments.

Living Life Above is more than just a hypnotherapy and coaching practice; it is a philosophy. Living Life Above the trauma, the drama, the status quo, and the sadness and Moving Yourself Forward to the life you were meant to live!  It challenges leaders to look beyond their current circumstances and recognise that they have the power to choose their response to adversity. "We can either let our circumstances define us, or we can use them as a stepping stone to something greater," Annyx explains. "Leadership is about choosing the latter, every single day."

Her work focuses on helping individuals, particularly women in leadership, strengthen their "mindset muscle." Just as a physical muscle requires consistent training to grow, resilience requires intentional practice. Annyx teaches her clients how to reprogram their subconscious minds, allowing them to step into their roles with a sense of worthiness and purpose that isn't dependent on external validation.

Evolution Through Worthiness: The “Core” of Leadership

One of the most profound insights Annyx shares is the connection between self-worth (not from your ego but from your soul) and leadership impact. In her experience, many high achievers are "stumped" when asked who they are at their core. They can list their titles, their accomplishments, and their responsibilities, but they struggle to articulate their inherent value.

"If you don't know who you are, you will always be at the mercy of what other people think of you," says Annyx. "Evolution in leadership starts with coming back to yourself. It’s about stripping away the noise of the world and reconnecting with your purpose."

This journey toward self-love and worthiness is a recurring theme in Annyx’s work. She believes that a leader who operates from a place of self-love is far more effective and sustainable than one who is fuelled by a need for approval. This internal alignment allows for "accountable and aligned" leadership, where decisions are made with clarity and integrity rather than fear or ego.

Overcoming the Noise: Navigating the “Hard Yards”

Every entrepreneur knows the "hard yards," the periods of time where progress feels slow, and the weight of responsibility feels heavy. Annyx embraces these seasons because she believes these are gifts disguised as opportunities for leveling up. Her approach to welcoming these challenges is rooted in the belief that we must "love ourselves enough to want to be better."

During her podcast conversation, Annyx emphasised the importance of community and the courage to ask for help. In a culture that often prizes the "solitary hero" narrative of leadership, she advocates for a more connected approach. "Know that you're worthy of getting help," she urges. "You don't have to carry the world on your shoulders. In fact, you're a better leader when you. understand what truly belongs to you versus what belongs to others; furthermore, what is actually yours to carry."

For Annyx, overcoming is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process of shedding what no longer serves you. It is about rising above the "noise" of societal expectations, past traumas, and self-doubt to maintain a sharp, authentic presence. This is especially critical for those who operate under relentless pressure, as it ensures that their performance remains sustainable over the long haul.

The Science and Soul of Resilience

What sets Annyx apart is her ability to blend the "soul" of mindset work with the "science" of therapeutic practice. By using RTT, she helps her clients navigate the architecture of their own minds, identifying the specific "blocks" that prevent them from reaching their next level of success.

This combination of neuroscience and empathy allows Annyx to hold space for difficult conversations while providing practical, actionable steps for growth. She isn't just offering motivation; she is offering a rewiring of the nervous system. This “body-led " approach ensures that the changes her clients make are not just temporary shifts in thinking, but permanent shifts in being.

A Roadmap for the Modern Female CEO

For the women reading this who find themselves in a season of struggle, Annyx Day’s story is a powerful reminder that your current situation is not your final destination. To lead like Annyx, one must be willing to:

1. Acknowledge the Burnout: Stop pretending that the “push through" mentality is working. Resilience is not about ignoring pain; it is about moving through it.
2. Invest in the Internal: Realise that your business will only ever be as healthy as you are. Mindset work is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity.
3. Redefine Success: Move away from external metrics and start measuring success by your level of inner peace, alignment, and self-worth.
4. Choose to Rise: Understand that while you cannot control what happens to you, you have absolute authority over how you respond. Ask yourself, “What is this teaching me?”  Your honest and humble answer is your key to leveling up! 

The Future of Living Life Above

As Annyx continues to expand her reach as a speaker and mentor, her mission remains unchanged: to help people shine from the inside out. She is committed to building a world where high performance is no longer synonymous with self-sacrifice. Through her keynote presentations and one-on-one work, she is challenging the status quo and empowering leaders to perform from a state of presence.

Her message to the global community of female CEOs is simple yet life-altering: "You were put on this planet for a purpose. Forget the noise, and come back to who you are at the core. When you do that, you don't just succeed, you shine."

Final Thoughts: The Worthiness Mandate

As we conclude this feature on Annyx Day, it is worth reflecting on her final thought from the podcast: "Love yourself enough to know that you matter, that you deserve the life that you were meant to live."

In the world of business, we talk a lot about ROI, market share, and scaling. But perhaps the most important investment any of us will ever make is the investment in our own sense of worth. Annyx Day is proof that when a leader decides to live life "above," they don't just change their own trajectory; they illuminate the path for everyone else to do the same.

For those ready to begin their own journey of rising above, you can connect with Annyx on Instagram, or visit her platforms under Annyx Day or Living Life Above. In the end, the most impactful leadership isn't about being perfect; it’s about being authentic, resilient, and unapologetically worthy. 

This article accompanies Leading From Your Scars, Not Your Wounds: How to Turn Trauma Into Impact, from The Female CEO Podcast – Don’t forget to subscribe!

Mark Sephton has helped numerous high-level thought leaders and creatives unveil their story, voice, and visibility so they, too, can make their mark on the world. He creates a safe space for aspiring thought leaders to feel heard, find confidence, and ignite their impact. He does this by increasing their visibility and rapport through storytelling, interviews, content creation, and media presence. In fact, he has conducted over 5,000 life-changing interviews with thought leaders and creatives, and is often referred to as the ‘King of Conversation’.

Mark has shared his life experiences as an author of three books on the subject of personal development: Inside Job, Plot Twist & Mark of a Man. He’s recognised for his contribution as an inspiring storyteller who provides positive exposure and opportunities for others who have a great purpose and passion to make their mark in their own distinctive way.

Find out more about Mark and his work at marksephton.com