Hey chica,
I'm Anel Lee.
Most know me as the founder of Bold Ascension but I have so many more identities; a wife, a mother to four beautiful children ranging in ages from 8 -21, a faith-based empowerment coach, a mental health clinician (recently obtained my Master's of Social Work), and a motivational speaker.
I am a proud Latina who was born and raised in Southern California. I am passionate about solving social justice issues and empowering women to live an authentic and purpose-driven life. Throughout my life, I have experienced many challenges, but I have overcome every single one through my faith, working on myself in therapy, workshops, and transformational work. Throughout this journey, I have gotten to know myself on a much deeper level, and that is why I continue to work hard to raise awareness, create programs and provide resources for those healing from trauma.
My Backstory
Our lives forever changed when social services visited our home after my husband had hit me again while we were driving home from the airport with our youngest daughter in the car. It was ugly. During that visit, one of my daughters had shared that she had been molested by her father. Our world was shattered. That was the last straw – I left him, we came back to California to restart our lives. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life – rebuild from nothing.
It has been 7 years since we returned to California. Throughout this ordeal, I sought out therapy for myself and my children. I joined the Army, trained as an officer, obtained a Masters's in Social Work, and started Bold Ascension. All of these challenges have led me to the woman I am today. It wasn’t easy, but I will not let it define me. Instead, it fuels my soul to do the work that God put me here to do.
My Reason
The pain and challenges I have faced throughout my life have made me the woman I am today. First and foremost, I have done the deep work of healing for my kids and for me. As my life unraveled I had to make a decision about how I wanted to live – I knew I needed to live differently, but at the time I didn’t know-how. I can proudly say that I have transcended that pain into a purpose-driven life to ensure that others that struggle can find a way out.
I know what it’s like to be voiceless. I know what it’s like to be a victim of domestic violence. I know the pain of being a participant in a toxic relationship. I know what it’s like to have a daughter who was sexually abused. I have witnessed firsthand the pain of trauma and the work to heal. Because of all of these experiences, I am determined to help others to use their voice and to know they are not alone. I continue to work hard to provide resources for the community, and to provide programs to educate and empower survivors.
My Work
My passion for creating programs and resources for the community and helping other victims of trauma is what drives me now. I created Bold Ascension, a faith-based women’s empowerment organization whose mission is to support women in rising above their circumstances and empowering them to boldly live as their authentic self by living as God created them to be.
Through the I am Bold, I Rise campaign, I developed a platform for women to share their powerful and transformational stories with the world. Sharing my own journey was both empowering and healing, and has led me to live a more purpose-driven life aligned with her passion for social justice issues and women’s empowerment.
I recently completed my Master's of Social Work degree and am now a Clinical Social Worker and Therapist. I served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army as a Medical Operation Officer. Through Bold Ascension I created a monthly podcast with each of the women from the I am Bold, I Rise campaign, detailing their stories of survival.
Bold Ascension holds events and workshops to raise awareness and empowers survivors featuring panel discussions with inspirational women. With every single voice that is strengthened, comes transformation and empowerment, and I am so grateful to be on this journey with them.
I want to help you
on your healing journey!
As I have evolved, so have the services and programs I offer! I am here to help empower you to live the best version of your life possible. I want to see you thrive! I want to see you living boldly! I want to help you on your healing journey.
I am here to work with individuals that are ready to do the work! Check out my Work With Me Page to learn more.