✨ From Grit to Guidance: Why I Started That Virtual Life

In April 2016, I packed up everything I had into a car—my two daughters, a handful of belongings, and a whole lot of hope—and drove across the country to start a new life.

It was my younger daughter’s birthday.
She was turning six.
(And don’t feel bad for her—she got three birthdays that year. Endless movies, presents, and cuddles. I made sure of it.)

What we didn’t have was a plan.
What I did have was grit. And a knowing in my gut that we couldn’t stay where we were. That something better—something bigger—was out there.

For most of my life, I had been surrounded by addiction, narcissism, and cycles of abuse. I had been told, in ways both loud and quiet, that I wasn’t enough. That I was too much. That I didn’t belong in the rooms I walked into.

And yet… here I was. Driving toward something I couldn’t fully see but completely believed in.

The Fight to Believe in Myself
I won’t lie—imposter syndrome came for me hard.

When all you’ve ever known is survival, building a new life feels like breaking the rules. I was fighting for my daughters, for a new beginning, but also fighting to reprogram myself.

I had to learn how to believe I was capable. That I had value. That the words used to diminish me weren’t the truth—and never were.

I had to stop looking for permission and start creating possibilities.

And when I began building my business… everything changed.

The Moment the Fire Lit
I purchased CVA (Canada’s Virtual Assistant) after years of working in administration and supporting the C-Suite. I had nearly 20 years of experience behind me, and a deep understanding of how business really works.

But something happened when I looked under the hood of CVA: I saw two clear branches. One focused on supporting businesses. And the other—barely tapped—focused on empowering virtual assistants.

That moment lit something in me I can’t fully explain.
It wasn’t just business strategy. It was a soul-deep knowing:
This was the next step.

TVL (That Virtual Life) was born from that spark. It became the platform I wish I had when I was first starting out. A place not just to learn how to build a VA business—but to feel seen, supported, and guided.

What People Don’t Always Tell You About Becoming a VA
If you’ve been an admin before, it’s easy to assume being a virtual assistant is the same thing.

Spoiler alert: it’s not.

Being a VA—especially when you’re building your own business—requires a whole new mindset. You’re not just a doer anymore. You’re the CEO. You have to market yourself, price your services, build your own systems, and find clients.

That shift can feel disorienting if you don’t have the right support.
That’s why I created TVL—to be the bridge between dreaming of freedom and actually living it.

What Success Looks Like to Me
Success, for me, has never been about titles or followers or income (though let’s be real—those things help create freedom, and I’m not mad about that).

Success is about creating value for others.

It’s about watching my students win.
Helping them believe in themselves.
Being the guide I never had.

TVL is for me.
It’s for my daughters.
And it’s for every woman out there who doesn’t know where to turn—but knows she wants more.

If that’s you—let me just say this:
You’re not too late.
You’re not too much.
You’re not the imposter you think you are.

You are ready.
And I’m here for you every step of the way.

Whether you’re starting from zero or scaling what you’ve already built, you’re not alone. I’m just an email away—seriously. If you ever want to talk, share your story, or ask a question, send me a message anytime at [email protected].

We’re building something real here.
And I’m so glad you’re part of it.

Together, we rise.
—Megan
Founder & Lead Mentor, That Virtual Life