From Trauma to Triumph: A Single Mom's Journey to Empowerment w/Olivia Johnson

Interview with Olivia Johnson on SoloMoms! Talk
Guest: Olivia Johnson | Host: J. Rosemarie Francis

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J. Rosemarie Francis:
My guest today is Olivia Johnson. Thanks for coming and talking to me today, Olivia. I really appreciate you.

Olivia:
Thanks for having me.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Of course. So before we get into what you do, could you tell us—who is Olivia?

Olivia:
Sure. My name is Olivia Johnson. I’m located in Australia. I have four beautiful children—two girls and two boys. I run my own HR consultancy called Olive Solutions, and I also have a charity called Community Partners. We empower the culturally and linguistically diverse community through mental health support and fostering inclusion. That’s a little bit about me.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Thank you for sharing that. Since we’re on SoloMoms! Talk, I have to ask—how did you become a solo mom?

Olivia:
Unfortunately, I had to flee a very toxic marriage. It wasn’t just about becoming a single mom—it was also about rediscovering myself. I had been in a controlling and coercive environment, where everything in my life was controlled by someone else. Leaving that situation meant I had to find myself again while being a strong pillar for my children.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Wow. I can relate. Raising one child can be a struggle—what has been your biggest challenge parenting four?

Olivia:
It’s something new every day. But honestly, the hardest part was realizing that my children had their own trauma and pain from the situation. It came out in different ways—attention-seeking, emotional breakdowns, behavior changes. I ended up taking a parenting course on how to raise children who’ve gone through trauma. That’s when I realized their behavior wasn’t rebellion—it was a cry for help. And navigating that while I was healing myself was incredibly hard.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
I can imagine. What is it like being a solo mom in Australia? What kind of support is available?

Olivia:
Australia has some good systems in place—government benefits and resources that help solo moms stay on their feet. But regardless of the support, the daily challenges remain. You still have to be both mother and father. You still have to provide, protect, manage the home, and show up every day for your kids. The support helps, but it doesn’t eliminate the hard parts.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Absolutely. It’s always “go mode,” no matter what. So, tell us about what you do as a businesswoman. What do you provide through your consultancy?

Olivia:
I started Olive Solutions in 2023, more out of necessity than anything. I was a single mother of four, and my youngest daughter is on the autism spectrum and non-verbal. Her needs—speech therapy, OT, appointments—made the 9-to-5 unsustainable for me. I was burning out. So, I took a leap of faith and started my own HR consultancy.

I wasn’t sure if I’d get clients, but I got my first one within the first month. Then referrals started coming in, and things began to grow from there. It gave me the flexibility I needed for my family.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
That’s incredible. Sometimes, we really do have to make our own way. It’s so encouraging for solo moms to hear that a 9-to-5 isn’t the only path.

Olivia:
It’s not easy—financial pressure builds up, and entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. But something had to give. I needed that flexibility, especially for my daughter’s needs. It was the right choice for us.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Yes, that’s a powerful testimony. So, quick detour—what are you grateful for today?

Olivia:
I’m grateful for life. Every morning I wake up, I thank God. I’m grateful for my children, and that our needs are met. I’m just thankful to God for everything He’s done for us.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Beautiful. Now tell us—how do you find time for charitable work on top of running a business and raising four children?

Olivia:
That’s a question I get often! Honestly, giving back has been part of my healing journey. I started by volunteering at other charities, then co-founded one—Sisters Support Australia—focused on supporting women from diverse backgrounds who experienced domestic violence.

Eventually, I needed to shift out of that space because I was constantly surrounded by trauma. I wanted to expand and focus on broader issues, especially mental health in diverse communities. That’s when I started Community Partners.

We’ve done outreach in Nigeria, health days in Ghana, supported orphans in Cameroon, and are now looking to support orphans in Burundi. Giving back gave me another layer of healing and fulfillment.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
That’s amazing. I admire how you’ve turned your pain into purpose.

Olivia:
Thank you.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Let’s shift gears—can you give three tips to solo moms from your personal and professional perspective?

Olivia:
Absolutely.

1. Don’t give up. Some days will feel impossible. I’ve had those nights where I cried myself to sleep and still had to show up the next day. But it gets better, and your kids will appreciate the effort you’re putting in.

2. Look after you. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Do things that bring you joy and restoration so you can pour back into your children.

3. Prioritize your mental health. It’s just as important as your physical health. There’s no shame in seeing a counselor or asking for help. Solo parenting can be isolating, and society can be harsh—especially on single mothers. Don’t let stigma dictate your choices.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Powerful advice. Now—you're also an author. Tell us about your book.

Olivia:
Yes! Writing has always been my way of expressing myself—even as a child, I would journal or write letters to God. So, as part of my healing, I began writing Echoes of Resilience. It helped me separate my story from my identity—my trauma no longer defines me.

The book is a testimony, a journal to the world about my experiences—abuse, childhood neglect, toxic relationships—and it's also meant to raise awareness. I included quotes from professionals to support the narrative and show this isn’t just my truth, but something others go through too. Writing helped me reclaim my power and, hopefully, it helps others do the same.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Yes, when you write it down, it takes it out of your head and releases it. Do you have any specific advice for a solo mom who might be experiencing domestic violence right now?

Olivia:
Yes. First, educate yourself. I didn’t know what I was going through had a name—emotional and psychological abuse. A conversation opened my eyes, and when I started researching, everything made sense. There are websites with safety features where you can exit quickly if needed.

Also, have a safety plan. Know your resources and reach out for help—even if you’re not sure what you’re experiencing is abuse. Once your eyes are opened, it’s hard to unsee the truth. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Thank you. Any parting words?

Olivia:
Yes. Single mothers get judged harshly—as if it’s always our fault. But many of us didn’t choose this path. I became a solo mom for my safety. So, I’d say: give solo parents more grace. And as solo moms, we need to give ourselves more grace, too. Take a moment to reflect and rest. You’re doing an incredible job—don’t forget to take care of yourself.

And to anyone who’s experienced abuse, please seek help. If you want to hear more of my story, my book Echoes of Resilience is available on Amazon.

J. Rosemarie Francis:
Thank you, Olivia. I’ll be sure to include your book link, Facebook, LinkedIn, and website in the show notes. You're doing a lot—including raising four children—and we appreciate you!

Olivia:
Thank you so much for having me.