Jonvoana Evans: On Her Bold Pivot from Tech to Life Coaching

After more than 20 years in cybersecurity, I found myself at a turning point: my career was successful, but I felt a calling toward something more—helping people grow. What I needed wasn’t another plan or checklist—it was guidance and support to step fully into coaching. That’s where IIN made all the difference. The Health Coach Training Program^™ gave me the knowledge, tools, and confidence to transition into a purpose-driven path, grounding me in health, wellness, and the skills to support clients in meaningful ways.

Today, as the founder of FLY Life Coaching Academy and coAchIng 3.0^™, I blend systems thinking, neuroscience, and human-centered innovation to help coaches build confidence, strengthen their skills, and create impact. I guide others to embrace their stage in life, unlock their potential, and transform both their clients’ lives and their own.

Q&A: The Beginning

AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN CYBERSECURITY, WHAT SPARKED YOUR TRANSITION INTO COACHING?
A: I always say I did not choose life coaching. Life coaching chose me. Cybersecurity was my career, but coaching was always my passion. I followed the path many of us are taught to follow. Go to school, earn the degrees, get certifications, travel the world, and build a career. From the outside everything looked great, but there was still a void. Eventually, I realized that the moments when I felt most fulfilled were the moments when I was helping people grow. That realization gave me the courage to give myself permission to step fully into coaching. 

HOW DOES YOUR BACKGROUND IN SYSTEMS THINKING AND TECHNOLOGY STILL SHOW UP IN YOUR WORK TODAY?
A: Everything operates within a system. When I work with clients, I naturally start noticing patterns. I look at their environment, their habits, and the way they think about situations. Those pieces influence how they move through life.

Coaching often becomes the process of helping someone adjust the system they are operating in. Sometimes that means shifting their thinking. Sometimes it means changing routines or boundaries. My background in technology also made me comfortable exploring innovation, which is why I am excited about thoughtful uses of AI in coaching. Whether we are talking about technology or personal growth, the principle is simple. When the system changes, the results usually follow. 

Q&A: Becoming Coach Von

YOU OFTEN SAY, “BEFORE YOU CAN BECOME ANYTHING, YOU MUST FIRST BE.” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?
A: From the moment we are born, we are always being pushed to the next thing. The next milestone. The next achievement. The next version of ourselves. Growth is a beautiful part of life, but it can also make us overlook the value of the stage we are in right now.

I often explain this through the butterfly life cycle. Everyone wants to be the butterfly. Beautiful. Free. Admired. But no one wants to be the caterpillar, moving slowly and doing the quiet work of becoming. Yet every stage has value and prepares you for the next one.

Personally, and professionally, this affirmation reminds me to stay grounded in the present. I practice gratitude for where I am, even if it is not exactly where I want to be yet. When you learn to be fully present in your current stage, you build the foundation that allows the next stage to be sustainable and meaningful. 

HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH IIN HELP SHAPE YOUR PATH INTO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING?
A: IIN gave me more than education. It gave me confidence. It helped me have informed and meaningful conversations with clients, healthcare providers, and organizations about the role health and wellness coaching plays in people’s lives. Many people understand the value of going to the doctor, but the accountability piece is often missing. Coaching helps close that gap.

IIN also expanded my understanding of the body and how different aspects of wellness show up in everyday life. It is one thing to think you understand health, but it is another to learn it through research and the insights of experienced practitioners. That foundation grounded me in my path forward and supported my journey toward becoming a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with Coaching Intensive Practicum. 

Q&A: The Work Today

WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF FLY LIFE COACHING ACADEMY AND COACHING 3.0^™?
A: Honestly, I did not want aspiring life coaches to go through many of the growing pains that I experienced when I first stepped into coaching full time. Some of those challenges were about business. Others were about developing the skills and confidence to actually show up as a coach. I noticed that many people felt called to coaching, but they did not feel worthy enough or prepared enough to do it. They had this gift they wanted to share, but they did not know how to present it or build a business around it.

FLY Life Coaching Academy started when some of my own clients told me they were interested in becoming life coaches. I realized I could not confidently send them somewhere else because I had built my own business largely through trial and error. So, I started teaching them myself.

coAchIng 3.0^™ came later as a natural progression. I wanted to create a way for coaches to practice real coaching conversations, strengthen their listening skills, and develop high mileage questions while receiving structured support. AI made it possible to scale that experience so more coaches could learn, practice, and grow with confidence. 

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT COACHES IN BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CLARITY IN EVERY CONVERSATION?
A: I start by creating an environment where coaches feel safe to learn. They do not have to feel pressure to have perfect responses right away. Coaching is not about being right or wrong. Sometimes it is simply about understanding the question or recognizing what the client is really expressing.

Confidence begins with self-awareness. I help coaches understand how they show up in conversations and release the unrealistic expectation that they need to have all the answers. The client is the expert of their own life. The coach’s role is to stay present, curious, and grounded.

That is why I emphasize that their real superpower is presence. When a coach listens well and creates a space where someone feels seen and heard, transformation can begin. coAchIng 3.0^™ gives coaches a place to practice those skills so they can strengthen their confidence before stepping into real client conversations.

Q&A: Innovation & the Future of Coaching

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE ROLE OF AI IN THE FUTURE OF COACHING AND WELLNESS?
A: What excites me most about AI is that it frees coaches to focus on the part of the work they actually love, like being present with their clients and their families. Many incredible coaches spend a large amount of time trying to manage the business side of coaching. Content creation, marketing, writing copy, developing programs; the list goes on. AI can ease some of those burdens, so coaches can invest more of their time and energy into the people they are serving.

I also believe AI will shorten the time it takes to create tools and resources that support clients. Ideas can move from concept to implementation much faster. Of course, like any technology, there are important conversations around privacy and responsible use. But when used thoughtfully, AI can help us think more creatively and explore possibilities we might not have considered before. As we experience new challenges around health and wellness, we will also need new solutions. 

HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE COACHES TO USE TECHNOLOGY WITH INTENTION RATHER THAN OVERWHELMING?
A: I encourage coaches to look at AI the same way they would look at an assistant. It is a tool that helps their work, not something that replaces their thinking or their voice. When used intentionally, it can simplify tasks that normally take a lot of time and energy. That allows coaches to stay focused on their purpose and the impact they want to make.

The key is to stay engaged with the process. Ask better questions, adjust the responses, and guide the tool toward the outcome you want. When coaches approach technology with curiosity instead of pressure, it becomes something that supports creativity rather than something that overwhelms them. 

WHAT’S ONE MYTH OR FEAR ABOUT AI IN COACHING THAT YOU’D LIKE TO REFRAME?
A: One myth I often hear is that using AI makes your work inauthentic. In reality, AI only becomes inauthentic when people copy and paste whatever it produces without adding their own voice or perspective. If you treat it like a collaborator, the experience is very different. You can guide it, refine it, and tell it when something does not sound like you.

I often compare it to working with a writer or a virtual assistant. You provide direction about your tone, your message, and your style. AI works the same way. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it. When coaches use it thoughtfully and bring their own experiences into the process, the result can still be deeply personal and aligned with who they are.

Q&A: Reflection & Perspective

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOURNEY SINCE STEPPING INTO COACHING FULL-TIME?
A: The greatest reward is waking up every day knowing I am doing what I believe I was created to do. I truly believe I was created with divine intention, and coaching allows me to move with that same intention every single day. Because of that purpose, I have crossed paths with some truly remarkable individuals, and that has been a blessing in itself.

Through those relationships, I get to witness breathtaking transformations. Sometimes the transformation is not from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Sometimes it is simply helping someone recognize the stage they are in and become at peace with that stage until the next one comes. Those moments when something finally clicks are incredibly powerful. The realization of their worth. The moment they recognize their own strengths and understand what they are truly capable of. Watching those shifts happen never gets old. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE CONSIDERING A MAJOR CAREER PIVOT INTO THIS FIELD?
A: Start by getting clear about your why. That is always the first place to begin. After you answer that question, listen carefully to how you respond to it. Do you hear fear, doubt, or negative thoughts about why it might not work?

Once you recognize those thoughts, create a plan to address them. One of the most inspiring things I once heard was this: if you are going to tell yourself a story, you might as well tell one where you win at the end. Many people stop themselves before they even start because they have already decided how things will turn out.

You only have one life to live. You might as well spend it doing something that brings you joy and fulfillment. Start with tangible steps and give yourself permission to grow into the transition. You do not have to overcommit all at once, but you do have to be willing to move forward.

Q&A: Fun Favorites

BEST DECISION YOU EVER MADE FOR YOUR HEALTH OR CAREER?
A: One of the best decisions I made for my health was choosing to stop eating meat. I still eat seafood, but I no longer eat things like steak, chicken, turkey, or lamb. Interestingly, it started with steak. I loved it, but I noticed I did not like how my body felt after eating it. Once I removed that, my body began showing me other things it did not respond well to, which led me to cut back on dairy and processed sugars. I also discovered that I have a major sensitivity to sugar cane.

Making that shift helped me feel better physically and mentally. It also pushed me to become more creative with how I prepare my meals. My palate has changed a lot over time. I have discovered new vegetables, spices, and combinations that keep things interesting, so I never feel bored with it. Overall, it has been a decision that supports both my body and my overall sense of well-being. 

A BOOK OR PODCAST YOU’D RECOMMEND TO OUR COMMUNITY?
A: One book I would recommend is While I Was Waiting on God, He Was Waiting on Me, which I wrote from my own journey of growth and transition. I share the experience of moving from what I thought would be my lifelong career into fully embracing my purpose as a life coach. I also touch on the areas that shape how we show up in life and coaching, including our careers, relationships, and health.

Faith is a big part of that conversation as well. Sometimes while we are waiting on God for direction, He is simply waiting on us to make a decision and move forward. The book offers reflections, tools, and real-life lessons that I believe many people in our community can relate to. There is even a letter in the back that I dedicated specifically to coaches. 

IF YOU COULD BE ANY FRUIT OR VEGGIE, WHICH WOULD YOU BE—AND WHY?
A: I would probably say a pineapple. On the outside it looks strong and resilient, but on the inside, it is vibrant, warm, and full of life. That balance reflects a lot of my journey and how I try to show up for others.

And of course, a pineapple wears a crown. Let’s be honest, if I’m going to be a fruit, I might as well be one that naturally comes with a crown. I like that symbolism because it reminds me to carry myself with purpose and confidence while also helping others recognize their own value. Pineapples also take time to grow, which resonates with me because my own journey has required patience, growth, and trusting the process. Just like the butterfly life cycle I often talk about, transformation takes time, but when the conditions are right, the fruit eventually shows up. 

WHAT ARTIST OR BAND DO YOU LISTEN TO WHEN YOU NEED A MOTIVATION BOOST?
A: It is actually a song more than a specific artist. Kirk Franklin and Maverick City have a song called Bless Me that I listen to when I need a boost. I love it because the heart of the song is not just asking for blessings for yourself. The message is really about being blessed so that everyone around you can have what they need.

That message resonates deeply with me as a coach. Many of us naturally want to pour into others and see them succeed. When I need encouragement, that song helps me refocus on the bigger picture and the impact I want to have in the lives of others. And of course, it does not hurt that the music is upbeat with great drums and energy, so it lifts your spirit while reminding you why you show up the way you do.