Discovering Strength Through Self-Expression: A Conversation with

Mannette Antil

Welcome back to Living and Loving Each Day: Bridging Barriers! I'm Sue Janzen, joining you from up here in Northern Canada. I’m a certified Life and Resilience Coach, former Special Education teacher, and a Realtor who specializes in accessible, barrier-free homes. On this podcast, I love connecting with parents of children with adaptive needs, adults living with adaptive needs, and experts offering valuable services and support. My mission is to bridge barriers by creating a space of inspiration, information, and community.

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Manette, a dynamic Voice Empowerment Coach with a rich background in law, theater, and personal advocacy. Our conversation was deep, soulful, and packed with valuable takeaways on the power of our voice—both literally and metaphorically.

Meet Manette: From Law to Liberation Through Voice

Manette shared her incredible journey from being a dancer and performer to pursuing law in the 60s—when making a difference meant fighting systemic battles in the courtroom. Although she found success as a lawyer, she soon realized that her true calling was in advocacy through a more heart-centered path.

Raising children with adaptive needs, including one with severe treatment-resistant OCD, taught her the critical importance of using her voice. Her advocacy wasn’t just legal—it was personal. But even with all her professional experience, she discovered something profound: she hadn’t fully tapped into the power of her voice.

After returning to the arts, she realized her voice had been shaped by early messages—like being told as a child to "lower your voice." That suppression had followed her into adulthood, leading to less presence in the boardroom and beyond. But as she reconnected with her voice through theater, breathwork, and embodied practice, she discovered not just vocal strength, but inner confidence.

Why Voice Matters – Especially for Advocates

Manette’s approach to coaching is about more than sounding good. She helps people unlock authentic confidence, advocacy skills, and personal power. “Your voice is like a snowflake,” she said. “There has never been, and never will be, another voice exactly like yours.”

She teaches that voice is not only our tool for communication, but also a reflection of how connected we are to ourselves. We suppress our feelings—and with them, our voice—because of trauma, self-doubt, and fear of judgment. But in that very space lies our strength.

Takeaways from Our Conversation

• Your voice matters. Whether you're advocating for a loved one or standing up for yourself, the power lies in how you express it.

• Confidence is embodied. Your voice is affected by how you feel, breathe, and move. Your gut, heart, and body hold emotional resonance.

• Authenticity wins. Whether you're speaking, singing, or storytelling—when your voice is fully connected to who you are, people listen.

• Practice makes confident. Like any skill, connecting with your voice requires exploration, practice, and guidance.

Connect with Manette

If you're curious about your own voice journey or want to explore how your voice could be more powerful and aligned, you can visit Manette’s website:
👉 YourVoiceConnection.com

She offers a free initial connection call—with no sales pitch—just a genuine conversation to explore your needs. If you choose to work with her, mention this podcast (Living and Loving Each Day) to receive a 50% discount on her course and a bonus one-on-one voice assessment.

Thank you so much for joining us today. Remember, your voice is your power. You were given your unique voice for a reason—and it’s time to use it.

Let’s keep building this beautiful, supportive community—one powerful voice at a time.

With Love and Light and resilience 💛
Sue Janzen