Season Four · Episode Eighteen · Andrea Niestas
From Survival to Thriving
Rebuilding Identity After Critical Illness
How do you live as the person who remains after survival?
Dr. Andrea Niestas has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and over 25 years of experience in behavioral health. She also spent 15 years in leadership roles, where she mentored others, provided training, and developed various programs.
Dr. Niestas is a wellness coach and speaker who supports individuals seeking more meaning, connection, and fulfillment in their lives—those ready to move beyond simply existing and toward fully living. She works both one-on-one and at the community level, offering workshops that encourage shared growth and collective transformation.
In addition, Dr. Niestas is a psychology professor and community wellness instructor, as well as a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She remains actively involved in her community and has created several nonprofit initiatives, including Kindness to the Community, focused on giving to others.
At the heart of her work is a commitment to inspiring others to live with purpose and a belief that meaningful change is always possible, while fostering kindness and courage.
Before · The change · What came next
Before
Andrea’s work ethic began in childhood. Education became her path beyond the limits she saw around her, leading to graduate study, teaching and nearly two decades of work in behavioral health.
The change
A severe illness led to an extended hospitalization and a profound loss of independence. Survival required Andrea to receive help, tolerate uncertainty and question the belief that strength meant pushing through alone.
What came next
Andrea returned home to continued rehabilitation and additional care. From within that unfinished recovery, she resumed coaching, speaking and mental-health education, building her work around what she calls gratitude, grace and giving.
“This day is never happening again.”
Andrea Niestas
Listen to Andrea Niestas’s story
From Survival to Thriving premieres February 2, 2027. Listening links will be added when the episode is released.
Learn more about Andrea and her work at LifeCoachingByAndrea.com.
Connect with Andrea Niestas
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