CEO Scoop Magazine’s “Impactful Women: Leading the Charge in 2025” Edition
In a world where resilience and reinvention are paramount, Dr. Melissa Bedford stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Featured on the cover of CEO Scoop Magazine’s 2025 “Impactful Women” edition, Dr. Bedford’s journey—from poverty-stricken beginnings to becoming a multi-millionaire CEO, TEDx speaker, and award-winning coach—epitomizes the power of turning adversity into opportunity. As the founder of GMA Interventions and My Soul Purpose, she has redefined what it means to lead with purpose, grace, and unshakable faith.
In this intimate Q&A, Dr. Bedford shares her story of loss, triumph, and the mission driving her to empower women globally.
Q: Your career journey is deeply rooted in personal resilience. Can you share how it began?
Dr. Bedford: When reflecting on the beginning of my career journey, I’m reminded of how my life experiences shaped my path. Growing up in extreme poverty, I learned early on about resilience and determination. My professional journey began in the behavioral health field as a counselor/therapist, where I developed a deep understanding of human behavior and transformation. My passion has always led me to working with vulnerable populations. More than a decade ago, I became frustrated and burned out from the bureaucratic confines of a “one-size-fits-all” paradigm toward treatment, so I stepped out on faith and started my own behavioral health agency. I am so humbled to say that this act of faith and obedience resulted in a multi-million-dollar organization with multiple statewide locations that has and continues to help thousands of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Standing at the helm as CEO for the past decade has given me profound joy, but it was my personal experience with profound loss—the death of my husband of 31 years to brain cancer—that truly crystallized my mission. This devastating experience became the catalyst for my current work as Dr. Melissa, the Purpose Profitess®, teaching me firsthand about navigating life’s most challenging transitions with grace and purpose.
Q: What key offerings define My Soul Purpose?
Dr. Bedford: The key offerings of My Soul Purpose center around transformative coaching and personal and business transformation programs. I have developed several signature frameworks, including our Be U & Live PURPOSEFULLY, Boss Up & Lead PURPOSEFULLY, and the SHE ROSE™️ program, which guides women through a comprehensive journey of self-discovery and personal and professional growth. Drawing from the realms of positive psychology and applied neuroscience, I utilize techniques geared toward pinpointing and dismantling counterproductive thinking patterns, which allow clients to perceive their circumstances through a fresh perspective. My approach is unique because it combines practical strategy with soul-centered healing. This unique methodology helps individuals:
- Uncover their true purpose and passions
- Align their personal values with their life goals
- Develop strategies for abundant living
- Build confidence and overcome limiting beliefs
- Create actionable plans for personal and professional growth
Furthermore, we offer one-on-one coaching, group programs, a free community, and workshops that help women navigate loss, transition, and personal reinvention. Additionally, I share insights through my roles as a TEDx speaker, author, and host of two TV shows and podcasts.
Q: Where do you see yourself and your mission in the next five years?
Looking toward the future, my long-term goals are deeply aligned with my vision of creating a global impact. I envision building the leading platform for women seeking to redefine themselves after significant life changes. Within the next five years, I aim to expand our reach through digital transformation programs, establish a foundation supporting women in transition, and launch a global movement celebrating authentic living and resilience. I see myself continuing to evolve our methodologies while maintaining the intimate, transformative nature of our work.
Q: Who inspires your work?
Dr. Bedford: The most significant source of inspiration in my life has been my faith in God and how that faith has empowered me in my own journey through adversity. Second only to my relationship with God would be the love and support of my husband, Patrick. After my husband of 31 years passed, I would have never dreamed that I would find love again. But I am so blessed to have found a love that is truly unexplainable and divinely orchestrated. My experiences with poverty and loss have taught me that our greatest challenges often reveal our deepest purpose. The resilience and strength of me and my children during my late husband’s battle with brain cancer showed me the power of maintaining grace and dignity through life’s most difficult moments. I am also inspired by every client I work with—their resilience, determination, and willingness to embrace transformation continuously remind me why this work matters.
Q: What recognitions highlight your impact?
Dr. Bedford: In terms of recognition and accreditations, I am a Broadway Executive Producer and am honored to have been selected as a TEDx speaker, where I shared insights about turning pain into purpose. I have been honored with numerous Expy awards for my shows and podcast. Most recently, I have been honored with the Top CEO and Success Coach award by the IAOTP. I have been blessed to have been a guest on talk shows and interviewed by notable industry powerhouses such as Lisa Nichols. I’ve been featured in various media outlets as an expert in personal development and transformation, and our PURPOSEFULLY framework has been recognized as a groundbreaking approach to personal and professional development.
Q: What obstacles have shaped your journey?
Dr. Bedford: The most challenging obstacles in my career have been deeply personal. Navigating the loss of my husband while maintaining my professional responsibilities tested every aspect of my resilience. Growing up in poverty presented early challenges, but it also gave me the determination and resourcefulness that would later become crucial to my success. In building my coaching practice, I faced the challenge of transitioning from traditional therapeutic work to a more holistic coaching approach. Each obstacle has ultimately contributed to the depth and authenticity of my work.
Through my journey, I’ve learned that our greatest setbacks often lead to our most meaningful comebacks. Today, I’m privileged to guide other women through their own transformative journeys, helping them discover their purpose, embrace their authentic selves, and create lives filled with abundance and joy. My story is proof that you can turn your test into a testimony and your mess into a message. My story is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the unwavering belief that we can turn our pain into purpose.
Q: What advice would you give to women aspiring to lead with purpose?
Dr. Bedford: My advice is simple yet profound: Embrace your story, even the painful parts. Your experiences, no matter how challenging, are the foundation of your purpose. Surround yourself with a supportive community, and never underestimate the power of faith and self-belief. Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity and the courage to rise after every fall.
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Melissa Bedford’s story isn’t just about success—it’s about significance. Through GMA Interventions and My Soul Purpose, she’s created ecosystems where vulnerability becomes strength and loss transforms into legacy. As she eyes global expansion, her message remains clear: Your pain has a purpose.
For women worldwide navigating their own storms, Dr. Bedford isn’t just a CEO on a magazine cover—she’s proof that even the darkest chapters can lead to radiant new beginnings.
Discover more about Dr. Bedford’s programs at purposeprofitess.com. Follow her journey on social media @Purposeprofitess.
