Build Grounded Presence for How You Work, Live, & Perform

Asali N. Locke-Ellison

The Work-Live-Play Strategist

Coach • Consultant • Movement Strategist

Most advice tells you to try harder when the pressure is on. I help you clear the noise so you can actually perform.

My path in organizational leadership and human performance hasn’t been a straight line. I started as an Executive Assistant, worked my way up into corporate strategy, and eventually ran recruiting as a Talent Acquisition Manager. I knew how to manage up, read rooms, and evaluate candidates under pressure—but behind the scenes, I was exhausted. I was giving everything to keep the gears turning while feeling constantly overworked and undervalued.

Whenever I was stretched past my capacity and forgot to reset, my stress showed up in two ways: I’d become the Grip-Tightener (trying to over-control every detail) or the Fire-Extinguisher (running in five directions at once just to keep up).

Those habits weren't character flaws or a lack of talent. They were just warning lights showing that burnout and anxiety had taken over.

Realizing I needed a different way forward, I invested heavily in deep coaching and mental fitness. When my corporate position was eliminated during the pandemic, it gave me the exact push I needed. Instead of jumping right back onto the treadmill, I combined my background in talent, strategy, and stage performance to build my own practice.

Today, I help leaders, professionals, dancers, and everyday people clear out internal noise. Whether you are prepping for high-stakes job interviews, terrified of speaking up in meetings, or looking to step onto the stage with unshakeable confidence—I give you practical ways to regulate your nerves, protect your energy, and show up as your authentic self when all eyes are on you.

The Work-Live-Play Framework

WORK — The Consultant

Women’s Leadership Retreats: Facilitated immersions designed to help women leaders unmask, master executive presence, and lead with authority.

Executive & Leadership Coaching: Practical emotional fitness and Mental Fitness (PQ) coaching for male and female managers, leaders, and high-potentials. I specialize in turning around stubborn, set-in-their-ways leaders—helping them identify their grip, release control, build real accountability, and improve workplace relationships.

Talent Turnarounds & PIPs: Partnering with HR leaders to coach high-potential employees on PIPs—turning behavior around, rebuilding trust, and saving key talent.

Culture, Onboarding & Retention: Strategic advisory to shift company culture, elevate the candidate and employee experience, and boost long-term retention.

Managing Up & Friction: Training teams to move past polite corporate friction into honest, collaborative execution.

Asali’s Positive Intelligence Bootcamp transformed how I communicate… I got promoted, and it changed how I relate to my family.
— Mike M, Chief Financial Officer

LIVE — The Coach

Emotional Fitness & Accountability (PQ): Build deep mental fitness using Positive Intelligence (PQ) to manage stress, release over-control, strengthen personal and professional relationships, and take ownership of your impact.

Executive Presence: Master the room awareness, communication, and "managing up" skills that get you noticed, heard, and promoted.

Interview & Storytelling: Distill your resume, LinkedIn, and pitch into a clear narrative so you enter high-pressure interviews with calm confidence.

Workplace Turnarounds: Shift your communication and rebuild professional trust if you are navigating workplace friction or a PIP.

Asali’s guidance helped me receive multiple job offers that aligned with my goals. I highly recommend her for anyone navigating a career transition.
— Melinda D, Senior Engineering Professional

PLAY — The Movement Strategist

MENAHT & Belly Dance Coaching: Specialized technical, musicality, and stage coaching for semi-pro and aspiring professional dancers seeking to master MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic & Turkish) dance traditions and professional stagecraft.

Embodied Stage Presence: Bring intentional performance design and movement strategy to keynotes, shows, and artistic presentations—no scripts or fake personas.

Disciplined Execution for Creatives: Stop getting stuck in over-thinking. Use 80/20 systems to turn raw creative energy into finished, high-value projects.

The Business of Being an Artist: Learn to navigate contracts, pricing, and high-visibility performance opportunities with commercial confidence.

After working with Asali, I received so many compliments on my dancing. People noticed a significant improvement in my performance.
— Jacquelina T, Egyptian Cabaret Dancer | Educator | Events Production Assistant

Certifications & Lineage

Mental Fitness (PQ) Coach | Positive Intelligence

Talent Strategy Certification | Human Capital Institute

BA in Sociology | Hampton University (Ebony Fire Alum & Founder of Majestic Dance Troupe)

Artistic Foundation | Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)

Dance Faculty Member | Old Town School of Folk Music

International MENAHT & Belly Dance Artist | International credits in Turkey & Egypt; deep lineage training under master teachers

Former Executive Leadership Council Member | All Stars Project of Chicago

Are We a Fit?

We are a fit if:

  • You are a business leader, HR decision-maker, or VP of Talent ready to shift company culture, elevate the candidate and employee experience, boost retention, host high-impact retreats, or partner with a coach who can handle strong personalities and turn around stubborn leaders.

  • You are a high-achiever, job seeker, or professional (man or woman) ready to build emotional fitness, nail high-stakes interviews, release perfectionist over-control, master room awareness, and command the room without forcing the outcome.

  • You are a dancer, belly dancer, or performing artist ready to master MENAHT stage presence, elevate your technique, and navigate the business of being an artist with commercial confidence.

We are NOT a fit if:

  • You want canned scripts or a fake persona to hide behind.

  • You prefer defensive excuses over doing the real work to grow your self-awareness.

Let’s find your rhythm.

Most people don't lack talent or good ideas—they just lack the focus and frameworks to execute them without burnout. Let's clear the noise and map out your next move.

Gain clarity without pitch or pressure.