Kisha Woods, known to many as Coach Kay, is a powerhouse of transformation, mindset elevation, and unapologetic authenticity. As the Founder and CEO of Upgraded MindsetZ, she has built a mission‑driven legacy focused on helping individuals and communities break cycles, reclaim their voice, and step boldly into their purpose.
An award‑winning Certified Life & Business Coach, author, speaker, podcast host, and multi‑business owner, Kisha specializes in guiding those at a crossroads toward clarity, confidence, and intentional action. Her work is grounded in mindset reconditioning, self‑discovery, leadership development, and holistic well‑being, empowering people to thrive in every area of their lives.
After years of suppressing her emotions and neglecting her mental well‑being, she reached a breaking point in 2020. What began as a 30‑day fast and journaling practice to process her pain became her Amazon best‑selling book, From Havoc to Healing: 30 Days of Reconditioning. That pivotal moment sparked her healing journey and laid the foundation for Upgraded MindsetZ, a platform that now empowers women, families, and communities to embrace clarity, confidence, and growth.
Her mental challenges over the years fuel her mission to help others rise above adversity and embrace intentional growth.
As a dynamic speaker and trainer, Kisha ignites confidence in leadership, sparks entrepreneurial discovery, and helps audiences connect deeply with their values, intentions, and purpose. Whether she’s on a keynote stage, leading a workshop, joining a panel, or hosting a community conversation, she delivers high‑impact experiences rooted in clarity, authenticity, and strategy. Her sessions span mindset transformation, women’s empowerment, mental health awareness, self‑care, and sustainable business growth, always offering practical tools people can use right away.
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Kisha is also a Podcast host under Upgraded MindsetZ Media, producing two popular shows: The Woman’s Hustle: Thrills and Spills of Entrepreneurship and Empowering Real Talk. Both platforms amplify her mission of authenticity, resilience, and empowerment, while giving voice to real stories of growth, leadership, and legacy.

Current Presentations
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A powerful presentation that illuminates the hidden emotional and mental burdens women carry every day. Through relatable insights and real‑world context, Kisha helps audiences recognize these unseen challenges while offering practical pathways toward awareness, resilience, and support. Women will walk away with a clearer understanding of their internal experiences, tools to navigate stress with confidence, and strategies to cultivate compassion for themselves and others.
After founding Upgraded MindsetZ in 2020 and transitioning into full‑time entrepreneurship following a corporate layoff, Kisha has continued to model resilience, reinvention, and intentional leadership. She is also the owner of UPM Business Suites in West Peoria, Illinois—a collaborative, women‑centered resource hub designed to support and elevate women entrepreneurs. This space reflects her commitment to community, empowerment, and creating environments where women can grow both personally and professionally.
Certifications
Life/Business Coach
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
NLP
Mental Health Awareness
Mindfulness
Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid
NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator
Community Outreach
President - NAMI Tri-County Illinois
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central IL
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
2024 Peoria Civic Leadership Academy Graduate
Job Partnerships Peoria: Fresh Start Workshop Facilitator
Awards
2024 180Lyfe Entrepreneur of the Year
Peoria Community Votes Platinum Winner - 2024 and 2025
Best Mindset Coach: West Peoria Awards 2023 and 2024
Community Service Award: Juneteenth 2025 Fest
Professional Affiliations
International Association of Professional Life Coaches
Board Of Directors: Peoria Fashion Week Academy
2025 Marquis Who’s Who

