SPORTSWOMAN, mother and company founder Donna Groves can add another feather to her cap when her first book Shine is released in October.
Groves, who grew up in Western Sydney but now lives in Cape Schanck with her husband and their child, plays soccer in Mount Martha.
She says one of her aims in writing her book was to help women find “self-love” and empower them.
Groves says she experienced the trauma of a difficult childhood and a “disastrous” first marriage, only to find herself a single mother at 26 raising two children under five.
After studying at night, and building her business during the day, she finally started to see the benefits of her persistence and vision.
“Having to provide for two children is a powerful driver,” she said.
Groves admits she pushed herself to the brink often, her body protesting with illnesses, before, finally, the security she craved arrived with the success of her business and now a book.
She says the book is not about easy options, it’s about doing the hard work, facing challenges and “finding yourself”.
“It is about looking in the mirror and loving who you really are on the inside. It is about finding joy; and being vulnerable, shame-resilient, and kind. It is about celebrating your idiosyncrasies and imperfections,” Groves said.
The book is also about the “magic that comes with making a lot of effort to get somewhere”.
“It’s about owning your story and sharing it to help others,” she said.
Ultimately, the book was about constant evolution and embracing life’s journey.
Shine takes readers on an illuminating journey of wisdom and heartwarming humour and aims to help women embark on a personal journey, even if they need a little help along the way.
Groves is the founder and managing director of international consulting firm Comacon, and a founder and chairperson of the National Community Engagement for Infrastructure Forum.
The forum is a not-for-profit set up to address the needs and challenges specific to community engagement in the infrastructure industry.
Groves wrote Shine during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns.
For information contact donna@donnagroves.com.au
First published in the Mornington News – 29 August 2023
