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Meet Nadine Nicholson

Time Architect | Master Certified Coach | Time Mastery Expert | Chief Possibility Officer

Defying "Can't" to Create Impossible Freedom

Nadine Nicholson built her business career on the belief that hard work was the path to success. Leading hundreds of employees, earning international recognition, advising some of the top executives in the country, and managing multi-million-dollar business operations should have felt like the pinnacle of achievement. Instead, she found herself trapped in working 70-hour workweeks, missing time with her husband and son, and sacrificing her well-being for business growth.

Then everything changed. A moment of radical clarity. showed her that she was living out of integrity with what truly mattered to her. She realized that success without time for the people and experiences that bring joy isn't success at all. So she walked away from her high-powered corporate role, determined to redefine leadership—not just for herself, but for other powerhouse Founders and CEOs caught in the same trap.

Now, as the Co-Founder of Ascend Leadership Co., Nadine helps powerhouse $1MM+ figure founders and CEOs master the Impossible Freedom Equation, reclaiming their time, leading with confidence, and scaling their businesses without burnout. With expertise in Time Mastery, High-Stakes Decision-Making, and Executive Leadership Coaching, she challenges leaders to shift from pushing harder to leading better—so they can maximize their potential in business while also making room for more LIFE.

"True success isn’t just about growing your business—it’s about leading in a way that gives you more life, not less. If your calendar doesn’t reflect what truly matters to you, it’s time to change the equation."

    • Time Mastery & High-Value Focus → Helping high-achievers take back their time by prioritizing what truly matters—so their business grows without them working more.

    • Radical Clarity & Brave Decisions → Guiding founders and CEOs to make bold moves with speed, precision, and confidence—so they break through bottlenecks and accelerate growth.

    • Truth-Telling & Courageous Conversations → Creating the conditions for fearless leadership, strong boundaries, and aligned decision-making.

    • Master Certified Coach (MCC), International Coach Federation

    • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Co-Active Training Institute

    • 100 Women to KNOW in America, The KNOW Women

    • Harvard Business School Alumni

    • Women Presidents Organization (WPO) member

    • Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), International Association of Business Communicators

    • B.A. in Corporate Communications/Public Relations, Mount Royal University

    • B.A. in Psychology, University of Calgary 

    • Finds clarity and creativity by the Bow River, where she spends early mornings reflecting and recharging.

    • A lifelong learner who’s always challenging herself—whether it’s in business, personal growth, or new outdoor adventures.

    • Passionate about helping women leaders own their time, power, and vision—without apology.

    • Prefers deep, no-BS conversations over small talk and believes brave action beats perfection every time.

If you’re ready to lead a business that thrives without consuming your life, let’s talk.

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Signature Talk

The Time Revolution—Climbing Out of the Middle Zone of Success

Description: Nadine helps powerhouse founders and CEOs reclaim their time by closing the Say/Do Gap™ (when your time doesn’t reflect what you say you value), eliminating Time Leaks, and aligning their calendar with what truly matters.

Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to achieve radical integrity between their time and values, unlocking their potential for Impossible Freedom.

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We’re Nadine & Derek Nicholson, founders of Ascend Leadership Co. We guide powerhouse $1MM+ founders and CEOs out of the Middle Zone of time stress, guilt, and overworking—while climbing to never-before-seen levels of success.

Our clients refuse to settle for business success at the cost of their personal freedom—and are ready to embrace a new way of leading themselves, their time, and their team. NOW, not someday. 

Our signature Impossible Freedom Equation is a proven path to live your best life and drive next-level business growth. No trade-offs required.

The sooner you identify your biggest leadership gaps, the faster you step into a business that fuels your freedom—not one that drains it. In less than 5 minutes, the Impossible Freedom Quiz will reveal your best next step.