The MIrror Diaries by Vanessa Coulbeck

ABOUT THE MIRROR DIARIES

The Mirror Diaries: Finding Grace invites readers into the heart of junior high through the lens of Grace’s diary. Grace is navigating the challenges of growing up, where changes in her body and self-perception make her question everything she thought she knew about herself. Her reflection feels unfamiliar, and she wonders why she struggles to see her own strengths when others seem to shine effortlessly—whether as star athletes, top students, or popular classmates.

Amid pressures from social media and school life, Grace embarks on a year-long journey guided by her health teacher and her mom, learning the power of being kind to yourself. Through relatable struggles and uplifting moments, readers will see Grace confront doubts and discover how to embrace herself fully—flaws, fears and all. Can Grace learn to look in the mirror and see herself as she really is?

“My hope is for girls to see the Mirror Diaries books as more than just stories—they’re guides for embracing their individuality and building a foundation of self-belief and empowerment that will not just serve them in school and sport, but for the rest of their lives,” Vanessa says. “These are the books I wish I had growing up: these stories of the three girls that we’ll follow as they navigate challenges in junior high dive into the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are often not talked about. They’re an honest and relatable look into the struggles many face, paired with tools and activities to help navigate them. I want these books to create a space where readers feel seen, understood, and inspired to embrace and appreciate their unique strengths.”

The book also weaves in exercises that Grace is learning from her health teacher that can serve as prompts for young readers, so that they can not only see Grace take her journey, they can take it alongside of her.

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About Vanessa Coulbeck

Vanessa currently serves as the Director of Research Project Management for The ReThinkSport Project—a groundbreaking national research initiative working to change knowledge, innovate sport practices, evolve sport access, and improve sport participation in youth sports, particularly among girls—as well as other national initiatives at the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre, housed at the University of Toronto, and will be pursuing her doctorate beginning in the fall. She is also a dynamic leader in youth empowerment and social impact initiatives in Toronto and worldwide, and is In fact, the founder of a physical activity tech startup focused on connecting individuals and building communities through movement.

Through partnerships with national and international organizations, Vanessa has developed impactful resources, including sport engagement frameworks, body image programming, and school-based physical activity projects promoting wellness for youth, which she has presented in international spaces to drive systemic change. As she engaged in this work with various charity organizations, including one of Strong Girl Publishing’s favorite organizations, Fast and Female, she facilitated programming for girls and continues to work with the organization as they develop more initiatives around body image. In doing this work and connecting directly with young women, she has seen how these shifts in thinking could help them embrace themselves and recognize their potential. She also saw this shift through leading sessions with Big Brothers and Big Sisters youth. The idea for the book series stemmed from her desire to share these messages and resources with a broader audience.

Vanessa’s own athletic journey began early, excelling as a provincial soccer player and competing in national championships. She also thrived in basketball, volleyball, and track and field, holding the 100m sprint record in London elementary schools for five consecutive years. However, her path was not without challenges. Injuries distanced her from competitive sport, but she reconnected with the transformative power of physical activity through volunteer and research initiatives during university.

Vanessa’s work with body image and self-compassion, which has been built on research first done by Dr. Kristen Neff, and inspired by her supervisors in the space Dr. Catherine Sabiston, Dr. Eva Pila, and mentor Dr. Zali Yager, will be highlighted in the books. Utilizing research-based tactics for improving and developing a better relationship with self to the pages so that girls can not just read about other girls experiencing similar challenges, they’ll also discover tools to help them through the tough moments. These books are part of a larger mission to dismantle barriers to mental and physical well-being for young girls, particularly within school and sport settings. By fostering this sense of self-compassion, Vanessa aims to create a ripple effect of empowerment that extends far beyond the page.

Vanessa believes sport is a powerful platform for girls to express themselves, build resilience, and experience joy. Combined with education, it equips them to challenge stereotypes, dismantle barriers, and lead meaningful change in their communities. She envisions a future where every girl has the confidence, resilience, and opportunities to reach their full potential, with sport serving as a catalyst for growth, empowerment, and equality. Through her work, Vanessa continues to champion initiatives that empower girls to believe in their abilities, appreciate their bodies, and build supportive, inclusive communities—a mission that Strong Girl Publishing wholeheartedly shares.