At La Vie Academy, we’ve always believed that education can do far more than teach skills. It can rebuild confidence, restore purpose, and completely change the direction of someone’s life. No story proves that more powerfully than Amanda Middlemiss’s. 

A Life Interrupted

Before finding La Vie Academy, Amanda’s world was turned upside down in an instant. 

She survived a severe car accident — one that nearly claimed her life — and emerged from it with a brain injury that forced her to stop, reassess, and completely reimagine her future. Recovery is never just physical. For Amanda, it meant confronting the uncertainty of what came next and finding the courage to build something new while still healing. 

During those long months of reflection, a genuine passion began to take shape. Amanda discovered a deep interest in medical aesthetics — a career path that felt meaningful, empowering, and full of possibility. But like so many aspiring students across Canada, the financial reality of accessing quality professional training felt like a barrier she couldn’t clear on her own. 

That’s where La Vie Cares stepped in. 

A Scholarship That Changed Everything

The La Vie Cares initiative was created for exactly this kind of moment — to support passionate individuals who are ready for a new beginning but need a helping hand to get there. Amanda was awarded a full scholarship to enrol in La Vie Academy’s Medical Aesthetics Program, and from her very first day, it was clear she was going to make the most of it. 

She arrived with determination and a sense of gratitude that was visible in everything she did. Through the online theory modules and her hands-on practicum training, Amanda absorbed knowledge quickly and threw herself into every opportunity to grow. 

Learning in an Environment Built for Success

One of the things Amanda spoke most passionately about was the support she experienced throughout her journey — from the structure of the coursework to the accessibility of the people around her.

“I felt supported from beginning to end.” 

“You can always reach out to your trainer, your facilitator… it just feels like you’re supported.” 

For someone rebuilding confidence after a life-altering experience, that sense of belonging matters enormously. Amanda also praised the quality and deliver

y of the program’s online learning component: 

“The information they give you is a lot, but it’s all so important and necessary… it is so well organized and delivered in such an easy way.” 

And when it came to hands-on training, she found the environment warm, welcoming, and designed to help students thrive: 

“It’s a really nice warm environment… a wonderful environment to learn in.” 

From Edmonton to Victoria — and Into a Career She Loves

Amanda completed her program in Edmonton, and with her certificate in hand, she made a decision that felt right: she returned home to Victoria, British Columbia. 

Back in her hometown, Amanda’s training and confidence opened doors almost immediately. She secured a position in the medical aesthetics industry and is now working full-time — building the career she once only dared to imagine during those difficult months of recovery. 

Her own reflection on crossing the finish line of her training says it all: 

“I feel comfortable and confident and I do feel like I am well equipped to go out into the medical aesthetics world and be successful.” 

And successful is exactly what she became. 

Amanda’s journey — from surviving a life-threatening accident, to earning a scholarship, to completing her training and landing a full-time role in her home city — is one of the most inspiring transformations we’ve had the privilege of being part of. La Vie Academy couldn’t be more proud of her. 

The Mission Behind La Vie Cares

Amanda’s story is the reason La Vie Cares exists. 

The medical aesthetics industry in Canada is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes an incredible opportunity to bring talented, passionate people into the field — people who might otherwise be locked out by financial barriers or difficult life circumstances. La Vie Cares is our commitment to making sure those barriers don’t have the final word. 

Through scholarships, mentorship, hands-on training, and a genuinely supportive learning environment, we aim to create real, lasting change in the lives of the students we serve. Because when someone like Amanda walks through our doors — resilient, driven, and ready to start again — the least we can do is give them the tools to succeed. 

A Future Full of Possibility

Today, Amanda is a full-time medical aesthetics professional living and working in Victoria. She went from surviving one of the hardest moments of her life to thriving in a career she’s proud of — and she did it with grace, hard work, and an unstoppable spirit. 

Her story is a reminder that new beginnings are possible. That education can be a form of healing. And that with the right support, even the most difficult chapters can lead somewhere extraordinary. 

We are incredibly honoured to have been part of Amanda’s journey, and we cannot wait to watch where her future takes her next. 

Are you or someone you know ready for a fresh start in medical aesthetics? Learn more about the La Vie Cares scholarship initiative and our Medical Aesthetics Program at La Vie Academy.