Anderson talks about how she wants to "stop people hurting".

Controversial life coach Sally Anderson has closed her business and been declared bankrupt, blaming months of "cyber attack and media annihilation".

Anderson and her business Evolved Leadership were the subject of a Stuff investigation in April, which revealed how her former business partners had been left hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket as her various ventures hit the rocks.

Her education was described as overpriced - she charged up to $50,000 for coach training.

Anderson was also accused of a bullying coaching style, breaking people down in order to build them up, and booting out of her community anyone who disagreed with her.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF Sally Anderson has closed Evolved Leadership and is now bankrupt.

She then made headlines when she was accused of using her moko kauae (chin tattoo) for commercial gain.

According to the New Zealand Insolvency and Trustee Service website, Anderson was adjudicated bankrupt on Monday, on a debtor's application.

The case officer, Wendy Lee Batters, declined to comment.

Sources say members of her senior management team asked Evolved coaches gathered at a hotel for a training retreat two weekends ago if they would collectively donate $50,000 to keep the company from going under.

"They'd already put in 50 grand each, what more are they going to give? They said no," a source said.

"Sally came back into the room, they told her 'no'... she said 'right, the room's paid for, the food is paid for, see you later' and walked out."

Anderson did not return messages seeking comment.

It is understood she will be putting her company, Evolved Leadership, into liquidation, although it is still listed as registered by the Companies Office.

Several people who left her coach training this year because of concerns about her methods have been trying to get their money back.

In a social media post, Anderson said it was with "great sadness" that she was closing her business after 16 years, effective immediately.

"After months of cyber attack, media annihilation, subsequent defamation of my reputation to the extreme and non debtor payment we are being forced to surrender to the impact," she wrote.

She thanked her supporters and said she was "proud of the contribution we have made to improving the human condition".

She added that the "universe, in its wisdom and by divine intervention is presenting a new path.

"Those associated are in the process of going through their own recalibration and it will all just take time to rebuild."

According to the Companies Office, last Wednesday Anderson changed the name of one of her old companies, Sally Anderson International, to New Beginnings 2019.

Three former investors, who estimate they have lost well over $600,000 from investing in companies majority-owned by Sally Anderson, said they hoped this meant the end for her business career.

"Personally, I think it's good for the susceptible people out there that Evolved can no longer prey on their aspirations, insecurities and wallets, but I am sad that it had to turn out this way," said brand strategist Dan Thurston, who was formerly chief executive of Anderson's company Freefall, and invested well over $200,000 before leaving the company after a failed attempt to expand into the US.

"Of course Sally is blaming the campaign; she has a history of denying responsibility for the crises she continues to get herself into. I'd love to say this will be a wake-up call for her, but she's already slept through so many."

Grant Leighton invested over $200,000 in Sally Anderson's company Live Now in 2005 and says he lost the lot. He said the news came as "no surprise ... we can only hope there are not many third party casualties as a result, and this is the final incarnation."

Chris Destrieux, who was also a major investor with Leighton in Live Now and put his losses at "north" of $200,000, said it was a "predictable outcome. Hopefully this will bring an end to her irresponsible and damaging behaviour."