About Me

The experience I bring to coaching combines decades of teaching, establishing goals, and adapting programs for people who navigate life differently.  I hold a Master’s Degree in Education and served as a special education teacher, program developer, coordinator, and consultant in the field for 32 years.  Wearing many hats, I encountered varied and rich experiences that hold meaning for me to this day, especially working alongside young adults with learning differences and their families to accomplish their individual goals.  Becoming a life coach in my encore career enables me to use my skills and experience to address the unique needs of change-seekers.  My clients appreciate finding new ways to adapt, make changes, and accomplish the things that are most important to them.  We work together to clarify what is most meaningful to their unique life’s purpose and create intentional activities that build confidence.  Celebrating others’ accomplishments comes naturally to me and brings a lot of joy to the coaching relationship.

My Core Beliefs and Values

One of my favorite Zig Ziglar quotes is, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”  I believe that well-being is within our reach through meaningful connection and openness to new opportunities for personal growth.  I chose coaching as my second career because I know that my own growth and self-discovery is enhanced by helping others to do the same.  I believe we can elevate each other and make the world a better place.  I value freedom and believe that true freedom requires engagement and discipline. By fully embracing that everyone is unique, I am able to meet my clients where they are and work with them as they move intentionally toward their dreams.  I work this way with people as a way to create a ripple effect of positive change.

A healthy lifestyle is important to me and I’ve been an avid seeker of alternatives for healing.  I participate regularly in physical activity, and enjoy cooking, gardening, nature and beaches.  Positive Psychology is a favorite subject and I consider myself a life-long learner.   I love animals, especially dogs, and live in  Michigan which is my home most of the year.

About Coaching

What is Life Coaching?

• Life coaching is like having a personal trainer for your life. It is a creative and collaborative process where you and your coach work together in partnership through powerful, thought-provoking conversations.
• Coaching supports you during a life transition, a shift in career, or when you just feel stuck and desire new learning or creativity.  Instead of looking back, coaching assists you to focus on what is right in your life, and what is working right now.  As a client, you devise your own solutions to problems and develop strategies that yield the results you desire.
• Your coach is your ally, sounding board, and accountability partner.  Professional life coaching is client-driven, present and future oriented, and based on an equal partnership which is built over time.  Transparency, honesty and accountability are hallmark to successful life coaching relationships.

How will I benefit?

• Clarify your path forward  If you are struck with an interesting idea, challenge, or project yet find that you’re not sure how to move forward, coaching can help you create meaningful and intentional activity focused on the things that are important to you.  This can save a lot of wasted energy.
• Get unstuck and create momentum  When you are compelled to change something in your life yet feel stuck, working with a coach can help you shift your perspective to a healthier and more helpful one.  You’ll create action steps that are doable.
• Work from strengths  Determine your strengths and find ways to use them more effectively.  Coaching reveals confidence and brings a lot of focus and energy to your personal goals.  Well-being and happiness are pleasant side-affects.

How will I know if coaching is the right choice for me?

• Contact me to schedule a complimentary coaching session. It is important to find the right coach and determine a good fit in order to fully experience the wonderful benefits of the coaching process.
• Determine if coaching is right for you by answering the following questions: Do you truly value collaboration?  Are you willing to entertain new perspectives and fresh ideas?  What do you want to accomplish?  If you are unsure of what you want to accomplish, are you willing to spend time in self-discovery?   Do you want to find your true purpose and make a difference in the world?
• Be Honest. Ask yourself if you  are willing to enter a partnership and invest the time, energy, and commitments it will take to explore new possibilities and move into making meaningful changes.  Coaching isn’t for everybody, but on the other hand, almost everyone can benefit from life coaching.