Seventeen years ago I met a man who changed my life with one simple and rather cruel statement: “you know Helen, you could donate your brain to medical science – as hardly ever used!” Spurred on by this comment (which I happened to agree with) I went back into education. I had 2 small children and started with an access course, followed by an A Level at evening classes. During the day I was working at Worcester hospital. I then went on to do a BSc at Wolverhampton University, a PGCE at University of Worcester, assessor and verifier qualifications and a Certificate in Management Studies. I qualified as a UK Life Coach through the UK College of Life coaching and then also did additional training with them for Work/Life Balance.  The UK College of Life Coaching is now owned by the Coaching Academy. It seemed that once I had the learning bug I just couldn’t stop.  This is why I feel so strongly about helping people to achieve their potential – if I can do it then anyone can!

I have spent many years now, through my training, encouraging people to achieve objectives and to make the most of their capabilities.  This is one of the reasons I decided to become a Life Coach. I found that people often had good vocational or technical skills in the workplace but didn't have a framework or structured approach to managing their work . As a result they weren't achieving their objectives and were losing confidence.  As a life coach, I provide help and support to see the bigger picture, identify the issues and develop a solution to help the individual achieve their goals and full potential.

Walking the walk - I have discovered walking is the most inspiring type of exercise, not only do you get fitter but it gives you time to think and to clear your head.  I have recently completed the Aviva Breakthrough weekend challenge which was a 60 km walk around Birmingham. You can find out more about walking and raising money for Breakthrough - the breast cancer charity on www.breakthrough.org.uk.  I also completed the Playtex Moonwalk, a marathon at midnight.

As a result of my walking experiences I created WalkSlim - a walking, slimming and life coaching club because I know this works – it’s not a quick fix and it takes time and effort, but you only get out of life what you put into it. 

As a life coach, I know it's all about setting goals and breaking them down into easy chunks.  The thought of walking a marathon was way too daunting for me, but using a plan I was able to gradually build up my speed and distance.  Through walking I have also met a great team of people and increased my social life too and next year we will all be doing the Playtex Moonwalk as the Sizzling Strawberries!

Strawberry Sofa Success Stories -

These are some examples of how I've provide help for women who've lost confidence, body confidence, struggled to achieve a work life balance and needed help improve their personal organisation:

Suzanne (23) came to me feeling really down and fed up with her job.  Whilst at University she had gained some weight and this was making her unhappy and lacking in body confidence.  Through coaching we were able to find ways for her to achieve her fitness goals and to gain a sense of what she wanted from life.  Her goals were to lose weight, to start going to the gym and to get a new job.  Suzanne achieved these goals in 3 months.

Karen (37) felt she was being bullied in the workplace and this was affecting her confidence .  We looked at ways of reinforcing the good things she could do and found things she enjoyed doing which took away the focus on the workplace.  One key element to coaching is accepting that you can’t change other people’s behaviour, what you can change is your reaction to it. Karen built her confidence enough to get a new job and to have an image make-over, which really helped with her confidence.

Karen says “ I now have much more confidence in my abilities and know that I am good at what I do, this really helps me to face difficult situations as I no longer feel a victim”

Louise (25) came to me having just had a baby and starting a business. She couldn't achieve goals for the business and she didn't have a good work life balance. She was either at work or thinking about work and when she was at work she was thinking about her life “outside”.  Through coaching we were able to discover what was really important to her, to look at her business goals and to break these down into more achievable tasks.

Louise says “I have been having sessions with Helen following the birth of my baby, through these I have been able to find a work/life balance that fits in with my family and my business and I find the sessions invaluable”

Sue (32) came to me feeling that she had nothing more to offer, she was single, had a good career and just felt that something was lacking but she wasn’t sure what.  We worked on dream boards until she found what she was looking for and then through coaching we were able to find a goal she could work towards, giving her life more focus and a greater sense of inner happiness.

If you identify with these issues and experiences, need help with your work life balance, personal organisation or confidence, help is available just give me a call on 07740 309750 or send me an email and we'll discuss how I can help.