Supporting midlife transitions through coaching

When burnout leads to a new direction

For over 43 years in the corporate world, I operated as a Senior Manager in a number of different Government Departments where at various stages of my career I coached, mentored and managed a number of different individuals and teams.

A few years ago, I encountered burnout. I felt adrift and believed I had lost my professional footing. I found the subject matter of my job rather dry, but what energised me was working with my team with a view to us all becoming our personal best. I always made time for my team to find what made them get out of bed each morning, I did not treat the people who worked for me the same, but I treated them equitably.

Six years ago, I jumped off the corporate treadmill and pivoted my career by setting up my coaching practice. In 2020 I signed up for The Coaching Academy's Personal Performance (Life) Coaching Diploma.

Discovering purpose through coaching training

During the training I discovered a profound sense of purpose. I fully ultilised the people in my contacts list to practice on and ended up coaching double the number of clients and carrying out almost double the number of sessions than was required during my ten months training programme. This transformative experience ignited a fervent dedication within me to assist mid-lifers who had been through what I had experienced.

I was lucky to have a number of 1-2-1’s with the amazing Kris Robertson, who is sadly no longer with us. He inspired me to move out of my comfort zone and face my fears, which energised my approach to the various modules and gave me the confidence to try things I had never done before and the result was that I gained a Distinction in the summer of 2021.

Building a coaching practice and supporting midlife transitions

I now specialise in guiding midlife professionals who are pivoting their careers or where they are transitioning into retirement or already navigating this new phase of life. I'm committed to dismantling the barriers that hinder their journey to a rewarding and enriching midlife and/or retirement, with my clients I craft habits, strategies, and plans to navigate significant midlife transitions.

I get a buzz out of seeing my clients emotionally grow, to start loving themselves and change everyday habits for the positive. I love what I’m doing and wish that I had jumped off the corporate treadmill years before I actually did.

In the last four years my practice has become global with clients from the US, Ireland, Europe as well as the UK. I have also delivered Enrichment Talks on Cruise Liners. My coaching practice is in a place where I never imagined I would be four years ago, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and see which ‘universes’ I will collide with in the coming years.

A new outlook and lasting personal change

The personal mindset I’ve obtained during my training has not only impacted my clients, but has also changed my outlook and my life. I have learned to love myself more. I no longer listen to negative gossip. I walk around with my head up, I talk more to strangers, and I’m more mindful. I read different articles and books now, I’m more positive, I’m authentically happy, and I have become more aware of the opportunities around me.

I have different conversations with those around me regarding feelings and far less about material stuff. I’ve had more collisions with other people’s ‘universes’ and I’m really loving my life right now…a big thank you The Coaching Academy for helping me along this road.

Thank you Dave for sharing your coaching journey. We’re delighted to see your success and are proud to have been part of your journey.