mscoach - Vibrant Nation

my member name: mscoach
where I live now: New York
I joined Vibrant Nation in: January 2009

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my bio

Happy, healthy, vibrant, married for 5 years to a wonderfully supportive and loving Brit. He has two children who live in the UK which is way too far away. They are great kids.

We share our home with 5 felines, all rescues. I'm a NYC girl but have enjoyed living in southern Cal, and currently in the Hamptons.

Former professional chef with a nutrition background, I'm currently a life and wellness coach for women whose mind and body are sending signals for some attention. Whether it's food and body related, a bad diagnosis such as diabetes or a heart problem, simple lifestlyle changes--starting in the brain--can help women look and feel better than ever.

I love food, wine, reading, gardening, hiking--though it's pretty flat around here--travel, seeing my family, hanging with girlfriends, learning and connecting with like minded women.

my VN interview

How did you get to where you are now?

The long and winding road! Kidding but really I'm sure I made this harder than it had to be because I was so in my head and waiting for perfection.

When I was layed off from a really great job, on the eastern end of Long Island, after I'd just bought a home, I realized I didn't want to uproot myself but also didn't want to go back to cooking in restaurants. I wanted to go back to school to get a degree in counseling of some sort but schools with that sort of coursework were too far to go daily.

Someone introduced me to the concept of coaching and I took to it like a bee to honey. I immediately got to work for a great company as a coach and did that for 2.5 years. But I hadn't taken the time to really carve out my niche and so I floundered. After many courses and much specialized work on niches I finally opened up to the possibility of helping women who must make lifestyle change in order to regain or stay healthy and age in good health. Phew. All the pieces started to come together after I stopped resisting.

One thing I know for sure. I resisted what others were saying would be a good fit for me as a coach. I'm glad I did although it was frustrating to think I was throwing away opportunities. Could I have coached a group I knew well but wasn't in love with the idea of? Sure, but it wouldn't have lasted long.

Stick to your gut and get out of your head!
How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

I see myself as capable, smart, resourceful, and flexible. I always knew I was strong but I wondered if I was using my smarts. I also feel I've had a charmed life despite the many tragedies such as parents dying when I was young etc. In that regard I didn't see the real strength I'd developed which serves me daily in all sorts of situations.

I know I can land on my feet no matter what.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Happily writing, speaking, connecting with people in communities dedicated to self-care and care of others. Not giving hand outs but hand ups. I want to be speaking internationally to women on how important their dream and their desires are. I believe that much of our suffering is rooted in our lack of self expression and our living how we think we should vs how we would love to.