Never Too Late to Level Up: My First Life Coaching Adventure.  Today’s post highlights my experiences and work with Kathleen Hudson.  All opinions are my own. 

I’ll admit before this past year, I never thought of hiring a life coach as a real tool for improving mental health and personal growth.  My only real experience with the term “life coach” was courtesy of Bonnie Plunket on the CBS comedy show Mom.  On this television show the job of life coaching therapists was used as a complete joke.

Truth be told when I found out one of my former co-worker friends became a life coach, I wasn’t sure if this therapy would help me move through a difficult stage in life.  Anyway, I decided to throw caution and a bit of my anxiety to the wind and give it a try.

For me, it was like divine intervention working with a life coaching specialist.  As I was navigating a difficult time in my life, God put Kathleen’s services in my online social media feed.  Coincidentally, Kathleen specializes in a faith-based approach.  Even though I do not consider myself overly religious, I had an overwhelming sense that her services were of Godly intervention.

I also loved that Kathleen was a woman over 50 who I believed could better understand my challenges as a woman 50 plus.  The overall understanding of what it means to be working in this stage of life, navigating relationships with adult children and the worry one often has for their grandchildren in this stage of life.

I loved that our meetings were held via Zoom.  The virtual format made it easy to set weekly sessions.  In total, Kathleen and I met once a week for 60 minutes for a total of 8 weeks.  If you decide to work with Kathleen or any life coach, you should be able to tailor a schedule and timeframe based on your specific needs.

My life coach Kathleen is located in the Chattanooga, TN area.  However, her being virtual means she can work with anyone in the USA.

Changing habits

Setting clear goals

Achieving a positive mindset

Being accountable

Growing as a person

Getting through the feeling of being stuck

Gaining clarity

Navigating complex family dynamics

Working through emotions

Understanding addiction and learning to stop the practice of enabling.

I identify as a Christian life coach because my faith in Christ Jesus is the cornerstone of my life. His love, grace, and mercy have been instrumental in shaping my journey, and I firmly believe that faith is a driving force in all aspects of life. I aspire to inspire others to recognize the power of faith in overcoming self-imposed limitations, as it is through faith that our actions are given life, as the scriptures teach us. Faith brings hope, and it is this hope that breathes life into our dreams, making them a reality.

One of the main challenges I’ve faced is the misconception that life coaching is similar to counseling or therapy. In reality, these are distinct professions with different purposes. A life coach is focused on seeing a client be transformed as they progress through the coaching experience.

This journey, which I’ve personally experienced and grown from, helps them see different perspectives as the client answers thought-provoking questions that guide them on the path to achieving their goals and dreams. On the other hand, counseling and therapy are tools used to help a person overcome a situation or trauma in their present that resulted from something that happened in the past. Understanding these differences is crucial in the field of personal development and can help individuals make informed decisions about their professional paths.

My journey has been a testament to the power of support. I’ve been fortunate to experience the best of both worlds, thanks to the guidance of my counselors and life-coach. Their support, coupled with the prayers and encouragement from my husband, family, and friends, has been instrumental in my journey.

Currently, I specialize in working with clients who are navigating life transitions, striving to achieve their goals, or seeking to strengthen their faith in Christ. Future clients can easily initiate the process by visiting my website, Redeeming Time Website. There, they will find a user-friendly calendar where they can select a convenient time for a pre-coaching session with me. All my meetings are conducted on Zoom, ensuring that the client feels safe and comfortable in their own setting.  

The pre-coaching session is a personalized opportunity for us to get to know each other. The client will have the chance to share their unique reasons for seeking a life-coach, and I, as the coach, will carefully consider whether coaching is the right fit for them at this time. I will also discuss my pricing and scheduling. If there’s a situation that I believe is beyond my expertise, I will refer them to other coaches who specialize in that area. 

What I love most about being a life coach is the sheer joy of seeing the spark in a client’s eye when they have a breakthrough in their situation. It’s a powerful reminder that transformation is possible, and it fills me with hope and optimism. 

As I began my journey with Kathleen, I quickly discovered that life coaching was not just a passing trend or a joke from a sitcom; it was a transformative experience that challenged my perceptions and helped me unlock potential I never knew I had. Each session became a safe space where I could explore my thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing me to peel back the layers of self-doubt that had accumulated over the years.

With Kathleen’s guidance, I learned to embrace vulnerability as a strength, and together, we crafted actionable steps to navigate my current challenges while celebrating the progress I made along the way. This journey not only illuminated my path forward but also empowered me to take control of my narrative, realizing that seeking support is a courageous step toward a richer, more fulfilling life.