I have experienced quite a few different jobs, but what I love is that they have all linked really well together. Each job has taken me closer to what I actually want to be doing. I have a real collection of qualifications now, from hair, to make-up, to nails, to barbering to Dog Grooming. My identity isn't in what work I do, but it has helped shape me into who I am today. 

My first job was in hairdressing, then I jumped over to hair and make-up at College and worked for Clinique in two different department stores, (that was great fun) but as you know retail started declining. I went back to picking up a pair of scissors, this time a larger pair and retrained as a Dog Groomer, that was one of the best jobs! I worked in a local Dog Grooming salon for two weeks before my Manager announced to me after the New Year that she was selling the business and I would I like to buy it.?! I took a leap of faith and with the support of friends and family - I bought it! I had my very own business in my early 20's; learning to build my own clientele, build a great reputation , make a price list, pay bills, strive to make a profit, groom the dogs (and kiss and cuddly them) and made sure their owners came back. It was all going so well... if you have ever seen the work of a Dog Groomer you'll know it's blooming hard work and if you don't, thank your groomer the next time you see them. 

I started noticing I had some achey back pain and that continued, I tried making practical changes to help allivate the pressure on my back, but a few months later that turned into muscle spams, trapped sciatic nerve and then I got RSI in my left arm. Sadly dogs don't stay still when you're grooming them, hence the hard body workout. I visited the Doctor and he said this is the 2nd time you are coming to me injured, "have you definitely chosen the right career?" I am quite slim and my form of exercise was dog walks and I ate whatever I wanted but I had built up muscle through my job, even still it was really taking a toll though. I had to shut the salon for 6 weeks to recover, I was heart broken. 

In my sick leave, I started noticing even after getting up and having breakfast, I'd sleep again, it was so strange, I was just so fatigued, tired, anxious and over stimulated by light and noise. I said to my family something is not right; back to the Doctors I go and I asked to be tested for Lyme's Disease and anything else related. I didn't get better and still no answers. After 6 weeks I had to interview and find a manager to take my place, the stress levels were high! 

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

A Fibromyalgia diagnosis is not easy to get and not one that you want either. 5 months later after lots of tests and conversations it was 
finally time to see a rheumatologist and she confirmed it, Fibromyalgia! I had never heard of it before, it's symptoms are fatigue, an 
extreme sensitivity to pain, foods, noise, sound and energy levels. As anybody would have done, I took a downward spiral, realising that the normal life of driving to work, grooming dogs and earning and socialising was coming to a holt. I was very depressed, anxious, 
confused and there's no cure. So how do I build myself back up from here? I decided to take the offer of anti-depressants from the Doctor, (Which I now know is a very good drug for people with Fibromyalgia as it helps your brain to regulate the terrible communication of your nervous system). I had counselling, asked friends to pick me up and take me out, cried a lot, prayed a lot, researched a lot and knew I couldn't just sit round, surely there's something! I wish I was about to tell you there's a magic pill, but sadly there isn't. What I found was the motivation, after I had 10 hardcore sessions of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) I realised that I didn't have to be scared of the pain I was in, it wasn't actually damaging my body, it's just the wrong pain signals in my nervous system being communicated. So I made some changes.

Trial and Error Stage...

Whilst I was tired and in pain, I tried going for walks, socialising, going to Hydrotherapy, driving (bought a little automatic) and I also tried CBD oil, which I'm sure made a big difference for me personally, I was also still under the care of my Doctor with other medications. I started to become more in tune with my body as to when I needed to rest and when I needed to push through. I learnt that the pain can be like a ticking clock in the background. This was honestly life changing. I started to slowly build my capacity, I could see that I didn't need as many days off in between outtings and not as many naps in the day...by the way this did take 3 hard years of trial and error!

I started writing blogs and joined as a volunteer Ambassador for Dorset Mind. I came back to the question of what shall I do with my life now; I love working and using my brain, but it needs to look a lot different to my previous physical roles. 

How did Life Coaching come about?

Right from the beginning of setting out to work, I knew I loved helping people. So I started researching all of the different types of therapy, (having had lots myself). I had never heard of Coaching before, I looked into what it was, what kind of therapy it is, what qualification is needed. I found a Life Coach experienced being coached for the first time and it was really effective! It was positive and forward thinking and not a type of therapy. In the session I realised I came up with all the ideas of how to move closer to my goals, idea's I didn't know I had, that was it, I got in contact with the Coaching Academy about their Diplomas and got a scholarship and started! I worked in a Hotel Receptionist role whilst studying and completing many hours of coaching sessions, submitting them to be graded and attending lots of online training and writing many reports and essays... I did it! I became a qualified Life Coach 2.5 years later.

This is my brand that I am building from scratch and becoming self-employed again. 

It sounds so cliché to say "I had a hard time and now I'm a Life Coach, here to help others on their journey" but I guess I always knew I wanted to help people in some way and when I was put out of physical action, it lead me to this role and who better than the person who can really empathise. "I've been there and got the t-shirt" and now how can I help you?