I have experienced quite a few different careers, but what I love is that they all link really well together. Each job has taken me closer to what I actually want to be do. 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 my work but it has helped shape me into who I am today. 

My first job was in hairdressing, then I jumped over to doing hair and make-up at College and worked for Clinique (a skincare and make-up brand) in two different department stores. (That was great fun). As you may know the retail world started declining, so 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 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 booked them to come 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 an ache in my back, I tried making practical changes to help alleviate the pressure on my back, but a few months later that turned into muscle spams, trapped sciatic nerve and then I got RSI (repetitive strain injury) 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 second time you are coming to me injured, have you definitely chosen the right career?" I am quite slim and my only form of exercise was dog walks, so I wasn't particularly strong and the job was taking a toll on my body. 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 Dog Groomer 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, the symptoms are fatigue, an 
extreme sensitivity to pain, foods, noise, sound and energy levels. 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 started taking anti-depressants (which is also prescribed for Fibromyalgia). 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, 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 went for short walks, Hydrotherapy, and bought a little automatic car for some new independence. 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, you can only notice it if you pay attention to it. This was honestly life changing. I started to slowly build my capacity levels for life again, I could see that I didn't need as many days off in between outings and I didn't need many naps/ rests in the day. This did take 3 hard years of trial and error!

I started writing blogs and joined Dorset Mind as a volunteer. I came back to the question of what shall I do with my life now; I love working and I was mentally bored, but my new 'work' needs to look a lot different to my previous physical roles. 

How did Life Coaching come about?

Through all my careers, I knew caring for people was at the heart of it for me. 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 qualification is needed. I found a Life Coach through a mutual friend and experienced being coached for the first time and found it really effective! It was positive and forward thinking and not some sort of talking 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. I got in contact with the Coaching Academy about their Diplomas and got a scholarship! I had a part-time job whilst I studying. I completed many hours of coaching sessions, submitted them to be graded and attended lots of online training. I did it! I became a qualified Life Coach 2.5 years later.

This is my brand and passion project that I am building from scratch and working for myself 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?