Hi I am Jessica, nice to meet you!
I have spent my career working with people, helping them have a better life.
I am a coach, mother and wife, living in the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. I grew up in South London, in an immigrant family in the suburbs. But I had good fortune with my parents: Dad was born in Calcutta, India, and my Mum came from communist Poland. In the 1970s I got to leave Croydon, and travel with my family through India, and behind the Iron Curtain. I saw parts of the world that my classmates could not comprehend. It sparked my wanderlust and gave me a great respect for how big and diverse our world is. And I gained an ability to move between different cultures, assimilating into them.
I initially trained as a Physiotherapist in England. I was a clinician for about 9 years, working in England, Nepal and New Zealand. I loved my work, particularly when I got to work in rehabilitation. For me, physiotherapy was all about making life better for people. When a patient lost arm function following a stroke, witnessing them regain their ability to get themselves dressed, without needing assistance, was satisfying. It might sound like a small thing, but it was huge.
As my career progressed, I started managing teams of clinicians. I completed an MBA in New Zealand in 2008, which included an International Exchange Programme at UCLA. This opened a new world to me, I got to attend life-changing sessions on topics like: goal setting, and conflict resolution, negotiation skills, how we learn. There were so many inspiring options, and I did them all. One of my UCLA MBA subjects ‘Thinking on your feet’ – was amazing. All these extra courses and fascinating MBA subjects sparked my fascination in human behaviour. And I had some big Aha moments, as I realised that being an effective grownup involved skills that were teachable.
I also worked for years within the New Zealand Government, and in the voluntary sector. When managing teams and as a physiotherapist I helped people achieve positive changes in their professional and personal life. I wanted to continue helping with people achieve positive changes. That is why I trained as a life coach.
I got some coaching and my life changed, for the better. My coach advised me to complete an MBA while working. The course took me to Anderson School of Management at UCLA. I decided to completely change my career and move out of clinical work and out of the hospital environment. One day I thought being a physiotherapist was the best job in the world after 9 years of clinical work that changed. The career I chose in my 20’s did not inspire me anymore.
I wanted to be the catalyst for positive change in other peoples lives.
I trained as a Life Coach because I want to keep helping people have better lives. I knew I could help people out of being stuck. My experiences in health, in government, in different cultures, with corporates, in my home, and bringing up children have given me plenty of life skills. My Life Coach training was broad: through Martha Beck, Byron Kate, Donna Zajonc and David Emerald. I am continuously learning: “when we know better, we do better” (Maya Angelou).
If I am not working, I love kayaking, a morning on a SUP, and having adventures with my family. I basically love being in the water. When it gets a bit tiring, I like to read in my hammock, walk my dog, and enjoy a good Marvel movie with my husband.
If it sounds like we might like each other, get in touch, and let me help you make your life better.
Who needs coaching? I am doing fine…
‘I’m fine’ is usually a red flag that sends my antennae up and sparks great interest.
It is the refrain of harried parents everywhere. And it’s true, you are doing fine. You have a job, you are well-ish, the family seems OK and everything is ticking along. But why are things not good? Or great? What is missing? Why are you OK with letting this wonderful, precious gift of life pass by ‘just fine’?
Why not make life great? When you get down to it, living well is simply about better knowledge, some life skills and good behaviour patterns. And we can all learn better skills. Making positive, constructive change, you can feel more satisfied, and less stuck in a rut of routine and mundane clutter.
What happens in a coaching session?
The coaching process is fluid, and changes for each client. Typically, however, we will talk together for around an hour. I will ask questions that provoke deep thought. We will identify problems, or limiting beliefs, and work through them to a resolution.
A coaching session can be part of a structured multi-session programme that is working towards a defined goal (for example managing unwanted change that has been forced upon you). Or it can be a one-off, seeking clarity on one specific issue.
What outcomes can I expect from coaching?
Outcomes depend on what topics we focus on. Depending on your commitment, you could expect some of the following outcomes:
- You could get more done. Or less, if that’s what is needed.
- You could have a greater self-awareness and feel more confident and comfortable in who you are.
- You could have clarity around your goals, your purpose, your priorities, your boundaries.
- You could learn what is holding you back, and ways to move past your limiting beliefs.
- Things may change for you: your mind set, your language, the choices you make, your habits, routines or behaviours.
- You could feel like you are moving towards something (an exciting goal), rather than just treading water.
- You could tap into your instincts and reduce your dependence on other people’s advice and opinions.
- As you change your perspective you may move toward improved self-trust and more self-compassion.
- You would spend less time in your head, and more time doing meaningful things that fill you up.
- You would take care of yourself better and stop waiting for someone else to do so.
And yes, sometimes you might end up with to-do lists and detailed action plans after our sessions. But most of our work would be around changing your mindset, so that your days naturally fill with activities that move you forward toward something better and more fulfilling.
What sort of people do you coach?
My clients tend to be
- High functioning career minded, hardworking, driven people (GM) who are looking for more or what is next?
- People redesigning their life following the ending of a significant relationship.
- Women in midlife who are wondering is this what I want the next 20 years to look like.
- Business Owners.
- People who have relocated city or country.
But can’t I work that out for myself? Or ask my friends?
A coach brings new eyes and ears to your situation and provides a safe non-judgemental space for you. Your coach has no agenda. Everyone in your peer group, your spouse, colleagues, employer, friends and family have an agenda for you (often well-intentioned) but they always look at your life through their own filter, and how you affect them.
And it is so hard to work on yourself. Things are that blindingly obvious to a coach about you, may be hard for you to accept, let alone see for yourself. That’s why all good coaches, myself included, talk to a coach regularly.
Is there anything you don’t coach about?
Coaches do not treat clinical disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction and phobias. If things like this come up in our sessions, I am happy to recommend you to a licenced professional and put our coaching on hold until appropriate.
How long does it take?
The first step is to book in for a ‘let’s chat’ session. This usually lasts for 30 minutes and it is where you work out if we are a good fit.
A package of 7 sessions is $1500 AUD
A package of 12 sessions is $2400 AUD
Then you would follow through with 60-minute sessions, ideally spaced around 2 weeks apart. Many clients then settle in to a ‘check-in’ pattern with regular follow ups (some around once a month, or every few months).
Some clients want to move quickly, focus deeply and bring about rapid change. Others want to think things through, and take more measured, gradual changes. Both work- it’s up to what suits your personality. So, it can last anywhere from 3 months to an ongoing relationship.
The coaching relationship can continue as long as it’s bringing benefit to you. My goal is to teach you techniques where you can help yourself.
Where do you coach?
Some clients like face-to-face coaching. I meet clients on the Sunshine Coast, or in Brisbane or at my home office.
Coaching by Skype, Zoom or phone is also extremely effective (and saves considerable commute time). Many clients move to virtual coaching after a few face-to-face sessions. Once you know how the process works, it is easy to work remotely.
Is it confidential?
Yes, completely. I will not share your information with anybody, nor the fact that you are my client, unless ordered to by a Court of law.
What does it cost?
60-minute sessions are $170 AUD
Fees are paid in advance and are needed to confirm a session.
If you are not satisfied with your first session, I am happy to refund your money for that session. All subsequent sessions, and any packages are not refundable.
Do I have to commit to coaching long term?
No, I am happy to do one-off sessions if that works best for you.
What if I change my mind?
That’s why you start with just one session.
You will know after that if you are ready for something more substantial.
Once you commit to a programme (or a package) fees are not refundable. Coaching only works if you commit to it. Half-hearted commitment won’t get you the results you desire. If you are likely to want to pull out because work has got busy, or life too hard, then I would suggest you are not ready to make significant change. But we can talk about this in the initial session, and help you find ways to make the mindset shift to be ready for change.
Can we speak before I starting coaching?
Yes please feel free to give me a call or email me through the contact page.
What is expected from me, as a client?
You are going to have to do some work! Coaching is not about me telling you what to do. It is not (usually) about quick fixes. It is about opening up, answering some difficult questions and doing some deep work on yourself. You will need to be ready, vulnerable and unflinchingly honest with yourself and me. For some people, it is not easy.
You won’t get much pity from a coach. We won’t talk for a long time about what happened in your childhood, and the reasons you are the way you are. But there is some deep empathy, plenty of patience and an expectation that you are prepared to work hard on bringing about some constructive change.
You will probably have homework after each session, and it’s up to you whether you invest in doing it. If you don’t make the time to do it and commit to finding ways to integrate what you have learned into your life, a coaching session is just empty talk. I really don’t want that.
Isn’t Life Coaching a bit flaky?
Yes, a Life Coach who tells you ‘You just have to dream it, then you can do it’ or ‘Trust the process’ can definitely sound flaky. We all know life is harder, more complicated and that we need a lot more than wishful thinking to get ahead.
Getting ahead requires a magical combination of hard work, competence, self-awareness, confidence, luck and opportunity. Sometimes you need to know when to push, other times you need to step back and trust the process.
My coaching is deeply grounded in the realities of life and current research. It is completely practical and doable, preparing you for opportunities that may come your way. Because luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. And we all need a bit of luck.
What are the qualifications for being a coach?
There are a range of courses out there. I completed the 9 month Martha Beck Life Coaching Training. Which involved weekly classes, supervision and completion of practise hours, to achieve certification.
What is Life Coaching?
Coaching is a process that creates mental space. Space to take stock, to gain perspective, to ask questions, to answer them, and to rethink how you are living your life.
Often your life doesn’t need radical change. Sometimes it just needs a fresh perspective, a gentle nudge in the right direction, a subtle rethinking of sticky issues, and off you go – fresh and ready to take on the world. On other occasions, it needs a fundamental shift in how you think about things, in your behaviour, and your approach to life.
Life is a series of phases, and every so often our perspective needs a shake-up. Just because we have always done something one way, doesn’t mean that is the best way to do it now.
Coaching helps you update your toolbox of life skills as you move through different phases of life.
So, now what?
Let me help. You can book an appointment now on the “Online Booking” section.
And if you want a quick complimentary phone call to see if Coaching is right for you, then contact me below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
How can I contact you to talk about your services?
You can email me here
I can call you back, or we can communicate through email.
I look forward to connecting with you.