transformational life coach
 

Transformational Life Coach for Women 40+

Living filled with resentment just isn’t working anymore. You’re sick of pining over a life that isn’t yours, especially when it just leaves you filled with guilt over not being more grateful for the life you have. You love your family, husband, kids, but you just wish for more.

You wanted more, you dreamed of more. When you think of your 20-year-old self, you imagine the disappointment she’d feel about how things turned out: What happened to those big dreams of owning a business, pursuing a career as an artist, or living on an island with a hottie named Juan? 

You feel stuck and you’re miserable. Don’t get me wrong, you play your parts well...devoted wife, caring mom, loving daughter, but deep down you know you’re not happy. It’s easy to hide your feelings of unhappiness in the busyness of your job, soccer practice, and daily homework struggles with the kids. That is until you find yourself lying awake at night wondering where your life would be if _______ (fill in the blank) and soon you’re chasing the ghost of who you could have been

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You’re sick of feeling stuck and want a transformational life coach to help you set goals, live a life with purpose, and at the end of the day feel fulfilled knowing you’re living life without regrets. 

Transformational Life Coach | I am called the Midlife Design Coach for a reason.

Why I am a Transformational Life Coach

Hi, I am Michelle.  Wife, mom, daughter, educator, and coach. 

I’ve been stuck in midlife misery too. In fact just a few years ago I was filled with resentment and fixated on the person I wanted to be in the past, so much so that I almost ruined my marriage.  My reckoning led me on my own journey of self discovery, renewal, and fulfillment. 

Today I help post 40 women who feel stuck in midlife misery stop fantasizing about who they wanted to be in the past, and start living a fulfilling life right now. 

I combine my experience as a Transformational Life Coach, educator, and instructional designer to provide you with a one-of-a-kind experience that guides you in designing the life you want.

Transformational Life Coach | I don't just coach you. I help you get clear on what fulfillment means, use that to map out the life you want, and then support you in the process to get there.

I’ve been there too. I went through my own midlife crisis…except I had to go through it the hard way.

 

Driven….goal oriented

Growing up I had big plans for my life.  I was going to live internationally and travel the world. I had grown up in church listening to missionaries speak almost every Sunday night. Sitting in the 2nd row (mandated by my dad) I listened to their stories with rapt attention.  As I got older, I begged my parents to let me go on mission trips abroad, but they told me I had to wait till I was 16. The summer before my senior year of high school I finally got my chance. I said goodbye to my family and spent a summer in Kenya, Africa. (side note: this was before cell phones and the only communication I had with my parents was through the mail. Like legit, the mail. I have no idea how they let me go. I would have an anxiety attack if my kids did this.) No matter, I was driven. I was going after my dreams

As you can imagine, the trip changed my life. I lived with missionaries somewhere near Lake Baringo in Kenya’s outback, slept in a tent, bathed in a 5 gallon bucket, and fully embraced my experience. The trip solidified my dreams to work internationally, and I went to college to pursue a career that would help me make it happen. 

Six months after starting freshman year I met and fell in love with Chris. We were married 9 months later. That’s right: I was only 20 years old

 
 

The Closet

For several years after our marriage I lived with the belief  that my husband wanted the same things; he just didn’t realize it yet.  I was wrong of course, but I believed this so much that I even started my graduate work in International Teaching thinking that once I was done we would move abroad. 

Then our first son was born.  I was 29.  

At this point, there was a huge disconnect between my husband and I, but I never recognized it. I had no idea that what he wanted was different. I didn’t notice that he was on his own journey. He didn’t want to travel. He wanted consistency. He wanted roots. He wanted to raise a family and be an amazing dad.  At some point, and I don’t know when, he told me he didn’t share my dreams. He didn’t want to live outside of the States and he made his ultimatum clear.  By this time we had our second son. I was 30 years old. 

In response, I switched my graduate work to Multilingual Multicultural education and finished with a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.  I put my dreams in a closet, and swiftly shut the door. 

Wake Up Call

I’ve always prided myself in being content in any situation and I was. My dreams were locked away though once in a while I would crack open the door and wonder what life would be like.  I would experience resentment, loss, and a lingering thread of hope. Then I would shut the door and proceed with life. I loved being a mom and wife and was content as a classroom teacher and raising the boys. 

Eventually, all my unresolved emotions came to the surface. I started acting out in small ways and eventually I made decisions that would almost ruin my marriage. My resentment, anger, unfulfilled dreams, and closeted emotions forged a powerful wake up call for me.

New Trajectory

Over the next few years I had to get really honest with myself. Like legit...deep soul searching and spiritual awakening kind of stuff.  I spent hours reading, getting quiet, and even hired a therapist to help me overcome my feelings of loss and guilt.  Eventually I came out the other side a different woman. I was resolved in my new goals, committed to my husband and our family, and most importantly I didn’t play the victim anymore. I was a woman fully in control of my life’s decisions.   

It was a new beginning for me

In 2017 I enrolled in Raleigh Coaching Academy and received my training to be an Authentic Life and Leadership Coach. Three months after completing my training I opened Woods Life Coaching with the intention of helping women experience a transformation & overcome the same midlife misery I had lived. 

My Dream

Just over a year ago I had a HUGE epiphany. So big  that it allowed me to FINALLY let go of my dream to live internationally and see it for what it was. I was reading the Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo and the  December 1st devotion titled “Candles and Cocoons.” It said, “Dreams are like candles to help us through the dark. Once used, they have to melt.” 

The truth is that what we want or dream of doesn’t last. It tends to serve its purpose in our development and then fade away, losing its relevance. And we can do enormous damage to ourselves by insisting on carrying that which has died.
— Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

This small devotional helped me realize my dream  was given to me for a purpose. It was meant for me to learn and grow from.   It taught me that my dream had died and it was perfectly ok because it had served a purpose. I had held on to this dream for over 30 years. Holding on to it  for too long did enormous damage. Now that I am on the other side and recognize the dream for what it was, it gives me enormous freedom. It frees up all my energy to start designing the life I really want. 

Midlife Design

This is how I came to be a transformational life coach for women in their 40’s and beyond. I help you let go of your old dreams, and all the resentment, shame, and grief that comes with them, so you have the space to create new dreams for yourself. Dreams that actually fit you today, not the you from yesterday.

If you feel inspired or intrigued I would love to hear from you. To learn more about how I can help you design the life you want, here are a few options.

Check out my Work With Me Page

Follow me on Instagram & Facebook

Schedule a Discovery Call and we can talk about what you’re looking for and how I can support you on your journey.