I’m an expert in facing fears and overcoming seemingly insurmountable circumstances. I have faced some of the most challenging sequences of events in my life and because of that, I have been told by countless people that I am brave.
You know that list of “The 5 Most Stressful Life Events” (death of a loved one, divorce, moving, major injury/illness, job loss)? Well, I faced all five in a matter of a couple of years and being the over-achiever that I am, I added a few additional stressors including loss of my faith community, betrayal of trusted friends, multiple deaths of loved ones, a significant injury, not one but two cross-state moves, starting a new business and coming out…yeah…it was brutal in the moment. That being said, I learned a lot about myself during those years.
I learned that although I am afraid at times, I am fearless.
I learned that even though hardship offered me more and more trials and I wanted to give up more times than I could count, I am fiercely resilient.
I also learned how to be compassionate with myself, which has helped me become deeply compassionate for others.
Transformation stories are riveting, inspiring and powerful. They stir emotions, while offering hope to others.
Although inspirational, transformation requires pain, heartache and even moments of darkness. Sometimes we seek transformation, while other times transformation seeks us.
I will work to help you realize more of your potential and take those brave, new steps to your own mountaintop experiences. When you are more clear on what you want and you begin to grow and know your worth, you can become unstoppable.
Be sure of this: You are worth every ounce of effort you put into your growth. You are worth it–to step out of old habits, toxic relationships and unhelpful beliefs about yourself, your abilities or your intellect.
As your coach, I will work alongside you, for you and with you so that you can have the life you deserve.
I look forward to meeting you!
For twenty years, I worked for what I now identify as a toxic church. Being a part of that controlling and harmful environment, I actually learned to become acutely attuned to people’s pain. I wasn’t very good (yet) at seeing or managing my own pain; however, I learned very valuable skills: listening, getting curious and asking questions, supporting others’ processes of growth and offering validation, insight, inspiration and hope to those who were also experiencing the harmful effects of the same toxic system.
It was through my vast and extensive experience mentoring and coaching hurting people, that I grew the skills I would need to begin my coaching career.
Prior to making the decision to start my practice, I spent five years as an Elementary Teacher, working with 1st & 2nd graders. I enjoyed teaching my students, but with the burden of the workload, unnecessary meetings, and never-quite-enough support, I knew that teaching in this capacity was not the life I wanted. I had to make a change, stat.
The decision to quit my job–right before the pandemic, no less–was terrifying. In making the decision to change course, I unknowingly decided to face some of my deepest fears and simultaneously find a new kind of freedom.
I had an up and down, but “happy-enough” marriage for 25 years to my high school sweetheart. Our marriage was good, yet it was also full of strife, scarcity and barely-getting-by. Throughout my marriage, there was always something that felt off, but I was never able to understand what it was. Despite that, we raised three amazing children to adulthood and I am very proud of who they have become.
Prior to the end of my marriage, I decided that I needed coaching. I had suffered a great deal of religious trauma and I thought I needed help “getting over it”. Little did I know how much I truly needed coaching.
In many ways, it saved my life.
Not only did I begin to heal from the religious trauma I had experienced, but I learned to listen to my own intuition, which was something I was taught that I couldn’t trust. My confidence began to soar as I processed the pain of my past. My self-worth flourished as I reclaimed my voice and began making decisions for myself.
In a striking moment of clarity, I realized–and allowed myself to acknowledge–a truth about myself that I had long and deeply buried: I’m not straight. Needless to say, in that moment of absolute clarity, I knew my life would never be the same again.
The truth of it is that time of my life was, at times, excruciating; yet, with really good support from my coach and a small handful of people I trust, I am now living my best life.
I am no longer striving for perfection as my guidepost.
I am no longer running myself ragged trying to please everyone else in my life, putting my needs dead last.
I am no longer seeking approval from others in order to affirm my own worth.
I’m no longer conforming to what my upbringing and society have dictated for me.
I now reside in Minneapolis, MN with my partner. I love traveling, hiking, kayaking, photography and dance. Creativity is as much a part of my life as breathing. I am finally giving myself permission to be that creative soul I have longed to be.
I have a good life–a really good life, because I am living life on my terms. I am listening to my gut and following my lead, even when I am afraid. One baby step at a time.
I am oh, so happy and I want nothing more than to help you find your happiness and live the most fulfilling life imaginable.
It’s possible. It’s not just for me.
It’s for you, too.
If any of this resonates with you, if you find inspiration in my one, wildly messy, amazing life, then we really ought to talk.
Email me, sign up for my newsletter or reach out to learn if we would make a good fit in a coaching relationship. I can’t wait to hear from you!
I hope you learn to grow in a way that leads you to the kind of life you want: full of happiness, abundance, success and strong relationships! More than anything, I hope you to will come to know that your dreams, hopes and visions for your life are absolutely POSSIBLE!
(And I hope I get to be a part of that experience with you!)
You’ll get tips, inspiration and powerful stories in my short-ish newsletters.
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Copyright 2022 Amy K Vaughn