HOW COACHING CHANGED MY LIFE

When she felt the world was changing around her and she was struggling to keep up, Rhiannon Penny, a mortgage broker, partnered with the Barefoot-trained coach Kirsty Birnstiel. Rhiannon has now left her job to start her own business and says her relationship with her family is the best it’s ever been.

1 I went for coaching because I didn’t want to rake over the past and wanted to find my best path forward. I spent all my time pleasing other people rather than looking after myself. Coaching made me realise that I didn’t have to accept the way I was being treated. It helped me stand up for myself.

2 Kirsty asked me the miracle question: what would you do if you had just one day to do anything at all? That was the turning point for me, my lightbulb moment! I started to look at what I really wanted out of life. As a result I left my job and started my own business, which is what I wanted but didn’t have the guts to do.

3 I have also had important conversations with my family. I’ve been able to say, ‘I love you all so much, but I need space for me.’ These days my relationship with them is better than it’s ever been. People use the term life-changing a lot but coaching really has been for me. I developed the confidence to make so many changes, as well as go on a three-month solo trip to the United States, which I would never have done before. I feel purposeful, anchored and much more whole.