54. Messy Middlescence Talks About Life Coaching
“In an ideal world, everyone should have a coach. I am not saying this to self-promote — I just see what a difference it can make””
Imagine having someone in your life whose main focus is to help you reach your goals—someone who really listens and supports you along the way. It’s a powerful idea. And it’s exactly what a life or personal coach offers.
Most people are familiar with the term “life coach,” but we wondered—how many actually understand what a life coach actually does? And when it might be helpful?
Because so many of our conversations here at Messy Middlescence center around transition, change, and reinvention, this felt like an important topic to explore.
And, as it turns out, we have our own certified life coach right here.
In this episode, Tina interviews Tara about her path into life coaching, what it really looks like in practice, and how it can support people during times of change—or even when you’re not quite sure what you want, but you know something needs to shift.
We talk through:
Why Tara chose to become a life coach—and the experiences that shaped that decision
The differences between a life coach, therapist, and consultant
Common situations where coaching can be especially helpful
How to find a coach who’s the right fit for you
The different specialties within life coaching
What Tara has learned—both from her training and from working with her own coaches
How coaching sessions are typically structured
The role of clarity—understanding what you really want and how to move toward it
And why, in an ideal world, everyone might benefit from having a coach
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Christina Donovan: Welcome to Messy Middlescence.
This is a podcast where we talk honestly about the changes. Just challenges, connections and gifts that come with midlife.
Nothing too polished, just real conversations that remind us we're not alone.
So let's dive in.
This is Christina or Tina Conti Donovan, and I'm here with my sister, Tara Conti Bansel.
And on our episode today of Messy Middlescence, it's a little bit of a follow up to Lisa Kramer. She was our last episode, episode number 52,
and Lisa spoke extensively about reinvention.
Lisa and Tara are both certified life coaches,
and that's actually how they met, if you listen to that episode.
And they have both been very successful in helping others achieve positive change in their lives.
We thought it might be helpful to discuss the role of a life coach or personal coach in helping individuals through times of transition or perhaps jumpstarting a transition or a reinvention.
And luckily, here at Messy Middlescence, we have our own life coach on staff to talk about life coaching in general.
And hopefully in this episode we can educate our listeners about what this support is and whether or not it might be right for. For you, either now or maybe another time in the future.
I'm going to interview Tara and hopefully talk about life coaching and what it is and why you might want it and what it can achieve and what
Tara Bansal: it may not be able to achieve too, you know? Yeah, yeah. Like how it's different than consulting and therapy and things like that.
Christina Donovan: So, I mean, Tara, what made you want to become a life coach?
Tara Bansal: I.
I feel like even now I kept wanting to figure out what did I want to be when I grow up and just kept really searching for that for a long time.
I.
I read Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and I feel like that was what got me interested in wanting to become a life coach.
So that book was talked about self help and different things,
and that book was what I just was like, this is what I want to do, is I want to help people,
you know, through some structure to really find what they want and help them live the life that they want to do. And this was after my divorce.
And so I, I really was struggling with a new beginning and trying to figure out my life that I felt like had kind of fallen to pieces and I was starting all over again.
And so I did research and found a life coaching school that was local to me. I was living in San Francisco at the time that worked with my work schedule, so it was like in person
Christina Donovan: and
Tara Bansal: my work paid for it like I got to do it as a professional development thing.
And I have to give credit, like my boss helped approve that and get that through.
And that just made it really wonderful. I mean, it. I learned a lot, but it also gave me a lot that I,
I feel like kind of figured out and really helped me make some changes during that difficult time.
The other is like,
I think before I signed up for the life coaching school,
I bought one of Tony Robbins DVD sets and he. Tony Robbins is a life coach.
And so that was another thing that introduced me to what life coaching was.
And I just became more and more interested and curious in order to do that. Yeah. And what I learned and how did
Christina Donovan: someone recommend the 7 Habits of Highly effective. I remember it was. There was a lot of hype around that book at that particular time. But did somebody recommend it or did you just stumble upon it?
Tara Bansal: I can't remember if somebody did.
I don't remember. But to your point, I feel like at that time period in the 90s,
it was very popular and I think I just heard people talking about it and picked it up and really liked it a lot.
So that's what I always say was my beginning on my life coaching journey. Was that book.
Christina Donovan: Had you at that point been reading a lot of self help or was that sort of the first and self help? I feel like that was probably one of the first.
One of the first. Yeah.
I mean, I. Could you.
Oh, go ahead.
Tara Bansal: I think I may have. But to me that's what really kicked it off.
Christina Donovan: Yeah. And stands out.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Christina Donovan: I mean, what is the process for becoming a life coach in terms of education, training and certification?
Tara Bansal: So there are a lot of different programs. And I have to say you can put. Put yourself out there as a life coach with no certification and no training at all,
which just,
it's almost like a buyer beware.
And it's. That's one of the things that's very different than being a licensed therapist or, you know, like there's so much.
Christina Donovan: Right. I wasn't aware of that. Ye.
Tara Bansal: And so people do sign up and take these life coaching courses.
I got my certification from my first school in 2005, which was the NLP of California.
And then I just two years ago or maybe a year ago got my certification from Martha Beckham with her Wayfinder Life Coaching School.
So when you go through their program,
they have criteria in order to become certified by that program.
And then there is the International Coach Federation or the ICF which does give accreditations.
And that's the higher Standard and even within. Then there's like just a certified coach and then there's a master coach certification which you must have a certain number of hours.
You must have completed one of the programs that are approved by the icf.
And it's funny, way back when I wanted to do Martha Beck's program back in like before, my first one,
but it wasn't ICF certified and so I chose not to.
And now it is ICF certified,
but I have not chosen to get my International Coach Federation certification. It is a pretty intense process.
But I also know many coaches who,
you know,
don't have that and are very successful.
Christina Donovan: But. So it sounds like almost every program could be very different.
Tara Bansal: Yes. And that is so true in New Jersey. And now so many of the programs are remote like Martha Beck's was remote in New Jersey. One of the top ones I hear about is ipec.
I don't know what that stands for, but it is a well known and well regarded program locally here that I've heard good things about.
But to your point,
there's so many out there and I would just do your research if you are going to look into that. Like there's health coach certifications that are directly specific for that.
Yeah.
It's almost like you don't have to have a certification to be a consultant.
And I think pure life coaching is very different than being a consultant or, you know,
being a therapist. But.
And I think there's people that want there to be more regulations,
standards because of people taking advantage of that situation. Yeah.
Christina Donovan: It's interesting.
Tara Bansal: Mm.
Christina Donovan: I mean, how would you describe the differences between like a counselor, a therapist and a life coach? Like, why would someone choose to use a life coach over one of the other?
Tara Bansal: So a therapist.
I 1.
I feel like therapy,
they're more trained to deal with trauma and healing things. In the past, I wouldn't.
I think life coaching can help you heal and change beliefs. But I. I feel like therapy is more backward,
healing focused and life coaching is more present and future focused.
A life coach. One of the big tenets of life coaches coaching is that only you know what's best for you.
And that's a difference with consulting is I feel like consulting is giving advice and a pure life coach does not give advice.
I think of therapy because I'm seeing a therapist right now.
It's not as directed towards accomplishing a goal.
I feel like it's more on healing than moving forward.
Does that. I don't know if that makes sense.
Christina Donovan: That makes sense. I mean, I guess One of the things, too, I know just with counselors,
there's often,
I want to say, like, behavioral modifications that you make. Is that something that life coaches address or.
Tara Bansal: No,
I do feel like they work on that,
but in a different way than a therapist or a counselor. Or a counselor. Yeah.
I mean,
I think there's a fair number of life coaches who are also certified counselors and. And kind of I. I would love to hear them talk about,
like, when they put their therapy hat on or counselor hat versus life coach,
but I think having both would be really helpful because.
Christina Donovan: Yeah.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Christina Donovan: I mean, what are some of the scenarios that you feel life coaching. Somebody would go to a life coach for?
Tara Bansal: I mean, a big one is.
A few are coming to mind, but with regards to messy middlescence, is just wanting to make a change,
like, either with your work or how. You know,
my husband,
he recently lost his job,
and so he is.
And he doesn't want to go back to what he was doing before.
And so to me, that is exactly the situation where a life coach would be like,
help them explore and really get in touch with.
Because a lot of life coaching is looking at these limiting beliefs or assumptions that aren't really true,
I think.
And yet it's like the water you swim in, so you don't even notice it and be able to question it.
But I think a lot of people who want to change careers and maybe don't even know what they want to do is like, that sounds really broad,
but, like. And after my divorce, I was trying to figure out where did I want to go, what did I want to do,
how to figure that out.
Um,
I think some people go to a life coach. I know I want to make this change, but I haven't been able to make that change either with health or not circumstances.
Yeah.
Christina Donovan: I mean,
so I guess my question would be,
could you go to a life coach without a goal and just sort of say, I need a change, but I don't know what that change is. I don't have a goal in mind.
And they.
Tara Bansal: That I feel like that is in Martha Beck's.
We can link to this, but there's like four stages,
and the.
The one is just like,
you're.
You're starting from scratch. You're like she calls it, you're the goo in the chrysalis. Like, everything is. And you're trying to figure it out.
And,
you know,
I keep referring to Martha Beck, but, like, it's like listening to yourself and almost like, really.
And I feel like a good Life coach will help clarify what you really want and then how to start going towards it.
So, yes, I think a lot for me, like,
the first life coach after my life coaching program that I signed up with was an all women's group, and you got individual coaching. And then there was a small group part of it too, which I still like that model.
But I called it the Clarity Project.
I was just looking for clarity and what I wanted.
Christina Donovan: Yeah.
Tara Bansal: And I just, like, I created a notebook and that's what I put on the front was I called it the Clarity Project.
So.
And to me, it's what you hear over and over is in life coaching, like, where. Where am I now and where do I want to be?
And that can just be even feelings.
Like I feel frustrated and bored and unfulfilled,
and I know I want to feel empowered and confident and excited about my day ahead.
And that's.
That's a good enough place to start,
I feel.
Christina Donovan: Right.
Tara Bansal: And then.
Christina Donovan: Yeah.
So generally, then is it's correct to assume that there's usually a finite number of sessions. I mean, it could be 20, it could be 80. But, like, it's one of those things where you see a life coach for a specific amount of,
like a finite amount of time. Like, it has a start and an end.
Tara Bansal: Most life coaches generally sell packages,
I would say.
And.
And so it very much can be.
Some do years,
like a whole year you sign up for a year, and some you meet like once a month. And some you.
Every other week. Some you meet, you know,
every week,
I think.
And then there's like, I was with my one coach for years that it would like you would. It just. You would choose to renew.
Christina Donovan: Right.
Tara Bansal: And so. And I do think some people work with a coach till they feel like they got. They don't need it anymore. Yeah.
And then a lot of times they'll come back just during a time of change or.
I think that's also true with counselors. Like, they kind of know you and your background, and so it's easier to
Christina Donovan: jump, to slip in and out. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: And so some people,
like Brene Brown, she has.
I think she has both a coach and a counselor that she talks openly about that she sees and continues to see. And she says she does it trying to be proactive instead of, like,
being reactionary. Yeah.
So things don't get bad. But.
Christina Donovan: Yeah. I mean, what would you say to someone who is considering or thinking about using a life coach?
Tara Bansal: I. I would interview at least 3 to 5.
Christina Donovan: And. And do you find them by Going to the Internet or.
Tara Bansal: I. I feel like that's the norm. You can.
You can like look at the International Coach Federation, go to that website and see who's on there.
People generally list specialties.
I also think kind of like counselors or therapists, you can look for
Christina Donovan: what are some of the specialties that people have?
Tara Bansal: People.
Christina Donovan: I'm just curious.
Tara Bansal: Yeah, I would say health and wellness or mindset. Career and retirement.
Christina Donovan: I mean, at least.
Tara Bansal: So, yeah, there's definitely people who focus on that career. I feel like, just transitions, you know, people going through divorce.
Christina Donovan: Like a divorce. Yeah. Or empty nest. Job change. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: There's even some that specialize in grieving that after a loss and working on that.
That I know there's.
From. Martha Beck said there were people that focus on that.
There's.
At least with Martha Beck, there's a lot of people who combine working with horses, equestrian coaching. And I think animals or horses in particular are so sensitive that people rave about doing work with animals.
And the difference it helps, it brings to their lives.
Christina Donovan: Yeah. That's interesting. I wouldn't have ever guessed that. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: I think there's even spiritual focused.
Christina Donovan: Okay. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: People I do think like being a financial planner, there's coaches that focus on that.
You know that people in that business,
small business owners,
coaches.
And that's where sometimes it can.
Can. Is it consulting or is it pure?
Christina Donovan: Right.
Tara Bansal: It's a little. Sometimes it can be a combination of. Of that too.
I mean, there's some coaches that really focus on holding people accountable.
And I mean that to me, that. Yeah.
Christina Donovan: Yeah. I was gonna say I can. That to me is a real reason to see a coach because you might know what you need to do, but for whatever reason.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Christina Donovan: You can't make yourself do it. But somebody that you know, you have to answer to can make a big difference. I totally understand that. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Christina Donovan: I mean, you've already said you've. You've seen life coaches throughout. You've used life coaches throughout,
you know, your life.
I mean, what has the experience of having a life coach taught you versus what you've learned, like in your training or your certification?
Tara Bansal: I mean, having a life coach, just
Christina Donovan: one.
Tara Bansal: It creates designated time to focus on yourself and having someone to.
Christina Donovan: Devoted to you.
Tara Bansal: Yeah. And.
Christina Donovan: And your goals and your. I never thought of it that way, but that actually is.
Tara Bansal: Makes a lot of sense. Very different.
Yeah. But it's really powerful in one. Having a deadline. Like a lot of times when you end a coaching meeting, you'll say, this is what I'm going to work on or this is what I want to try to accomplish.
And knowing you have to report at your next meeting.
Christina Donovan: Yeah.
Tara Bansal: On how that went.
So it really priori helps prioritize.
But having having someone totally objective that is there to really listen and ask questions and support you in trying to accomplish or figure out what it is that you want to do has been really powerful for me.
And that's part of why I love it so much.
Yeah.
Christina Donovan: I never really,
I'll be honest thought of it in those terms. But of everything we've talked about in terms of life coaching, that to me is the most powerful reason to do it.
That it just really seems significant to have that.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Christina Donovan: Makes a lot of sense.
Tara Bansal: Life coaches have a huge, huge price range and. And yet I think it goes to like that MasterCard commercial.
Christina Donovan: Right.
Tara Bansal: Like some of the things you can get are so priceless.
Christina Donovan: They're just priceless. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: That I feel like are hard to get elsewhere.
But. But going back to.
Most coaches offer a complimentary session and the point of it is to make sure you match.
Yes. Make sure you mesh, make sure it's a good fit.
And so my recommendation is to do a little research.
Most people have a website and. Or talk to other people if they've seen someone and they have someone they recommend but do some research and then set up some calls.
And.
And that's the other.
Even back in 2005 when I got my first life coaching certification,
everything was on the phone and that was the standard.
Now I'd say some do FaceTime or Zoom or where you do see but I. I still almost prefer the phone because you could hear a lot and not having even the visual distraction.
Yes, there's body language but I still like having just the voice a lot.
Christina Donovan: Like the single focus of.
Tara Bansal: And being. I don't know, that may just be me but.
Christina Donovan: And so it's rarely in person.
Tara Bansal: It's rarely in person. Although a lot of the coaching programs that I've done have an in person component.
So you like they would do an in person event that could be individual depending on the price point or in a small group that all comes together.
So yeah. I feel like for some of the longer programs there's often some portion that is in person that I think is nice also to get.
Did that answer the question?
Christina Donovan: Yeah. No,
I guess. How would you say experience. You've been a life coach for a long time. How would you say experience and age has changed you as a life coach? I mean I would hope it will have Made you better as a life coach.
But are there specific things that you now can point to that kind of experience and age have, have taught you?
Tara Bansal: I think just having that,
the breadth of experience and I feel like the older I get, the more almost like compassion and grace I have for both myself and other people.
Christina Donovan: And,
Tara Bansal: and for me a little bit of when I was younger was so push, push, push, achieve, drive so hard.
And now I, I think partly because of age, but it's a little bit of like what's the rush?
Like enjoy,
enjoy this present moment.
Christina Donovan: And yeah, it's giving you more perspective.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Of um. And a little,
a lot for me is paying attention and noticing like the wisdom in our body and, and I think that's a big part of the programs. Both programs I did, but I feel like I kind of didn't pay attention to that as much.
It was more I, I, I thought like it was all about your brain and the logic and,
and the older I get I feel like a little more woo or like believing in the power all around us,
not just between our ears.
And so. Yeah. Yeah, that's one difference with age. I feel like.
Christina Donovan: Yeah, that's a big one.
Tara Bansal: Yeah. And it's funny to think of that.
Christina Donovan: What's that?
Tara Bansal: It's just funny to think of like being a scientist and starting as an engineer. I was always like wanted the facts and the logic.
Christina Donovan: Yeah.
Tara Bansal: Yeah. And now I feel like I've come pretty far from that.
Christina Donovan: Yeah. You still have a lot of that engineer science or science.
Tara Bansal: Yeah.
Christina Donovan: It's probably good to have a balance.
Tara Bansal: Yeah, it is.
Christina Donovan: I mean, who would you say some of your role models or mentors are as a life coach?
Tara Bansal: I mean Martha Beck for sure. And I feel like women I've met through, through her program and seeing what they do.
Christina Donovan: I mean I,
Tara Bansal: I consider Carl Richards more a coach than, than a financial.
Yeah. Because he doesn't do like financial plans anymore. And I think what he does for people and even his programs like he does retreats,
but they're very to me coaching centric and how he works with people, I, I think of as more coaching than anything else. Yeah.
I mean at some level Tony Robbins, I think I don't love like how high his hoopla is and some of the,
but one of my favorite coaches I got through Tony Robbins and I just love her.
Yeah.
So I can, I mean I can put like her link, you know, in,
in the show notes, but yeah. And one of the first, I'm trying to think the first coach I had and I was with for years. Her name's Kat Connect.
And I was trying to think how I got to her, but someone in my coach certification program knew her and recommended her.
Like she had been kind of a few steps ahead of us. She had her own coaching practice for several years,
you know, when I connected with her and started working with her.
So.
Christina Donovan: Yeah, it's all interesting.
No, I was just gonna ask if there was anything else that you felt like we didn't cover or you would like people to know about coaching.
Tara Bansal: I mean,
in an ideal world, I feel like everyone should have a coach.
And that's not just self promoting or anything. I just feel like what you can get from it is, is really powerful.
And yeah, I just have seen it make such a difference for myself, but also like so many other people and making changes that they didn't think was possible and,
and having that attention is, is great.
Yeah.
And I,
I always say this, but like, I don't like the term life coach.
I just don't have a better term.
And that's what, you know, society uses.
But most people who perform at like a high level have not just like a physical coach, but they also have a mindset coach or a life coach. That helps.
Christina Donovan: Yeah, I, I don't know. I, I learned a lot. I felt like I already knew a lot about life coaching just through you, but I don't know, I learned a lot just listening to all of this.
Tara Bansal: Yeah. I remember after our call with Lisa that you were like,
I didn't really,
I didn't feel like Lisa and I were speaking a different language. But that's how you felt and that surprised me. I remember, Yeah, a little bit.
Christina Donovan: But it was also in our episode with Lisa that to me,
I think one of the things that is so hard and this is at any age. Well, I mean, not for children, but even for young adults.
Tara Bansal: I mean,
Christina Donovan: we're really not conditioned to listen to ourselves.
I mean,
so much that's so true.
So much is told to us and forced on us. And I think that was what really came out of Lisa's episode to me is how difficult it is to really listen to your inner voice and to follow that.
And to me that's another big sell for coaching because I don't think that there are some people in this world that, that that's who they are. They know who they are.
But I think a vast majority of us don't have that. And I does seem like that is something that coaching can really help with.
Tara Bansal: Yeah. And to me, that's And I've talked a lot about Martha Beck, and I apologize for that, but that's part of my background. And her premise is she has a sociology background,
and just society and culture has these norms that we learn, and there was a reason for it to help us stay.
Stay alive and.
Christina Donovan: Right. Survival instincts and. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: But there's also a part where it harms us because we follow that instead of, like, what's more true for our own nature.
And it causes a lot of conflict.
Christina Donovan: Right.
Tara Bansal: Like, you want to please other people, but then you're, like, kind of losing that sense.
Christina Donovan: Yeah,
I know a good analogy. My oldest plays piano. Played piano for years and studied classical piano. And my husband is convinced that they were more. They had, like, a natural swing in their music tendencies and that the classical teaching that she had drilled it out of her, that, you know,
that natural, like, jazz swing thing that they had got removed by this classical training. But that, to me, is a really applicable analogy that, you know,
you're still doing things and doing good things, but the way that you've been taught to do it maybe separates a piece of yourself,
you know,
I don't know. Yeah, it's kind of.
Tara Bansal: And I think to me, that's something around middlescence is people talk about this, like, freedom of I don't have to please anyone anymore.
Christina Donovan: Or that they feel more freedom to.
Tara Bansal: Yeah. To take some risks or do different things,
but going like. There's life coaches that specialize in young adults. They're special. You know, they specialize in that age group. And. And every time I feel like trying to decide what you want to do and be at such a.
Like,
is really hard,
because it is really hard.
Christina Donovan: And I think right now in our society, it has even bigger challenges with AI and. Yeah.
Tara Bansal: Change is just happening so fast,
and that feels overwhelming. I mean,
our brain and our bodies are not designed for this speed of change.
Yeah. That, to me, is part of why it's even more important to, like, get in touch with yourself.
Christina Donovan: With yourself.
Tara Bansal: What? Yeah. Like,
what is your strong ground or what. You know, or your path.
Yeah.
Be able to withstand the.
Yeah, it.
It's. I mean, I always think of Glennon Doyle, like, one of her kids.
She was like,
I can tell you what to do, but I want you to do.
You know, she's like, as a parent, that sounds wacky, because there's situations where, you know, you do feel like you know best, but there's also a part that you want your child to listen
Christina Donovan: to themselves and to make their own mistakes.
Um, yeah.
And that's. Yeah.
Yeah. It's all very interesting.
Um, and I hope people out there who have heard about coaching and wondered what it was about or whether it might be right for them, I hope this was helpful and it was certainly very interesting.
Tara Bansal: Um, yeah, I would just even encourage, like, try it in a small, even if it's just like those introductory calls to see what it is like to
Christina Donovan: really get a sense of what it is all about.
Yeah.
I mean, we'll have lots, I think, of information and links in the show notes.
Tara definitely touched on a lot of different things and we'll have all those in the show notes.
Tara Bansal: So.
Christina Donovan: Yeah. Well, thank you.
Tara Bansal: If you have questions, please reach out.
Christina Donovan: And I was take advantage of our life coach on staff,
Tara Bansal: so thanks so much.
Christina Donovan: Thank you.
Christina Donovan: Our connection challenge today involves trying to connect to that inner voice inside of you.
Take a deep breath or several and spend a few minutes just listening for that voice.
Christina Donovan: And then take a break.
Christina Donovan: Then in a little bit, go back and think about if you were to hire a life coach,
what are some of the personal goals or changes you might want to achieve?
And then we urge you to take it one step further and to look for a life or personal coach and try a few trial sessions.
You have nothing to lose, and it could change your life in positive ways, both big and small.
Tara Bansal: We're so glad and appreciative that you spent this time with us here on messy middleseance.
Midlife can be messy, but these conversations remind us that we're not alone.
If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend.
Subscribe or leave a review.
We'll be back soon with more. Wishing you the best.
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Organizations & Directories
International Coaching Federation (ICF) – Welcome to ICF | International Coaching Federation - A leading organization that provides accreditation and standards for life coaches. A helpful place to begin your search for credentialed coaches.
Coaching Programs & Training
NLP Institute of California – NLP Institute of California – Neuro Linguistic Programming – #1 Resource for NLP Training In California and On-Line
Tara’s original life coaching certification program, completed in 2005.
Martha Beck – Wayfinder Life Coach Training – Wayfinder Life Coach Training: Become an ICF-Certified Life Coach - Martha Beck A well-known coaching program focused on helping people reconnect with their inner voice and create meaningful change.
Find a Martha Beck Wayfinder Coach - Wayfinder Coach Directory - Martha Beck
iPEC Coaching (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) – ICF-Accredited Coach Training Program & Life Coach Certifications | iPEC | Online & In-Person A widely recognized coaching certification program, mentioned as a strong option to explore if you want to become a life coach.
Influential Coaches & Thought Leaders
Martha Beck – Martha Beck A central influence in Tara’s coaching philosophy, particularly around listening to yourself and navigating life transitions.
Tony Robbins – https://go.tonyrobbins.com/ One of the early influences that introduced Tara to the concept of life coaching.
Carl Richards – https://behaviorgap.com/about/ Known for his coaching-centered approach and retreats focused on clarity and decision-making.
Brené Brown – https://brenebrown.com/about/ Referenced for her openness about working with both a coach and a therapist.
Glennon Doyle – Glennon Doyle Mentioned in the context of learning to listen to your own inner voice.
Books & Early Influences
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Book by Stephen R. Covey | FranklinCovey A foundational book that sparked Tara’s initial interest in personal development and life coaching.
Notable Coaching Relationships
Kat Knecht – https://souldrivensuccess.com/about-kat/ One of Tara’s early life coaches, whom she worked with for several years.
Kerri Krell of Soul Solutions Soul Solutions ✦ Personal Branding A coach Tara worked with who had a meaningful impact on her journey.
Lisa Kramer - https://www.leadingwithintention.com/about-us/ Life Coach who was on Messy Middlescence and specializes in figuring out a joyful retirement or next phase of your life.
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Our connection challenge today involves trying to connect to that inner voice inside of you.
Take a deep breath (or several) and spend a few minutes just listening for that voice.
And then take a break.
After a little bit, go back and think about if you were to hire a life coach, what are some of the personal goals or changes you might want to achieve?
And then we urge you to take it one step further and to look for a life or personal coach and try a few trial sessions.
You have nothing to lose, and it could change your life in positive ways, both big and small.