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Meet Karen
Welcome to New Endeavours Life and Menopause Wellness Coaching👋
I'm so pleased to meet you and thank you for taking the time to explore this site.
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If at any point you have questions or would like some more information, don't hesitate to get in touch.
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This is the section where you find about a little bit more about who I am, what I do and why I became a life coach and a menopause wellness practitioner.
I am a Certified New Insights Life Coach and more recently a Menopause Wellness Practitioner with a background in health, medical research and social work. My greatest joy (and source of angst and stress 🤨🤗) are my teenage girl-boy twins. I live in Royal Deeside, a lovely part of Scotland, outside of Aberdeen and on the way to Balmoral👑.
The Path to Life Coaching...
Over my career journey, I have encountered forks in the road which strongly impacted not only my career path, but also my life course, in significant ways.
The Early Years
I always wanted to work with people to help them live better quality and happier lives and initially trained as a Physiotherapist. Unfortunately, a serious neck injury resulted in my not being about to continue. I fell into medical research, and I enjoyed it despite not working directly with people. However, there came the point that I needed to relocate to continue along that career path and I was in the middle of IVF treatment. To move from Aberdeen was to give up the dream of becoming becoming a parent.
So I decided to retrain as a social worker and go back to working directly with people helping them achieve positive change in their lives. Or that was the plan...
Family versus Career
Once I had the twins, I found myself a single parent when they were only 18 months old! I found it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of my children and those of my work - not to mention my own personal needs! With the challenges and incredible frustrations of being a social worker, and feeling so conflicted and guilty, I'd effectively ground to a halt, was stuck and very unhappy. I felt that was falling short as a mother and as social worker.
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It was at this point that I started exploring other possible
options. I felt that life coaching would really help me figure out what to do, get unstuck and live a better life. I was too close to my problems - couldn't see the wood for the trees - and I really needed someone independent to help me, and give me a different perspective from myself.
From Social Worker to Certified Life Coach
I found myself feeling very intimidated by the life coaches I looked at. They all seemed so professional, together and go-getters, when I was quietly quitting before it was even a thing! I felt a failure, not good enough, that somehow I should be able to it all - smiling!
No one seemed to be the right fit for me as I felt I would have to carry on with the illusion I had it all together; the lie that I could handle everything and not drop any of the spinning plates. I needed someone that I could connect with, be vulnerable with, who understood the challenges I was facing and could guide me through it without judgement or censor. Someone who would understand the impact of perimenopause and menopause, someone who could relate to what is is like to spread yourself too thin and trying to be everything to everybody. I wanted someone who had felt like me - stuck and stagnant, while wanting a better, happier life where I can leave their mark or legacy and achieve my dreams! I wanted someone who understood how messy life and complex life can be, who held me accountable without judgement, pressuring or shaming. I wanted someone to truly recognise and acknowledge that each of us are the expert in our lives, and that they are merely here to help us get to where we want to be, in the the best way possible.
So, I did the next best thing..... I decided to become a New Insights life coach!
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This provided the opportunity for me continue a career path I loved, in an exciting new direction, which was more in line with my values and principles while being more compatible with having a younger family.
This also gave me the chance to work through a coaching program that took a holistic approach in tackling my own limiting beliefs and unhelpful behaviours that were keeping me stuck in both my personal and professional life.
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Becoming a Menopause Wellness Coach...
Providing a Safe Space for Navigating the Impact of Perimenopause, Menopause and Post-menopause.
Now three years post-menopause, I can finally say from the heart that things DO get better! It's not a switch; more of a gradual process of improvement, where I not only feel better, but also am looking forward with renewed hope and excitement for the next stage of life!
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I struggled with perimenopausal symptoms throughout my 30's, which at the time I kept putting down to my fibromyalgia symptoms and the hormonal effects of IVF. By the time my daughter hit puberty, I was fully menopausal and unable to take HRT. I found there were few options for help and support that met my needs and felt very isolated!
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Mainly, I needed to offload safely; I wanted to talk to someone who would just listen without judgement. Someone who could help me help myself and provide the space and support so I could take a step back and navigate this period of my life as best I could with grace, positivity, and hope.
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Whatever, the personal journey each of us takes through menopause, I felt it important to provide a safe, supportive space, that will help people through this important and challenging life transition.
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Although, I can provide this through my life coaching programs, I wanted to be able to provide a specialised holistic menopause wellness service for any person experiencing perimenopausal, menopausal or post-menopausal symptoms.
Why you need to work with me
Personal Experience
I do not have it all figured out. Life can (and does) get me down. I struggle with imposter syndrome. I have spent a lot of time not thinking that I am good enough. I get anxious and can be way too hard on myself, with unrealistic expectations I would never have of others!
Over the years, I have become an expert at picking myself up, dusting myself off, and keeping on going! Something which is easier said than done at times! Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Both my knees were replaced by my late 40's and now at 52 years old, I am 3 years post-menopause!
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I tackle these difficulties by putting the New insights Life Coaching System™ into practice for myself. I use the tools and techniques consistently; creating a 'toolbox' that I can dip into as the need arises. Being open to learning and trying new ideas and techniques and being prepared to step out of the safety of my comfort zone are daily practices. Being persistent and ultimately “walking the talk”, has enabled me to make real progress with my recovery; get unstuck, remain focused on my goals, heal, create positive change in myself and my circumstances, while allowing me growth, strength, balance, and renewal in my every day life.
It is by overcoming challenges such as these, that we grow and develop the most, find the strength, fortitude and resilience to keep moving forward, and learn to truly appreciate the good times and those little moments of every day life that are priceless and we so often take for granted. We learn that being mindful and present during the journey is as (if not more) important than our end goal and by this we become the creators of our own happiness and fulfilment.
Professional Experience
I bring well over 30 years experience of working with people to achieve positive change in their lives, in one capacity or another from the health sector, medical research, to social work and finally to Life coaching!
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Enabling people to achieve positive change and adding ‘life to years’ was a fundamental motivating factor in my career from the start. I have always had a strong commitment to serving the needs of people who are vulnerable; working with those with dementia, learning difficulties, mental ill health, and issues such as offending behaviour, substance misuse, victim of sexual abuse and child neglect. I learnt very early on that a holistic approach is vital to positive outcomes. There's no point focussing just on one aspect of a person's life, when unhelpful thought patterns, beliefs, or barriers in other areas of their life are key underlying reasons why they are struggling to overcome their immediate difficulties.
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From experience, I believe that gaining an understanding of a person's perception of their situation with an empathetic, non-judgemental, person-centred approach is vital for identifying their particular needs and enabling them to gain a sense of control over their life and circumstances, thereby enabling them to achieve their goals and aspirations and live a happier and better life.
My Approach
I firmly believe that you have the potential to live a fulfilled, happy, and successful life. However, my role is to help you help yourself to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. To do this, I aim to form an active partnership with you which respects your personal power and responsibility to make the changes you want in your life. That recognises and acknowledges you as the expert of your life and reality. This is empowering and promotes agency.
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It is vital that my life coaching and menopause wellness practice, to be authentic, has to be based on integrity, trust, unconditional positive regard, empowerment, respect and fair exchange between myself, you and my other clients. These core values underpin my approach to my work and the relationships I build with my clients; are embraced by New Insights and are reflected in the New Insights' Code of Ethics.
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So, this means that if I feel that you would benefit more from other professional services, such as counselling, or that you would have a better ‘fit’ with another coach, then I will refer you on, as appropriate.
Reasons why I am NOT the life coach for you!
There are two important questions you need to ask yourself honestly at this point:
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1) Are you are ready for a life coach? and if so,
2) Am I the right life coach for you?
1) Am I ready for a Life Coach?
You are NOT ready for Life Coaching, if you agree with any of the statements below:
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I am NOT ready to take action.
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I want to be told what to do.
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I believe my life is “good enough”​!
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I hate and am resistant to change.
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I don't want to pay.
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I expect coaching to be a quick-fix!
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I support people who WANT to make changes for a better quality of life, who are accountable, responsible, and committed to taking the action needed to make positive change in their lives happen!
NOT a passive role which encourages feelings of ineffectiveness, inability, helplessness, powerlessness and victimhood;
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If you want to make lasting change in your life and you are committed to carrying out the work; taking the, at times, difficult steps to move forward, then Life Coaching is for for you.
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Please be aware that Life Coaching is also not suitable for you if you are needing and looking for a counsellor or therapist to work through and heal a past trauma, or for the diagnosis and treatment of a mental health illness.
2) Am I the right Life Coach for you?
It is very important that I am a good 'fit' for you, and it's okay if I'm not. Hopefully, you will already have got some idea of what to expect from working with me. But to be sure, contact me in whatever way suits you best and let's talk!
Or, just go ahead and book your free introductory call by clicking the link below to email me.
Accreditation and Training
New Insight's Life Coaching
My decision to gain my certification as a Life Coach through New Insights was strongly influenced by the course content, structured coaching program, strong support system and its accreditation by the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Standards Office, International Coaches Register (ICR) and Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH).
As a New Insights Life Coach, I can incorporate The New Insights Life Coaching System™, as part of my coaching services. It is an internationally tried and tested transformational life coaching system that really works and many hundreds of testimonials from New Insights’ clients all over the world can support that claim.
Gateway Menopause Wellness Practitioner
As with New Insights, I wanted to learn from a reputable and well established learning provider. Gateway Workshops™ is a "Multi Award-Winning Training School" and has been "voted Guild Awards of Excellence Winner 'Best Training School' 5 years in a row."
The Menopause Wellness Practitioner Course is a "professionally insurable" and "recognised course that provides its students with the skills and know-how to work as Menopause Practitioners and to also advise on menopause in the workplace environment."
It is "accredited or approved by the professional bodies, Federation of Holistic Healers (FHT), International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM), Thinktree, World Metaphysical Association, The Accreditation Council of Holistic Healers (ACHH)."
Qualifications & Certifications
Practitioners Diploma in Menopause Wellness. Gateway Workshops. June 2023.
New Insights Life Coach Training and Certification Program, New Insights UK. August 2018.
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PG.Dip in Social Work. The Robert Gordon University. July 2008.
MSc Health Services and Public Health Research. University of Aberdeen. September 1996.
BSc (Hons) Biology. University of Aberdeen. September 1995.