My Personal Story and Where I am Today

Thank you for joining me on my first blog on my webpage. I thought I would share with you my journey that has brought me to here to Life Coaching. Much of what I have done in the past has led up to my new profession. I have always been an empathetic and caring soul and it has always filled my life’s purpose to help people discover their true meaning in life.

Back in my university days, I studied many different subjects including French, Spanish and Polish languages as well as History and Psychology. I really enjoyed studying human behaviour especially so I majored in History and minored in Psychology. As a high school teacher, I taught many subjects including History, Psychology, Sociology and even English. I coached volleyball and tennis teams, I helped out with the student council, and I spent a lot of time after school talking with and listening to students. I truly believe that I had a strong impact on them.

I stopped teaching high school in the fall of 2002 after my brother-in-law passed away suddenly, leaving my sister with a five-week-old baby boy and a three-year-old daughter. Without hesitation, I moved back to Toronto from eastern Ontario to help raise her children. To this day, I am like a second mother to them. My niece and I talk daily, and my nephew and I share a love of golf—playing year-round, even in winter on indoor golf simulators!

When I returned to Toronto, I didn’t go back to teaching because I only wanted a part-time job so I could continue helping my sister. I found an unexpected path in the movie and television industry, working part-time as a background performer, also known as an “extra”. I loved the creativity, the camaraderie, and the chance to step into different eras through costumes. But as much as I enjoyed it, something was missing. My life didn’t feel complete.

Then, in the fall of 2023, I stumbled upon a podcast about life coaching, and it struck a deep chord within me. For years, I hadn’t realized what I was missing—my true purpose in life. As a high school teacher, I had purpose. As an adoring aunt, I had purpose. But acting, while fun, didn’t give me the sense of contribution I craved. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. That was my life’s purpose.

Determined to follow this new-found calling, I spent most of 2024 earning my Life Coaching certification. I am a certified Retirement Coach and a certified Personal Growth Coach. I really relate to both niches. I am semi-retired for one, and for another, I have always believed that we should never stop learning about ourselves and we should continue trying to grow and improve.

I loved every moment of the learning process and wanted more. I then immersed myself in books like Atomic Habits by James Clear and Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. I am now reading “Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Retirement,” by Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons. The book is great in outlining actions one can take to overcome boredom after retirement and to find a new purpose again.

I joined LinkedIn to share my journey and connect with others. Now I am launching my website and soon, my Facebook business page.

Starting a business felt daunting at first, but I’m doing it! I’ve found my purpose, and I couldn’t be more excited. Thank you for being part of this journey with me—I can’t wait to see where it leads!

Stay tuned for blogs based on my readings, others’ blogs and podcasts. I want to share with you what I am learning.

Joanna

Talking it out sorts it out. So, let’s talk!