7/28/26
What the Heck Is a Coach? (Part 1: Why Your Past Is Keeping You Parked)
Let’s be honest, the word “coach” is absolutely everywhere these days. You hear terms like executive coaches, health coaches, life coaches, relationship coaches, mindset coaches...etc. If you’ve never worked with one, you might be thinking: What the heck do they actually do, and why would I ever pay money to work with one?
If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or like your life just keeps repeating past patterns, I want to explain my definition of what coaching really is—and why it might be the exact thing you’ve been looking for to change your life.
To really understand coaching, it helps to start by looking at how it is different from traditional therapy models and paradigms.
Therapy is largely built on a backward-looking (past) approach. Its primary focus is digging into your past, analyzing old trauma, and understanding why you are the way you are. Now, I want to be very clear here and say there is absolutely a time and a place for clinical mental health support.
But here’s problem… traditional models often keep you completely focused on the problem.
Think about how the Law of Attraction works. What you focus on expands. What you give your energy, attention, and thoughts to is what continues to show up in your Outer World. Do you see this happening in your finances, relationships, or career? This affects your overall peace and happiness.
Ask yourself these questions honestly. Do you know people who have been in therapy for five, ten, or fifteen years? Do they seem to be breaking through, changing and growing, and stepping into abundant new lives? Or do they seem to stay stuck in the exact same stories, repeating the exact same patterns, and dealing with the same (or worse) circumstances?
When week after week is spent talking about what’s wrong, dissecting old wounds, and rehearsing past pain, your mind stays locked onto the problem. And because your Outer World is simply a mirror of your Inner World, your life keeps returning more of the same. (Inner and Outer Worlds are phrases I came up with and will explain more in future posts).
The Rear View Mirror
Imagine you jump into your car to go on a long-awaited road trip to a beautiful destination you’ve never experienced before.
You turn on your GPS, but instead of typing in where you want to go today, the system locks up. It starts recalculating every single pothole you hit five years ago. It spends the next three hours reminding you of the time you got a flat tire in 2012, analyzing why you took a wrong turn in college, and forcing you to stare into your rear view mirror instead of looking forward out the windshield.
How far down the road are you going to get if you’re driving 60 miles an hour while staring straight at where you’ve already been?
You’d probably end up hitting a guardrail, driving off a cliff, or at the very least, staying completely parked in the same driveway you’ve never left, exhausted from looking backwards.
That is what happens when we spend years focusing solely on our old stories and past problems. We stay parked.
So if spending years analyzing the past keeps us stuck in the driveway (or driving off cliffs!)... how do we actually get moving toward the life, abundance, and peace we genuinely want? And what does a coach do differently to guide you in that process of elevation?
I’m answering that exact question in Part 2! I’ll talk about the power of Infinite Possibility, why you can’t live a new life being the same old you, and the simple identity shift that changes everything. Stay tuned!
7/24/26
Even Coaches Need Coaches
(Because None of Us Are Supposed to Do This Alone)
There’s a common myth out there that being a life coach means having everything completely figured out. That somehow, coaches live in this perfectly organized, peaceful bubble with a secret playbook to life, and our job is to hand out answers from on high.
I’m here to set the record straight: that couldn't be further from the truth.
Coaches aren't perfect. We don't have a crystal ball. Our lives get messy, chaotic, and overwhelming just like everyone else's.
The Loaded Gun of Perfectionism
I’ve struggled with perfectionism for most of my life. For a long time, my internal operating system ran on a sneaky little belief: "If I just (do enough / perform well enough / fix everything), then I’ll finally be good enough."
Recently, I caught that old story trying to creep into my coaching work. I was putting immense pressure on myself, feeling like I had to have all the answers—not just for my own life, but for everyone around me. When I brought this up to my own coach, she gently pointed out that expecting myself to be flawless was like putting an invisible gun to my head. This is something I do often.
The truth is, I stepped onto the coaching path simply because I love empowering people with the mindset and skills to create the life they desire. I've navigated plenty of twists, turns, and lessons in my own life. I've taken the long, scenic route to growth more times than I can count! My passion is helping others skip the unnecessary detours, get unstuck, and move faster toward the life they actually want.
But wanting to help others doesn't make me immune to being human.
The View from Too Close: Why We Get Stuck
A couple of days ago, I found myself spiraling over a personal situation. I know how mindset works. I know how to transform perspective—I see the evidence of it in my life continuously. But in that moment? I was too deep in the weeds.
It’s like holding a painting an inch away from your nose. When you’re that close, you can't see the masterpiece, the landscape, or the big picture. All you can see is one blurry blob of color.
Our own life circumstances are exactly like that. When we are emotionally wrapped up in a situation, we lose objectivity. We get too close to see clearly.
Even professional golfers—who spend their entire lives studying the game, practicing their swing, and mastering the rules—don't hit a hole-in-one on every drive. They miscalculate. They land in the sand trap. And when they do, they don't give up on golf; they recalibrate with their coach, adjust their stance, and take the next shot.
When I was spiraling, I first tried to power through it alone, but my wisdom told me to reach out to a dear friend. I reached out to someone who could pull me out of the weeds. She didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear or feed into my panic—she looked at the situation objectively, shared a clear perspective, and helped me find my footing again.
Why a Coach Changes the Game
Afterward, I asked myself: "Why is it so easy for me to see the path forward for others, but so hard to see it for myself when I'm in the middle of it?"
Because we aren't meant to do life in isolation.
My coach is incredibly experienced and successful, and guess what? She has a coach. Her coach recently guided her through a personal situation in which she was too close to see clearly. I also participate in a mastermind group with other coaches. Having a dedicated person in your corner—someone who isn't entangled in your daily drama, who can hold up a mirror, and who can help you see the full painting when you're standing too close—is one of the most powerful investments you can make in yourself.
A great coach doesn't fix you, because you aren't broken. A great coach doesn’t let you remain stuck and constantly focused on your problems. A coach simply helps you clear the fog, step back from the blurry spots, and remember how capable you truly are, while empowering you to move forward with creating what you desire in your life.
Ready to See the Big Picture?
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed by a situation, or like you’re carrying the weight of having to figure everything out on your own—you don't have to keep doing it by yourself.
I’d love to explore how we can look at the big picture together, and help you find your clarity again.
Reach out through the Contact Jennifer link and let's explore what taking your next step forward could look like.
7/7/26
The Journey Part 1
Do you know that feeling of waking up one morning and realizing your life has been on repeat for a little too long? It’s that Groundhog Day sensation—a quiet, persistent internal pull toward something more than what is currently showing up in your everyday life.
Maybe for you, it’s a deep longing to be in a completely different location. Or a call to follow a dream you’ve been carrying around in your back pocket, constantly telling yourself you’ll go after it "someday."
“I’ll do it when I have more money in the bank.”
“I’ll do it when the kids are older.”
“I’ll do it when I’ve done more research or get more training.”
Then, you tell yourself, you will finally be ready.
But here is the tricky thing about that mindset: you will never actually feel ready if you keep putting conditions on your own desires.
Recognizing the Squeeze
A little over a year ago, I found myself—not for the first time—living a life I had clearly outgrown. The familiar symptoms were all there: boredom, a lack of purpose, and most of all, a heavy sense of stagnation.
I wasn't growing. I wasn't being challenged. I was keeping myself squeezed into a little box that I had outgrown a long time ago.
Deep down, I have always had an overwhelming feeling that I was meant for more. More impact. More joy. More passion. More ease. More peace. And definitely more FUN.
Do you recognize that feeling? Is there a similar calling whispering inside of you right now?
The Pull of the Southern Coast
For several years, I toyed with the idea of moving to a new state. Ever since I started vacationing on the Carolina coast, I knew it was where I belonged. Originally, I thought I would move to North Carolina... until I crossed the state line into South Carolina.
It felt like a completely different world. The palmetto trees, the massive live oaks draped in Spanish moss, the quiet beauty of the salt marshes—it held such a profound sense of peace for me. I didn't just like it; I felt like I truly belonged here.
Last year, my daughter and I planned a spring break trip to the area. Our mission was twofold: relax by the ocean, and scout out local schools and neighborhoods.
I knew that making a massive life transition required a bridge. After 25 years in public education, I knew I had hit my ceiling. Teaching had begun to feel constrictive, while my true passion—coaching—felt entirely expansive. But I also knew the right move for me was to continue teaching while I built that bridge.
So, I took a leap of faith and applied for my South Carolina teaching license. It processed swiftly and effortlessly. It felt like a green light from the universe—a sign that I was finally on the right path.
Facing the Overwhelm
But toying with an idea and actually allowing it to unfold are two entirely different things.
The moment the reality set in, the overwhelm hit me like a wave. Suddenly, I was staring down a mountain of moving pieces. What do I do with my house in Michigan? Where exactly will I teach? Where will I live? How can I make this move in a matter of months?
Other thoughts of fear and doubt also came crashing in. Can I really do this completely alone? I’ll be moving to an entirely new state where I don’t know one single person! What on earth am I considering?
Trying to figure out every single detail at once was exhausting. It’s the exact moment where most people turn around, pack up their dreams, and head back to the safety of their comfortable, stagnant box.
And honestly? I almost did.
The fear of the unknown is a powerful thing, and my brain was screaming at me to stick with what was safe and familiar. But my soul knew better. I knew that if I didn’t take the leap now, I never would.
So, how do you handle the paralyzing overwhelm of completely uprooting your life? How do you sell or rent a home, leave a 25-year comfort zone, and move across state lines when you don't have all the answers?
You stop trying to figure out all one hundred steps, and you just take the very next one.
In my next post, I’m going to share exactly what happened next—the messy middle, the unexpected miracles, and the moment everything finally started to click into place.
To be continued...
A Note to the Reader: If you are standing at your own crossroads right now, staring at the messy middle of a dream, I want you to know that the overwhelm is normal. But it isn't a sign to stop. ❤
7/5/26
Change
What picture comes to your mind when you see or hear the word change? What feelings come up for you?
I’ve learned that this simple word holds different meanings for people and evokes a broad spectrum of emotions. For some, change brings forth fear, anxiety, and a heavy sense of being out of control. For others, it feels empowering, free, and expansive. These reactions are at opposite ends of a spectrum, with countless other thoughts and feelings falling somewhere in between.
Ultimately, change can be viewed as a destructive force—or as a beautiful opportunity for growth. What about you? How do you view change, and how has it impacted your life?
Freedom and Vision
A few years ago, I took a core values inventory. The process helps you identify your top ten values, narrows them down to five, and finally uncovers your top two. It was absolutely no surprise to me when my top two emerged as Freedom and Vision.
Because these two concepts are so foundational to who I am, I’ve always been able to approach change as a powerful, positive force. I see change as an open door for creation.
I believe we are all born creators. We are constantly shaping our lives and our reality from the inside out. If we truly are the creators of our own experience, then change is simply the opportunity to create something new. We do get to choose. We can identify our true desires and consciously manifest them in our external world.
Two Sides of Change
Sometimes, change comes from personal choice. It usually begins with an internal realization that your current reality no longer matches who you are becoming, or a conscious decision to step into a bigger version of yourself. This might look like a career pivot, relationship change, relocation, stepping into entrepreneurship, adopting new health habits, or elevating your daily mindset.
Other times, change is the result of outside circumstances. These are the changes that arrive on your doorstep uninvited, thrust upon us by the natural flow of life, external events, or the decisions of others. This can show up as the loss of a relationship, becoming an empty-nester, the natural aging process, unforeseen job changes, financial shifts, divorce, or sudden health issues.
Why Did I Move Into Coaching?
While I have experienced deep change from both of these categories, I’ve realized that one of my greatest strengths is harnessing the hidden power within either one to expand my life. It doesn’t matter if the change feels like it is happening “to me” or if it stems from my own conscious choice—the ability to find the opportunity within it comes naturally to me.
I’ve noticed this pattern throughout my life. I have always been the person people come to for advice and clarity. I am deeply passionate about helping others look beyond their outside circumstances and look inward instead, discovering just how much power they actually hold over their own well-being, peace, joy, and—most importantly—freedom. The freedom to live the life they truly desire.
This realization became the springboard for launching my coaching business, Overflow Coaching. I work with clients to uncover their unique path to get from where they currently are to where they want to be.
Honestly, I don’t even love the word coach. I prefer guide. A guide is simply someone who has walked the path ahead and wants to show others the way. I acknowledge that my path looks different from yours, but there is so much to share from the lessons I’ve gathered along the way. We all possess an inner wisdom guiding us through life. Sometimes, we just need a little help reconnecting to that voice if it's been a while since we've allowed ourselves to truly hear and receive it.
Walking the Path Together
Over my next few posts, I’ll be sharing pieces of my own journey with you. I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone, opening up, and being vulnerable.
I want to show you that you are never alone in experiencing the shifts of life, but also that change is your ultimate invitation. It is your opportunity to step into your elevated, pure identity and allow infinite abundance to flow into your experienced reality.
Hope, freedom, elevation, and possibility are all available to you… right now!
Living in Overflow,
Jennifer ❤
6/26/26
RULES
Recently, I’ve noticed something profound about the way I live my life. As I go through each day, I realize many of my choices are dictated by an unwritten set of rules—invisible boundaries that govern how I should act, what I should say, how I spend my time and money, what I eat, when I wake up, and even what I should look like.
The list is infinite, built entirely on underlying assumptions and unconscious "shoulds." They often sound like absolute, undeniable truths. In reality? They are just self-imposed limitations.
Here are a few common rules we unconsciously live by:
1. Conditional Worth Rules
"I can only rest when everything is completely finished." (Rest must be earned.)
"If I’m not productive, I’m wasting time." (Worth equals output.)
"I can’t sleep past 7:00 AM, or I’m lazy."
2. Protection Rules
"If I ask for help, I’ll be a burden."
"I must keep the peace and meet everyone’s needs." (People-pleasing.)
"I can’t let others see me struggle." (Believing vulnerability is weakness.)
3. Permission Rules
"I can’t enjoy _____ until I achieve _____." (e.g., "I can’t have a fun day at the beach until I lose 10 pounds.")
4. Financial Rules
“I have to order the cheapest thing on the menu instead of what I truly desire.”
“I can’t spend money on nice things for myself.”
“I have to put others before myself or I am selfish.”
5. Food & Body Rules
"I can’t eat carbs," or "I won’t allow myself to have sugar or dessert."
"I should eat what “experts” tell me is healthy, not what my body truly wants." (Believing my body doesn't know what it needs.)
"Only thin people are attractive, so I'm not okay unless I lose 15 pounds."
6. Emotional Rules
"If I address what's bothering me, I’ll be seen as 'too much' and be rejected."
"I can’t allow myself to be in a low mood, so I have to fight it."
“I need to appear to have it all together and be perfect.”
Questioning the Script
Do any of these resonate with you? We all carry a unique, invisible rulebook that we mistake for truth.
Lately, I’ve started questioning these rules. Who says so? Where did this come from? Why do I believe it? Was it thinking handed down from how I was raised? Is it an attempt to control circumstances? Is it based in fear?
What if the rule simply wasn’t true?
If you knew these rules were entirely made up, and you chose instead to live by your own inner wisdom and guidance, what would you do differently?
What would you finally give yourself permission to enjoy? How would you show up if you were allowed to be entirely, authentically yourself?
How free would you feel?
For you
Today simply notice the choices you make and if they are being made based on your unwritten rules.
Make a list of all the rules you catch yourself following
Pick ONE (or more) of these rules and do the opposite. What happened? After the initial guilt passed, how did you feel?
Share your experience
Living in Overflow,
Jennifer ❤
The Power of Decision
In recent years, I have fully stepped into the role of deliberate creator—choosing to consciously design the life I truly want to live, rather than simply letting life happen to me. Yesterday, while organizing my journals and writings in my new home, I took a few moments to look back through the pages. As I read, a striking pattern emerged.
With every major shift, every period of rapid growth, and every quantum leap into a bigger, more exciting reality, there was a single common denominator: an intentional decision. Each pivotal moment required me to claim what I desired. I decided I was ready. I decided I would allow it to flow to me with absolute ease. And most importantly, I put that decision in writing. Writing anchored the energy. It took an idea from my mind and made it tangible and concrete—creating it first on the page, and eventually, in my physical reality.
These moments of decision are incredibly potent. Writing is a powerful act of creation. The truth is, we are all far more powerful than we realize when it comes to shaping our lives.
So many extraordinary opportunities, experiences, and people have manifested in my world the moment I simply decided. In this past year alone, the unfolding has been breathtaking: being offered the perfect professional opportunity, joy-filled vacations with my daughter, securing ideal renters for my home in Michigan, moving into a wonderful new home in SC that feels like a true upgrade, cultivating new relationships with like-minded friends, nurturing and growing a healthy and loving romantic relationship, connecting with the perfect mentors, and launching my new business, where I can use my passion to serve my clients. Each one of these started with a decision.
It has been pure joy to simply decide, step back, and allow the magic to unfold. It never ceases to amaze me.
Deciding is just the first step in a beautiful pattern I have watched play out time and again. I look forward to sharing more of this journey—and this perspective—with you.
For You…
Where in your life are you playing small?
What have you been afraid to fully allow yourself to desire?
I challenge you to take that first step today. Connect with your inner guidance and wisdom. What is the one thing you know you are ready to create in your life right now?
Decide. Write it down as a definitive statement of truth:
"I have decided that I am ready for, and fully welcome, ___________________________."
Living In Overflow,
Jennifer ❤