“There’s only one thing worse than not succeeding, never having tried.” This was my dad’s motto, and it feels especially fitting now, given the circumstances.
Why I’m Changing Careers to Become a Life Coach
If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be writing this post about leaving a 25+ year career in the creative industry to become a life coach, I probably would have laughed. Back then, I was deeply involved in my role as a senior art director. I was building campaigns, leading creative teams, and solving design problems under tight deadlines. My world revolved around big ideas, bold visuals, and brand stories.
But looking back, the part of my job that excited me the most wasn’t just the creative work. It was the people.
Over the years, I had countless conversations that had nothing to do with typography or ad concepts. There were moments when a colleague would stop by my desk to share something happening in their life. Sometimes, a friend would call late at night, seeking perspective. Even casual chats over coffee often turned into deeper discussions about relationships, career choices, self-doubt, or personal goals.
These moments were never planned. I wasn’t “coaching” in a professional way. But I was listening, really listening, and giving honest, caring feedback. I found that these interactions mattered. They built trust and reminded me that, beyond the creative briefs and deadlines, we are all human beings navigating our own messy yet beautiful journeys.
The Seed Was Always There
Over the years, I started hearing a familiar refrain:
“You should be a therapist.”
“You’d make a great life coach.”
I took those comments as kind compliments but never saw them as something I would actually pursue. My career in advertising was demanding, and I felt I was already on a set path. Still, those comments planted a seed.
As an art director, communication was my craft, not just in visuals but also in words, empathy, and emotional intelligence. I learned how to present ideas persuasively, read a room, and navigate different personalities under pressure. I became skilled at managing expectations, both my own and others’. Without realizing it, I was developing abilities that could extend beyond the creative industry and serve a different purpose.
The Turning Point
Then came an unexpected shift.
After 13 years at the same company, I was laid off. My position, along with others, was cut. Losing a job after so long is more than just a career change, it’s an identity shift. Initially, I felt shock and sadness. But as time passed, I started to see something else: space.
Space to think about what I really wanted to do next.
Space to ask myself questions I had pushed aside for years.
Space to imagine a different future.
That’s when the seed from all those years ago began to grow.
I realized I didn’t just want to create campaigns anymore; I wanted to create change. I wanted to take everything I’ve learned about people, communication, and resilience and use it to help others navigate their own turning points.
Why Life Coaching
Life coaching feels like the natural next step for me. It’s about meeting people where they are, helping them see possibilities they cannot yet envision, and guiding them toward their own solutions. It involves listening without judgment, asking the right questions, and helping someone discover their own strength.
Perhaps most importantly, it’s about honoring moments in life when change is calling, even if it’s scary or uncertain.
This career change isn’t just about starting something new. It’s about connecting my work with what has always mattered to me: human connection, growth, and the belief that we can all design lives that stay true to who we are.
Stepping Into the Unknown
I won’t pretend I have every detail figured out yet. I’m still training, learning, and building this new path. But I do know this: I have been preparing for this work for decades without realizing it.
I’ve learned how to hold space for someone’s fears while still encouraging them to move forward. I’ve learned how to balance honesty with compassion. I’ve also seen how powerful it can be for just one person to believe in you when you are doubting yourself.
If my work as a life coach can give someone that feeling, the belief that they can handle whatever comes next, then I’ll know I’m exactly where I need to be.
So here I am, at the start of a brand new chapter. Not because my old career didn’t matter, but because it led me here. Now, more than ever, I believe in the power of conversation, connection, and change.
I can’t wait to see where this path leads.