Jill’s Story
hello.
When working with clients they often express they wish they knew more about me. In the spirit of this, I am sharing a few parts of my story that have greatly impacted my mindset and worldview.
Compassion
When I became a parent, I was plunged, like many other parents, into a world of competing priorities and extreme exhaustion; experiencing a level of human complexity that was completely new and overwhelming. In this chapter of life, I birthed both a child and compassion for all humans; parents trying to raise themselves, heal their own wounds, and raise other humans. And for all humans for once being the child of a parent or caregiver that was trying their very best. For me, parenthood is an ever-evolving process of self-examination, humility, and wonder. This shows up in my coaching practice as a foundational principle; to have self-compassion and compassion for others.
Fairness
Inclusion
Kindness
Empathy
Growing up, I went to schools where, if you looked at the beautiful faces in each classroom you would see an array of different skin colors. Each of these little faces represented different socio-economic classes, different family systems, and different levels of access. Given this diversity, I recognized very early that I had access to cupboards full of food, a comfortable bed, and access to two parents to help me with my homework and share their love with me. I wondered, at a really young age, why I get access to all these things and some people don’t. Why are some people treated differently because of their skin color? I would write in my pink diary about the racism I was witnessing and felt sad about the hurt caused by it. I didn’t know it at the time, but this experience of growing up being both color-aware and color-blind would shape my perspective on the importance of fairness, inclusion, kindness, and empathy. I carry this into my adult life by being a student of anti-racism, systemic oppression, and the intersectionality of oppressive systems. As I work with clients, I remind myself that I identify as white, heterosexual, neurotypical, and able-bodied, and that all of these things enable me to move in our world with a relative amount of ease that isn’t shared by all.
Curiosity
Starting at a young age, I got to see different pockets of our world. I had opportunities to live in Ecuador, and Spain, and visit several countries in Europe, Central, and SE Asia. With each visit, I fell in love, over and over again with people, food, cultures, and lifestyles that were different from my version of ‘normal’. These experiences sparked and shaped my sense of curiosity, creating a deep and lasting interest in the lived experiences of people. This thirst for understanding has continued to guide me as I coach and work with clients from different places, and has taught me the power of leading with curiosity, and the importance of gaining insight into a client's cultural context while we work to help them realize their goals.
Self- Referencing
In my early twenties, I faced my first major struggle with health. Over time, that same rug of well-being has been pulled out from beneath me again and again. Each journey has been measured in years of diagnosing, healing, and integrating; each time taking me deeper into curiosity about the human experience, expanding my heart, and shedding layers of skin I didn't know I had. Given these experiences, I am passionate about self-referencing; listening to the wisdom inside to help navigate to what is “right”. And with that comes examining the systems we live in, especially what our culture tells us about "success" and "achievement". How this shows up in my coaching practice is in the form of questions; what is important about this to you? What does success feel and look like for you? What is your body telling you?