About
How did I get here?
Curiosity, passion and an unwavering belief that I can make a difference in peoples lives...but that's the short version...
The days of a career for life with a gold watch at the end are often not a reality for many. It's also not my reality.
After an eventful academic career at sixth form - in which I found many things to do other than study - I found myself on a meandering path through the job market. Initially securing a place to study Archaeology and Anthropology, I decided I should pursue a different path, but was not sure which one. I worked as a filing clerk, waitress, canteen assistant, behind a bar and in catering. After eventually settling on the decision that my future was to pursue a career in healthcare, I took distance learning courses to fulfil the further A-levels required. You would imagine that this is the point I began my career in medicine, but not quite yet!
After a chance conversation with a friend (and not an insignificant amount of persuasion on their part) I decided to apply to train as an Operating Department Practitioner. It was exciting to be part of a team working towards a valuable common goal, the never-ending opportunity to learn. It was here I started asking myself the question, 'What if...?'
'What would happen if I took a brave and exciting step? Accepted the risk of not succeeding? Committed to trying something where I couldn't be sure of the outcome? What if I could access the clarity, confidence and conviction I needed to believe in myself?'
This thought was the motivation that led me to change direction towards a career in medicine. It kept me going through studying full-time at college on an Access to Medicine course whilst working part-time for the NHS. In 2005, aged 25, I found myself classed as a mature student. I also found myself stood shoulder to shoulder with other medical students, bubbling with excitement and anxiety as we embarked upon our journey to become doctors.
Since 2011, I have worked as a doctor both full-time and part-time. I've returned from career breaks following the birth of my 2 children. Sat my membership exams to the Royal College of Physicians, attended courses, gained further qualifications in education and coaching, and spent time training in gastroenterology.
Following securing an opportunity to work as a Coaching and Mentoring Fellow for Health Education England in the East of England, My time was spent promoting coach-mentoring schemes for doctors; Training, supporting doctors around the region in setting up and running their own schemes. I've supported the British Society of Gastroenterology in launching their national Mentoring scheme and have also worked with them on their Supporting Women in Gastroenterology: Achieving your potential conference.
Throughout all remained a thread of 'What if?'
I had developed a passion for supporting others and helping them to achieve not only their potential, but beyond; a curiosity for learning, and helping others learn - to see those moments of pride and realisation as concepts and ideas find a space to grow. Planting seeds; not filling vessels. My coaching studies and experience me to reflect on my own path and whether it still suited my needs and goals.
In 2018, having completed a Diploma in coaching and mentoring, I moved aware from working in the NHS to develop my coaching practice and work in education. I've worked with fantastic colleagues in education from all over the world and most recently have joined the University of Manchester as a Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Centre of Occupational and Environmental Health. I've developed and deliver courses in advanced communication, teaching skills, coaching and mentoring and leadership skills and completed Post-Graduate qualifications in Education.
I continued to work as a Doctor, but now as an Occupational Health Physician. This provided a clinical home with varied opportunities to contribute and build further on my skill-set. By 2022 I had taken on the role of Associate Medical Director for a large occupational health provider, completing my specialist Post-Graduate examinations in 2023.
Since 2011, I have worked as a doctor both full-time and part-time. I've returned from career breaks following the birth of my 2 children. Sat my membership exams to the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) and Faculty of Occupational Medicine (AFOM), attended courses, gained further qualifications in education and coaching, and spent time training in gastroenterology.
I've restructured my life and shaped it around my interests and values. I now share my time between practicing as a coach, working in undergraduate and postgraduate education, and as an Associate Medical Director. What I've created for myself isn't always perfect...but it's dynamic, truly varied, challenging, flexible and ticks the boxes that are important to me. The direction is mine and to a greater or lesser degree, I have control over it. I've worked with many fantastic teams and inspirational people from all over the world; within the NHS, academic organisations and in the private sector. It's their support, and also that of my family that has led me to this point.
Everyone's needs and reality are different. Each path will be unique. Nobody has all the answers and that's okay. You're the expert in your own life. You have all the answers you need inside of you already....what I can do is help you find them.
Still unsure? Why not make a cup of tea, have a look at the website, and ask yourself, 'Is it time to begin my journey?'
We're working on the teleporter...
...but in the meantime I'd thought you'd like to know where I'm based.
If you live outside of the face-to-face catchment area, but would rather have coaching in person than on Skype then please give me a call to discuss your options.
Getting my message out there, and making my services as accessible as possible is really important to me. Why not contact me by e-mail, or schedule a phone call so we can discuss how we can work together to bring you the coaching, workshops and consultancy that you need.
