Years ago I made some choices in my personal life - 1) I took my kids out of the public school system, and 2) I stopped eating meat… And, those two choices changed the trajectory of my life in directions that I did not see coming.
I got that my decisions were controversial, even for 2012, but they felt right to me. But, I had no idea of the consequences they would have on the life I then knew… First of all, my family was not on board with the choices, and they went to extreme measures to show how much they did not agree with it. So, we made a decision to move away from family, and start off on our own.
That was 8 years ago, 3 countries ago - the kids are following their passions and have grown into very independent, strong and open-minded young adults. We are still vegan, going stronger than ever, and being the fittest we have ever been in our lives.
I love the poem by Robert Frost, especially the last two lines: “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” And, I am finally in a position where I can, not only, share my story with you, but also use my own experience to guide you down your “less traveled road.”
In “breaking up” with family and friends, I found myself on my own for the first time ever… I had not only been emotionally dependent on my family, but financial as well. So, I had to start over from scratch. New home, new job, new life… So many things uncertain, and so much going on - but all of that would have to wait. First and foremost, I had to put a roof over my family’s head and food on the table*
*I hear a lot of you thinking, where is your husband in all of this. So, I would like to challenge that thinking… - Why do we assume that it is the man that goes out there and provides for his family? Why can the woman not be the provider, and that man stay at home and take care of the house and family? Where does your stereotypical thinking stem from, and what makes it more valid that the other???
So, I got out there and started applying for jobs. But, here is the thing - I really did not have much experience. Yes, I had run a boutique hotel in Spain for 10 years, but how do you translate that to a resume? Yes, I had my nursing degree, but I had not practiced in 10 years so most of what I had learned, well - not relevant anymore… But, lucky for me, at one point I had three offers for full time jobs: 1) Being a home nurse; 2) Security at the airport; 3) Work in Legoland Billund.
I chose what was behind door number 3, and again - that made all the difference. I mean, amusement park jobs are just seasonal right… But, for me, it not only became a full time job, but a passion - I loved that job! And now, 7 years later, that job has taken me from a front line worker to a district manager in New York… Wanna talk goals, dreams and bucket lists?!?? Well, a lot of mine has come true through this job!
So, what does this have to do with me being an Oola Life Coach?? Well, just because you have reached one dream, or achieved one goal - what, you are going to stop?? No, you sit down, you re-set, re-evaluate, and re-start! New dreams, new goals, and new action steps to take.
But, guess what - COVID19 happened, which acted as a catalyst for me. Asking those questions: Where am I in my life right now? Is this where I want to be 5 years from now? 10 years from now?? And, the answer was no.
I was miserable in the job I once loved. I was struggling financially. My family life was boring to say the least. So, I asked the question: “If you did not have to worry about time or money, what would you do?” And, my answer was simple, it has always been simple: I want to travel! I want to see the world! And if I can do that 24/7/365, I will be the happiest person in the world. Great, so in being able to support a lifestyle of 24/7/365 travel, you cannot be tied down to one location for your job. Your job needs to be wherever you are, as long as you have a laptop and wifi. So, what kinda jobs are available where you do not need to be tied down to one location…
I had always wanted to be a life coach, and when I saw that my favorite two guys “the Oola Guys” were training coaches, I was like: YES!!! This is exactly what I have been looking for, and I pressed the button and applied - and here I am! Ready to change the world with one word, OOLA.
I got that my decisions were controversial, even for 2012, but they felt right to me. But, I had no idea of the consequences they would have on the life I then knew… First of all, my family was not on board with the choices, and they went to extreme measures to show how much they did not agree with it. So, we made a decision to move away from family, and start off on our own.
That was 8 years ago, 3 countries ago - the kids are following their passions and have grown into very independent, strong and open-minded young adults. We are still vegan, going stronger than ever, and being the fittest we have ever been in our lives.
I love the poem by Robert Frost, especially the last two lines: “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” And, I am finally in a position where I can, not only, share my story with you, but also use my own experience to guide you down your “less traveled road.”
In “breaking up” with family and friends, I found myself on my own for the first time ever… I had not only been emotionally dependent on my family, but financial as well. So, I had to start over from scratch. New home, new job, new life… So many things uncertain, and so much going on - but all of that would have to wait. First and foremost, I had to put a roof over my family’s head and food on the table*
*I hear a lot of you thinking, where is your husband in all of this. So, I would like to challenge that thinking… - Why do we assume that it is the man that goes out there and provides for his family? Why can the woman not be the provider, and that man stay at home and take care of the house and family? Where does your stereotypical thinking stem from, and what makes it more valid that the other???
So, I got out there and started applying for jobs. But, here is the thing - I really did not have much experience. Yes, I had run a boutique hotel in Spain for 10 years, but how do you translate that to a resume? Yes, I had my nursing degree, but I had not practiced in 10 years so most of what I had learned, well - not relevant anymore… But, lucky for me, at one point I had three offers for full time jobs: 1) Being a home nurse; 2) Security at the airport; 3) Work in Legoland Billund.
I chose what was behind door number 3, and again - that made all the difference. I mean, amusement park jobs are just seasonal right… But, for me, it not only became a full time job, but a passion - I loved that job! And now, 7 years later, that job has taken me from a front line worker to a district manager in New York… Wanna talk goals, dreams and bucket lists?!?? Well, a lot of mine has come true through this job!
So, what does this have to do with me being an Oola Life Coach?? Well, just because you have reached one dream, or achieved one goal - what, you are going to stop?? No, you sit down, you re-set, re-evaluate, and re-start! New dreams, new goals, and new action steps to take.
But, guess what - COVID19 happened, which acted as a catalyst for me. Asking those questions: Where am I in my life right now? Is this where I want to be 5 years from now? 10 years from now?? And, the answer was no.
I was miserable in the job I once loved. I was struggling financially. My family life was boring to say the least. So, I asked the question: “If you did not have to worry about time or money, what would you do?” And, my answer was simple, it has always been simple: I want to travel! I want to see the world! And if I can do that 24/7/365, I will be the happiest person in the world. Great, so in being able to support a lifestyle of 24/7/365 travel, you cannot be tied down to one location for your job. Your job needs to be wherever you are, as long as you have a laptop and wifi. So, what kinda jobs are available where you do not need to be tied down to one location…
I had always wanted to be a life coach, and when I saw that my favorite two guys “the Oola Guys” were training coaches, I was like: YES!!! This is exactly what I have been looking for, and I pressed the button and applied - and here I am! Ready to change the world with one word, OOLA.
