My Journey of Rediscovery

My Journey

When I was 16, I had a dream—I wanted to be a physical education (PE) teacher. One day, I shared this ambition with my cousin, who was a couple years older and had more life experience. She looked at me, laughed, and asked, “Are you planning to run with a ball when you’re 50 years old?” I remember pausing and imagining myself at that age. I agreed it seemed a bit ridiculous.

So, I pursued a different path: food technology and chemical engineering. I had always been interested in nutrition and healthy eating, so it seemed like a logical choice. After graduating, however, it only took me a few years to realise that I had made a mistake. The profession wasn’t fulfilling, and I found myself searching for something more aligned with who I really was.

Luckily, I was able to transition into marketing and events industry, which I genuinely enjoyed. I especially loved when I began part-time studies to become a swimming and sports teacher for children with special needs. This role allowed me to connect with like-minded people, embrace a healthy lifestyle, and feel a sense of purpose that had been missing from my previous work.

A New Country

After immigrating to Australia, I continued my marketing studies. I particularly enjoyed subjects related to psychology and personal development. Changing marketing jobs and industries brought comfort and some satisfaction, but deep down, I still felt that something was missing.

When I asked myself what I truly loved about my work, it wasn’t the marketing strategies or events —it was the deep, meaningful conversations I had with colleagues and clients. Helping people improve their lives and pursue their passions resonated with me far more than any campaign or event. Yet, day-to-day, my job often felt monotonous, and I found myself drinking too much coffee, eating sweets, and counting down the days until the next holiday.

Something Needed to Change

I knew something needed to change.

I decided to reach out to a friend who had once been a psychologist. She told me she was now studying life coaching. I had never heard of life coaching before, and our conversation was the beginning of a profound realization for me. Instead of giving me advice, she guided me through questions that helped me discover the answers I had within.

One day, she asked me a question that would change everything: “If you could do anything, what would it be?”

For the first time in my life, I felt liberated—like a bird who had just realized she could fly. I replied, “I want to study life coaching and maybe even open my own life coaching school one day.” That moment was the beginning of a transformative journey.

It took me two years to complete my Life Coaching and NLP Practitioner studies, accredited by the ICF. Today, I am a completely different person. I have meaningful, deep conversations with clients and help change people’s lives every single day. I’ve found my flow, and I absolutely love it.

Looking to the Future

Next year, I’ll be turning 50.

Interestingly, this year, I joined a local social tennis group, and they often tell me how fit I am for someone my age. Life is full of surprises, funny how 50 is not as “old” as it seemed when I was 16.

My daughter recently graduated from school, and she received an award in Physical Education. She’s thinking about studying either PE or psychology, and I couldn’t help but smile as I told her, “Follow your heart.”

So, I’ll leave you with the same question that changed my life:

If you could do anything, what would it be?
And Yes, I mean anything!