Client Spotlight and Giveaway: Cathy Colangelo of Your Life Is Now

This is a post in my Client Spotlight series where I highlight ambitious women who have edited their lives and businesses with the help of my coaching programs. Please say hello to Cathy Colangelo!

Please Introduce Yourself and Your Business.

Hey there! I’m Cathy “Coco” Colangelo, and I’m the creator of Your Life is Now Coaching and Retreats for Women.

I help women organize overwhelming thoughts and ideas into a clear vision and inspired action steps so they can create the next chapter of their lives.

Before Life Coaching

I was a stressed out Human Resources manager who was operating in survival mode. My self-care consisted of sleeping, overeating, and crying.

I knew there had to be more to life, but since I had just gone back to school and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, I thought hanging on to the corporate ladder at all costs was what I was “supposed” to be doing.

Wasn’t this career what I had always wanted? Wasn’t my own office, a job title, and a corporate salary what I should have been striving for?

Before security had to escort me out, I made the decision to leave on my own. I took a step way back and got an office position at a private school. I needed to regroup and refocus on “what I wanted to be when I grew up.”

I needed to figure out what my next chapter would be.

On that journey (not to sound too much like The Bachelor), I discovered that there were people who believed in me and encouraged me to create a vision and keep going. They helped me see the possibilities and supported me as I grew stronger and did things I never thought I could do.

It was from there that Your Life is Now was created. I wanted to help other women see THEIR possibilities.

Now I’m Back, Baby!

I started by own business in 2007 doing workshops and private coaching. In 2009, I attended my first personal retreat. I was hooked. I knew that experience was something I needed to share with other women.

The Heavenly Retreat by the Sea was launched in 2011, and over the last 4 years I have been able to help other women rediscover, renew, and re-energize their spirits. October 2014 was the 4th annual retreat at which I was privileged to bring 10 women together for an empowering and inspiring weekend by the sea.

I’ve also become locally known for my humorous presentations on self-care, staying positive, and creating and manifesting visions. I am also a big believer in manifesting my dreams and visions, and one of the big dreams I’ve manifested is cohosting a local women’s television program called Women Today.

Starting a Business

After the HR debacle, I needed a break. Once I got my thoughts together, I knew that I had always loved helping others and I wanted to continue to do that in a positive way. I also knew that, at some point in my life, I didn’t want to have to work by someone else’s agenda.

When I discovered coaching, I felt like that would be a perfect fit. I could nurture and support other women in their self-discovery process.

My original tagline was “your life is in the palm of your hand.” We tend to believe that someone else is in control of our lives. In reality, we are in control. We just have to acknowledge that and trust in the process.

What Does an Average Day Look Like for You?

In addition to my coaching, I am also the executive director of a local non-profit that provides opportunities for students, educators, and businesses to work together in the community. It is just me, myself, and I. I wear many hats, so I don’t often have an “average” day.

That’s one of things Sage has been helping me focus on—making the best use of my time.

This is what my average day will look like after a little more tweaking: I’ll get up early and start my day with my own self-care practice (stretching, yoga class, or walking), then depending on the day of the week, I will either head into the office or work from home.

I block specific time for client coaching, creative writing, and administrative work. My schedule is fairly flexible and I can make it my own but I do make a conscious effort to get out and network at least once a week. That could be attending a planned event or just getting together at a local coffee house with someone to brainstorm a project or just catch up on our lives.

Having my own business and working alone at the non-profit can sometimes be a little isolating. One thing I absolutely know about myself is that I need contact with positive people. I get inspired and energized, and I love to laugh and connect with others. That’s why I make sure to do that at some point during the week.

What Routines, Habits, Beliefs, or Other Things Help You Live an Edited Life?

I wear a bracelet that says “Thoughts become things, choose the good ones.” I’ve been wearing it for years and any time I get in a funk, I look down at my wrist. If you don’t believe in anything, believe in that sentence. It has changed my life.

We do have control over our lives and our thoughts. We can make it or break it based on what we are thinking. “This day is going to suck.” Sure it is. “I can do anything.” Yes, I can!

I am also a big believer in manifesting our dreams and visions. If you’ve never made a vision board, you must! I’ve seen people (and myself) manifest amazing things into their lives.

However, manifesting is not magic. We have to take action on our own to get the energy flowing. We can have whatever it is we want but we need to take a step…sometimes it’s just a baby step…but we’ve got to do at least one thing to get us moving in the direction of what we want.

What I’ve Learned

One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the last few years is never to compare myself to someone else. I need to appreciate and love where I am now.

It’s never too late to make changes. You can do it anytime, anywhere. If you want to do something, do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. That is their fear talking. Do it because YOU want to not because someone else wants you to do it.

I wanted to try standup paddle boarding. Yes, I might look silly wearing my glasses with my big sports band attached, and yes I might fall in (OK…I did fall in but that’s another story). I did it, and I’d do it again. However, I turned 50 this year and people celebrate by skydiving or getting a tattoo. I have no desire to do either and that’s OK.

I also know that I need to surround myself with positive people and energy. People come into our lives at certain times for a reason. They may stay or they may leave after a time. That’s OK. I am grateful for what they have taught me.

Working With Sage

I absolutely love working with Sage. I have had other coaches before but this is the first time that I have actually looked forward to the calls. Her energy and spirit keep me motivated and moving forward.

She has great ideas during our “brainstorming” sessions, and she helps me get clear on what I need to accomplish. I have made more progress in my business in the last few months than I have in the last few years. I look forward to continuing our work together.

Enter the Giveaway!

I just put together a great giveaway that will run through 12:00 noon Eastern time on December 15. If you couldn’t make the Heavenly Retreat by the Sea, I’m offering the chance to win a Heavenly Retreat at Home Kit. You’ll also receive my weekly newsletter.

Click here to enter the giveaway.

Bonus Freebie!

Need some help adding self-care practices into your life? Get my FREE Self-Care Action Plan. Click here and sign up in the sidebar.

Thanks for sharing your success story, Cathy!

If you want to edit your life and get amazing results like Cathy, then let’s set up your free Life Editing Strategy Call to see if we’re a good match. Click here to sign up or send an email to sage@sagegrayson.com.