Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Berman.
Emily, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Back in the summer of 2006, my life changed in a moment when I was woken to a phone call telling me that there had been a horrible accident. My younger brother was dead at the age twenty-six and had lost his life in a freak accident when a tree fell on his tent while he was camping. It seemed like such an unbelievable event, that there was no way it could actually be true. Any certainty, faith, and optimism I possessed were immediately replaced by disbelief, heartache, and grief.
Soon after my brother’s death, I became a mother and had three children in less than four years. By the time my middle child was two, she was already diagnosed with severe autism and was spending about 90% of her day having massive tantrums, and displaying other significant developmental challenges. My world was turned completely upside down once again. Even my decade-long career as a special education teacher could not adequately prepare me for the stress and devastation of having a young child with special needs. I was in a dark place full of sadness and helplessness.
I wish I could name the one magical thing that helped me finally get to the point where I could get back on track and live the life I always knew I deserved—one that was happy and fulfilled. Looking back I realized it was all rooted in my inability to make thoughtful, empowered and meaningful choices in my life—choices about the way I thought, the attitude I had, the perspectives I stood in, and the way I behaved.
It wasn’t easy, but I’ve become more conscious of my ability and freedom to make choices and explore perspectives that ultimately result in a life that is filled with much more possibility, optimism and hope. Despite the fact that I lost my brother and wrestle every day with the challenges of motherhood, I am now happier and more fulfilled than I have ever been!
After overcoming so much, I realized that it was my true passion and purpose to help others to live their best lives, so I decided to become a life coach!
Has it been a smooth road?
Although I am happier than I have ever been, I still have moments where the grief of losing my brother and raising a child with special needs hit me. I find that I need to visit those places to work through them, but I do not feel stuck in grief anymore. Starting a second career as a life coach while raising three children has also been challenging. I absolutely love my work, but find that I have limited time to focus on the business end of it, and often get pulled away from my work in the middle of projects. I love that I am able to be there for my family, but find it difficult to start up again and refocus once I have been pulled away. The best strategy that works for me is finding my balance between my family, my self-care and my work, and giving myself permission to be where I am at.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Personal Empowerment Coach who guides others on their journeys to self-discovery, happiness, and desires to live fulfilled lives. I started my own coaching practice in 2015, and have truly loved the honor of witnessing my client’s lives grow and transform in so many ways. People work with me to guide them in exploring the possibility, activating momentum, finding happiness, fulfillment, and balance in their lives. Some of my strengths are helping clients discover and overcome their internal obstacles and helping them to view situations through different lenses so they are able to become unstuck. Over the years, I have specialized in working with parents of children with special needs, but I also work with a variety of clients, including professionals, all parents, and people in any kind of transition. It is important to have good coaching chemistry, so I always offer a free session before clients decide to work with me.
Prior to having children, I had a decade-long career as a special education teacher, and hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in special education. I received my coach training through the Coaches Training Institute, and am able to ignite transformation in others through my empathic, intuitive and candid style.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I grew up in Michigan and moved to the San Diego area over twenty years ago. Obviously, the weather has been a huge draw for me. Because the weather is so nice year-round, it makes it much easier to be active and live a healthy lifestyle. I absolutely love living in north county! This area has a small beach town vibe with amazing restaurants, shops, hiking trails, and the best community of people. I feel so fortunate to live here!
Contact Info:
- Website: coachingwithemily.com
- Phone: 760-390-1986
- Email: coachingwithemily@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachingwithemily/
Image Credit:
Erinn McMurtrie & Alison Bernier
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