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Career Changer: Gail Engebretson, weight loss surgery changed her life and now she changes others
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A slimmer, trimmer, and happier Gail
In this ongoing series I will be featuring a variety of successful people who have made career changes in 2009, despite the bad economy, to inspire those of you thinking of making that drastic change! Gail Engebretson taught violin for 36 years. She is now a published author and has written for newspapers and magazines. She's published Fat No More: Long Term Success Following Weight Loss Surgery based on her life-long struggle with obesity and the success she found through weight loss surgery.
Following the publication of her book, Gail began a career of inspirational speaking, mentoring and coaching around the long-term issues facing weight loss surgery patients. She has created a new business, G Notes to support her new career. She is a great inspiration to her clients and others wishing to make dramatic lifestyle and career changes to better themselves! Go Gail!
What was your previous career and what made you desire a change?
Gail: I’ve been teaching violin for 36 years. Although I still enjoy the teaching and the kids, I felt that it was time to do something new and challenging. I also wanted a career where I could be more flexible with my time and location - something to take into my retirement years. And I wanted something with more potential earning power.
What career are you in now and what attracted you to it?
Gail: I am now a life coach specializing in working with people who have had or are about to have weight loss surgery. I had the surgery myself nearly 6 years ago and it changed my life so dramatically for the better. I noticed a huge need for support for people struggling to make the lifestyle changes needed to be successful with keeping the weight off long term. I’m passionate about the possible success of this surgery and about helping people achieve their goals. Coaching is a phenomenal way to create that kind of support.
How did you prepare for your new career switch to gain experience and education?
Gail: I guess the first thing was to go through the surgery myself, make the lifestyle changes and successfully maintain my weight loss. I had my own personal coach when things got tough and learned the value of coaching. So I took a 6-month training course in a method of coaching called “co-active coaching”. After completing the course I started a 6-month certification process, which includes actual coaching, supervision with feedback and mentoring on my coaching, and further training.
How did you get your first big break in your new career?
Gail: My biggest break came from the publication of the book I wrote called Fat No More: Long Term Success Following Weight Loss Surgery. Marketing the book and speaking to weight loss surgery support groups brought coaching clients in pretty quickly
What are some of the positives and negatives about your new career?
Gail: There are positives galore. I get to do something I really love – helping people grow and change and become even more of the beautiful magnificent beings they already are. It’s a blast to see people not only lose the weight, but keep it off, be happier, more successful, stronger, and believe in themselves again. I also get to work out of my home or my car or a hotel room, sitting on my bed or stopped along a bike trail or mountain path, or wherever I happen to be since coaching is all done over the phone! The potential earning power is greater with less time put in. No prep time and very little overhead either.
The negatives: I have to do my own accounting until I start earning enough and no health insurance or retirement plan. But those things are minor compared to everything else on the positive side.
What would you say to others thinking of breaking into your new field?
Gail: It’s a rewarding career especially if you love people. It helps to already be of an entrepreneurial mindset and understand the work and discipline it does take to work for yourself. Anyone can call themselves a coach – but get trained and certified if you want to really have the kind of impact you’d like to. And one of the greatest benefits is that through your training and practice you are being coached and get to change and grow and become more magnificent too.
More about Gail, her book, speaking and coaching can be found at G-Notes.com
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