Life has thrown me more than a few curveballs…
From a turbulent childhood, through severe health battles, to an unexpected journey in tech, I’ve navigated it all by developing a resilience I never planned to have.
Today, that resilience is what I bring to my work, whether I’m consulting through Geminiform or helping people find their own strength and purpose with Succeed With Fulfilment.
Early Lessons: Standing on My Own Two Feet
It all started with a sense of being alone. My parents split when I was very young and the time that followed brought challenges that left a mark. My mum remarried quickly, but her new partner’s controlling nature and their constant conflicts made life difficult and frightening. Despite this, I found myself excelling academically but that in turn led me to being severely bullied, left feeling isolated and missing a steady role model.
At 15, I abruptly decided to leave home to live at my dads in a completely different area of the country. However, he worked away which meant leaving me with my stepmum who hadn’t exactly signed up to take care of me, unfortunately meaning we never fully related and I was left to my own devices. From these stark changes in freedoms, I ended rebelling, fell into a heavy depression and struggled with my identity and worth.
From all of this I did learn something crucial: I couldn’t depend on others to support me in what mattered, so I had to look after myself. I didn’t fully understand it at the time but these experiences planted the seeds of resilience and, even more importantly, they created a deep empathy in me, the kind that allows me to sense what people need and understand their struggles on a very personal level.
Discovering My Passion for Technology (Despite the Detours)
Like much of my journey, my path into technology wasn’t straightforward. From my early years I loved video games and tinkering with my dad’s computer. This led me to building my own computers, playing with different technologies, creating websites, flash animations and eventually writing my first complex software program during my A-levels, gaining a rare 100%. However, after messing up my wider A-levels due to my rebelliousness at the time, and after discussions with my dad, it was decided IT wouldn’t be for me and I ended up studying a Law degree at university. Two years in and I realised I was on the wrong track, left without any real options in place and ended up floating between customer service jobs for a couple of years.
Eventually I moved away again, deciding to make significant changes as I was severely unhappy with my circumstances. Returning to tech felt like a natural fit and, even though I didn’t have formal qualifications, I very quickly built a successful career by learning on the job, taking on challenges that pushed my limits and ensuring I always delivered expected results and more. Progressing rapidly, I developed a reputation for solving tough problems with the people I worked with which developed into me taking unconventional approaches that put people and business needs at the forefront – something not expected from just an Engineer! Eventually I decided to turn to contracting work and most recently have evolved this into Geminiform, where I now offer my consulting services directly to clients and have plans to further build the business into an agency and software house.
This journey taught me that success is about adaptability and a willingness to learn, which has become a core part of my approach in both tech and coaching.
Facing Health Battles and Transforming My Life
Whilst I was progress in tech in my mid-Twenties, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. This caused severe headaches and after repeatedly being dismissed by my Dr, I ended up in A&E before being admitted for a few weeks. Due to its severity, I encountered dramatic vision issues, suffered through a number of lumbar punctures and poor choices of medication left me with kidney stones as a side effect.
This time, I knew I had to make big changes.
That meant I went from being very unhealthy (I was a heavy drinker and smoker), overweight and unmotivated, to embracing nutrition, sports and fitness, and lifting weights, eventually qualifying as a Personal Trainer out of interest. This journey didn’t just improve my health; it gave me an outlet for stress, a new sense of purpose and a fresh approach to life. Despite further setbacks in more recent years, including injuries and ongoing health issues linked to the Covid pandemic, I continue to push forward, adapting my lifestyle as I go and using everything I learn to help others.
Embracing a Holistic Approach in Coaching
From my childhood I’ve always had a sense that I want to make a difference to people, with an ongoing interest in psychology. As my career in technology progressed, I started to feel that I wanted to do something with this and my experiences have led me to further study psychology, self-improvement and spirituality. I want to understand what really drives people and this led me to a revelation, success and fulfilment don’t need to be isolated from one another but also the latter need not depend on the former! Now I’m focused on how I can help others see this bigger picture – one where success and fulfilment coexist to create a complete life. That’s how my coaching business of Succeed With Fulfilment came to be.
My coaching style is currently based on four, ever-evolving pillars: Mindset, Mind & Body, Resilience and Strategy. I take a very holistic approach, drawing on my journey and life lessons to give my clients the tools they need to tackle whatever stands in their way, whether it’s a personal struggle or a business challenge. The goal is to help people break free of limiting beliefs, deprogram negative lessons and build solid foundations for themselves. Ultimately, I want them to succeed on their terms and enjoy the journey throughout, not waiting for some expected time in the distant future which may not come soon enough or they may not be in the best health to experience.
Blending Tech with Personal Growth
In a world where technology and personal growth might seem worlds apart, I see endless possibilities to bridge them. My experience in IT taught me that building strong, resilient systems is a lot like building a strong, resilient life. Both require strategy, adaptability and the ability to handle the unexpected.
Now, I offer a blend of services – from transforming DevOps operations to offering coaching sessions that empower clients to take control of their paths, whether they’re looking to improve their career, handle life’s hurdles or simply find greater balance.
If You’re Ready to Take the Next Step…
If you’re a tech company looking for a consultant with real-world experience and a people-focused approach, or if you’re an individual who wants to make meaningful changes in life, I’d love to help. Reach out to me through Geminiform if you need tech, team building or business development solutions, or book a discovery call with Succeed With Fulfilment if you’re interested in personal coaching, workshops and support.
Whatever your need I’m here to help you find your resilience, just as I found mine.
Thanks for reading!
