Julia Reid

'Any path is only a path... The only question is: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then it is a good path. If it doesn't, then it is of no use.' Carlos Castaneda

Living in Melbourne with her husband of twenty years, two adult children and a cat called Maud, Julia has trod her own 'good path' over the last 48 years. This path has included teaching, coaching and mentoring, managing bookshops, working as a musician and director of children's theatre, as a playwright, published author, disability advocate ... though not in any particular order! She also works extensively with young people, taking Life Coaching principles into the school classroom and using them to effect positive change and transformation.

As a popular coach, Julia has a track record in facilitating clients to find their own 'path with a heart': their personal avenue of expression and strong purpose in a manner that is joyous, exhilarating and powerful. Most importantly, Julia helps her clients create 'personal action plan bridges': making connecting, manageable steps between where they are now and where they desire to be in the future. Her style is eclectic, absorbing, sometimes audacious, often hilarious, yet always highly practical.

Julia completed three years of training as a psychologist but felt constricted by the emphasis placed on what was wrong with the client as compared to what was positive and affirming. As a Life Coach she is able to harness each client's unique strengths to enable them to create a life of purpose and passion. Raising a daughter with a disability has also been a source of great teaching:

'She taught me the arts of patience, gratitude, solidly believing that something you needed would always turn up, living in the moment, and really acknowledging the hidden achievements that we all have but which are often invisible to others. Her healing process showed me that there is no limit to one's potential if you are willing to look for possibilities rather than focus on limitations. When supporting clients to move beyond their self imposed restrictions I am inspired by what my daughter demonstrates daily: the cards you are dealt in life are only one factor of many in determining concrete outcomes.'

As her clients and students will tell you, having Julia as your coach is definitely about embarking on a journey into the extraordinary possibilities of you.

When I started working with Julia I felt professionally burnt out, emotionally depressed and physically unwell. I felt as if my world had fallen apart. Coaching with Julia equipped me with the focus, inspiration and clarity needed to remodel and map out the life I actually wanted to live! During our sessions I always felt supported and motivated by Julia's warmth and down to earth approach. Julia provided insights into my current behaviour patterns and how this information could be used to create everyday goals such as: a regular exercise regime, to getting a new job and creating my life vision. Julia provided the tools to achieve the things I thought would never be possible. At the end of each session I felt that I could only succeed. Most importantly I discovered what was really important for me to be happy in my life. ZARI, Melbourne