Testimonials for Holistic Wellness Coaching
Real Success Stories from Real People
I offer these stories to you not as a way to "toot my own horn" but rather to hear in words other than my own some of the possibilities that exist within coaching. While I have done my best in my website to describe my services to help you evaluate whether coaching with me is a good fit, those descriptions come from my perspective.
By contrast, these stories share the client's perspective. So often it is in others' stories that you see yourself or connect to an aspect of your own journey. All of these stories are from real clients and many of them are willing to talk to you if you have further questions about my work and how it might pertain to your needs.
Contact me for more information about speaking to a client reference.
"I was able to move through my panic attacks, both in the immediate crisis and with on-going management, without the use of pharmaceuticals, which was my goal."
" "Last year, I was hospitalized twice and had surgery. Although medically I was now "fine", emotionally I had a difficult time coping with the experience. I had many symptoms of stress including migraines, neck pain and anxiety. I chose Jamie Durner as a personal coach with the hope of improving my health. I worked with Jamie in both the time of crisis and re-growth.
In the crisis situation, Jamie was supportive and creative. We framed a plan that took into account my values and goals. She was able to approach panic attacks from several different avenues including massage therapy, breath work, meditation and physical movement. During this time, I was also under the care of a medical doctor, but am proud to say with Jamie's help, I was able to cope without the use of pharmaceuticals, which was my goal.
After a few weeks of improvement, Jamie and I worked on the symptoms of stress and strengthening my routines. Coaching helped me to clarify my values about self-care. Jamie brought many resources to the table. It seems I tapped only a small percentage of her depth and knowledge. This is a life-long process. I expect I will continue to look to Jamie for her insights and teaching as I grow in other areas of my life."
MF
"Jamie's gift of listening and pulling information from me was invaluable. "
"I started life coaching with Jamie Durner because I felt confused, lost, and that my life was lacking in harmony. After three sessions with Jamie I achieved my goals. Each session was easier for me than the one before. As Jamie says "If it's easy it must be right" - I couldn't agree more.
Jamie was able to get to the core of what was bothering me and suggest courses of action that might benefit me. She was able to help me define the things that I am looking for in my life. I like her style of asking me "how does that feel" after discussing a topic or course of action.
I would recommend Jamie as a life coach to anyone who is seeking guidance. I was at ease during our sessions and am thankful for recieving that gentle nudge in the right direction."
Casey Pisarek, enjoying being responsible for what I'm creating
Where are you along your journey?
AutoBiography in 5 Short Chapters
By Portia Nelson
I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost....I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.
IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
V
I walk down another street.
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"Today I am delighted to say that I am in a much better place with a more positive mindset and enjoying improved relationships."
" When I first came to Jamie, I was in a hopeless place with significant pain in my leg. Despite my desperation for help I was also doubtful the process would work as I had already tried many other practitioners and methods without success. I ended up going in directions I had never anticipated since the leg issues went much deeper than I thought.
Now I have developed skills which help me face challenges in a less reactive manner and in a new center of calm. Each time I left a session with Jamie I felt lighter and better; I often discovered "ahas" along the way. Thinking in a different manner has allowed positive results to happen without really having to work for them; the power of intention certainly took on new meaning for me. I even ended up being offered and accepting an employment opportunity which never would have happened without Jamie's coaching. Although I am still working on my leg issues, I was able to enjoy a pain free week which hasn't happened in a long time. The overall pain is less severe and recovers more rapidly now. I am hopeful my leg will continue to improve with some additional deep tissue massage.
I recommend Jamie's work because she has multiple skills with a large bag of tools; if one thing doesn't work she had other options. Her willingness to use a variety of approaches is without personal bias - I feel she responded to me as an individual human being. Her support and sincerity are authentic. She is a very good listener and interpreter which helped me see myself more clearly-I was often amazed at her insight. She never just treated the symptoms but instead worked to find the causes that brought about real changes which work and are effective."
PS, educator
"I now have the feeling of being 'unstuck'!"
"I came to Jamie unsure of how it would help. I couldn't put a finger on what I wanted help with, but I knew I needed some guidance. From the first week, I started to notice that my body felt heavy (aside from physical weight) and I felt stuck. I had no interest in doing the everyday tasks in my life. I also realized I had other symptoms; swelling and minor pain. And, oh yeah, most nights I would snore.
Each week - reading the modules, doing the home play, participating in the phone calls - several emotional issues surfaced. I carried around unreasonable guilt about a friendship that had ended long ago. In one phone call with Jamie, that nagging guilt went away.
During our time, a reoccurring situation with my husband arose. The details of this situation change each time but the essence stays the same. The usual response was for me to get upset followed by little to no talking for a couple of days. This time, my reaction was very different. I removed myself from the situation and did some self-care. The best part, I didn't stop and think, 'What should I do?' I simply did. This was due to the mental shift I had made. The following couple of days consisted of my husband and I rationally discussing the situation. What a difference!
With these two issues gone, along with some others, I felt lighter and unstuck. I began to do major cleaning in my home. My swelling and pain diminished. And, my husband doesn't move to the guest room as often, as my snoring has all but ceased.
The mental clarity, guidance, coaching and support I received from Jamie was exactly what I needed. The program has left me with enough written and audio material to take me forward for many years to come. And as a bonus, I know Jamie is there if I again feel the need for support."
SH, Moving towards Lightness in WA
"After three sessions, not only was all the pain gone but I emerged with a stronger sense of myself, both spiritually and physically."
"A year before my visit with Jamie, I began having problems with a tooth starting with damage and an infection. Despite antibiotics, a root canal, and finally an extraction, my problem not only didn't improve - it got worse. By the time I came to see Jamie, I had a severe infection in my sinus cavities and was at 9.5 out of 10 on the pain scale. The debilitating pain cornered me so that I was unaware of anything else around me.
After having gone through several other forms of treatment without improvement, I came in with some doubt as to whether Jamie's skills would help. Just in starting the work,the results were instantaneous and I was able to totally trust her. I got the message for myself that it was ok to let go and my body and mind listened.
Jamie's work made a huge difference! After three sessions, not only was all the pain gone, but I emerged with a stronger sense of myself both spiritually and physically. She helped the pain, the emotions and the energy shift so they could find a new outlet. I was open again instead of closed. From her work, I have now hit the full spectrum of my life - that was what was most amazing to me."
Steve Frey, Financial Planner
"Anyone who is going through any kind of chronic pain condition can benefit from Jamie's work."
"After several years of searching for relief and answers from traditional treatments, I came to Jamie feeling handicapped, both in my body and in my mind. Severe overall pain and the resulting low energy affected my life physically, emotionally, and socially.
Not only has my pain overall greatly decreased now, but in some areas the pain is completely gone. With this lessening of disabling pain, my energy has increased, allowing me to do more socially and around the house. I also have a higher sense of self-esteem and confidence. Instead of feeling handicapped, I feel empowered.
My work with Jamie has opened my mind to realize how simple, small steps, such as making adjustments in my posture, can make a huge difference not just in relieving the pain but in changing the chronic pattern so that the pain does not return. I now feel that I have control over my life instead of my illness having control over me!
Jamie's ability to work with both the body and mind helped me to see and verbalize and bring out into the open the underlying emotions and energies beneath the physical symptoms in my body. With her help I was able to process those emotions and move beyond the physical symptoms and into a place of living life fully again."
Susan Tichkowski , retired educator
"I was really surprised, considering the severity of my symptoms, at how powerful and quick the shifts have been."
"I came to see Jamie when I found myself in a place I had never before experienced - a place of severe overwhelm in which I felt massive anxiety and tension, nausea, ongoing sleeplessness, and a dark, lonely sense of failure and hopelessness.
From the onset, I was able to trust Jamie completely. Even before I had an actual appointment, she helped to neutrally evaluate my options and gave me an effective breathing exercise to help diffuse my anxiety until I could get in to see her. She has wonderful skills that provide the framework to release unneeded, imbalanced energy and then provide tools to build inner strength, confidence, and supportive energy -- and experience life with a much healthier perspective.
My physical symptoms have greatly improved and, equally important, I am continuing the exploration into all the layers of the issue. Jamie has a way of explaining things concisely and asking targeted questions that help create a pause to delve beneath the surface of the behaviors. Her gentle guidance helped me uncover the core issue beneath my symptoms and empowered me to regain responsibility over what was mine and release what wasn't mine.
KT, parent and director of non-profit organization
"In my very first session with Jamie, I went from being stuck and unable to make a life-changing decision (which had been haunting me for some time), to becoming empowered with clarity and self confidence."
"I was able to move forward into a place of peace. I now have my life back!
Jamie has a unique way of providing the structure for the work, yet allowing me to find my own answers. This is incredibly powerful because she not only holds the space for exploring but gives you tangible tools to get the job done -- like guided imagery, yoga sets, and exercises that identify restrictions in the body and behavior.
With the heightened awareness I gained through Jamie's work, I can quickly identify similar barriers when they arise and welcome them with my new tools!
I highly recommend Jamie to anyone who is ready to grow."
Mercedes Gallagher, "Happy to be Free"
Milwaukee, WI
"Jamie not only dealt with the tension in my muscles, but, more importantly, she taught me how to help myself."
"While the massages are wonderful, I have come away from my sessions with Jamie with something more powerful - the knowledge, understanding, and tools to know how to take care of myself. Instead of using only external resources to fix me, I am now an active and empowered participant in my own health!
My biggest result of working with Jamie is my new understanding that the tightness or problems in my muscles and body isn't permanent; I no longer need to be afraid of not knowing how to deal with what shows up in my body. Now when I have tension or a problem in my body, I have the resources and confidence to know what to do to help myself."
KV, Drummer Girl
I really feel a difference in myself and my life from my working with Jamie. My family, friends and acquaintences can see a difference in me as well. I moved to a place of action from my truth instead of reacting out of fear and self-doubt.
- I gained the independence I was looking for
- My sense of self and my self worth increased
- My relationship with my spouse and balance with my family improved
- I gained greater satisfaction overall in my life
- I was able to make a decision about my work that allowed me to follow my truth and passion and serve not only myself better, but also serve my family better
Coaching with Jamie allowed me to achieve my goals:
Jamie's integrated approach is very powerful. The body-mind connection is so important because I was able to move things in the body and then understand what was happening in my mind. The 3 minute meditation she gave me wasn't overwhelming so I was able to do it consistently which then opened up my ability to journal and process on a deeper level.
Her work was fun, doable and I was able to see the change.
Abigail Engstrand, artist, wife, mother and political activist; painting, talking, dancing and singing her way through life. I just can't keep it simple or brief. I like all the layers and colors and details.
"I walked out of Jamie's office and had a completely different feeling about myself."
"When I came in to get some physical relief from exercising too intensely, I wasn't looking for a big shift - but I ended up there. I was able to share with her personal information that I rarely share with anyone. And from there, I was able to explore what was below my restricted breathing and realize that there were other pieces there that had nothing to do with the physical.
Jamie's guided use of breath and questions helped me to articulate and release the underlying energy. She gave me the tools to help me open up and be able to breath without feeling like I was suffocating, both literally and figuratively.
Now I feel light in my body and my spirit and have more self trust and self love. From this new space, I am able to go through the challenges in my life with more peace and acceptance.
I also find that all my relationships have improved because, by being clear in myself, I can honor the individual needs and paths of others."
SD. A well wishing soul, putting into practise - "I Am You , We Are One."
"Jamie has a very powerful energy within herself that holds the space for exploration. Her use of both energy techniques as well as well timed verbal cues and information provided a perfect, effective balance for me to open and shift."
"I came to see Jamie because I was feeling stuck in life and didn't know what my next direction was and was feeling scattered. After only one session, I was more centered and grounded within myself and had an increased awareness of my own presence. I also was better able to channel my energy instead of having it leak off.
From this space of openness, awareness, and groundedness, I am able to interact with life in a different way. I am able to act instead of react and to have more peace of mind no matter what shows up in my life. I am able to moderate my activities in a balanced instead of an excessive way and I know when to stop and pause. I make better choices in the moment in terms of self care and boundaries. By being aware, I am more connected to my feelings but also am able to manage those emotions appropriately."
Wendy Kohlhaas, Addiction Counselor
"You've brought my body to a much different place."
"Your body-mind approach reduced my initial pain 100%! No longer do I have severe issues with my stomach which were limiting my eating, preventing me from feeling comfortable, and preventing me from being able to exercise. Equally important, you helped me see that beyond the physical sensations lay some deeper issues. This awareness provided the opportunity to work on those issues and resolve them so that I came out better on the other side. I now have much more awareness of the effect of the body-mind connection and this has taken me to another level of understanding my body and how to keep it healthy.
You do so well at listening. I know that even when I can't describe with my words what is needed that you can pick up what's underneath and focus our session appropriately. Additionally, the breathing and abdominal exercises you showed me provided the perfect tool to do at home to help retain what we had accomplished during the session. I really enjoyed working through this process with you."
Cynthia Levy, Engineer
"Wow! Jamie has done amazing things in my life."
"I have seen Jamie for everything from whiplash after a car accident and boating accident (that she was able to completely clear in two sessions) to helping me to align my lifestyle with my body's desire for greater EASE in my life.
Jamie keeps my body and mind at an even keel and in a consistent balance."
Joan Sparks, Executive Coach
"Ultimately, our work together enables me to strengthen my connection to the divine, allowing me to more often be the mother/sister/partner/friend I hope to be!"
"The one hour I spend with Jamie strengthens my inner connection, clears out the excess energy I've picked up from others or my own imbalances, and recharges and cleanses me. This allows me to feel empowered to make authentic choices and resolve issues more efficiently without all the drama.
Jamie provides a neutral and safe space in which she feels the energy, listens to what I'm saying, and knows how to ask the perfect question at just the right time in order to move me forward . She has a special knack for weaving together her professional skills as well as personal stories and experiences in a way that keeps the focus on my needs and issues yet makes me feel like we are working together in partnership.
I go away from my sessions with Jamie with a cleaner, clearer perspective, confident in who I am and what I stand for."
Kimberly Walbrun, committed to conscious living through personal growth & discovery
"Jamie, you are a wonderful teacher, guide, and mentor."
"You are truly a gift. I want to thank you again for helping me set my eyes towards clarity. The act of allowing gave me a great little lift that I needed to begin to get back on track."
AB, Mother and more
"Jamie has given me new tools to work and play with so that I can create a new level of thinking and my history will not repeat itself!"
"She can help you to remember what you have always known. You will be as free and as high as the incredible coach that she is. How high do you want to go?"
BH, searching soul
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