In Other’s Words…
"Melanie is a very gifted life coach and all around connection-maker. ... Working with Melanie is like a deep tissue massage for your soul. You get worked - stretched, pulled, and guided in all the ways. And in the end you feel so so so much better for it."
— Jordan Kim, OR
As an executive coach and business consultant, I am used to being the sounding board and safe place for business owners and leaders to work through beliefs and behaviors that aren’t serving them. To keep yourself emotionally healthy, every good coach also has a coach. And I’m eternally grateful to have worked with Melanie. Her warm approach and grounding presence have helped me stay calm and self assured in both garden-variety stressful times and the most treacherous of seasons. Her thoughtful questions and keen ability to sense what’s not said are natural talents. I highly recommend her annual retreats and one-on-one coaching.
— Stephanie Hartman, TX
www.catalyst-consultingllc.com
Melanie is such an incredible soul. She has the ability to hold space for whatever you are feeling and at the same time gently stretch you toward places, ideas, and outcomes that you didn’t even know you were searching for. She is so easy to talk with and has a welcoming energy to her that allows you to be fully you. I highly recommend her coaching, whether it's for life, love, or business - she has helped me in all of it!
-Jeni, WA
I reached out to Melanie during a tumultuous time in my life; I felt uneasy, unsettled, and unsure of myself. I knew once I gained the courage to acknowledge my challenges with the support and guidance of a coach, my results would not only benefit me, but also the people I care for most and my community. This was the fuel I needed to start the coaching process, but little did I know just how much more I would get out of my time with Melanie as my coach. Melanie was the calm during my storm; she helped me center myself anytime I felt unsteady. She compassionately held space for me to discover myself; my values, my strengths, my needs, and what I bring when I am being my most authentic self. Melanie's coaching is easy-going and conversational, it was deep and full of laughter, a few tears, and many breakthrough moments that have impacted me greatly. I absolutely recommend Melanie as a coach and I am so grateful for this transformative experience!
-Anon, CA
I came to work with Melanie on the recommendation of my sister. I am a grown woman, but I felt stuck in some ways that I just couldn’t get past on my own. I recognized I needed the support of someone outside of myself (and my usual suspects:) to help me figure out how to move forward and come unstuck. I’m so grateful I found Melanie because she was, and is, the absolutely perfect person for this. I was particularly interested in improving my business (I am a longtime freelancer) but over the course of our time working together it became clear that the improvements I sought in that realm began with understanding and work on myself as a whole. The tools and techniques Melanie uses, which she has so thoughtfully curated over many years, are so incredibly helpful. Layer those with Melanie’s skills; razor-like (and profoundly loving) insight, an uncanny ability to find the path that works with your particular brain, body and heart, and a genuine commitment to helping you ….well, it’s a recipe for wonderful and powerful outcomes.
I feel and function so much better than before I worked with Melanie, and the change is lasting because she empowered me with knowledge and practice throughout the process of working with her. I have a new set of habits and tools to rely on as needed, and they are so easy and enjoyable to access and use. Whether it is a somatic tool (bringing awareness to my body and breath), an insight (knowing I need to pause and think something through), or simply a pattern of thinking about something and reconsidering it in a new light- the work with Melanie has made it easy and a relief to be able to turn to the things she taught me about myself and how I function best. I also want to say Melanie’s package format is excellent. She is generous with her time, which was gold for me. I never felt rushed, only supported. It was a joy to see her face each meeting, to share wins, to laugh, to cry (yup, that happens plenty:), and to grow. She helped me get over things I never thought I’d get unstuck from, and I actually believe those changes are permanent, not fleeting. It’s wonderful. I came out of my work with Melanie (I did two full engagements) with a literal “notebook full of knowing” that I can (and regularly do) return to for reminders, inspiration and connection to myself and my strength. It’s priceless. I love how working with Melanie taught me to be curious instead of judgmental (especially with myself). I love that I’m making lots more money (one of my original goals). And I love that I can use what she taught me to change my mind/brain with any challenge moving forward on my own (although I want to work with her again soon :). I really cannot say enough good things about this remarkable teacher; I love and appreciate her and her work so much. She makes the world a better place. I highly recommend you give yourself the life gift of working with her.
— Felicity Murphy, CA
CorpFoto | Felicity Murphy Photo
I really appreciate your insights from our last conversation… I’ve been focusing on communicating using Strength synergies that you shared with me, and have been using them to communicate with recruiters. Suffice it to say- I got a request early yesterday morning for a role that would ostensibly more than triple my existing salary.
Just saying, Yer magical.
In addition to the value you’ve added to our conversation, I realized when I’ve come from a strengths based focus, I’ve been extraordinarily successful. But the last few jobs and the bad experiences seemed to have shifted my focus to a less than (completely unproductive and utterly, tragically useless, let's not sugar coat it) space.
Hunting in the dark might be better than doing nothing different at all, but having a process to focus on, a practice [where the rubber meets the road] to develop and embrace, is what I’ve been looking for all my life.
So thanks. (aka pudding proof’s)
-Portland, OR
Step Into Your Power Beta Group Feedback:
My key takeaways were that…. I need to understand and own my strengths as well as know and understand my fears and the 'things' holding me back so that I can remove myself from them. I also appreciated knowing that Melanie really cares for me and the rest of the ladies. It was good to feel loved and seen by our facilitator - how powerful!
My favorite aspect was working on my Strengths Statement and how they align with my Values. Revisiting my strengths and studying about them encouraged me to join other groups to strengthen and work on those strengths
It was so helpful to have a structured approach to discovering our values, strengths, our web of influence, the PESH, the oils and ultimately jumping into our power by letting go of those things that hold us back. Melanie was the magic that made this experience so enjoyable and easy to open up.
I am so grateful for Melanie, such a skilled and warm facilitator.
-Leti Valle Moretti, OR
"My partner and I began seeing Melanie in year 3 of starting our own business. We were working around the clock and weren't making time for family and other hobbies and interests. We seemed to be working frantically but without a clear plan or idea of what we wanted and where we were going. After just a few sessions, Melanie helped us focus in on our values which helped us focus our attention. After the Aha moment we had at each session, the business always picked up! We call it Melanie Magic but it's really just getting clear about what motivates us, what we want and focusing our attention on tasks and projects that support our vision. As a small business owner it's easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. Melanie helps you muck through the To Do list and figure out what really matters. Now we work hard but we work smarter and life and work seem more manageable and successful. Thank you Melanie!"
— Lisa K., OR
I am a very satisfied customer of Melanie McCloskey’s coaching services. I found Melanie to be very skilled in coaching technique, equipped with a toolbox of methods and exercises to facilitate our work, and most of all, very intuitive. I felt ushered along in a process that included many new insights, true “aha!” moments that changed my own thinking in a positive way. I came to Melanie to clarify some life goals. I feel very clear now on what they are, and more importantly, how well they fit with who I am and what’s important to me. Thank you Melanie!!!
Nancy, Entrepreneur, NY
I went into the coaching experience thinking that I needed to change or transform my job. in the end of the coaching process I learned that I needed to transform myself. I needed to change my goals, mind set and clarify my values. I learned to listen to myself, be patient, trust my network of support and think more positively. Melanie has the amazing ability of not telling you what to do, but gracefully leading you to the answers for yourself.
-Charlotte Gregson, OR
Working with Melanie has been fantastic. She has the ability to draw out what key factors are affecting me both personally and in my business. I feel much more clarity after our sessions and she helps keep me grounded, focused and on track. A wonderful way to refresh your brain, identify your values and stay true to your self. Thanks Melanie!
-Sensi Graves, OR
My work with Melanie allowed me to move forward with my life. She challenged me on my assumptions about myself and my thinking patterns. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for over 40 years since I was 16. I had given up any hope of getting past real-life negatives (deaths of family members, job losses, etc.) and the hob-goblins of my own making since I am a veteran brooder.
Melanie assured, coaxed and helped me to see that I was not forever beholden to the fallout of these experiences, that I always had a choice and at anytime I could let go and start anew. I learned that I really did have to practice the new ways of thinking and doing, that it wasn’t just going to happen without my working on it. I especially like the feeling of not having to look over my shoulder all the time; I trust me.
-KS
Most importantly, coaching really helped me feel better and stronger and more in control of my own self and world at a shaky uncomfortable time. I also learned some wonderful techniques for identifying, exploring and trying to reach goals.
Before working with you… I felt extremely scattered and disorganized in my day to day life. I was also struggling with identifying what the things were in my heart that were weighing me down.
It helped enormously to talk, to just talk and talk and vent and cry! I felt like you asked excellent questions that helped me get where I needed to go and you were a wonderful listener. Your follow up emails were really on point and felt personal and helpful.
I see a few very concrete changes- one of the things I had as a goal was to spend more time with my family just as a family (I tend to be a little obsessively social) and we have done more of that in the last year than ever before. I can say without a doubt that we are at a better place with each other and I think individually than ever before. Also, I learned some excellent techniques for managing the chaos that was my life and for being realistic and intelligent about when to do what. I have been doing gratitudes pretty consistently for about a year now and I love them. When I fall off for a week or two, I notice. It is powerful medicine. Lastly, I have used scripting a number of times to excellent effect.
That wonderful, non judgmental space you create to talk is invaluable. The "practical counseling" is excellent. Also loved many of the techniques and handouts. I keep the notebook near because I feel like there is so much in it I can continue to work with over time. I love the four agreements, too, and have been trying to keep them present in my life.
Thank you for your kind and profound work!
-Anon
Coaching allowed me to see what obstacles were in my way allowing me to focus on moving forward. I left feeling equipped with what steps I needed to take with clarity. The homework and things I needed to work on what immensely helpful.
Before working with Melanie, I was feeling overwhelmed with how to start the next course of action in starting my own Pilates practice. I felt fear was in my way which created difficulty in thinking clearly.
Understanding that the past was holding me back from the current and future was a big AHA moment!
As a result of coaching, I have been focused. I felt I was given plenty of material and steps to proceed with the next stage in building my business. I have followed the business concepts I’ve learned. I have built a website, made flyers, working on building my network circle before working on the next tier.
I feel really good about the progression I have made since meeting with you. You, not only from the successful coaching session, but your amazing support. Thank you for your emails, widening my networking circle, coming to my classes, writing a testimonial, being my cheerleader and continuing to share your wisdom. Thank you Melanie!
-Danelle, WA
The outcomes of coaching for me was…
Advocating for and getting my needs met. I have tools for managing my time and my finances, consistent with my values. I now make time for myself. I am more consistently enjoying my business, time with my friends and my family, without the emotional breakdowns.
-Anon
Melanie is great for creating an environment where you can really be still, and present, where you can sit with the things that you know, and the things that you dream of, and make connections between them that you probably would not get around to on your own time. She attracts thoughtful, soulful, capable characters (like herself), who strive towards good things, and who encourage others do the same. She somehow makes it seem possible and wise to simultaneously shoot for the stars and give yourself credit for small achievements. She combines worksheets and mindfulness exercises to accommodate both the pragmatic and the mystic inclinations of the brain, and getting both sides on board.
...and the snacks are fantastic.
-Solana Joy, Germany
