I THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW

Elle J Strand Life Coach Story Bio description

My Story

I want to share a bit about myself, It may even sound a bit like yours, and I am probably telling you more information that you need to know; however, I think it is important to really know about my life experiences if you are thinking about using me as your life coach. So, here I go...

Deuteronomy 31:6 Bible Scripture God will never forsake you

In The Beggining

I was a single Mother freshly divorced. My dream was to become a Psychologist; however, time and money didn't permit me, so I went to beauty school and became a hairdresser, a colorist to be exact, to support my daughter and me. I liked the industry very much and became successful and soon had the money to make my dream come true about my career, just not the time. With much research, I decided to enter into life coaching, which back then was unheard of. I pursued it and was again becoming successful. Then I got an offer to work for this well-known beauty distribution company in Florida and be in the industry I fell in love with. I said goodbye to Portland, Oregon, the weather, and all my dear friends and family to start my new exciting life. Yes, it looked and sounded exciting. I was ambitious and adventurous. I now had the job of my dreams, so I thought, making more money than ever. I had professional recognition, a busy social life, social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Pinterest even Youtube, which was filled with pictures of travel and parties. Top it off with a lovely home on the water, beautiful clothes, a nice SUV, and anything else a girl could want. My friends always said I had it all, but secretly I thought, “If only they knew.” I had a crippling lack of self-esteem, an eating disorder. I constantly compared myself to other people and never felt I measured up, both professionally and personally. I worried about everything, and I was exhausted all the time. I had been using work to numb myself for years. Deep down, I wasn’t happy. And I couldn’t work out in my head why. Why was Elle so unhappy?

Proverbs 3:5 Bible Scripture Trust in the lord with all your heart

On The Edge Of Broken

Then my world as I knew it came crashing down. I lost everything I worked so hard for. My company merged, and my position was terminated and was told, "Sorry, but *$@# happens."

I had a non-compete contract, so that I couldn't work in the beauty industry for five years.

I lost much, many of my friends as I couldn't even interact with them because a lawful agreement that forbade me. I couldn't even socialize with businesses or even get my hair done, really!?!

Going back into coaching I told myself was unrealistic as I couldn't even talk to most of my contacts, no less coach.

I was on the edge of broken; I was on the ledge teetering but in true form kept it together, or so I thought.

Then it happened, the walls started closing in on me. My bills soon started to pile up. I was in jeopardy of losing my home, vehicle, and so many other things. I thought, " This is it. I am officially broken. I was as close to the ledge that I had ever been, and I was ready to fall.

I couldn't make any decisions and was deeply depressed.

My sweet, wonderful Daughter said, "Mom. Just come back home. We will work things out."

With that said, I decided to move back to the Pacific Northwest.

I had a huge estate sale, short-sold my home, gave up my vehicle, filed bankruptcy, packed up what little I had left, and off I went to start over.

Matthew 7:7Bible Scripture Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock

My Epithany

I remember I arrived in Vancouver, Washington, on December 24th, 2014. What a Christmas present, I thought.

Then it was time to stop my pity party and figure it all out. It took many souls searching and self-discovery to figure out that when I did "have it all," why was I so miserable? I started praying for answers and found if you pray hard enough and diligent enough with honesty and an open heart, answers come.

I realized my problem wasn’t my body, appearance, or job. My problem was how I allowed others to shape how I felt about myself, then striving for things that didn’t bring me happiness because, underneath all the layers of success,’ I had been convinced and truly felt as if I wasn't good enough, I wasn't "perfect."

The question still lingered, what do I do, I had my coaching to fall back on, but I was stuck, unmotivated, and living in stress and fear. I needed to look to God for answers as I knew He had to have them. He did create me. After all, he must know what I am to do.

The more I sought after those answers, the closer I came to know what to do, what I was meant to do this whole time, my passion, and my joy. I needed to help people like I needed help. I needed my own life coach and didn't even know it.

I researched and interviewed many Llfe coaches. Most didn't even have the training, so that was a no-brainer. I finally found one that I connected with and felt comfortable with and was board-certified. Everything changed when I started looking more to God for his wisdom and hired Cindi, my spiritual life coach still to this day.

Even though I couldn't afford her, I knew I had to, and she did work with me. This is why I have adopted some of her practices about working within your budget. I needed help, and she knew it. She saw something I couldn't, and she knew she could help me see.

I also have great faith and trust in Jesus. I know that He does provide what we need, maybe not always what we want, but always what we need.

I wanted a lot of things before and got them, and look where that got me. Things are just things. You can't take them with you, and we are to build our riches in Heaven!

Jeremiah 29:11 Bible Scripture God's Plans are greater purpose

My Journey

Things immediately started to improve, and I walked in hope and felt free for the first time. It was a heavy burden lifted off me, the burden of stress, exhaustion, fear, sadness, anxiety, depression, that empty feeling that never goes away.

God teaches us lessons in this life; some are devastating at the time, none, however, as horrific as Jesus suffered. I was taught that He provides what I need. I didn't need things, and I didn't need recognition. I didn't need to work 70 hours a week or starving myself. Making fear-based sessions and living with so much stress, I was sick and miserable most of the time. Who "needs" that?

Finding truth, values, core issues, finding Jesus is what I needed so I could live authentically.

I look back at all my sufferings, I see now the silver linings that came out of them, and there is always a silver lining if you really look hard. You may not see them right away, but you will at some point if you truly look. Jesus promises us that. We were put here on earth to live in love, peace, and joy, not miserable. He did not create us to be unhappy, quite the opposite. He promises that we will find peace and joy if we rest at his feet. Give you cares and worries to him to bear. We are not to bear them.

I am no longer making those fear-based decisions that never turn out good in my humble experience, and life is happening for me according to my plan, the plan that we all have with God, and it is a wonderful one too.

We can all get there. We only need to figure out the details and paths to take to get us there. We are all given the gift of free will and choice. I chose to live and be happy.

You can too. I know I have helped many people, as you can see in my testimonials.

At times, we all need help, perhaps just not finding it or knowing how to journey down the path if you are stuck like I was. I feel I am blessed beyond measure,

I may not have what I had and I don't have much, and that is ok.

I have what I need, finally!

Elle

I'm Still On My Path

My real name is Lyndsey. I think you know me well enough to call me Elle as all my dearest and closest friends do. I am a board-certified personal life coach and an accredited and board-certified spiritual life coach, so you know I have the training. From my story, I hope you know that I have a lot to offer someone and want to help truly. I don't say this lightly. I specialize in empowering people to balance their lives and achieve personal and professional success with their values, core beliefs, inner strength, and God-given wonderful life. It starts with embracing your uniqueness, respecting yourself, and creating a sense of balance so you can dream big, make goals that you desire, and thrive. I can help you enjoy the success you’ve strived so hard to achieve without having to sacrifice your soul to find happiness. I have finally accepted who I am, made peace with myself and my body, and promised myself moving forward; things would be different, for real this time as I had Jesus on my side, never to leave me high and dry or tell me lies. I started to live my life rather than exist. And I promised myself I’d help others do the same.

Let's See If This Process And I Can Help You Get Where You Want To Be

The Joy Of Discovery Discovery life coaching session

Starting Is Easy, Let's Get You Going

It all can start with a FREE life coach discovery and action session or even a phone call to meet and chat a bit. This is totally complimentary. Like me, I didn't want to put my future in just anyone's hands. I respect the same for you. ElleElle