From Corporate Comms Expert to Holistic Kinesiology Practitioner
A family-focused career break to raise her small children prompted Danielle to trade corporate comms for a career in Mind-Body Medicine and Kinesiology.
What sparked your career change?
Having a career break to raise my children made me realise that while I could return to my previous role, I desired a career more aligned with my deepest interests. And as a result, I was increasingly drawn to a career in health and wellbeing.
What work were you doing previously?
I have worked in various corporate communications roles, including external communications and media liaison, community relations, internal communications, and PR agency positions in Australia and Dubai, UAE.
What are you doing now?
I am a Mind Body Medicine and holistic Kinesiology practitioner working in a multi-modality wellness clinic in Sydney.
Why did you change?
As a communications professional, I loved interacting with people from different backgrounds, roles, and perspectives. I also didn't mind corporate life. However, I wanted more fulfilling and inspiring work—something I could be deeply passionate about. I still love meeting and working with very different people, but now they're my clients, and I'm supporting them on their health and wellness journey.
What process did you go through to make the decision to change?
I began by Googling 'health and wellness jobs.' In fact, I did that for several years, exploring careers in nutrition, naturopathy, acupuncture, or teaching a wellness practice like meditation. I also researched various courses and university degrees. But the more research I did, the more overwhelming the decision to change careers became! I had no idea how to choose or how to feel sure I’d made the right decision.
How did you go about making the shift?
After many hours of solitary Googling trying to figure out my new career, I decided I needed professional support. When I found Jo's website, I felt that she was the career coach for me.
What help did you get?
I liked Jo's structured process for guiding me from my current career to one I’d really love that aligns with my beliefs and interest areas. Firstly, Jo helped me broaden my view and look at the many potential careers I was drawn to. Then, using her process, we narrowed the options. Some of the exercises we did to do this took me outside of my comfort zone. But each one helped me to understand and visualise how I wanted my future career to look. The light bulb moment came when I realised that all the things I loved fell under the umbrella of holistic Kinesiology.
What was the hardest part of changing careers?
I think taking the initial leap is the hardest step. It takes courage and commitment. As changing my career meant returning to study, I also needed to be determined and figure out how I'd juggle work, study, and family life while transitioning to my new career.
What have you learned in the process?
So much! From a Kinesiology and Mind Body Medicine perspective, trusting your inner wisdom will always serve and guide you in making life's big decisions.
As a career changer, I've learned so much about myself and what I can do once I have direction and purpose. I dedicated myself to nearly three years of studying something I'm endlessly curious and excited about and loved every minute!
I've established a flourishing small business and developed countless skills in my new area of expertise. All while juggling a busy family life.
Are you happy with the change?
I couldn't be happier. I have found a career that I am passionate about and work that I enjoy. I look forward to seeing where the journey takes me as I continue to grow my business, expand my offerings, and collaborate with like-minded practitioners.
What do you miss, and what don't you miss?
I miss working with my wonderful colleagues in the Corporate Communications industry. Thankfully, I am still in touch with many of them. I don't miss deadlines and the stress of working long, inflexible hours in the corporate world. Now, I've got control over my work days and hours, which is fantastic while raising my three children.
What do you enjoy most about your new career?
I love supporting new and existing clients with diverse emotional and physical conditions. These include fatigue, stress, anxiety and mental health issues, and immune, nervous and digestive system conditions. I work with clients who have chronic pain, auto-immune disease, sleep issues, and insomnia. I support women's health and fertility. I also help clients address limiting beliefs, fears, relationship issues, and much more!
Every session and day in the clinic is completely different. I'm excited to go to work and energised on the way home. Finding a career you love enriches your life in many ways beyond your working hours.
(You can find out more about Danielle's kinesiology practice at Flow Kinesiology or on Instagram)
What do you wish you'd done differently?
I probably wish I'd made the change sooner! But studying would have been more difficult with younger children, so I probably also made the switch at the right time in my life.
What 3 tips would you give others in the same situation?
Be brave and go for it! A more fulfilling career is waiting for you… go and find it!
If you're struggling to decide, get some professional support; it is well worth the investment.
Be curious and open-minded. There are probably careers out there you have never heard of that might be just right for you.
By Jo Green, Career Change Coach
I know that when you find what you love, heart and soul, your life changes. I work every day with people who are reshaping their current careers, starting new enterprises or searching for a new direction. Basically I help people who don’t like their job to figure out what to do instead!
As a Careershifters and Firework Advanced Certified Coach and experienced career changer myself, I can help you figure out what fulfilling work looks like for you.
Drop me a note to organise a free 20 minute consultation to chat about your career change and how coaching could help.
