15 years ago I met life coach Alisdair Stewart. At the time, I was working as a radio producer with the BBC. I was winning awards for my work. I had a partner, good friends,  busy social life and a beautiful home with two cats. I had a lot to be grateful for, so why wasn’t I happy?

The challenges kept coming, everything I had known in my life had been turned upside down, even my job, was now affected as I struggled to cope under the stress and grief of my situation.  Each morning I'd wake up, in my bleary state, I'd have a few seconds of relief, but then the familiar pain returned to my heart as I remembered the losses. The physical pain in my heart would literally stop me breathing.

I remember waking one morning and thinking about life after death. I believe that we go to a place of unconditional love, a place of deep joy. I started questioning why I was sticking around to suffer this pain when I could just check out and end my suffering.

This wasn't like me me to think this way, my nick name is 'Suzy Sunshine'. I knew then that if I was to turn this situation around, I needed to dig deep and really start applying the personal development tools that I'd been learning. Theory is one thing, but application is the key. I can honestly say I wouldn't be here today had it not been for the application of personal development techniques; plus the continued support and life coaching of Alisdair. 

I have now changed every aspect of my life, the way I think, my health, my diet (carnivore gone vegan) I no longer drink alcohol, I exercise and meditate daily. I’ve got rid of all toxic people and relationships in my life and only surround myself with people who lift me up.  Now I’m doing my dream job, inspiring others to make positive changes in their lives through my Change Your World counselling and coaching services, so completely overhauling my working life too.

  None of this happened overnight, it has been years of consistent personal development and working on each area of my life; implementing changes one at a time and trying new things and finding out what serves me and makes my heart sing.  I feel so alive now and live with energy, vitality and happiness. I’ve become truly comfortable with myself, which just makes life so much easier. I’m not people pleasing, not feeling the pressure to be something I’m not and have fully accepted myself.

Of course, there is still work to be done, there will always be another level and the challenges of life don't just automatically stop, but I do handle them very differently now and feel more equipped when the curveballs come my way. The true beauty of developing myself is the ripple effect for the world, not only has it changed my world and my immediate environment for the better, but my daily actions are now inspiring others and changing the world in the process.

I’m so grateful that I met Alisdair and I listened when he told me I needed life coaching. I believe everyone can benefit from a counsellor or a coach. Having support like this helps keep us accountable.  Change isn’t easy, it will bring up obstacles, resistance, fear and objection from others, but I’m living proof, it’s worth it.  I can never repay the people, books, support and advice that have shaped me in the person I am today, so all there is to do is to pay it forward and support others to change their world too.