Kim Harmon

HOW AND WHY I BECAME A LIFE COACH AND RETREAT LEADER

Sharing the details of my life with you gives me the opportunity to explain how my path has led me to become a Life Coach and Retreat Leader.  I carefully chose the areas of focus that I coach on to coincide with my real-life experiences.  It is much easier to build rapport, be compassionate, and provide support when you have experienced something personally. 

EARLY CAREER and education

As a native of Tampa, FL, I attended the University of South Florida earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with a focus on Organizational Communication.  After I graduated, I began my career as a successful, respected technical recruiter.  Over the years, I worked for large companies such as Compuware and recruited for reputable clients like Disney, Tech Data, AT&T, Cisco, and countless others.  

My intense training and valuable experience, as a recruiter, sharpened my active listening and interviewing skills both of which are essential a Life Coach.  In addition, I learned how to ascertain a candidate’s top skills to effectively determine the next step in their career and customize the search based on the candidate’s priorities/desires in their next position.   

LIFE CHANGING LESSONS AND TURNING POINTS

In the spring of 2000, my manager instructed me to see a Life Coach.  I didn't have a choice.  If I didn't accept the coaching, I would no longer be employed with my current company.  He stated that I was a great recruiter with raw talent - A diamond in the rough, that just needed polishing. He strongly believed the life coaching would capitalize on my existing talent, as well as bring me more balance and happiness to my life, both professionally and personally.

My mindset, attitude, communication style and habits were affecting my ability to function as a productive team member. What I soon realized after a few sessions with the Life Coach was that my mindset was affecting me in other areas of my life as well.  Because this thoughtful person, who happened to be my manager, cared enough to invest in me, the 10 sessions with my Life Coach changed the course of my life and outlook forever.

Not long after I completed the coaching, due to company downsizing and layoffs, I found myself in the midst of a huge transition unexpectedly and unprepared for this loss.  As a result, I took a leap of faith and started my own faux painting and decorating business, capitalizing on my existing artistic and creative skills.  Starting from scratch, with no assistance or formal training, I managed this profitable, successful business for almost ten years. This was a valuable lesson for many reasons - always have a back-up plan, have confidence in myself, and know that change can be good. 

Then, a few years later, just when things seemed to be going smoothly, life happened and I was in the middle of another major life transition.  My husband discovered he needed to have emergency brain surgery to save his life.  Our lives changed overnight.  When you are forced to face your spouse's mortality, it has some unexpected effects on you too.  

This serious, life-threatening medical situation with my husband subsequently caused us both to reflect deeply on our life and our future together.   Were we truly happy?  Were we living life the way we wanted? Would we have regrets unless we made some difficult changes? We had been together for almost twenty years.

About a year after my husband had thankfully healed from the surgery, we began having serious conversations about the future of our marriage. The idea of separating was overwhelming and of course, scary to us both. We went to marriage counseling, spent time apart, and did some soul searching.

Eventually, my husband and I decided to amicably divorce.  Proudly, we both can say we are still close friends to this day and have a great amount of respect for the other.

A NEW CHAPTER OF POSSIBILITIES AND DREAMS REALIZED

What followed over the next six months was like a country song.  I got divorced, my 14 year-old dog died on Christmas eve, I lost my job, and had to sell my home.  Everything that "tethered" me to Tampa and life as I knew it was gone.  But, it was these events that catapulted me to pick up at 43 years old and move, by myself, to Colorado; a place I had always dreamed of living since I was 15 years old.

Talk about being pushed out of your comfort zone. It felt like I had jumped off a cliff and was freefalling.  No friends, family, co-workers, kids, or even a pet to comfort me after this huge move.  Just me - thousands of miles away from everything and everyone I had ever known.  I always say if you are comfortable, you are not growing.  Well, I was VERY uncomfortable!

Over the next few years, I worked on myself and learned to be alone again.  Embracing the freedom I had to live life on my terms was empowering. Reflecting on the lessons I learned from my marriage was imperative so that I didn't repeat the same negative patterns and behaviors in my future relationships.  Figuring out who I was as an individual and deciding how I was going to spend the next chapter of my life was critical. 

Dating in my 40’s proved to be a challenge, to say the least.  If I had not taken the time to heal from my divorce and figure out who I was when I wasn’t in a relationship, I wouldn't be in the healthy marriage I am in today.  I know this to be true, without a shadow of doubt.   

Over the last 20 years, multiple people urged me to pursue my passion and become a Life Coach.  About ten years ago, I considered becoming a Life Coach, but I knew the timing was not right.  I have been the go-to person for my friends, colleagues, and family for as far back as I can remember.  So, when I knew I had a solid foundation to build on, I finally took my own advice and I am now in the career of my dreams - a certified, professionally trained Life Coach.    

My real-life experiences have enabled me to provide insight, guidance, hope, and coaching to countless individuals and couples.  It feeds my soul's purpose to change people's lives for the better and make a positive impact on my fellow human beings. 

I am fortunate to live in the beautiful mountains of Manitou Springs, overlooking the city of Colorado Springs, CO with my wonderful husband.  It is here where I host coaching retreats at my home for individuals or couples. As you can see from the video, some days we are literally “in the clouds.”

When I am not working, my free time is spent creating my custom art canvasses, golfing, hiking, skiing, or enjoying live music. By traveling and photographing destinations such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National Park, Yellowstone or trekking across Spain, Scotland, or Ireland, my soul is fed and inspired. Our next bucket list trip is to Norway to see the Aurora Borealis and Switzerland to fulfill a life-long dream to see both.

TRAINING | credentials | certifications

Coach U, one of the world’s premier coach training programs that is accredited by the ICF, is where I received my formal coach training by completing the Core Essentials Program and earned the ACC accreditation.

Additionally, I am a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare Enrich Couples Assessment. This assessment has been administered to more than 4,000,000 couples around the world. It was developed over 40 years ago and is one of the most widely researched assessments of its kind. The assessment has been proven to improve relationship satisfaction and with the guidance of a Facilitator, couples are able grow more than they would on their own.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my life and experiences.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  I am an open book.

Please visit my TESTIMONIALS page to see how I have helped others change their lives.