Coaching

Creativity isn’t just for artists and designers—it’s a critical leadership skill. In today’s fast-paced world, leaders who embrace creativity can drive innovation, solve complex problems, and inspire their teams. But let’s be honest: many leaders struggle to tap into creativity amid daily pressures, decision fatigue, and the need for quick results. The good news? Creativity isn’t an innate talent reserved for a select few; it’s a muscle that can be strengthened with intentio

We live in a world that spotlights self-improvement, goal setting, and becoming your “best self.” And those things matter. But sometimes we forget one of the most powerful catalysts for growth: Your brain’s “happy juice” is real, and it responds to simple, human moments. A six-second hug. Learning something new. Connection plus insight. Both help you feel steadier and more confident, especially when life feels uncertain or in transition. Here’s the thing: small groups offer s

When Jacque Hollingshead stepped into her role as Intensive Care Unit Nurse Manager at Mary Greeley Medical Center, she knew she wanted to lead differently. With a background in nursing, a passion for learning, and Coaching certifications from ATD and ithrive31, she brought a fresh mindset to a high-pressure environment. Rather than relying on authority, Jacque embraced the Coaching mindset—an approach rooted in curiosity, connection, and shared ownership. In this Q&A, she re

In addition to being a travel enthusiast, I’m a certified professional coach, educator, and military veteran. I’ve traveled to 32 countries and sailed on 12 cruises (so far), and my favorite destination is wherever I’m headed next! Being on travel reminds me of the importance of showing up. And we get to choose how we show up in the world every single day. It’s not just the big trips or major moments that matter. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that stay with us the most. S

Recently, I revisited an exercise introduced by Dorie Clark —a personal branding expert and author of —that’s as simple as it is powerful. It’s called the “Three-Word Exercise.” Originally described as a shortcut to a 360 review, the exercise invites you to ask a small group of people who know you well, “If you had to describe me in only three words, what would they be?” It may seem basic at first, but as Clark explains, once you’ve gathered responses from six to eight people

“I’m just ordinary.”That was the response I got when I asked a client to tell me about herself. I smiled and said, “Tell me more about your uniquely ordinary life.” As we talked, I quickly learned she wasn’t ordinary at all. She had incredible experiences, quirky traits she thought were flaws, and passions she had buried deep inside. It reminded me how often we underestimate ourselves. We look at the world around us—at the bold, the accomplished, the ones in the spotlight—and

Time is precious. And while we tend to focus on productivity, efficiency, and doing more with less, there’s also something to be said for dolce far niente, an Italian phrase that means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” At ithrive31, our three core principles provide a model for positive and healthy living. Core Principle #2 is, “Be deliberate with your time and resources.” This principle is about how we choose to spend our time. It’s about aligning our time and resources wit

I love the camaraderie of coaching. It’s so inspiring to spend time with fellow Coaches—people who lean into personal growth and development. This doesn’t make us perfect, but it does mean we understand the power of personal responsibility—for our relationships, our well-being, and the fulfillment we seek in life. Coaches know that achieving the results we want begins with taking responsibility for our own actions. As we step into 2025, I invite you to reflect on the results

How often do we allow ourselves time to fully arrive into a space? As we rush from place to place or meeting to meeting, a gentle reminder that mindfulness practices can help us get settled and better prepare for what’s next. As a life coach and teacher, I’ve found that incorporating simple mindfulness practices can help me be more present. And in sharing these methods with clients and students, I recognize we can all carve out a few moments to fully transition and get ground

And just like that, we’ve turned the calendar! Cheers to 2025! This is a beautiful time for renewed commitments, fresh starts, and a sense of optimism for what lies ahead. Use this energy to propel yourself forward—envision the future, plan for success, and dream about the goals you want to achieve this year. By harnessing this energy, you can fuel good momentum in your life. While the start of a new year brings excitement and optimism, it’s important to remember that we can

Hi all, Coach Lauren here! Have you ever thought about what types of goals set you up for success? It is the new year, and surely, many of us have New Year's resolutions on our minds. It is an unfortunate known fact, however, that these resolutions often do not last long; there’s even a “Quitter’s Day,” which falls on the second Friday of January, and research shows a significant amount of the population has already stopped their goal by that time. There are all sorts of tool

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." - Mahatma Gandhi Freedom is a profound concept that transcends the physical boundaries of our world. As a personal development coach, I see freedom not just as the absence of constraints but as the presence of opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and fulfillment. This Independence Day, let’s explore the true essence of freedom and how it can transform our lives. One of the most empowering

We connected with our newest coach, Lauren, to learn more about what inspired her to join the ithrive31 Collective. Dorene: Could you describe your role at ithrive31?  Lauren: I am a coach at ithrive31, and I specialize in helping mid- to upper-level women in engineering/technology fields who want to have an influence in a male-dominated field. I chose this focus because I have a background in engineering, and I know all too well how difficult it is to navigate your day-to-da

Marli Overman from Littleton, Colorado, is a dynamic and adventurous life coach driven by her passion for transformation and growth. She firmly believes in the power of balance across all aspects of life and possesses a keen eye for how our environments influence our well-being and energy. With a certification in decorating and an ongoing pursuit of her Feng Shui certification, Marli recognizes the significance of our living spaces in reflecting the larger picture of our li

We created Coaching on Demand™ to expand Coaching in organizations. Not everyone needs a full-time Coach, but Coaching can be essential to help leaders and team members work through difficult challenges. Staffing shortages, turnover and burnout are real issues across many industries and it is taking its toll on mental wellbeing. We see Human Resource department stretched thin and leaders trying to keep all the balls in the air. Coaching on Demand™ offers leaders just-in-time

We connected with our newest coach Stacey Walter to learn more from her about what inspired her to join the ithrive31 collective. Dorene: What have you enjoyed about being a part of ithrive31? Stacey: I enjoy working with other coaches and learning from them. They make me want to be my best self and encourage me to try new opportunities. These women have also introduced me to new opportunities in the coaching industry, such as memberships in communities of practice and new

Nowadays, the term "wellbeing" is commonly used, but what does it mean exactly? While there are multiple definitions, they all generally refer to experiencing positive emotions (joy, happiness), being free from negative emotions (worry, stress, anxiety), and having an overall sense of life satisfaction (fulfillment). In the workplace, wellbeing exists when employees can utilize their abilities, manage life's typical stressors, work productively, and contribute to their commu

Last year, ithrive31 partnered with Mary Greeley Medical Center to make external coaching available for all their leaders. Through this partnership, we have been able to offer support to leaders in a very personal way. This opportunity sends a message: “We care about your wellbeing.” The message that comes back from leaders who participate is 100% appreciation and a resounding “Thank You, we appreciate you offering this support to us.” It also allows leaders the tools they ne

Meet ithrive31 coaching client Ryan. Ryan was an Executive in a Banking Institution before he made the significant decision to pivot his career in a big way. In the summer of 2021, Ryan and his wife sold their home in Iowa and moved to Kuwait to teach in an American School. Ryan teaches English Literature to high school students and his wife teaches 5th grade. Ryan always had a passion for teaching, learning, and literature and he stepped fully into this calling.

My personality calls me to lead in some way.  Whether it was leading my two sisters and three brothers in making household decisions growing up or whether it was leading a team of 30 people operating a Marketing organization.  My calling has been taking care of people. My definition of leadership has changed over the years.  At first, I was more directive and managerial.  Checking in on people’s work and ensuring they got it done at high quality and quantity. It transformed i