MEET LAURA DUBOIS
I was called to become a coach after a cancer diagnosis upended my life in 2016.
In the decade leading up to that, I’d been ‘living the dream.’ I had a great career, a management position, and was an independent single Mom able to buy my own home. And then to top it off, I was blessed to meet the amazing man who eventually became my Husband.
From the outside, it looked like I had it all. But behind the ‘have it all’ curtain, I was actually falling apart. I was a harried Physical Therapist and single parent, overwhelmed with responsibilities. I was the boss at work & the boss at home and I had zero down-time. It felt like I was the conductor of a large line of trains, and if I stopped or slowed down, all the trains would crash into each other and it’d be my fault. Somewhere along the way I became addicted to caffeine and sugar to get me through my long days.
Meanwhile the physical part of my job as a Physical Therapist was taking a huge toll on my body.
Chronic exhaustion, injuries, long hours and no path to advancement were making me feel stuck and resentful. I craved a break. A change. An escape. I’d worked so hard and sacrificed so much to become a Physical Therapist, but I was spent.
They say be careful what you wish for….
I’d never wish to have cancer, but during that year of intense treatment to become cancer-free, I finally got some downtime! LOTS of time to think, and to re-evaluate how I was living and how I wanted to live. It’s crazy that it took cancer to make me slow down and learn to be present. I was finally forced to face the fact that the way I'd been functioning wasn't sustainable. Nor was it what I wanted anymore. I was ready for my own "What's Next?" in my career but I had no idea what that was.
What happened to me is a common experience. Well, maybe not the cancer part, but that part is actually what makes me so passionate about what I do now! I know too well: Life is short. We really have no business not making it the best ever.
It took an extreme event - cancer - for me to begin to turn down the external noise so I could hear and listen to my own voice. But I don't want that for you. Why wait for an extreme event?
I’m motivated and driven by my experience to support others who want (and deserve… that part is a given!) a fulfilling life and career, without the struggle. I can’t help but feel compelled to support ambitious, mission-driven, family-oriented leaders to create their NEXT LEVEL.
As your Coach, I am trained in habit change coaching method, transformational coaching method, neurolinguistic programming, motivational interviewing, appreciative inquiry technique and non-violent communication. And yes, I know that’s a bunch of jargon to you, but here’s what you need to know: Because of my deep education, training and experience from both the physical presentation and the mindset influences, as well as my own personal experience with major life transitions, I am uniquely positioned to expertly guide you in your endeavor to create a powerful change for yourself.
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”Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”
― Naeem Callaway
A little more about Laura's style...
I’m a pragmatic, tell it like it is, get-it-done kind of gal. I trust science and so I really dig data and evidence-based medicine. Aaaaand…..I’m also part “woo”: As a spiritually awakened woman I believe in signs, 6th sense energies and “the universe.” I believe all of our experiences are for a reason and that our souls are here to learn lessons, to become better and more evolved.
My core values & strengths (according to the VIA Strengths Finder...and I agree!) are honesty, perspective, humor, social intelligence and hope.
My Philosophy as a Life Coach
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Honesty
I'm honest, transparent and direct. I value the same in others. I also have a well-calibrated BS meter so dishonesty doesn't get very far with me.
Perspective
I've been through some challenging life stuff! (as have we all) This, together with being a big-picture thinker, enables me to see things from multiple sides, which promotes greater understanding and empathy, not just from me to you, but for others - for themselves and those around them - with whom I share my ideas.
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Humor
I have a silly side that is not to be contained! I like to joke around and have fun and I'm always on the lookout for 'What's funny about this?'
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Social Intelligence
I can read a room in 2 seconds. Part innate ability, together with learned experience. I'm savvy and street-smart.
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Hope
In my view, there's ALWAYS something to be grateful for, to look forward to, and to believe in. Hope is the deep belief within me, the inner-knowing that everything is gonna be just fine. As a coach, this mostly shows up as my ability to ask you the right questions to enable you to uncover possibilities and choices you didn’t see before.
For another perspective, according to CliftonStrengths, my strongest natural talents (which are perfect for coaching!) are: Futuristic, Relator, Intellection, Activator and Maximizer. Read what that all means here if it interests you!
Random Stuff...
I love the beach and hate the cold weather, so as someone who lives in New England, I tend to be a homebody in the winter (unless I’ve escaped for a bit to a warmer climate, in which case I have a deep NEED to be outside as much as possible!)
I advocate for a caffeine-free and sugar-minimized life, but I definitely struggle with that sometimes because, well…chocolate. Even better, chocolate IN the coffee. My solution most of the time is spiced herbal tea, but I do miss the buzz!
If we work together, let it be known that I swear sometimes! Not a lot, but sometimes there’s just no better way to put an exclamation point on something!
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Credentials
Laura brings decades of experience in the health & wellness field, from her early days as an Exercise Physiologist/Personal Trainer to then earning a Masters degree in Physical Therapy and practicing for many years as a Licensed Physical Therapist. A lifelong learner, Laura is now also a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach through the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). This credential was created in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) in 2016.