Name: Lindsey R.
Age: 28
City: Columbus, OH
Job: Administrative Coordinator
Pre-Coaching Concerns:
Lindsey, a 28-year-old administrative coordinator, returned to her office job just six weeks after giving birth to her first child. She was still physically and emotionally recovering but felt pressure to prove she could manage it all. She enrolled in coaching offered as a benefit through her employer because she was struggling with:
- Exhaustion & Sleep Deprivation:
Late-night feedings and early mornings left Lindsey running on little rest, impacting her focus and productivity at work
- Postpartum Body Image & Confidence:
She felt self-conscious about her appearance, avoided the office gym she once enjoyed, and worried colleagues were judging her
- Work–Life Overload:
Managing a full-time office job, pumping breaks, daycare pickups, and home responsibilities left her constantly overwhelmed
- Guilt & Emotional Stress:
Lindsey felt guilty both at work (for not being as sharp as before) and at home (for not spending enough time with her baby)
The Coaching Experience:
Sessions 1–2: Awareness, Healing, and Values
- Clarifying Motivations & Core Values:
Through guided reflection, Lindsey identified her top values: family presence, career growth, and personal health. This clarity helped her see where her time and energy were most needed
- Awareness Without Judgment:
She began tracking her daily energy, mood, and routines. This revealed patterns: skipped meals led to mid-afternoon crashes, and long commutes drained her before she even got home
- Gentle Self-Care Routines:
Rather than unrealistic overhauls, Lindsey’s coach encouraged small, nourishing steps: pre-packed snacks at her desk, five-minute walks during breaks, and a short bedtime wind-down ritual with her partner
Lindsey’s reflection:
“I realized I was trying to go from zero to 100 right after giving birth. My coach helped me slow down, notice my needs, and take things one step at a time.”
Sessions 3–4: Structure, Boundaries, and Confidence
- Redesigning Daily Routines:
Lindsey and her coach mapped out a “workday flow” that included blocked time for pumping, short recovery breaks, and boundaries around after-hours emails
- Building Morning & Evening Anchors:
Lindsey experimented with quick, energizing rituals, such as hydration and stretching before leaving for work, and a five-minute “reset” in the car before picking up her baby
- Reframing Negative Self-Talk:
Lindsey’s coach guided her to replace guilt-driven thoughts (“I’m failing at both”) with more compassionate affirmations (“I’m learning balance, and progress matters more than perfection”)
Lindsey’s insight:
“I thought boundaries would make me seem less committed at work, but they actually helped me be more focused and effective.”
Sessions 5–6: Long-Term Sustainability & Support Systems
- Strengthening Support Networks:
Lindsey’s coach encouraged her to lean more on her partner, delegate household tasks, and schedule weekly check-ins with a fellow mom friend for connection and accountability
- Mindset Shifts for Resilience:
Lindsey learned to view setbacks (like sleepless nights or stressful workdays) not as failures but as cues to pause, reset, and re-center her energy
- Celebrating Progress Holistically:
Instead of measuring success only by productivity or energy, Lindsey began celebrating small wins: eating three balanced meals, getting outside once a day, or carving out 10 minutes of baby playtime after work
Outcomes
- Improved energy and focus, leading to stronger daily productivity
- Enhanced efficiency and confidence through structure and healthy boundaries
- Greater resilience and stability during high-pressure work periods
- Reduced burnout and presenteeism through sustainable work habits
- Decreased absenteeism and stronger on-the-job focus
Lindsey’s takeaway:
“Coming back to the office six weeks after giving birth felt impossible. I was exhausted and guilty all the time. Coaching gave me practical tools and the mindset shift I needed to balance work, motherhood, and my own health. I feel more confident, more present, and more supported in this season of life.”