Jennifer Bates is a life coach whose journey has zigzagged through military service, psychology, parenthood, and creative pursuits. As a military child who moved frequently, she developed adaptability while masking vulnerabilities behind perfectionism and achievement. Her early experiences taught her that only certain aspects of herself were acceptable to share, forming patterns she would later need to unlearn.

Motherhood marked a profound turning point, challenging every aspect of Jennifer's identity despite extensive preparation. This experience forced her to relinquish the illusion of control and develop deeper empathy for both her children and herself. Through parenting, she discovered that big feelings aren't to be controlled but acknowledged and accepted.

After earning her psychology degree through a military scholarship, Jennifer pursued a master's in social work. Her clinical work with veterans proved particularly meaningful due to their shared military background, though frequent relocations and family responsibilities interrupted her professional trajectory.

Seeking creative fulfillment amid the isolation of parenthood, Jennifer returned to her childhood passion for performing arts. When the pandemic limited in-person opportunities, she explored audiobook narration as a family-compatible outlet.

A connection formed during an audiobook course led Jennifer to discover her calling as a coach. Now she creates space for others navigating life's uncertainties, emphasizing radical self-compassion in challenging times. Jennifer believes we never truly "figure it out" completely—learning and growth continue throughout life's non-linear journey.

Podcast

https://creatingspace.captivate.fm/

Social Media

@lifecoachjen.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bates-creatingspacecoaching

Email

creatingspacecoaching@gmail.com

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

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for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

[DESCRIPTION OF EP & GUEST - 2 PARAGRAPHS]

Book links

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Website

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Social Media

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If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.com

And would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend 🤗

for his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.com

And would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend 🤗

for his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.com

And would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend 🤗

for his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.com

And would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend 🤗

for his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Del Parsons is a mission-driven business coach who emerged from a transformative journey of self-discovery. Growing up in a Welsh-speaking community in Anglesey, her parents instilled the belief she could achieve anything. This created both opportunity and an unspoken pressure to excel.

Her early life followed expected paths until her first significant 'failure' - dropping out of university after just six weeks. This setback became a pivotal learning experience that eventually led her to complete a psychology degree.

After university, Del built a successful corporate career in marketing agencies, steadily climbing to board-level positions. Her professional trajectory appeared ideal from the outside, yet internally she felt increasingly constrained.

Becoming a mother in 2009 catalysed the most significant transformation in her life. Her son's birth prompted bold decisions – ending her first marriage, recalibrating her career, and eventually finding personal happiness with her second husband Craig.

The transition to entrepreneurship revealed her passion for supporting female business owners. Through this evolution, Del developed deep self-trust – a stark contrast to the external validation she once craved.

Today, Del's mission to empower female founders resonates deeply within her. Looking towards her fifties, she embraces continuous growth while helping other women navigate their non-linear journeys with one powerful question: "What do you want?"

Website

http://www.delparsonscoaching.co.uk/

Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/del-parsons-business-coach

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.com

And would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend 🤗

for his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.