Roo Harris is a people-loving introvert and accidental lawyer with a penchant for pina coladas and podcasts. The ladder was up against the wrong wall. It wasn't.
She's also a coach, writer and speaker who wants to get you from overworked and overwhelmed to living well. Roo was once the lawyer for an heir to the throne in one of the world's richest countries. Only problem was, she had ticked every box, done everything just right, and climbed to the top of a ladder where she didn't like the view. Here's her story of how she came to coaching:
THE ACCIDENTAL
LAWYER: I was one of those lawyers who never really meant to be. I accidentally spent 15 years slogging away at something I never intended, all the while wondering when I'd be brave enough to finally do the things I love. The last three of my lawyering years were spent working for a member of a royal family in a far-away Middle Eastern kingdom. It sounds like a fairy tale. It was a round the clock pummelling of contracts, deals and negotiations, and a constant dance with exhaustion and overwhelm. It sucked. THE NEW MUM: After my kids were born, things got worse and MY FABULOUS MID-LIFE CRISIS announced itself. This was not the plan people! Other peoples' babies looked so cute and slept so much. Mine, on the other hand, liked to party - all of the day and all of the night - a bit like their mother in her 20's. But where was that woman now? And who was this woman? I had no freakin' idea. Somewhere along the way, I had completely lost myself. THE TURNING POINT: The journey from then to now wasn't easy. I didn't hit rock bottom as such, I just new I couldn't go on drowning in emails and 4am conference calls between feeds. Something had to change. Thankfully, my crazed, perfectionist streak put me in good stead for unpicking the "how" and unpacking the "why", and then forging forward with a new way of living. Slowly, slowly, and with enormous effort, I worked to reshape things - to find out who I was, and put the things that give me joy in the centre again. THE NEW ME: So I live differently now. I'm actually here, present. I don't even recognise that mad-eyed workaholic with a bulging inbox and breast milk in her hair - who let her in?! I spend time reading, writing, ruminating. I spend quality time with my family and friends. I don't check emails while in bed. Things are calmer and clearer - I have brain space, passions and purpose. Life is awesome. I know who I am. AND WHO AM I? I'm a life coach. A life coach for you corporate types who perhaps don't quite believe in life coaches. A life coaching for those who are still stuck in The Overwhelm, having studiously worked their way into jobs that don't light them up. A life coach for high achievers who got too busy achieving and never took the time to explore their passions and purpose. A life coaching for professional people who are dreaming of a different life where they work to live, not live to work. For the fed-up who want a start up. For the upstart who needs a jump-start. For those deep in the fog of a demanding job who want to start living life on THEIR terms. I am here for you. Are you ready?
