Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christine M. Roberts. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christine M. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My Mission: I am devoted to empowering professional women who feel trapped in their lives. My aim is to guide them in prioritizing their core values and making assured choices that drive personal and professional transformation.

This mission stems from my personal battle with burnout. Juggling a demanding corporate role, where I constantly stood out, with my responsibilities as a wife, mother of two, speaker, writer, and volunteer was overwhelming. It’s a syndrome I’ve coined as the “Superwoman Complex.”

A life-altering realization dawned upon me one day: We aren’t created to suffer endlessly. During my tenure as a leadership consultant, a few seminal moments reshaped my perspective on life. I met a couple who, driven by a health scare, decided to traverse America in an RV with their children, emphasizing the urgency to act before it’s too late. An event showcased a video symbolizing how societal currents often drift us away from our core values. Furthermore, a poignant article on hospice patients revealed a universal sentiment of regret over missed opportunities.

These revelations propelled me into action. Convincing my husband, we ventured on a year-long journey across America in an RV with our children, aged 10 and 12. They were enrolled in the K-12 Georgia Cyber Academy, and this journey was profoundly enriching.

Upon return, I joined the Disney Institute’s Advisory Group, focusing on the Southeast region. Yet, with organizational restructuring and the onset of the pandemic, I was at another crossroads. Rather than seeing it as a setback, I recognized it as a cue to pursue my passion.

Today, I run my own enterprise, offering a unique blend of executive leadership and life coaching, as well as speaking, facilitation and are also an author. My coaching program, “Create Your Best Life at Home and at Work,” is a testament to the essence of work-life integration in today’s world. It’s time we claim control and design the destiny we desire. We work with women on an individual basis as well as  with organizations that invest in their female leaders for talent retention, talent attraction, increased productivity, loyalty and overall employee satisfaction.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Growing up on the cusp of Canada, I called a ramshackle farmhouse my home. While some children played, I learned to shoulder responsibilities on our hobby farm, attending to our animals.

The echoes of my childhood were not about dreams and aspirations; they were drowned out by the challenges of domestic strife, an alcoholic father, the haunting specter of violence, and experiences of sexual abuse. The lessons I learned early on were not about excelling but about surviving.

One vivid memory is of a 10-year-old me, sweeping our sidewalk, observing my father returning home with beer and my mother setting off for bingo. The tense atmosphere, thick with dread, whispered of the impending fight that would ensue. Even in that vulnerable moment, a defiant thought emerged: “This will not be my life!”

As I navigated my teenage years, leadership found me even if I didn’t seek it. Whether as the president of the 4-H club, the youngest captain of the varsity gymnastics team, or the confidant of many, people saw in me as a confidant and would seek me out for advice. Interestingly, our childhood talents often foreshadow our adult vocations.

When I was 16, my parents divorced, and while peers journeyed to colleges, my path led me to retail. By 19, I was the manager of a shoe store with revenues of over $300,000. But as life threw curves—with the division closing—I found myself delving into outside sales and a move to Atlanta. Here, my intrigue in human behavior, psychology, and quantum physics grew exponentially. A promotion led me to California and then back to Atlanta. My fascination with the human psyche and relationships fueled my successes.

During this time, I also embarked on motivational speaking, penned columns for a local magazine, and completed an ICF coaching program. An unexpected meeting with a leadership company’s president set me on a path as a leadership consultant. Later, I joined the Disney Institute’s Advisory Group, focusing on leadership, employee engagement, and quality service.

However, the pandemic upended everything. Our team at Disney shrank overnight from approximately 360 to just about 40 employees. But every cloud has a silver lining; this upheaval became my catalyst to launch my own venture, drawing from years of experience.

“Create Your Best Life at Home and Work” was born from a desire to instill belief in women, to assert that one’s past or present does not constrain their potential. Our mission is holistic, encompassing executive, leadership, and life coaching, emphasizing a balanced integration of work and life. It’s a testament to the belief that we are here to not just survive but to truly thrive.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Reflecting on my journey, I’m filled with pride. I embraced resilience long before it became the buzzword it is today. For me, resilience wasn’t about following a trend; it was a means to rise above the shadows of a challenging childhood and not let it define my future.

There’s this adage: while we can’t change our ancestors, we have the power to shape ourselves and, in turn, positively influence our descendants. That’s been a guiding principle for me. My goal has always been to break the cycle, ensuring my children not only have a joyful childhood but also grow into emotionally, spiritually, and holistically healthy individuals.

I’ve been fortunate to have a steadfast partner in my husband, who’s always championed my dreams and ambitions. His unwavering support has empowered me to embrace my true self, no holds barred.

Life, with all its ebbs and flows, will always bring challenges. Old wounds might resurface, and past hurts could knock on our doors. But it’s in those testing moments that we need to stand tall, face our reflections, address the pain, and march forward. Not just for our sake, but for those who look up to us. By confronting our challenges head-on, we can inspire and become role models for others to do the same.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the pandemic, I found myself laid off from Disney Institute. Now, the dream of starting my own venture had been simmering in the background for years. But with a steady job and life moving at a comfortable pace, taking that leap felt daunting. The layoff, as unsettling as it was, gave me the push I needed…and pivot.

Venturing into entrepreneurship hasn’t been a cakewalk. There’s so much more to building a successful business than meets the eye. I’ve found myself constantly adapting, learning, and, in many ways, reinventing who I am.

But what drives me every day? It’s my mission to uplift others. I’m passionate about helping ambitious women find their footing, enabling them to make confident choices that propel them forward, both at work and in their personal lives. At the end of it all, my goal is to ensure that these women look back with pride and satisfaction, with no room for regrets.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ChristineMRoberts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinemroberts10/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineMRobertsCoachingOfficial
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-m-roberts/

Image Credits
Sweet Memories Photography – Naomi Phelps