We were lucky to catch up with Karri Brantley Watson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Karri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

One of my coaching clients came to me just before her 49th birthday, feeling utterly defeated and deflated—like a birthday balloon that’s lost its air. As she approached the empty-nester phase, she found herself tangled in a messy legal dispute with an employee and struggling to let go of a business she had cherished for over 20 years. On the surface, her life looked picture-perfect: a beautiful home by the water, a loving marriage of over 23 years, two adoring daughters, and a vibrant social life. She traveled the world, tended to her garden, and doted on her family. Yet inside, she felt a yearning for change, a sense that something vital was missing.

After attending a virtual workshop I led on “Living in Duality,” she reached out for a private coaching session. In that moment, she unleashed a flood of emotions, revealing how unfulfilled and exhausted she felt, along with the guilt that nagged at her for feeling this way despite seemingly having it all. It was as if she had a beautiful cake in front of her but found out it was made of cardboard—deceptively delightful on the outside, but empty inside.

For the first six months of our work together, we explored the beliefs that had kept her feeling small. One of her biggest challenges was her resistance to slowing down. Her calendar was crammed with “cheap yeses” that drained her energy, like a sponge left out in the rain. As she began to say “no” more often and set firmer boundaries, her body decided it was time for a rebellion. Seriously, it was like her body shouted, “We’re not taking this anymore!” and threw a little tantrum.

Finally, she listened to her body’s call for rest. We focused on being more present and nurturing her well-being, leading to a profound reawakening. As her mind cleared, she discovered a cycle of negative self-talk that had been undermining her self-worth. When I gently asked her, “Who is this inner critic running the show?” she recognized it was the voice that had kept her feeling undervalued.

These revelations sparked a deep transformation within her, igniting a desire to reinvent herself. She began to release old patterns and reconnect with her passions. Over the next six months, she made significant changes: she let go of her long-standing business, prioritized her personal well-being, and embraced a new calling as a life coach, helping others uncover their own passions.

Recently, she sent me a voice message, her voice trembling with tears of gratitude. She said, “Karri, remember when you asked me what it would feel like to truly live my life’s purpose and be happy? I had no idea it would feel like this. Thank you—it feels fully liberating!”

Witnessing her journey from feeling lost to experiencing such profound fulfillment has been deeply moving. Her transformation is a testament to the power of embracing one’s true self and purpose, reminding us all that it’s never too late to reinvent ourselves and rediscover what truly matters.

Karri, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I help people truly see themselves and give them the freedom to reinvent their lives—kind of like helping you rediscover your favorite book after it’s been collecting dust on the shelf or bedazzling your favorite old jean jacket with a stylish makeover.

Over the past three decades, my journey has been a vibrant blend of creativity and re-inventions. As a four-time entrepreneur, I started as a classically trained stage actress and sketch comedy performer, then moved on to running a successful national touring theatre business, and later ventured into professional lifestyle and portrait photography. I entered the field of life coaching as someone whose life had been and continues to be deeply enriched by it.

For the past 15 years as a photographer, I’ve been helping people slow down and see themselves through the lens—literally and metaphorically. My branding expertise involves delving into my clients’ dreams, talents, and goals to create visual content that makes them shine like the stars they are. My work has graced travel and spiritual magazines, books, airports, websites, blogs, and lobbies around the world. If walls could talk, they’d probably say, “Wow, you’re looking fantastic!”

When I transitioned to coaching, removing the camera didn’t change the essence of what I do. It’s still about helping people see themselves clearly and find their path—minus the flash and the awkward poses. I work with clients who are ready for an awakening, ready to stop making excuses and start reinventing their lives to turn their dreams into reality. Together, we navigate this journey of self-discovery, uncovering their potential and create a roadmap that feels authentic.

Our coaching sessions are like a mix of heart-to-heart conversations, transformative exercises, and a sprinkle of tough love. We dive deep into old beliefs and patterns, and before you know it, you’re seeing your life unfold in new and exciting ways. Think of it as a DIY project for your soul.

For instance, I once worked with an interior designer who was undervaluing her work and overworking herself. Together, we explored the underlying issues and built new strengths. She learned to set boundaries, leading to increased income, fulfillment and fewer sleepless nights. I’ve also supported people navigating chronic illnesses, helped CEOs enhance their leadership effectiveness, and guided those seeking to reinvent themselves in their 40s and 50s to reconnect with long-lost passions.

My coaching programs usually last 6 to 12 months because meaningful affective change isn’t like ordering a pizza; it takes time, consistency and dedication. I also love leading VIP intensive days, guiding workshops and retreats, and designing transformational 6-week masterminds and group coaching programs.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, I’m also in another phase of re-invention! I’m in the process of writing a gluten-free cookbook, called Gluten Free with Karri B ©. Yes, because apparently, I needed another way to sprinkle some creativity into the mix—now I’m adding recipes to my repertoire. Think of it as cooking up a storm in the kitchen while mixing up transformations in life.

Every step of this journey is about helping my clients recognize their brilliance and embrace the power to reinvent to a fulfilled life with heart and intention. After all, who says you can’t shine like a star at any stage of life—and enjoy some delicious gluten-free treats along the way?!

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

In 2020, the pandemic gave me an unexpected opportunity to hit pause and reflect on what truly matters—like a cosmic “Are you sure you’re doing what you love?” message. It shook up my life and impacted my coaching and photography communities in ways I never anticipated. And just to make things interesting, my health decided to throw its own drama into the mix. I was juggling extreme fatigue, relentless muscle and joint pain, persistent headaches, hormonal chaos, unexpected weight gain, cognitive fog, chronic abdominal issues, and pelvic pain. It felt like my body was hosting its own chaotic circus.

After consulting a parade of doctors, specialists, and functional practitioners, I was finally diagnosed with several chronic illnesses: Lupus, Hashimoto’s, and, more recently, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), also known as BioToxin Illness. Imagine your body throwing a never-ending party of inflammation—complete with unwanted guests and no way to leave early.

During this challenging time, I discovered a lifeline in a fellow coach who also lived with chronic illness. Her empathy and understanding were like a warm hug in a cold room. She guided me through this new reality with grace and patience, equipping me with the tools and love needed to care for my ailing body.

This journey became not just a path to personal recovery but also a mid-life awakening and another reinvention phase in my life. Through deep inner work, trauma therapies, and efforts to regulate my nervous system, I started to gain a handle on my chronic health issues. It fueled my desire to support others facing similar struggles. My hope is to offer guidance and comfort from a place of genuine understanding and heartfelt experience, proving that even in the midst of life’s wild circus, there’s room for a little bit of heart and humor.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I first started my journey in life coaching, I was fueled by a genuine desire to help and fix things for my clients—like a superhero with a fancy cape made of optimism and a utility belt full of well-intentioned advice. My enthusiasm often led me to take a hands-on approach, eager to offer solutions and guidance, convinced that my advice was the magic key to their success.

However, as time went on, I stumbled upon a profound truth: my “superhero” approach, though well-meaning, could actually be a bit of a misstep. Each client has their own unique insights, strengths, and potential. When I tried to play the role of “all-knowing sage,” I realized I might have been unintentionally sidestepping their own journey and solutions. The real coaching magic happens when clients discover their own answers and craft their own paths—kind of like watching a movie where they’re the hero of their own story.

The real shift came when I learned to hang up my cape and focus on facilitating discovery and curiosity instead. This meant asking thoughtful questions, listening with genuine empathy, and creating a space where clients could explore their own thoughts and feelings. It’s about walking alongside them as they navigate their own paths, rather than trying to be their GPS with pre-set directions.

Embracing this new mindset also meant letting go of the urge for immediate results or flashy progress. It required a healthy dose of patience and trust in the journey, understanding that true, lasting growth springs from the clients’ own realizations, discoveries, and actions. This approach not only leads to deeper, more meaningful change but also honors each client’s unique journey and inherent wisdom. Ultimately, it allows me to be their supportive cheerleader rather than their problem-solver, celebrating their mid-life awakenings and re-inventions as they unfold.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karriwatsoncoaching.com -and- https://www.karribphotography.com
• Instagram: @karriwatsoncoaching @karribrantleyphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karribrantleyphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karriwatson/

Image Credits

Alyssa Leffler Photography