Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Hurd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kelly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I grew up in a household where there was a lot of instability – financially and emotionally. I remember times when we could not afford groceries and my parents going through bankruptcy. I vowed that I would be the most upstanding, stable adult possible. And I did that – I taught elementary school for over 20 years. It was a beautiful career that I am proud of, and I always appreciated great healthcare and a steady paycheck. Yet, after getting life-changing help from a life & health coach, I gravitated toward the world of wellness. I had grown super unhealthy and was beyond stressed. This help (and emerging healthier habits, ways of thinking, strategies for stress, focus on creating happiness) became my favorite thing. I eventually went back to school for yoga, meditation and a health & life coaching certification. I coached others on the side for years with the focus on happiness and stress-management. The idea of coaching full-time stayed present in my dreams and Vision Boards, but I felt that I could not risk my financial stability. Finally, after saving money, planning, strategizing, conspiring with my boyfriend and meeting with financial advisors, I sold everything I own and took an early vested retirement from teaching this past June. It’s still a risk, but I am coaching full-time, traveling while I work and feeling alive. It’s a jump that was hard to make happen and took a while, but I am well aware of our limited time here on this planet and am now so happy to feel freedom while coaching others on bettering their lives. It feels amazing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started off teaching for many years, and tried to be everything for everyone – Girl Scout leader, track coach, volunteer, best mom, best employee and best wife. I never said no, and put myself last. When things went sideways, I doubled-down on my to-do list, worked through lunches, stayed late and then survived by hitting snooze repeatedly, racing, numbing with sugar, junk food and binge-worthy tv. I was a mess, overweight and in pain from many stress-related problems from headaches, to ulcers and hives. Doctors told me to fix my stress but I didn’t know how – until I got a health and life coach.
I started with slow simple steps and eventually healed myself, gained perspective on what I said yes to and most importantly, felt better physically and mentally. I decided that I had to be a coach as well – I wanted to save others the pain of what I went through. I started organically coaching teachers on the side because they could see a change in me and wanted to get better too.
Now I coach men and women on overwhelm, being stuck and not feeling enough happiness in their lives. It’s perfect for the person who wants to elevate their life, but doesn’t need counseling. With life coaching, I meet you where you are at, discuss your dreams and goals, identify a plan to get there, provide curated info on best needle-moving actionable steps, and support you, hold you accountable and cheer you on while you take action with regular, virtual meetings.
I am most proud of my knowledge of tools that help people feel more joy and less stress and my ability to see options, choices and a way out of the dark when others cannot. This helps my clients move forward, find resilience, optimism and create life on their terms rather than just surviving. I have studied the research of happiness, stress and transformation while having my own experience with what I went through and helping numerous clients to achieve the same.
I’ve been through multiple divorces, miscarriages, assisting a parent with Dementia, working in a toxic workplace, depression and am now on the other side of burnout. I know that things can get better and have the experience and expertise to help others get there.
I travel full-time and stay in Airbnb’s around the world while helping clients in virtual coaching sessions. I just got back from Vietnam, and am currently in Thailand for a couple months and then am heading to the Grand Canyon to explore the area. Whenever possible, I love having extended time to learn more about the people, the food, the culture and the area where I am staying. I periodically head back to the seacoast of NH to visit with my 19 year old daughter who is a sophomore in college and I have a cat and dog that I take with me when I can. I do dream of having another home one day, but for now am content to enjoy this adventure. Whether I am back in NH or on the road, I work on my health and happiness by prioritizing relationships, eating well about 80% of the time, staying consistent with my morning routine, walking and reading a lot, and always searching for local art, the best coffee, theater, museums or live music.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
To really help my clients, I enjoy being curious and asking good questions that probe thinking and open possibilities. I love sharing tools, tips and research which is definitely a part of my coaching – but also, listening carefully and asking questions that enable my clients to think differently and see another way of looking at the problem helps them find success. I care so deeply about the people I work with and 100% believe they are capable of discovering solutions and making change versus me thinking that I have the answer. I believe this is an empowering yet subtle shift.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I’ve had to learn how to be resilient.
I’ve always had the best intentions and tried hard, but found myself dealing with infidelity and going through divorce only a year after getting married. I focused on being a good single mom yet struggled financially. Years later, I fell in love a second time, and got married only to realize quickly that we rushed it. And I thought that I would have to file bankruptcy due to his failed business. I felt immense fear and failure. I worked hard on myself, did counseling and honestly, wanted more children. I thought I found a great partnership, but with stress from miscarriages and differing viewpoints that relationship didn’t work out either. I am now 48 and have had 3 divorces. I am not proud of it. It hurts deeply and I wish that wasn’t the truth.
I recognized that I needed to learn more through counseling, and worked on healing and improving the relationship with myself. I had self-hatred before and fell short. I’ve sat with the pain, worked on myself and forgiven myself for my failures. Time heals.
This history helps me empathize with clients and be able to help them with their own struggles and resilience. I have now found a relationship where I am 100% myself and feel unconditional love. It’s wasn’t easy getting here, but I am so happy that I kept working on myself and trying when sometimes, all I wanted to do was hide at home forever. We continue to work on ourselves, growing together and prioritizing our relationship and it feels so good.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.uplevelformore.com
- Instagram: @uplevelformore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/uplevelformore/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kellyhurduplevel
- Other: My Mini-Newsletter: https://www.uplevelformore.com/mini-newsletter Travel Instagram: https://instagram.com/makingourdayscount?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Caden Merwin and Rebecca Klementovich