We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lynsey Retzlaff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lynsey below.

Lynsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

13 years ago, I experienced my first defining moment as I was going through a divorce, impostor syndrome, anxiety, and stuck living unfulfilled. I was scared to take healthy risks to improve the quality of my life. I coped by drinking alcohol, avoiding my feelings, sitting in the back row of rooms (and life), and was unsure life was going to get better. People in my life at that time were unsupportive and it confirmed my deep belief that I was “no good.”

Once I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, I worked hard on personal and professional development. For me, that meant a combination of therapy, support groups, and coaching to deal with impostor syndrome, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. Through this work, I saw my life and mental health improve, and I realized people have control of their outcomes. I went back to school, achieved a Masters degree in Social Work with an emphasis in mental health, married a wonderful man, repaired my relationships, created new friendships, and had two children who have never seen me drink. My growth journey didn’t stop there.

2 years ago, I was working at one of the few trauma recovery residential programs in the United States. One particular female trauma survivor, after experiencing a horrific trauma, believed she was defective and blamed herself 100% for the trauma. My heart broke for her every day because sitting before me was an intelligent, kind, funny, and charismatic woman. The words she used to describe herself were the last words I would have used to explain her.

The defining moment that further solidified my career pivot was when she left the residential unit on her day of discharge. She was crying and repeating how much I had helped her believe the factual and positive self-narrative instead of the negative one. I realized in that moment that we all have stories we tell about ourselves, the world, and others, just as I did when I was struggling years ago. However, these negative beliefs are distorted due to experiences of oppression, depression, anxiety, adverse experiences, etc.

Additionally, as much as I loved my work with the clients on this unit, I experienced burnout due to unrealistic work demands and navigating motherhood for the first time. The workplace was toxic, and leadership was overwhelmed and unsupportive to employees. I struggled with mom guilt and stress when I returned to work and felt I could not prioritize my family due to the mental and emotional exhaustion. I was unaware of early warning signs of burnout, which would have prevented it from increasing. Realizing I needed to make a change, I challenged my anxiety and started my own business that felt more in alignment with my values and professional goals.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My background is in mental health, where I have worked as a therapist for over 10 years. After getting sober, I returned to school and graduated from the graduate social work program because I wanted to assist others in reclaiming their life story, just as I had. My mission is to bridge the gap between home, work, and mental wellness by providing mental wellness solutions to professional working moms and companies to prevent burnout.

Currently, I coach professional working moms to redefine, renew, and reclaim their life story to one that aligns with their authentic selves in The Renewed Working Mom Narrative™ Program. Since the United States has the highest number of working mothers in the workforce than ever before, mothers are spending more time at work. At the same time, traditional and now unrealistic expectations have been unchanged. These include societal norms, limited support at home and work, etc. Burnout has increased over recent years due to this shift and limited resources addressing the issue.

Additionally, I provide mental wellness solutions to companies to prevent burnout, affecting every working person’s bottom line. The services for companies allow working mothers to feel psychologically safe and excel at work while also helping companies retain employees due to high burnout rates. Services for companies include speaking, training, fireside chats, and panels.

I utilize evidence-based tools and strategies to help rewrite negative thinking patterns that unconsciously drive unhelpful behaviors and dictate our level of enjoyment in life. Additionally, I provide solutions to reclaiming inner peace, effective systems, and renewing relationships to recover from burnout. In other words, I bring tools from my therapy office to real-life situations that companies and mothers face regarding burnout. Having gone through major redefining moments in my own life, I understand the pain and emotional distress feeling stuck provides and how it is a major roadblock to fulfillment and personal and professional growth.

I am most proud of the community and movement that is evolving due to women taking action into their own hands and demanding more for themselves. I’m honored to be part of that movement because when a mom is fulfilled and stress-free, it also positively affects her family, teams, children, and friends.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’d say two things. One is that clients feel safe being their authentic selves in our sessions due to my compassionate approach. Personal development requires honesty and the ability to acknowledge barriers to growth which can feel embarrassing or anxiety producing at times. I use emotional intelligence to connect and understand my client’s viewpoints and circumstances to provide the best service. This resonates with clients, and I often get referrals due to their positive experience working with me.

Second is the quality of solutions I provide working moms and companies. With my background in psychotherapy, I see how change can be difficult without tools or insight into belief systems and behaviors that stunt growth. While there is nothing wrong with traditional talk therapy, I find clients receive better results when tools, education, and specific solutions are provided. Coaching clients do not need a therapeutic relationship to see results; however, they do need the same tools and education so they can apply them to areas of their lives that need improvement. Once clients understand the basics, they can transfer their knowledge to any new barriers that life inevitably throws their way and quickly navigate these barriers to continue their goal of personal and professional development.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

No, I wouldn’t! Since I know how it feels to be stuck and overwhelmed yet still wanting more out of life, there is no greater feeling than seeing my clients with renewed hope and living the lives they desired and created. I specifically focus on professional working mothers because of the many barriers I face and see other mothers experiencing. This includes gender stereotypes, societal norms, oppression, sexism, the glass ceiling, “super mom,” and/or “mom guilt.” It’s time women and working mothers change the outdated narrative to a life story they authentically desire and make it burnout-proof.

While my journey has been difficult, I wouldn’t change it because it led me to expand my purpose and develop a fulfilling business that creates the ability to learn, travel, experience new opportunities, and create connections with incredible people I would have never met otherwise. I’m passionate about mental health and well-being and believe everyone could benefit from mental wellness solutions. It would improve their own lives and many issues around the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lynseyretzlaff.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lynsey.retzlaff
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lynseyretzlaffllc
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lynseyretzlaff
• Other: Private Facebook Group for Professional Working Moms: www.facebook.com/groups/workingmomnarrative

Image Credits
Joe Haas Media