Meet Jess Flanagan | Empowerment coach and nurse practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jess Flanagan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jess, what do you attribute your success to?
I think I owe a few things to my success. The biggest one is authenticity. It’s been a journey for me to learn how to truly be myself. It’s scary to be vulnerable and realize that I don’t want to be just like someone else in the coaching world. I want to be uniquely me. This means that I won’t be for everyone and I’m now ok with that, because the people who do really make connections with me do so on a much deeper level. We can make real change and transformations that way.

I also think making connections has been huge for the success of my brand. Really putting myself out in the community and showing people who I am and what I’m passionate about has brought so many clients to me. For a while I was trying to reach people through platforms like instagram and while it’s still good to have that for people to see me, I need to be seen in real life, that’s where my light really radiates.

Lastly, everything that’s happened to me in my life has contributed to my success. Both personally and professionally. All my life experiences have made me the coach that I am today. I wouldn’t be able to hold space for people and mirror themselves back at them with compassion without having gone through some of the difficulties in life and without working for years as a primary care provider. From all those experiences I try to learn and see where there can be growth and keep pushing myself and my clients to the next level of life’s journey.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started my career just over 10 years ago as a primary care nurse practitioner. Medicine in the US often is experienced as a sterile office, with a doctor/provider who’s not paying a lot of attention to you, who tells you what to do, writes you a prescription and moves on to the next patient. That didn’t work for me and honestly made me feel quite burnt out, so I created something new via the coaching world. I believe if people really understand what’s going on in their bodies, how the mind and body both contribute to dis-ease, are willing to understand behaviors on a deeper, subconscious level; they can be empowered to heal their body and mind in the way that works best for them. I’m here to provide education, skills and a whole lot of care and encouragement.

The thing I’m most proud of with this career shift is how much more human-centered care can be provided with this new perspective on healing and how I can make much deeper connections with my clients. When we work together, you’re no longer a number or just another face I’m going to quickly see in an office and then maybe never see again. We enter into a deep trusting relationship to achieve the transformation and healing you’re seeking. It definitely wasn’t easy to leave the western medical system and step outside of the box but it’s been so fulfilling, despite the challenges, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I also actively practice everything I teach to my clients. I don’t believe we can ask someone to do something we don’t do ourselves or we haven’t tried and experienced. I provide 1:1 coaching sessions for people that include mindfulness based stress reduction (meditation techniques), somatic coaching, hypnosis, breathwork, EFT (tapping) and guided psychedelic experiences.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well anyone who really knows me knows we’re escaping the city as soon as you get here! I love nature and think we can learn so much from spending time deep in the woods or mountains. Gothic basin is one of my absolute favorite hikes. It’s only an hour and a half from Seattle but you feel like you’re thousands of miles away. The trail is challenging, but not overwhelmingly; just enough to make you feel accomplished. The views from the top are unmatched. There are 360 degree views of snow capped mountains while you sit next to an alpine lake. Take a cold plunge and reset your nervous system. Get meditative while walking in pace with mother nature in the forest and just slow down and enjoy the healing power that’s all around you. For an even more epic time, backpack there and spend the night watching the stars. The sunsets and sunrises there truly heal me on a soul level.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few people that have been so integral into my growth and success. The first is my brother, John. He is my biggest support and sounding board. If there’s ever a moment of doubt, he’s there to listen and acknowledge, but also remind me of my gifts. He’s one of my biggest promotors and cheerleaders in my coaching business and career shift. I wouldn’t be where I am now in life or business if it weren’t for his unwavering support.

I also wouldn’t be where I am without my mentors Matt and Jenn. Matt saw me at my lowest point in life and never gave up on who he knew was deep down inside of me. He saw my higher self and compassionately stood by me while I found my way back to myself. I wouldn’t be here, quite literally, without him. Jenn has also has a way of seeing the beauty within me, even when I can’t. She has been a huge influence in my coaching style and understanding of how to truly embody my unique gifts as a coach and how to bring those to others I’m working with.

Website: https://www.jessflanagancoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_flanagan_coaching/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-flanagan-08bb54ba/