Meet Jess Hopkins | Personal and Professional High Performance Coach

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

Hi Jess, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Since opening my coaching practice nearly 15 years ago, the way I have understood and experienced balance has changed many times over. From waiting tables on the side while earning my first coaching certification, to attending night school to earn a masters degree in counseling psychology and commuting across the country to earn a second masters degree in applied positive psychology, to starting a family and raising two young kids– all while building my business and serving my clients– it’s safe to say that my energy has been pulled in many, often competing directions at the same time. The reality is that there is no “perfect balance” because our goals, needs, desires and responsibilities continue to shift as we progress through various stages of life. There are times when family demands more of my time and energetic resources, and so my priorities shift to accommodate. And then there are times when work opportunities require travel, long hours and intense focus, so once again my energy must shift to accommodate. Knowing that everything ebbs and flows, and trusting that I can ride the waves is foundational to finding a rhythm that works. That’s really how I prefer to think about it: a work/life rhythm, as opposed to balance. Owning my own business allows me to have that kind of flexibility, and I realize that is a privilege not everywhere has. On the flip side, as a one woman show, I am solely responsible for everything in my coaching practice from marketing, to accounting, to service delivery, so there is no one else to rely on. All to say, there is no perfect equation for work/life balance. At best, we must each pause regularly to take an inventory of how we’re feeling about the state of our lives, and if we notice that something feels untenable either personally or professionally, then we must proactively seek a strategy for finding a rhythm that is in greater alignment with our values.

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 consider myself a multi-tasker when it comes to my professional life and career, which has enabled me to create a business and life that I love! By trade I am a Coach, and love the transformative power of 1:1 coaching. I have served hundreds of clients over the years and have had the great privilege of watching my clients achieve next-level growth. It brings me such joy to be able to form deep, meaningful relationships with my clients– in fact, I recently attended the wedding of one of my clients who I’ve been supporting for over a decade! It was truly a bucket list moment for me to be included in such a milestone moment. But coaching is really just one part of my job. I also partner with companies like Red Bull and Panasonic, providing coaching, training and facilitation to upskill employees and enhance workplace well-being. I never could have imagined that my career would evolve in these ways, but it has allowed me to capitalize on my innate strengths and make a broader positive impact. One of the most important things I’ve learned in my professional journey so far is to stay open to the possibilities. When I graduated college, I was an aspiring actress with a theater degree. I had zero intention of becoming an entrepreneur or pursuing 2 graduate degrees. One unexpected encounter with a life coach changed the entire trajectory of my career and inspired me to pursue a path I could have never seen coming. And, as I was honing my acting skills, I could never have guessed that I would eventually use those same on-stage skills to facilitate trainings and workshops for hundreds of people around the country. All to say, just because you can’t see the top of the stairway doesn’t mean you can’t keep taking the steps right in front of you. In my experience, if you follow your passions, listen to your intuition, double down on building and using your strengths, work hard and stay open, chances are you achieve something personally significant and meaningful. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled. When I first started training to become a life coach, I was met with a lot of skepticism as coaching was still relatively obscure. But I trusted my gut and coaching is now a 2.85 billion dollar global industry. When I first decided to take my coaching practice 100% virtual (long before Zoom and Covid hit) I was told the model would never work. But I did it anyway, expanded my positive impact to international clients, and have never looked back. Opportunities are everyone. Stay open.

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?
I’m a west-sider and love the outdoors. So, non-negotiables would include hiking and beach hangs in Malibu. For entertainment, a show at an intimate theater like the Largo is a must. For food and drink, some of my absolute favorites are Hatchet Hall, Margot and Cafe Gratitude. An overnight in Ojai or Santa Barbara would also be top priority!

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?
Love this! My shoutout goes to Tami Walsh, founder of Teen Wisdom Inc. and a pioneer in coaching for teen girls. When I first started coaching, my client base was teenage girls, and Tami was an incredible mentor, cheerleader and teacher. She put me on the path to a successful coaching career, and I am forever grateful for her support and encouragement!

Website: Empowerhouse.com MyCoachJess.com and ThrivingWorkforce.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-hopkins-ma-mapp-188409130/

Image Credits
Capra Photography