Meet Patricia Cosulich-smith | Life, Leadership, & Corporate Coach | Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia Cosulich-smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work-life balance has evolved with each new phase of my life, as each new phase brings shifting priorities and new challenges. During my recovery from long-term Lyme disease, chronic illness, and burnout, balance looked very different than it does now as a healthy new mom. Back then, I often needed 12-14 hours of sleep a day and even took a medical leave of absence from school. My life was focused on rest, doctor visits, and health routines. It was an isolating yet formative time, filled with reflection, prayer, solo walks in nature, and art books. That season gave me space to reassess my values and decide what I wanted out of life.

Now, as a new mom, this season brings a different set of demands. Balance today means managing responsibilities around childcare, household tasks, and marriage while running my business—and still finding time for myself. I maintain boundaries by avoiding social media during evenings and weekends, focusing on quality family time, and using routines to stay organized, reducing decision fatigue.

I also find ways to integrate habits I love into time with my son, such as practicing qigong and doing a light 15-minute workout while he watches, or doing baby yoga together. These experiences ensure I stay grounded and continue growing as an engaged mom, without losing my identity and interests.

Balance is an ongoing process. It’s about aligning my time with what matters most—nurturing my family, advancing my business, and growing into the most empowered version of myself.

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 recently earned my ICF-ACC credential, a certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) that reflects high ethical standards and rigorous training. It ensures that my coaching aligns with global best practices, providing my clients with the highest quality support. Earning this credential ahead of schedule was exciting and marks a new chapter in my business.

My coaching focuses on helping people navigate transitions and explore what’s next without burning out. I specialize in fostering creative problem-solving, building resilient teams, and inspiring leaders to see more possibilities. My goal is to equip individuals and teams to alleviate and prevent burnout while maximizing their impact.

Life isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about doing the right things at the right time. This mindset guides my coaching and has helped me align my work with what matters most. In 2025, I’m excited to launch my corporate offerings, including team-building programs focused on creativity, innovation, and change management.

In addition to my coaching practice, I also run a direct sales business in wellness. I started the business in my early 20s and have been using and loving the products for nearly a decade. Recently, new product launches—like a liquid collagen for anti-aging and a GLP-1 activator for weight management—have propelled my business forward, which has been exciting and fun. In addition to beauty (which is what sells), I love how these products up-level our health at the cellular level and help me and my clients feel our best. It’s a manageable extra stream of income that fits well into my life as a new mom. I’m seeing the rewards of my earlier efforts, as my business is now expanding and growing in ways that feel sustainable and rewarding.

What I love most about coaching is witnessing those lightbulb moments—when a client realizes there are more possibilities, solutions, and options than they initially believed. A coach’s role is to ask the right questions, encourage reflection, and help clients discover what’s already within them. It’s about pointing out strengths, amplifying what’s working, and creating momentum toward goals—so clients can feel the way they want to feel more often.

I’m also expanding to offer in-person women’s circles and events in my new community, which will help me build deeper connections offline.

Being an entrepreneur is not easy, yet it’s so creative and dynamic. You can face doubt — both from yourself and others — and it’s up to you how you will respond and confront the challenge. Entrepreneurship has taught me to take more risks, and also to be more consistent. In order to reap the rewards and enjoy the freedom that comes with a successful business, you have to invest the hard work and earn it. It’s a struggle, yet I wouldn’t want it any other way. Above all, it’s taught me that perfection is the enemy of completion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our family recently moved to Riverside County, and there’s so much to explore! I’d recommend starting with Old Town Temecula, where we could browse family-owned shops, enjoy delicious food, and visit unique spots like a cowboy hat shop that offers custom fittings. There’s also a fantastic nontoxic French soap shop that’s worth checking out.

For a breath of fresh air—pun intended—Idyllwild is a local gem. On our first visit, we stayed in the Purple Rain cabin, a themed Airbnb inspired by Prince’s album. It was such a cool and cozy experience. The cabin even had a record player with a collection of vintage records. Before that trip, we weren’t particularly into records, but the experience made us both love the idea. We’ve since decided to invest in our own record player and make music a part of our family routine—listening, dancing, and spending quality time together. Whenever we visit Idyllwild, we also make it a point to eat at Mama’s Egg House. They have the best juices and country-fried steak, and it’s become a tradition to stop there.

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park are also popular spots near here. Our family likes to take silly pictures in front of the Cabazon dinosaur featured in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. In the spring, we look forward to going to see the beautiful orange poppy flowers that bloom all around the area.

Another favorite local activity is apple picking in Oak Glen. Los Rios Rancho and Riley’s Farm offer great family-friendly activities, fresh apple pies, cider, and “u-pick” apples. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the crisp fall air and spend quality time together.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to recognize my mom. She was a dedicated single mother for most of my childhood and made tough decisions to ensure I had access to educational, recreational, and personal development opportunities. As my Girl Scout leader, she gave me opportunities to engage with leaders, set goals, and learn teamwork at a young age, which shaped who I am today.

I also want to credit my husband, whose Ph.D. journey and unmatched work ethic inspire me to aim higher and build consistency in my life. His approach to the world motivates me to grow in new ways.

Additionally, I want to acknowledge Mark Guay, who invited me to take over as the lead facilitator for the San Diego Lyme Alliance Empowerment Circle. I recruited a team of licensed therapists and coaches to co-facilitate and collaborate with me. Managing this rockstar team and facilitating this group for three years were key steps in my journey toward becoming a coach.

Lastly, I’m grateful to the Inner Glow Circle team for their support throughout my coaching journey and in earning my ICF-ACC credential ahead of schedule.

Website: https://www.patriciacosulich.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia.cosulich.smith/ / https://www.instagram.com/the_transitions_podcast/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-cosulich/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cosulich/

Other: https://www.patriciacosulich.com/corporate
https://www.patriciacosulich.com/podcast
https://thetransitionspodcast.libsyn.com/

Image Credits
Candice Swanson photography
Leigha Smith Photography