Hello and welcome!
I'm Gilly Kennedy, an ex-corporate professional turned coach, who's been through tough times and managed to come out the other side smiling. Whatever challenges you’ve had in the past, know that a bright new future is possible. It’s easier than you may think.
Here’s my story.
I had it all (or so it seemed)
I was always a high achiever and strove to perform at my very best in every situation whether that be in academia, sports, music or career.
I won numerous awards as a youngster and seemed to have the perfect life.
This commitment and dedication to succeed continued well into my corporate career where I took on complex, challenging roles in strategic change, program and project management in UK and the Middle East, all this while juggling the demands of bringing up a young family.
To the outside world, I had it all – a successful career, lovely family, big house, two cars and a sunshine lifestyle.
However, on the inside, things were quite different, and I found myself with chronic anxiety, frequent bouts of stress, on the receiving end of abuse both personally and professionally with an uncanny knack for attracting one trauma after another.
But I let none of this show.
My rainy day moment
Things came to a head in the summer of 2004 in Dubai, where I was living at the time.
Unusually, it was a rainy day and on my way home from work, I found myself rooted to the spot outside the front door, unable to move.
In the moments that followed, I heard a voice from deep within tell me loud and clear.
" STOP" it said.
"You deserve to be HAPPY, it's time to make a CHANGE".
This was to be a major turning point in my life.
In that moment, I made a pact with myself to do whatever was necessary to find a different path that could offer me an easier, more fulfilling and happier existence.
The big discovery
What followed was 10 plus years of experimentation, change and upheaval, while I tried to carve out a better future.
I changed everything, literally everything, but nothing worked. I was still stuck in an endless cycle of stress, turmoil and exhaustion.
However, along the way, I stumbled into the world of self-discovery and personal growth. It caught my attention. It seemed to offer me hope and slowly but surely I found a way forward.
I emerged as a totally different person, contented, re-energised and excited for the future. To my amazement, exciting new opportunities came my way, including meeting and marrying a wonderful new partner.
What a huge sense of relief.
I had discovered what I call “joyful living”.
The birth of Lifestyle Pivoting
Several years later, I was to meet one of my biggest ever challenges.
My husband died unexpectedly just before the Covid pandemic struck.
Nonetheless, my life did not come crashing down.
By applying what had worked for me before, I found myself inspired to move forward in a relatively short space of time.
It was miraculous. So miraculous that I felt compelled to share my discoveries with others.
Less than 12 months later, I left my corporate career behind and launched Lifestyle Pivoting at the age of 62!
I cannot wait to tell you all about it!
