Meet Morgan Edmunds, a Darien native and mother of two. After working in real estate, she followed her passion and changed career paths. Today, she is a life coach who helps women navigate life transitions, from motherhood to careers and beyond. Trained by Martha Beck, she employs the latest research in mental health and wellness, and some intuitive magic, to get clients unstuck and moving toward their life goals by accessing their own inner knowing. She also teaches yoga and meditation at Pause + Purpose in Westport on Sunday mornings. Read more about Morgan and her soul-searching journey.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have a 5-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son, plus our 7-year-old dog who routinely steals food and toys.
What brought you and your family to town?
I grew up in Darien and always aspired to raise my own family here. My parents and much of my family live in Darien or nearby. My husband and I met in New York City and after living together in Park City, UT, for a few years, we moved back to Connecticut to start a family. We love being near the water and nature in the suburbs while still having access to New York City.
What’s your favorite aspect about being part of the community?
I love Darien’s sense of community. Raising our kids in such a caring and active community is so valuable to me. I run into people I know wherever I go. I’m able to compare notes with other moms. There’s a lot of talk these days about how it takes a village to raise kids and modern mothers often feel isolated. In this community, I feel that the supportive “village” mentality is really there.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
When it’s warm enough we love going to the playground at Weed Beach. We also love walking from our house to Roost breakfast or lunch. Riko’s pizza is one of our favorite spots for family dinner. We love walking to the Hindley playground as well. We’re in the playground phase of life!
You have your own coaching business where you help women navigate life transitions from motherhood to careers and beyond. Can you tell us more about your journey to launch?
Before I became a mother, I was working in commercial real estate. After I had my daughter and went back to work, I experienced some post-partum anxiety and depression. I always remember this one week where I got in a fender bender on I-95 and felt that the universe was sending me a wake-up call. I started to work on finding myself again and I saw my priorities shifting as I re-connected with my authentic interests in health, wellness and spirituality. After much soul-searching, this led me to leave real estate and become a life coach who helps other women to start living from their genuine desires instead of being ruled by all the “shoulds.” I completed an amazing coach training via Martha Beck’s Wayfinder Life Coach Training and took off with my coaching practice from there.
What can someone expect when booking a session?
My coaching sessions are typically a 60-minute Zoom or in-person session. As a coach I provide a confidential and safe, accepting space to explore wherever my clients are feeling stuck in their lives. My coaching philosophy is based on each client being the expert on their own lives, and we partner together to make improvements. I work with my clients to find limiting beliefs that are holding them back. We also work to shine a light on the inner critic voice and strengthen the muscle of self-love and compassion. I incorporate some guided meditation to get out of the head.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
I feel so rewarded when I can help my clients get more clarity on their decisions. I am so moved when clients start to see how hard on themselves they are, and when they learn to let up on the self-criticism. I find it to be an immense privilege to hold a safe space for my my client’s inner vulnerable thoughts that they often can’t share anywhere else. Overall, I just love to help clients be happier in their lives.
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
My mom has emphasized to me how short this phase of life with little kids really is. Life is long and it comes with varying seasons. This perspective has helped me lately to feel less pressure to “do it all” right now and let each season come with its own priorities.
Any words of wisdom?
If I’ve learned anything from becoming a mother and life coach, it’s that our inner lives absolutely matter. After a certain point of material comfort, no amount of additional material things is going to fix how we feel on the inside. At some point we need to start looking at what our thoughts are like and what the real inside of our relationships is like. This is what coaching has helped me with personally and now I pass that on to my clients.
Anything to add?
A huge benefit of coaching is that it’s a confidential space to get all of our real, actual thoughts out onto the table. The filter can come off. This is life-changing because it allows us to be really honest about our fears and insecurities in a safe and supportive space. When we get these things out of the shadows and out into the open air, that’s where healing and sustainable happiness can really start to grow.
We love supporting local businesses. Favorite places in town or nearby to…
Have dinner with/without kids: With kids – Riko’s. Without kids – Don Memo in Westport
Grab a drink with friends: L’Ostal wine bar in Darien and Happy Monkey in Greenwich
Have a date night: Molto in Darien and Kawa Ni in Westport
Shop for yourself/shop for your kids: Darien Sport Shop for myself and the Darien Toy Box for the kids
Spa/salon: Fancy Nails mani/pedi/massage combo. Julia’s Salon for highlights and cut!
Grab coffee: I make my own cold brew these days, but I love Neat for some strong iced coffee and Gregory’s to sit outside and watch the trains with my son.
Follow Morgan on Instagram @morganedmundscoach or visit her website at www.morganedmunds.com. Book an initial session at calendly.com/morgan-edm-coach.