Hi Love, I'm Jen.
I remember 13-year-old-me laying in bed at night at my first foster home, comforting myself to sleep with dreams of the kind of life I so badly wanted to create for myself someday.
Those very dreams traveled with me as I went on to live in other foster homes, with each one having its own set of rules and ways of being in the world. My desire to create the kind of life I dreamed only intensified as I got older.
I carried this energizing faith for my future with me. I went on to college and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Augustana College. I lived abroad for a year in Spain. I was in a stable, loving relationship with my high-school sweetheart.
On the outside I was happy, but on the inside I was struggling. Suddenly, it was in my control to really get out there and create the kind of life I knew deep down I deserved.
But did I really deserve it?
A negative whisper began to emerge and it sounded like every critical voice I had encountered in my years of foster care. Over time, the voice became louder and louder and analyzed and judged my every move.
[This right here my friend is our inner critic. You know your inner critic? That voice that is relentless in the pursuit of perfection. It wants you to be your best, but does so by telling you that you are never enough.]
Despite my inner critic, I carried on, and got my Master's Degree in Administrative Leadership at Roosevelt University and worked as an educator. Over time, I felt overwhelmed by the stream of negative thoughts I was experiencing almost daily. With the structure and stability of foster care and college having faded, the transition of being completely on my own had become too much to bare.
To cope with it all, I began numbing my feelings. I was always on the lookout for addictive behaviors throughout my life, avoiding drugs and alcohol because addiction was a big part of why I was taken away from my family. And yet, addiction crept into my life disguised by the one thing we all need to survive: food.
Fortunately, I was able to heal the part of me that was really hurting through self-growth, reflection, support, and recovery. I started to see that I create all the love and stability I need. No matter how unstable or unpredictable life was on the outside, I realized that I create the rock-solid foundation I need, by loving myself, first.
As I reconnected with my inner dreamer, I thought more freely about the kind of woman I want to be, and the kind of life I want to create.
It was through really taking care of myself on the inside, that my mission into self-care was born.
With a huge leap of faith, I left a career I liked for a career I loved. In 2014, I became a Certified Professional Life Coach with the International Coach Federation approved Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Since launching my coaching practice, I now have the joy of walking alongside women (in-person and virtually!) to create the kind of lives they envision for themselves.
Today, I share the tools I have learned from my past experiences and work as a life coach to help people like you take care of yourself, first.
Thank you for being here. I welcome you to hang with me over on the podcast, or visit me over on Instagram. And while you are here, I also invite you to become part of my First + Foremost community, my monthly newsletter that is filled to the brim with every tip and tool I have for taking the very best care of you too.
Warmly yours,
"I didn't think I was in need of a life coach, but I met Jen at the perfect time in my life and she truly helped me take care of ME during the busyness of moving, taking care of my one-year-old, restructuring my business, and eventually building my own virtual workout plan."
I originally reached out to Jen to learn more about her career as a life coach, as I was transitioning to a virtual health coach and had interest in taking a life coach course myself. After speaking with her and learning more about what she did, I instantly signed up for monthly 1:1 calls. She helped me stay on track with my goals, she gave me tips on running a virtual business, she kept me extra organized, and most of all- she made me constantly think of my own needs. Aside from her coaching, she is also such a pleasure to spend an hour with. I always looked forward to our calls and left feeling energized and focused. I truly feel like I am able to give more as a wife, mother, friend, and health coach after working with her.
"The message from Jen Wille will carry your heart forever."
Her compassion and love for others started from her experiences as a child, and although those experiences were not what you hope for anyone, we are lucky to have Jen out of the mess. Jen is easy to work with and is a wonderful listener. She truly wants to make the experience about you and your organization, whatever that means. She is a natural teacher and coach. What Jen has to offer is unique in all the presentations that I have seen at conferences. She will forever hold a place in my heart and in my work. I strive to use the tools that Jen gave me in order to become the leader and the professional that she is.”
- Shelley Brunjak
Career and Technical Education Coordinator of Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado