Hidden Gems: Meet Bethany O’Connor of Bethany O’Connor Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany O’Connor.

Hi Bethany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and began my career in international development, where I worked as a contractor to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
My work focused on improving access to HIV and maternal health services in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. I managed health policy projects based in Jamaica and Nigeria, with multi-million dollar budgets and full-time staff.

My world shattered in 2015 when my colleague and mentor was killed in a terrorist attack in Mali while on a work assignment. In the aftermath of Anita’s death, my company sent my colleagues and me to a mandatory off-site “Hostile Environment Awareness Training ” with ex-military trainers. We simulated traumatic events like carjackings and I was re-traumatized by the training. While my colleagues resumed traveling to high-risk countries, I battled anxiety so severe that I could not even ride a subway, an elevator, or be in large crowds without panicking. Seeking more connection with nature as a path to healing, my husband C.J. and I moved to Colorado in 2016.

That’s when I started working with a career coach who changed my life. While continuing to see a therapist to heal my PTSD, my coach helped me connect deeply with my vision for my future. I got in touch with my values, my gifts, and my life purpose. Coaching also helped me establish a daily morning practice that is rooted in gratitude, self-reflection, and intention-setting.

I also learned how to set emotional and time boundaries, so that I could enjoy a fulfilling life instead of always focusing on how to fix or solve other people’s problems. Working with a coach helped me realize everything is not happening to me but for me so I can learn and grow and share with others.

Soon after my coaching ended, I signed up for the Co-Active Training Institute program, because I wanted to share this powerful set of tools with as many people as I can. Everything was humming along for a while, and then….

COVID hit, and working in global health became even more demanding (and stressful).
I was juggling my day job as a USAID contractor, and happily coaching clients at night.

Each day I had chest pains, racing thoughts, and crippling anxiety about my colleagues who were going to be laid off as a result of changes in our funding. In April of 2021 I took a medical leave of absence because I”d injured my wrist and lost the use of my right hand essentially. It dawned on me that I was completely overwhelmed in my day job, and my true calling was coaching.

In May of 2021, I left my company and began coaching full time. Since then, I have coached hundreds of leaders in the biotechnology, federal government and non-profit spaces. I specialize in burnout prevention and recovery for leaders. I provide 1:1 and group coaching, and workshops on burnout prevention and stress management techniques. My client list includes leaders from Facebook, Salesforce, New Balance, and Chanel.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bethany O’Connor Coaching?
I am an executive and leadership coach, with a strengths-based approach.

My services include:
1:1 leadership coaching
Group/team coaching
Workshops/webinars on burnout prevention, stress management, and custom workshops at the client’s request
360 Assessments for leaders using Leadership Circle Profile

What sets me apart is my emphasis on burnout prevention and recovery (mindfulness, time management, and tools for managing up, protecting boundaries). What also sets me apart is because of my global health background I am very experienced in cross-cultural coaching– I have coached foreign service officers in Africa, Europe and Asia, as well as leaders in biotech all over the world. Also my background in 2 yoga teacher trainings allows me to teach my clients mindfulness, self-reflection and stress management techniques not taught in business school.

My coaching style is empathetic, positive, and empowering. I ask you powerful questions to help you apply a strengths-based approach to reaching your goals.

✔️ I leverage 12 years of experience working for USAID implementing partners to teach you how to manage the high volume of work across multiple time zones, and set healthy boundaries so you can enjoy meaningful relationships and quality time outside of work.

✔️ ICF Certified and trained by the Co-Active Training Institute (one of the top coaching programs in the world).

✔️ Completed extensive training in leadership, mindfulness, and yoga. I will teach you daily mindfulness practices that will radically change how you show up at work.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My resilience, and I’m a an excellent listener to and champion for my clients (and loved ones).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bethanyoconnor.com/
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hirebethanyoconnor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethanyoconnorcoaching/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=1

Image Credits
Gabriela Gjurekovec