My Approach

Coaching and speaking grounded in mindfulness, meditation, and somatics

As a Search Inside Yourself mindfulness teacher and certified coach (ACC), I’m excited to share the transformational practices of mindfulness, meditation, and somatics (mind-body connection) to help you relieve stress and reconnect with your inner wisdom.

I have a knack for demystifying mindfulness and offering tools and guidance to help you get to the root cause of your feelings and find your own solutions. While stress and burnout can feel heavy, I believe in the power of empathy and creating space to have fun together!

As a coach, I provide an empathetic and encouraging space to uncover what’s getting in your way, explore possibilities for change, and take action with loving accountability.

My intention is to offer a grounded presence to help you reflect, be curious about what you need to feel better, and make the shifts you desire—at your own pace.

What is my approach to coaching and speaking?

Meditate with me

One of the best ways to experience my approach is through my guided meditations and Mindfulness Community for Changemakers live events on the free app, Insight Timer.

Why focus on mindfulness?

Simply put, mindfulness means being aware. I believe that you can’t change what you can’t see, and change starts with non-judgmental awareness of how you’re thinking, feeling, and acting.

“Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment in the mind, body, and external environment, with an attitude of curiosity and kindness.”

- Mindful Nation UK Report

A few of the many benefits of mindfulness

  • Be less stressed and fear-driven

  • Feel calmer and more focused

  • Increase self-awareness, empathy, creativity, and resilience

  • Improve listening and communication

  • Experience greater health and well-being

What’s all the fuss about meditation?

Despite the common misconception, meditation is not about stopping your mind from wandering. That’s not possible!

Meditation is:

  • A dedicated way to practice mindfulness and train your brain

  • Building the muscle of being with whatever is happening in the present moment in a non-judgmental way

  • Exercising your awareness muscle so that you can be more aware and present in the moment

  • A balance of focus and relaxation - there’s no way to do it “wrong”

The earliest origins of meditation date from about 1500 BC. Hindus and Buddhists were some of the earliest traditions to practice it. Meditation is a part of many different cultures and religions – including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. And it can also be practiced in a secular way. The science behind the benefits of meditation is why it’s widely taught today in the workplace and schools, as a way to work with your mind and reduce stress.

Think of me as your meditation concierge. I’ll suggest different types of meditations to help you practice different skills (focused attention, loving kindness, self-compassion, visualization, manifestation, body scan, walking meditation).

And if meditation is not your thing, no problem! There are many ways to practice mindfulness that we can explore. I‘ll show you how to integrate mindful micropractices in as little as one breath.

What is somatics?

Somatics refers to a huge field of practices that stem from a variety of lineages and cultures.

“Somatics describes any practice that uses the mind-body connection to help you survey your internal self and listen to signals your body sends about areas of pain, discomfort, or imbalance. These practices allow you to access more information about the ways you hold on to your experiences in your body.”

-Healthline

Examples of somatic practices that can help prevent burnout by getting you out of your head and into your body:

  • Walking in nature

  • Swimming

  • Dance

  • Yoga

  • Qigong

Testimonials

  • "I didn't know what somatics meant before I met with Megan. Now I understand that this is a super power: what sets her apart as a coach.

    After just one session, I'm able to sense in my body when I'm in a disempowered state and shift my perspective with the help of mindfulness and self-compassion.

    'What if there’s another way?' has become something of a mantra since working with Megan, a gentle reminder to unfold the layers of myself (physically, mentally, and emotionally!) on my journey toward finding more peace and presence."

    — Jill K, Google

  • “I started coaching with Megan because I was struggling with getting back to the mat and meditating.

    Talking with Megan is like a gentle hug that brings you in and creates the safe space to be vulnerable. I was wrapped in positive energy even when discussing difficult things.

    The most beautiful thing happened during our coaching sessions--I was able to dig deep and find out why I wasn't meditating: I was afraid to feel.

    As a result of our time together, I found exciting techniques to relieve stress and enhance my meditation and spiritual practice. I gained strategies to meditate more often, and I'm able to face the emotions I had been avoiding."

    -Jame’ Pumphrey

  • "Megan is an outstanding facilitator, mentor and coach.

    She is a uniquely graceful and powerful leader, with profound intelligence and integrity.

    Megan communicates in a warm and gentle style, with a sweet sense of humor that lightens our often challenging work.

    I highly recommend working with Megan. She is truly a gift."

    -Olivia Teter, Head of Innovation at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

What will our coaching sessions be like?

I’m committed to compassionately supporting you to make the changes you’re seeking. I meet my clients where they are, and I hold my questions and invitations lightly. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to mindfulness and well-being, and I trust that you know yourself best.

Here’s what our coaching relationship could look like:

  • At the beginning of each 55-min phone or video call, we’ll check in and I’ll offer an opportunity to center for a few minutes.

  • I’ll ask what you’d like to focus on during our conversation, and you’d like to be different at the end of the call (related to how you’re thinking, feeling, or acting). 

  • We will discuss your situation, envision what you desire, and set goals that leverage your unique strengths and values. 

  • I will partner with you to ensure we make the most out of our time together, actively listening, asking powerful questions, reflecting your thoughts and feelings, and inviting you to experience new mindfulness and somatic (mind-body connection) practices that foster self-awareness and relieve stress.

  • In between sessions, you can work on the next step that you’d like to try out. This might include actions like tracking a habit you’d like to shift, exploring a mindfulness practice, communicating your needs, or asking for feedback from someone. Whether or not you follow through, you’ll learn something useful about yourself.

  • When we meet again, I’ll check in on how your field work went and support you in reflecting on your learnings, adjusting or staying the course, and reaching your goals.

Please note - my coaching is not intended to replace working with a therapist or receiving medical care. I do not diagnose or treat any mental health or medical conditions.

Kind words that a coaching client used to describe me

  • Phenomenal listener - pays attention to everything I’m getting at. 

  • Generous and compassionate - wants me to succeed on my terms.

  • Thoughtful communicator - strong at contextualizing and demonstrating values of equity, diversity and inclusion.

  • Transparent and attuned to me - tracks where I am in real time and checks in throughout to make sure we are both aligned.

  • Flexible and adaptable - helps me stay aware of what is being accomplished in the session, and offers options on how to move through the session so that I end up where I want to be.

  • Reliable in follow-through - puts in effort consistently during and after sessions to accommodate my requests for extra homework. 

  • Extensively and continually practices what she coaches, so she stays dialed in to hone her skills and enhance her knowledge base for what could be relevant resources for me.