What do you know anyway?
Who I Am
Hello! My name is Jamie West and I currently reside in the suburbs of Detroit. In college, I was the weird girl that was majoring in both poetry and science. Thus, it makes an odd kind of sense that I am an outgoing and creative person that fell into the very introverted and analytical field of computer engineering. (I like to joke I am an engineer who can barely add.)
This is where the idea for Troubleshoot Your Life began. It became a philosophy I practiced with myself and students I mentored at my alma mater, the University of Michigan. Instead of viewing personality quirks as problems, I started to think of them as part of the base code that makes us who we are. I work with computers and code every day, and in that world, solutions to issues only work if they are custom built for the existing program. Applying this thought process to individuals, I helped many students ask the right questions of themselves to set goals and plan actionable steps toward them.
I also used a troubleshooting mindset to ask myself the tough questions about the stagnant areas of my life and seek out the help I was afraid of in order to fix them. After five years, I learned countless things about nutrition, psychology, bariatrics, tools to improve my mental health, and general weight management strategies. I lost 100 pounds in just over a year.
With my newfound confidence and momentum, I admitted I hated my job and gave myself permission to go after a position I deserved. In my new role, I flourished. Outside of work, I was happier than ever. After another five years, I even met a wonderful partner and got married.
After learning I had a knack for mentoring students, I realized working with people, not computers, are what energize and motivate me. At work, I started to make the case for a career pivot to management. During this time, I began meeting with a career coach. After several sessions I was intrigued at what she could do: ask questions that focused me on what I really wanted, and in such a short time! I learned things about myself in our few sessions that would have taken me years to realize on my own. I took on more projects at work that got noticed. I even made it into the pool for promotion and started managing my own team! I had to ask my coach, “What is this magic you are capable of and where can I learn to do it?” After a brief laugh, she gave me the details about earning my Certified Professional Co-Active Coach accreditation, and I began the program immediately.
After receiving positive feedback in my first course on my affinity for coaching, I began working with clients. I hope my rollercoaster of experience in career pivoting and taking control of my well-being—along with my Co-Active education—can continue to help others. I truly enjoy seeing others succeed in whatever moves them. I continue to learn voraciously and work toward being the best coach I can be.
Outside of work and coaching, I spend my time performing slam poetry, practicing the guitar, playing video games, and tending to all my pets. (I love animals so much I even have a tattoo of my cat, Princess Peach. She is not impressed.)