Jennifer Bates is a life coach whose journey has zigzagged through military service, psychology, parenthood, and creative pursuits. As a military child who moved frequently, she developed adaptability while masking vulnerabilities behind perfectionism and achievement. Her early experiences taught her that only certain aspects of herself were acceptable to share, forming patterns she would later need to unlearn.

Motherhood marked a profound turning point, challenging every aspect of Jennifer's identity despite extensive preparation. This experience forced her to relinquish the illusion of control and develop deeper empathy for both her children and herself. Through parenting, she discovered that big feelings aren't to be controlled but acknowledged and accepted.

After earning her psychology degree through a military scholarship, Jennifer pursued a master's in social work. Her clinical work with veterans proved particularly meaningful due to their shared military background, though frequent relocations and family responsibilities interrupted her professional trajectory.

Seeking creative fulfillment amid the isolation of parenthood, Jennifer returned to her childhood passion for performing arts. When the pandemic limited in-person opportunities, she explored audiobook narration as a family-compatible outlet.

A connection formed during an audiobook course led Jennifer to discover her calling as a coach. Now she creates space for others navigating life's uncertainties, emphasizing radical self-compassion in challenging times. Jennifer believes we never truly "figure it out" completely—learning and growth continue throughout life's non-linear journey.

Find out more about Jennifer

Podcast

https://creatingspace.captivate.fm/

Social Media

@lifecoachjen.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bates-creatingspacecoaching

Email

[email protected]

Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

And thanks to Matthew Bliss

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.