Meet Terri Chaplin

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Terri Chaplin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Terri, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
They say the human spirit is unbreakable, and the story of my life stands as a testament to that truth. In the face of unimaginable pain and loss, I have discovered a wellspring of resilience deep within my soul—a resilience that defies the odds and allows me to embrace life once again.

When I lost my son, my world shattered into a million pieces. The pain was unfathomable, and grief threatened to consume me entirely. Yet, amidst the darkness, I found the strength to keep going. Where does this resilience come from?

First and foremost, it emerges from the profound love I shared with my son. The memories we created together, the laughter and tears we shared, and the bond that will forever connect us serve as a constant source of inspiration. The love we shared transcends the physical realm, etching itself upon my heart and fueling my determination to honor his life.

Grief has been my companion, but it has not defined me. I have chosen to confront my pain head-on, allowing myself to grieve and heal in my own time and in my own way. It takes immense courage to face the depths of sorrow, but within that journey lies the seed of resilience. Through tears and moments of despair, I discovered the strength to keep moving forward.

Support has been a lifeline on this tumultuous path. The outpouring of love and understanding from my husband, family, friends, and my community has shown me that I am not alone. Sharing my story with others, leaning on the shoulders of my husband, and finding solace in the empathy of others, has provided a safe harbor amidst the storm. The unwavering support of my husband and family, has helped me find my footing when the ground beneath me felt shaky.

Perhaps the most remarkable source of resilience lies within my own belief in myself. In the face of tragedy, I have chosen to embrace hope, to have faith in my own ability to heal and rise above adversity. It is through this unwavering self-belief that I have discovered the strength to face each day with courage and to navigate the unpredictable twists and turns of life.

But my resilience extends beyond survival. It is a flame that burns bright with purpose. Through the pain I have endured, I have discovered a calling to help others who walk a similar path. By sharing my story, extending a hand of compassion, and lending a listening ear, I hope to inspire others to find their own resilience. In turning my pain into a force for good, I forge a legacy that transcends tragedy.

Today, I stand before you, a testament to the invincible nature of the human spirit. I am a survivor, not merely in the sense of surviving loss, but in thriving despite it. My resilience comes from the love I hold in my heart, the unwavering support that surrounds me, the belief in my own strength, and the purpose I have found in helping others.

To anyone facing their own struggles, know that within you lies a wellspring of resilience waiting to be discovered. Embrace your pain, seek support, and never underestimate your own inner strength. Together, we can rise above the darkest of storms and find the beauty that lies on the other side.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a dedicated professional dedicated to helping individuals like you find their inner strength and reclaim their lives after loss. My private coaching sessions provide you with personalized support, allowing for deep exploration of your grief, identification of obstacles, and creation of a roadmap towards healing and transformation. Together, we’ll unlock the power within you to heal, thrive, and embrace life once more.

After losing my first husband in 2005 and my son in 2012, I learned that grief is a deeply personal and complex experience that can leave you feeling lost, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. My goal as Certified Master Grief Coach, is to support others as they process their grief in a safe, nurturing environment. I believe that with my guidance, you can create space for joy to coexist alongside your grief.

By sharing my story, I hope to provide solace, understanding, and companionship to those who may be walking a similar path. I want to create a space where individuals can feel seen, heard, and validated in their emotions, knowing that they are not alone. Through the power of storytelling, I believe we can foster a sense of connection that transcends our personal experiences.

Moreover, I aspire to inspire and empower others who are facing their own adversities. I want them to know that resilience is not an unattainable quality reserved for the fortunate few, but a strength that lies within each of us. By witnessing my journey—from the depths of despair to a place of healing—I aim to ignite a spark of hope in those who may be struggling to find their way forward.

If you are open to it, I would be honored to support you on your own journey of healing from loss. Through my private coaching services, my desire is to address the multidimensional aspects of grief and guide you towards a more integrated and balanced healing process. This method acknowledges that each person’s grief journey is unique and requires personalized support and strategies that consider their whole being. In addition, I am also hosting an upcoming masterclass, From Grief to Gratitude, an immersive program designed to guide you on a profound journey from the depths of grief to a place of gratitude and renewed purpose. Through a combination of insightful teachings, practical exercises, and supportive community, you will learn how to navigate the complexities of grief, embrace your emotions, and cultivate a mindset of gratitude that can bring healing and meaning to your life.

I have recently expanded my services to include Strategic Life Coaching, as I found it a necessary next step with many of my Grief Coaching clients. As a Strategic Life Coaching Practitioner, my purpose is to empower individuals to live their best lives and accomplish their greatest goals. Through my expertise, I can guide you in clarifying your objectives, identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs, fostering self-confidence, understanding the root causes of anxiety, and developing effective strategies to conquer obstacles. By harnessing your strengths, I will provide the necessary support for sustainable and transformative change.

If you find yourself feeling stuck or yearning to transform your mindset and embrace a fulfilling life, I am confident that I am the ideal choice to assist you. My clients have experienced positive outcomes in just a few sessions, thanks to my tried-and-tested coaching methods. I am a living testament that you can overcome challenges and even traumatic losses, ultimately becoming the best version of yourself and embracing a life filled with joy. Having faith in myself and undertaking the necessary efforts to achieve my own goals, I have created the life of my dreams. Now, I am eager to share my roadmap for success with you. Remember, you are worthy, and with my support, you can tackle challenges head-on and cultivate resilience in your own life.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, I would say the three qualities or skills that had a significant impact on my resiliency are emotional intelligence, self-compassion and the coping strategies that I implemented into my daily habits.

Developing emotional intelligence was crucial for me in building resilience. It involved understanding and managing my own emotions effectively, as well as being able to empathize with and navigate the emotions of others. By honing my emotional intelligence, I can better cope with the complex and intense emotions that often arise after loss. This includes being able to identify and express my feelings, making meaning of my losses, and finding healthy ways to process and integrate the experiences into my life.

Self-compassion is huge for anyone mourning a loss. The ability to treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, is imperative to your healing. It involves cultivating a non-judgmental attitude toward yourself and acknowledging that suffering is a part of the human experience. By practicing self-compassion, you can counteract self-blame, self-criticism, and unrealistic expectations that may hinder your ability to bounce back. This mindset allows you to offer yourself the same care and support you would extend to a loved one, fostering healing and resilience.

Lastly, developing adaptive coping strategies has been essential for navigating my loss and building resilience. These strategies involved healthy and effective ways of coping with stress, grief, and adversity. Some examples include seeking support from my husband and friends, professional support, engaging in self-care activities that promoted physical and emotional well-being, finding meaning or purpose in the face of my loss, and adopting a growth mindset that embraced challenges as opportunities for growth. By employing these coping strategies, I was able to gradually rebuild my life and find new sources of strength and meaning.

Remember that resilience is a journey, and it may look different for everyone. These qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge can serve as a foundation for developing resilience, but it’s essential to tailor your approach to your unique circumstances and needs. Everyone’s grief journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Be open to exploring different strategies, and allow yourself the space and time to heal. It’s a gradual process, but with patience, support, and self-care, you can develop these skills and find resilience amidst your grief.

How would you describe your ideal client?
As a Master Grief Coach, my ideal client is someone who is actively seeking support and guidance in navigating the grieving process, whether they have recently experienced a loss or any major life change or are still struggling to heal from past grief. Basically, my coaching sessions and masterclass are designed for anyone seeking transformation and growth.

Some of the characteristics of my ideal client would be someone that is struggling to cope with grief and seeking guidance to navigate through it. Someone who is feeling overwhelmed by their emotions and seeking a safe space to express their feelings. They may be looking for compassionate support and guidance in processing their grief and finding ways to heal. My ideal client may be individuals who are experiencing complicated grief, which involves persistent and intense grief reactions that may be prolonged or interfere with daily functioning. It may be those who are motivated to develop resilience and find a way to rebuild their lives after loss or those willing to explore their emotions, beliefs, and values to find a new sense of self and a renewed perspective on life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Elena Burley, B and E Branding Photography

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