We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Moira Brunk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Moira below.
Hi Moira, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
You know, it’s strange how life can take you by surprise sometimes. I found myself in this incredibly lonely, empty, and confusing place, and I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed about it. I mean, here I was, 53 years old, and I couldn’t figure out what my purpose in life was anymore. I had nothing or so I thought.
From the outside, it probably looked like I had it all together. A great husband, three amazing grown-up kids, a beautiful house, and some really fun friends. So, what was the problem?
Well, for the past 28 years, I have been devoting my life to taking care of my family, especially my son Jack, who has had significant special needs since birth. Morning to night, my days were filled to the brim with all the activities – school projects and plays, baseball practices, riding lessons, golf outings, carpooling, playdates, and awesome “mom” lunches. These were the things most moms experience, but being a mom to a child with special needs added a whole new layer to it. Countless doctor’s appointments and physical therapy sessions became a part of our routine.
Time passed by steadily, and one by one, my children left the nest, just as we had hoped and prepared for all those years. They were thriving, heading off to college and then pursuing graduate studies. Even my special needs son found a wonderful new home where he could fit in and discover his own purpose.
As for my husband, he continued with his demanding job in NYC, leaving the house early in the morning and returning late at night. And then, it suddenly hit me one day – what about me?
I had NO purpose. It was even scarier to realize that it had been decades since I had last thought about myself and what I truly enjoyed doing. I sat in this space for close to a year. I was a victim. Was that it..did I already see the best part of my life? I was in a very dark place.
But everyday I ignored my feelings..it got worse and I finally went looking for answers.
I always loved learning about personal growth and self-improvement, so I decided to hire a life coach. I worked hard and soaked up everything. Over the next year I discovered more about myself than ever before, and I absolutely loved it.
That year was a turning point for me.
Instead of feeling lost and purposeless, I realized there are so many possibilities out there. I took my time exploring it all, trying to figure out what I wanted to do in the second half of my life.
Fast forward four years, my husband and I made a big move from the East Coast to my dream city, Chicago. I found a fantastic residential facility for my son with special needs, just 16 minutes away from my new home. I even went back to school to become a certified life coach, specializing in helping women find their purpose once their kids have grown up.
It’s like coming full circle, and I have to admit, I’ve never been happier.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Right now, I’m going through a really cool phase of my life. I’m 58 years old, a mom in the middle of life, married, and I have three kids who are 28, 26, and 21 years old. I’m also a certified life coach, specializing in helping women who are going through the same midlife transition as I am. My coaching practice is called Moira Brunk Coaching.
Midlife can be quite challenging, and many of us don’t feel prepared for it. Often, we reach this point without a clear sense of what to do next. One common concern I hear from moms is that they’ve lost touch with their own interests…”I don’t even know what I like to do anymore”
My advice to them is straightforward: whatever you do…don’t do nothing. And that’s where we begin our journey.
For years, these midlife moms have been focused on taking care of everyone else, and the idea of prioritizing their own desires can be overwhelming. In our coaching sessions, it’s all about them. We dive deep into nine important areas of their life: their career, finances, physical health, personal growth, relationships, and more. We identify what matters most to them and explore their passions for the second half of their life.
Many women are worried they won’t be able to figure things out, but honestly, the whole process is a lot of fun. We have a great time exploring it together.
I encourage them to be curious about what they like and dislike. We ask questions like whether they’re happy with where they live, their personal style, or if they have any hobbies. We go through questions they may not have considered before. Often, their lives have been on autopilot, and they’ve lost touch themselves. I had one client who completely reinvented her style from head to toe…so cool.
I absolutely love working with midlife moms because they really get it. They are smart, ready to discover what they want to do with their lives, and genuinely appreciative of having someone who understands and can help them.
Most of my clients are in their mid 40s to 60s, and they quickly realize that midlife can be way more exciting than they initially thought.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
JUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP You really just need to focus on that next step, not the end result. Before I started my midlife journey, I used to stress about knowing every single move it would take to reach my goal. It paralyzed me and I then did nothing. But the reality is, all you need is that next step. You can’t predict the entire game plan because it’s uncharted territory. So, I was taught to take it one small step at a time each day. It surprised me how well it worked, and I can’t believe I didn’t figure this out sooner!
STOP DOING NOTHING
The more you do nothing, the better you become at it. It is so easy to tell yourself that you will start tomorrow or next week or next month. It’s a slippery slope.
So, where should you start if you want to avoid this trap? Well, you can start anywhere, really. Just stay engaged with life. Join groups, get involved with your church, try your hand at knitting, take short trips, go for walks with friends, hit the gym – do anything that keeps you connected and growing.
A GOOD MORNING ROUTINE IS A GAME CHANGER:
I’ve been following my morning routine for about 10 years now, and it’s become a crucial part of my day. It sets the tone and gives me the energy and focus I need.
My routine is pretty straightforward. I wake up at 5am, drink 20 ounces of water, do some stretching, pray, savor a cup of coffee, write in my journal, read 10 pages of a book, and then I’m ready to tackle whatever the day brings.
The consistency of this routine has been key in my overall happiness. I rarely miss a day.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I’m lucky to have a fantastic “TEAM” by my side. It’s not just one person; it’s a group of great people who make my life better. Without them, it would be like solving a tough puzzle alone – doable, but not as much fun.
My team includes my husband, kids, personal business coach, mentors, friends, and a few other life coaches. They all play important roles in helping my business succeed. Each one motivates and encourages me in their unique way.
Having a strong team like this is crucial for achieving success, and I can’t stress that enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: moirabrunkcoaching.com
- Instagram: @moirabrunkcoaching
- Facebook: moirabrunkcoaching
Image Credits
HEART AND RAE PHOTOGRAPHY
