Meet Sheila Kiechlin

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sheila Kiechlin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sheila , 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?

Resilience has to be one of life’s most vital skills. Mine started to develop at a young age, and life has given me ample opportunities for resilience to grow, along with many blessings to ease the pain. As a person with dyslexia who often moved during the years when a child was learning to read, I had several unpleasant, embarrassing incidents at school. One teacher only called me Slow Poke instead of my name, which might indicate my age since a teacher could never get away with that now. Another year, my reading group, one other boy and I was held in an art supply closet; talk about trying to hide someone. And I have to say, for a person with dyslexia, the only experience worse than reading out loud is having to read out loud in a foreign language class. All these experiences, and many others at school, started me on my way to picking myself back up and moving on. There is a shame associated with not being able to read or read as well as peers that is almost indescribable. I needed to find places where I was successful like drama club and art club. As a grew, matured and became wiser, I realized those experience make me strong but also incredibly compassionate to other who are having a challenging time.

Simultaneously, my personal journey was intertwined with my mother’s health struggles. Her undiagnosed health issue led to frequent hospital visits during my formative years. Witnessing a loved one’s illness, feeling powerless to help, yet needing to continue with life’s demands, was a profound lesson in resilience.

Simultaneously, I was silently grappling with my own adoption. I was adopted at birth, and like everyone, I had questions about my origins. I longed to feel like I belonged or resembled my family members, but I didn’t, and that troubled me. Despite always knowing and never doubting that my family loved me, I felt that my questions would remain unanswered, and seeking those answers would hurt the people I loved most. However, the love I received was unwavering and supportive. My parents, who played a crucial role in my resilience journey, didn’t shield me from life’s challenges. They allowed me to make mistakes, solve problems, and face the natural consequences when necessary.

At the age of twenty-six, I welcomed twin daughters into the world. Parenting, undoubtedly, is one of life’s most demanding roles, but it is also the most rewarding. My daughters, along with my son, have brought immense joy into my life and have grown into remarkable adults. One of my daughters was born with Spina Bifida, a complex disability that is compatible with life. Her journey has been fraught with numerous medical challenges. Living in a society that often discriminates against people with disabilities, I have witnessed her resilience, fought for her, and advocated for her and others like her. The journey is not without its setbacks, but giving up is never an option when you are fighting for your child. The joy and rewards of parenting, despite the challenges, have been a constant source of inspiration and hope.

Growing slowly has been a relationship with God and a solid faith practice. This relationship is the core of who I am now. It provides me with comfort, strength, and a sense of purpose. It allows me to know that I am God’s beloved daughter.

These life experiences allow me to be a coach who believes in the strength and potential of every individual. I specialize in supporting teens and adults who are neurodivergent, parents raising neurodivergent or disabled children, and adult adoptees. Through individual or group sessions, I create a safe and understanding space to explore all areas of life and develop the tools my clients need to thrive.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the owner of Abide Coaching, LLC in North Carolina. I word remoting all of the world with clients. I’m a coach who believes in the strength and potential of every individual. I specialize in supporting teens and adults who are neurodivergent, parents raising neurodivergent or disabled children, and adult adoptees. Through individual or group sessions, I create a safe and understanding space to explore all areas of life and develop the tools my clients need to thrive.

There are a million paths to any one goal. I love watching my clients build self-awareness, navigate their challenges, unlock their unique path to happiness and to become resilience themselves.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I have load of knowledge about neurodivergent life but what make me stand apart is my listening skills, being compassionate and being honest. Listening is the most important skill as a coach and in all relationships in life. It allows the people you are listening to feel seen, known and loved. Compassion is key to understanding where people are and meeting them there. Honesty is vital for relationships.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I love a win-win situation. Collaboration is something I am always open to. By working together, we can combine our expertise to provide comprehensive support for individuals with ADHD or Autism. I am most interested in collaborating with other coaches and professionals, such as couples therapists, nutritionists, and financial coaches, to create a holistic approach to our clients’ well-being.
Another area of interest for me is engaging with HR departments. I believe that your insights and experiences are invaluable in educating them on how to effectively support and retain neurodiverse employees. Your role in this process is crucial and your contribution would be greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in collaborating or learning more about my initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to the possibility of working together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://abidewithsheila.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-kiechlin-7a8123b2/

Image Credits

rachelandgreghotography.com