Exploring Life & Business with Talia Rhea Life & Leadership Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Talia Rhea.

Hi Talia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been an overachiever. Having graduated high school at 16, an undergrad at 19, and commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps at the ripe old age of 20, I had all the makings of a sterling private sector career! Unfortunately, after more than half a decade of military service, an office in the Pentagon, and friends on “the [Capital] Hill,” I was bitter, disengaged, and living with an identity solidly rooted in my (very substantive) paycheck! In trying to fit the military officer and D.C. professional mold, I had completely lost touch with myself in exchange for someone else’s definition of ‘success.’ Over the next few years, I went to work, unpacking decades of learned (and acquired) programming, sifting through trauma, cutting things out of my life that no longer served me, creating boundaries, and developing the strategies to make my someday dreams a reality. And in the space of 18 months, I met my incredible husband. Quit my director’s role in government consulting, got married, moved to Franklin, started my own business, and am now dedicated to helping others succeed from a place of gratitude vs. grind. Today, I help high-performing professionals transition to the next steps in their careers. And I do it as my boss and CEO!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No! Starting your own business, transitioning into a completely different industry, and putting yourself out there is hard. I would even hazard to say it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done—including joining the Marine Corps—because there’s no structure. No roadmap. It’s just you and every insecurity, fear, and vulnerability, trying different things and seeing what works! It’s a challenging mental game. But the beauty is, as you begin to confront those demons, you realize two things: 1) that everyone is struggling with some version of what you’re going through – no one has it “all together,” and 2) you can survive it. So often we avoid going after our dreams because we’re afraid of a hypothetical outcome, be it rejection, fear of what others may think, etc. But when you prove to your brain, over and over, that you can feel the resistance, do the thing, and be okay, you begin to condition yourself to do harder and harder things. And the next thing you know, you’re on the other side of the mountain, looking back and going, “Wow, I did that!” But you’ll never get to that place if you don’t take the leap.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Talia Rhea Life & Leadership Coaching?
I help high-performing professionals find fulfillment, freedom, and flexibility in their careers. As a society, we tend to focus on “underperformers,” or the people we perceive to need extra motivation, as the ones who need the most “help.” And while that may be true to an extent, we often do so at the expense of the high performers because on the outside, they’re the ones that have it “all together.” In reality, they’re the ones who are trapped on the hamster wheel of constantly doing and being more to achieve this ever-elusive definition of “success.” I know because I was that person. And I’ve come to appreciate that it’s the high performers who are some of the most unhappy, unfulfilled people who no one suspects are struggling. So, I think particularly with my military background and having accomplished a lot at a young age (with so much self-induced pressure), I’m able to meet my clients where they’re at and understand what they’re going through and the immense amount of pressure they put on themselves. And in turn, they trust me to challenge them and help move them toward a better thing. At this point, I’ve been fortunate to work with all kinds of clients—from small business owners to international businessmen, to retired military officers—and they all share a common thread they want to wake up energized and engaged every morning and go to bed at night feeling purposeful and productive. It’s an immense privilege, and I’m incredibly proud to witness someone else’s transformation!

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
The entire personal development industry, including coaching, is one of the fastest-growing industries. In general, but especially since COVID, people realize there’s more to life than the traditional 9-5. Technology has changed and evolved so much over the last 10-15 years, yet there’s this growing sentiment that our workforce culture is emblematic of a bygone era. People want greater freedom and flexibility and a fun and fulfilling lifestyle, but they need help figuring out how to get it. So coupled with that and the new influx of work-from-home employees, we’re going to see a massive uptick in demand for coaches. It’s an amazing thing and a privilege to be a part of!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.taliarhea.com
• Instagram: @taliarhea_coach

Image Credits
Nicole Taylor Nashville Corporate Photography