Hi and welcome to Transforme. I'm Suellen Hughes and I founded Transforme in 2007 after many years working globally in a successful corporate career.

My Story

I am in my 40s, married to a man I adore and together we have a young son. We are also a blended family as my husband has two adult children from a previous marriage, one of whom recently had a child.  My work is flexible (as is my husband's) so we can drop our son off, attend school activities and pick him up after school. I exercise 5-6 days per week, my weight and BMI is in the healthy range and my health is good. I have a busy but balanced social life, we go on great holidays and I absolutely love what I do for a living - inspring people to change their lives for the better.

But it hasn't always been like this

For many years, I was working in corporate land, making good money, working long hours and often feeling taken advantage of. I was very stressed and tired. After the birth of my son, I was trying to work part-time but was doing a lot more than I was being paid for and felt constantly torn between work, my son, my husband, my family and my friends. I exercised when I could, ate and drank too much, was 15 kilos (33lbs) heavier than I am now and my body fat and BMI levels were in the unhealthy range. I was frustrated, angry, resentful, unhappy and just wanted more out of life.

I reached a crisis point

I was working on a project which required me to work ridiculously long hours and travel extensively which meant that I had to take my then 1yr old son with me early in the morning and drop him off with my family, then pick him up late in the evening. I was just so fed up and angry about everything and I felt like all areas of my life were failing. I used wine to relax and forget about it all.

So I quit my job!

It was really scary because I didn't have another job to go to and my husband had just started his own business too. I'd always worked and had my own money so this was a huge step for me but I knew that I couldn't keep going the way I was and I also wanted to make a complete change but I didn't know what it was that I wanted to do. I did some retraining and personal development, I got myself back in shape - lost 15kgs & ran a ½ marathon. I worked out what it was I was passionate about and started a business around that.

I built a lifestyle

I now get to spend time every day doing things I love, including working with great clients who value what I do and spending lots of time with my son and husband. My business allows me to earn an income without having to work crazy, long hours and it doesn't even feel like work because I've turned my hobbies and natural talents into my job!

What else?

• I'm an advocate for health and wellness and I exercise regularly and am a marathon runner.

• I love social media and all the connections and networks that are available to us now.

• I'm a bit of a gadget geek and am desperate for an iPad. recently got an iPad and now want an iPad2!

• I'm a thrill seeker - have bungee jumped, sky dived, flown a plane, been hot air ballooning - you name it.

• I love hanging out with my friends and going to fabulous restaurants.

• I'm doing my best to be a great parent and to raise a happy & healthy child.

My qualifications and experience in brief

• I have a Masters of Business (Employee Relations)

• I'm a Certified Master Coach - Behavioural Coaching Institute

• I'm a Member of the International Coaching Federation & Coachville

• I've had experience working in Europe, Asia, USA as well as Australia

• I've consulted to over 30 organisations all around the world

• I'm a Director of two successful businesses

So What Makes Me An Expert in Business, Career & Lifestyle?

• I'm not but if Malcolm Gladwell is right about the 10,000 hours rule, then I've certainly done my time in the areas I blog about and coach in - business, career & lifestyle.

• I love learning and finding new ways. I'm a gadget geek and am always on the hunt for tools and apps to make my life easier and more fun. I read a lot and I try to apply what I learn and share it with others. I cut through the fluff.

• I'm not a millionaire (yet) but I'm working on it! I've made classic start-up mistakes like spending thousands of dollars on websites. I wasn't clear about my niche and tried to be everything to everyone. I learn from my mistakes and I find better, quicker, smarter ways of doing things that I pass on.

• Although I struggle with the emotional roller-coaster of being an entrepreneur, some days I'm unstoppable, motivated, clear, focused, productive and engaged. On the days I feel useless, frustrated, tired, angry and want to give it all up, I don't. I work out what's wrong and fix it. I'm determined and high-achieving. Integrity, directness and compassion are three of my core values and they reflect how you will experience me.

• I battle with a bad body image (I don't look as good in real life as I do in my glamour photo!). I make use of wrinkle injections and photo touch-up to pick me up. I love my food, wine and chocolate and I know that I need to work at staying healthy and in shape. I make exercise part of my life. I care about mental and physical wellness and the impact lifestyle has on these.

• Sometimes I find it hard juggling my roles as a small business owner, mother, wife, daughter, runner. I've been married before (twice). I've put my career and work ahead of my relationships and paid the price. I now know better. I understand the importance of work-life balance. I'm organised and I get things done and I know when it's time to stop.

• All of these things are exactly what makes my blog worth reading, my insights worth noting and my programs worth doing.
  

Looking Forward To Connecting

Sign-up for access to exclusive content & my fortnightly newsletter. Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.  Most importantly, have your say and participate in the conversation by commenting on posts.