Dottie
Thryve Programme

"Working with Ali through the Thryve coaching programme has been one of the most valuable personal and professional development experiences I have had. 

What I appreciate most is that Ali doesn't tell me what to do or try to "fix" me. Instead, she creates a space where I can slow down, reflect honestly, and uncover the patterns that have been driving my behaviour for years. 

 

One of the most powerful insights has been recognising my tendency to over-carry responsibility. As someone who deeply values relationships, integrity, community, and supporting others, I had unintentionally blurred the line between caring and carrying. Through Ali's coaching, I've learnt to ask myself some simple but transformational questions: 

"Is this mine to hold?" 

"Just because I can, does it mean I should?" 

"Am I choosing this from alignment or from habit?" 

 

The concepts of "leaning out, not in," pausing before responding, clarifying expectations before absorbing a gap, and understanding the difference between healthy stretch and preventable strain have become practical tools I use every week. 

 

Ali has also helped me understand that my body's response is valuable information, not something to override. Learning to notice when my values are out of alignment, when my capacity is stretched, and when I am stepping into fixer mode has strengthened my self-awareness and self-leadership in ways I didn't expect. 

 

What stands out is Ali's ability to reflect back what she hears with remarkable insight, compassion, and honesty. Time and again, she has helped me see strengths that had become obligations, and challenged me to reconnect those strengths with conscious choice. 

 

As a lifelong learner, I value tools that create lasting change rather than short-term motivation. The workbook reflections, values-to-behaviour mapping, boundary-setting practices, after-action reflections, and the ongoing focus on self-led leadership have all given me practical ways to embed learning into everyday life. 

 

The biggest shift for me has been moving from automatically fixing, carrying, and filling every gap, towards trusting myself to pause, discern, choose, and protect what matters most. I am learning that I can care deeply without carrying everything, support others without rescuing them, and lead with integrity without taking responsibility for things that are not mine to solve. 

 

Ali brings warmth, wisdom, challenge, and genuine care to every session. I leave each conversation feeling clearer, more grounded, and better equipped to lead both myself and others in a way that is sustainable, authentic, and aligned with my values. 

 

I am incredibly grateful for the journey." 

 

Ngā manaakitanga, 

Dottie