Hey there, lovely readers! I’m excited to reintroduce myself to all of you. I’m Clara Wilcox, and I’m here to be your straight-talking, practical, and experienced guide in the world of coaching. My mission? To help you sail through the choppy waters of returning to work, making career changes, and nurturing your professional growth. Welcome to The Balance Collective, where we’re all about boosting your inner confidence and promoting a harmonious work-life balance. Let’s dive in, shall we?
If you are a regular reader of the blog or follow my socials, you will have a little insight into my family life, as well as how I support parents, and (some of) their employers, in their careers, returning to work and balance. But, today, I wanted to re-share my background, and why I do what I do!
My journey with The Balance Collective began when I noticed a gap in the coaching market when I returned to work in 2013. I needed extra support to help me transition following the maternity leave for my youngest daughter, who was my “rainbow baby”, but couldn’t quite find what I needed. With a background in recruitment and coaching, I decided that I would become that person! And The Balance Collective launched in 2015.
My passion for understanding what makes people tick started with my Psychology degree. It continued as I ventured into roles like Branch Manager at a bespoke recruitment consultancy and later as a manager in the Higher Education sector. I formalised my coaching expertise, with a Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching.
I’m not one to rest on my laurels. I also qualified as a Project Manager and a DISC practitioner, and I hold Leadership and Management qualifications. Most recently, I became a Mental Health First Aider. My favourite way of expanding my insights, keeping my knowledge up to date and developing new tools is through reading! You can explore the kinds of books and topics that inform my coaching and training through my monthly book reviews on my blog. I’m not just a reader, I’m the author of a book titled “What Now? An Honest Guide to Miscarriage, Baby Loss, Parenting, Mental Health, and Rebuilding Your Identity.” This book is deeply personal, based on my family’s experiences, and it warms my heart to know that it has offered support to fellow parents and provided valuable insights to midwives in supporting their patients.
With over 20 years of experience working in various roles across different sectors, I’ve gained a broad perspective. However, my true affinity lies with the commercial, professional services, and not-for-profit sectors. Whether it’s guiding the first returner in a small management consultancy or supporting parents in a multi-site, engineering-focused organization, my approach is grounded in individual needs. I firmly believe that many already possess the answers to their return-to-work and career needs; they just need the space and confidence to problem-solve and communicate effectively. That’s where my methodology comes in. There’s nothing more inspiring than watching individuals achieve their career goals and helping businesses create a more positive work culture.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey towards a fulfilling career and a balanced life, you’re in the right place. Stick around for valuable insights, coaching tips, and a whole lot of motivation. The Balance Collective is here to help you thrive, one step at a time. Let’s make your career something to truly enjoy!
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
