Jenny Carlquist is a mental wellbeing coach originally from Sweden and currently based in London. Her journey into coaching stemmed from her personal struggles with anxiety, which led her to develop a passion for mental health, stress management, and personal transformation. She trained with iPEC, an institution renowned for its groundbreaking coaching programs accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Jenny is the founder of Carlquist Coaching, where she helps individuals overcome stress and anxiety through personalized coaching sessions. Outside of work, she is an avid dog lover, a passionate cook, and a dedicated book enthusiast.
Tell us about your life before the venture/leading up to your venture.
Before becoming a mental wellbeing coach, I worked in the fashion industry and was always dressed in heels, vibrant colors, and red lipstick. I worked in operations, so rather than spending my day in the design room, I was knee-deep in spreadsheets. I was fortunate to have a great boss who took me under his wing, but like most jobs, it came with its challenges. While the workload was demanding, the real pressure came from within. I was constantly trying to be the “best” at everything, both in and out of work, but never feeling like I was quite good enough. Eventually, that pressure came crashing down, and I developed anxiety. I went from always wearing a smile and saying “I’m fine, all good!” to experiencing daily panic attacks. I didn’t understand what was happening at first and questioned if maybe I was going crazy. Frankly, I was overwhelmed, especially from trying to hide my struggles from other people. I was terrified of everything, even my own emotions, and I felt completely disconnected from myself.
Finally, I had had enough. I was sick and tired of being scared and run down, and this became my turning point. It set me on a transformational journey that completely changed my life. Today, I am happy to say that my struggles with anxiety are behind me. Instead of fear, I feel excitement, energy, and curiosity for what each day will bring. The transformation was so powerful, and knowing so many others were struggling, I decided to completely 360 my career. I made it my mission to help as many people as possible find their own personal transformation, so they no longer dread their days but instead look forward to them.
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about, and how is it helpful for people?
Carlquist Coaching helps people struggling with stress and anxiety transform their minds to a peaceful place so that they feel confident, calm, and happy. Through one-to-one sessions, I take a holistic approach to stress management and anxiety treatment, guiding clients in identifying the root causes of their struggles and creating lasting change with personalized strategies and mindset shifts.
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture? (Please talk about your recognitions/achievements here.)
My clients are amazing, and I’m constantly in awe of how far they’ve come and the changes they’ve made. The way I see it, my biggest achievement is getting a front-row seat to their journey—breaking free from anxiety, building confidence, and actually making stress work for them instead of against them. It has been such a joy. They’re always so grateful, but I keep reminding them that their wins are theirs. They did the work; I’m just there to guide and support them along the way. It’s incredible to see how these transformations don’t just stop with them; they have consistently rippled out into their work, relationships, and everyday life in the most amazing ways.
How has your life changed because of your venture?
In so many wonderful ways, most of all because I get to spend my days doing what I love. Even as a self-proclaimed tired morning person, I genuinely feel excited to sit down and work on my business and with my clients. I feel so lucky to work with such incredible people, and I can’t even put into words how much that means to me.
Of course, being one’s own boss comes with both freedom and responsibility. But funnily enough, when I shifted my career toward mental wellbeing, it also helped me prioritize my own. It’s important to me that I walk the talk, and that helps me show up as the best coach I can be. Since starting Carlquist Coaching, the personal growth has been huge—it’s not just what I do, it’s become a part of who I am.
What are you working on right now?
I’m super excited about a new project I’m working on called Clear the Chaos. It’s a free, no-nonsense guide with simple, proven strategies to help you feel lighter, more confident, and empowered. I truly believe everyone deserves to feel like their best selves, but I know it can feel impossible to do it alone. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective and a little support to make everything feel a lot clearer and easier. I want this help to be available to everyone because I get that some people aren’t quite ready for coaching or just might not be able to afford it right now. That’s why Clear the Chaos is completely free and there to help anyone who needs it. The waiting list is up on my website, so as soon as it’s ready, it’ll be in your inbox!
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
You only need to put one foot in front of the other. If the next step feels too daunting or scary, take it anyway, and trust that you will land safely. And remember, you never need to do it alone.
When life feels like too much, and the pressure is weighing you down, and those anxious thoughts start taking over, know that you can handle this. Take a deep breath and focus on the next thing in front of you, no matter how big or small. Whether it’s planning your next move, washing the dishes, or sending that email, that’s your step right now. And once completed, recognize your accomplishment. If your mind starts to spiral with a million things to do, grab a pen and paper and jot it down. A simple but effective strategy to help get it out of your head. If the next step feels too scary, and the self-doubt starts creeping in, trust yourself. You are more capable than you realize. You’ve got this, and you will land safely.
Social Links:
Website: www.carlquistcoaching.com
LinkedIn: Jenny Carlquist
