Charlotte Rooney, an Anti Burnout Coach, was born in Canada, but her parents were from Ireland & the UK. She went to boarding school at 7, along with my 3 siblings. At 15, she moved to Paris to finish high school, and then went to the University of Amsterdam. She has always been fascinated by people and languages, and has always thought that she would be a translator – but that all changed in a year abroad in Latin America when she knew that what mattered most to her was making the world a better place to be in. For everyone.
Tell us about your life before the venture/ leading up to your venture?
Before starting my business, I worked as a humanitarian aid worker in education & healthcare in emergencies, a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company, and then scaled a youth employment startup from 3 – 85 people in 3 years. It’s safe to say that before this, my life was often stressful!
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?
A Half Managed Mind is a positive psychology life coaching business whose mission it is to revolutionize the world of work, by empowering people to protect themselves from hustle culture and burnout, without compromising on their success or their values.
I coach people 1:1, so that I can tailor the sessions and the focus exactly to what each client needs at that moment – from small tweaks to a complete overhaul of their wellbeing and work-life fit. Using scientifically proven interventions and exercises from positive psychology, alongside coaching tools, my clients learn to manage their experience in a way which serves them, so they can be as successful as they want to be, while also feeling happy, fulfilled and not stressed.
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?
So far the reception has been really positive, though it is a slow process learning to market via social media, ads and networking. My clients are achieving fantastic results and living happier, more fulfilled lives.
How has your life changed because of your venture?
I used to think that if I could just find the right country to settle in, the right job to work in, the right salary, the right exercise programme, the right diet, the right friends then I would finally believe that I was good enough. After living in more than a dozen countries, and 3 career changes I have really and truly understood what it takes to feel happy with who I am.
No matter where you are, what job you have, nor how “successful” you look from the outside – none of that will make you happy long term. How you feel depends on what you think – and you can teach your brain to think differently. All it takes is awareness of where you are, desire to change, and the diligence to keep practicing, even when it gets tough.
I’m now working as a life coach, teaching & helping people to find that same solution for themselves. Life is too short to spend it stressed, striving and constantly feeling like if you can just get through this next bit then peace and happiness are over the hill. Being an entrepreneur has its own challenges, but now I am able to manage my mind and my experience so that I come first. My clients get the best of me when I am actively taking care of myself, so that’s what I do.
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
Whatever you’re going through, trust yourself that nothing has gone wrong. You are 100% worthy already, and you ARE enough. It can be difficult to believe that sometimes, and there’s no shame in getting help when you need it.
