156. Learning to Be an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Enriches Her Skills as a Life Coach
Julie Fleming
Julie Fleming is an author, speaker, and caregiver for her father, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the fall of 2011. An only child, Julie learned all about caring for her father through trial and error and extensive research. She created Alzheimer’s Caregiver Minute to share her experiences to help other caregivers.
How Did You Start Using Your Talents?
Julie went straight through law school and into practice. “I loved practicing law and felt like I was contributing to the world in some way.” Her mother, a psychiatrist, had advised her to “find particular things that you love,” which served Julie well as she later transitioned into coaching and consulting.
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
At a certain point in her career, “I was increasingly having to psych myself up. I hired a coach to see what I could do with a law degree. What I had been doing always had the flavor of coaching,” so she earned a leadership coaching certificate at Georgetown and never looked back.
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
“The biggest benefit is having a sense of purpose, whether practicing law, coaching, or trying to get the word out about Alzheimer’s. It’s not fun and games all day long, but I so thoroughly enjoy the parts that are fun! What’s better than doing something that’s fun AND has a purpose behind it?”
On Her Bookshelf
Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow, by Elizabeth Lesser
On Her Browser TED Talks, and the locally produced TEDx series. Available free at www.ted.com, or on iTunes.com or Stitcher.com
Connecting With Julie Fleming
Email: julie@AlzheimersCaregiverMinute.com
Website: AlzheimersCaregiverMinute.com
Twitter: @JulieFlemingALZ
Facebook: facebook.com/AlzheimersCaregiverMinute
