Healing with heart

As co-founders and life coach educators of the Foundation RESET programme and Keystones for Life Ltd/Life Coaching New Zealand, Laura and mum Noralyn Berwick have a strong bond as family and as business partners. They talk with Paula Hulburt about their journey to helping others.

All clothing and accessories: Thomas’s Styled by: Michelle Bradley Hair: Style Sisters Photographer: David James

The laughter and warmth is almost tangible between mother and daughter. Light floods into Laura Goldfinch’s Blenheim home as her dog rolls happily around in sunny pools. While Laura explains how she was diagnosed with PTSD and her recovery encouraged her to help others, Noralyn nods her head sending blonde curls bouncing. The pain as she recalls what her daughter went through is etched on her face. For the mum of three with more than 30 years of experience helping others, watching her daughter suffer was a terrible experience, she explains. “They were dark times; I was working as a support person for community services and somehow, I had a beautiful girl who was vanishing before my eyes. “There I was, a mum running life skills and coaching programmes, but as a parent I was helpless. All of the skills I had to help others and she was so broken.” With her warm smile and kind manner, it is hard to imagine that Laura has been anything other than her best self. But going through her own mental health journey makes her real and very relatable. "From that part of my life in 2006 it put a stake in the ground from the baggage I/we carry that we have a choice to be free. That passion, knowledge, and awareness that you can move forward, has led me in my career to support others, meeting them where they are at. “I guess I'm saying that so many of us live with our past blocking our future, that they too can live free. I believe our past doesn't define us and that all things can work together for our good if we do the work." Their online Foundation RESET Programme initiative is there for everyone, Laura explains. They help with trauma, dysfunctional relationships, personal development, mental health/well-being, dysfunctional relationships (even the one with yourself) and family restoration. “It helps people right across the spectrum. If we all just had a good foundation then it sets us up, we’re really about the people and people resetting their relationship with themselves. “What makes us awesome is that we are a mother and daughter duo and our coaching style means we can tap in at both ends. Our oldest client has been 75 years old and our youngest 16. “The world is a sad place but there is hope.” The pair are well known in Marlborough for their work, taking on people privately and also those referred to them by Government organisations and community services. People of all ages, genders and backgrounds have used their programme, Noralyn says. She smiles sheepishly as she admits she’s not a fan of the term “Life Coach”.

“It sounds a bit phony, but it was the most logical name and we had to call ourselves something.” But it is their “years at the coalface” which make them good at what they do, Noralyn says. Twenty years ago and working in mental health, Noralyn wrote the framework for the successful programme they run today, adding to it as her experience and wisdom grew.

OPPOSITE PAGE:

Noralyn - Blackstone long sleeve top, Levi shaping straight jean, RM Williams Lady Yearling boot Laura - Lollys Laundry Sami dress, Tretorn Clay sneaker white/navy/red

Noralyn - Taylor extension tank, Shona Joy Priscila shirt, Laing Chaplin pant, RM Williams Lady yearling boot Laura - Ketz-ke peep top, Levi shaping slim jean, Tretorn Clay sneaker white/navy/red

Noralyn - Taylor Oscillate dress, Alias Mae Rian shoe Laura - Blackstone printed dress, Unreal fur Nord Cape, RM Williams Maya boot

Originally from the West Coast, Noralyn has lived in Blenheim for 28 years. Like her daughter, she is humble about her achievements and putting their course online was a difficult decision to make.

But helping even more people become happy with who they are was enough to convince her that an online presence was worthwhile. “Deciding to go online was a journey of professional development for ourselves,” Noralyn says. Listening to the pair talk so openly about their past and hopes for the future is inspiring; it’s clear they truly care about the people they’re helping. With an online ebook about overcoming anxiety, a Facebook group and the Foundation RESET programme, the future is looking bright for this caring mother and daughter. But it is helping others that make what they do worthwhile, says Noralyn. “The cry of the human heart is to be loved, honoured and valued, and that starts with us valuing who we are, right here, right now.”