Colleen McKay – Youth Coach based in Chilliwack, BC
My goal is to walk beside you as you discover your strengths and maximize the awesome in your life.
When I’m not working with clients, you’ll find me playing hockey, coaching youth sports, indulging my insatiable curiosity with an audiobook, or exploring the beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers and forests I get to call home with my dog, Kaya.
Colleen is honoured and grateful to live, work and play on this beautiful, traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples.
The Coach I am Today
You might have certain ideas when you hear the term life coach; maybe you think life coaches are supposed to have your answers or tell you how to live your best life. However, that is not actually the role of a coach.
As a coach, I am here to walk alongside you, helping you see your blind spots, catch your balance, and uncover the vibrancy in your life that might be hidden beneath the surface.
My coaching is grounded in trust and curiosity. I believe curiosity is underrated—it’s what drives me to ask the deep questions that help uncover the “why” behind thoughts and behaviors. Together, we’ll explore the patterns and possibilities that might be holding you back or could serve as the rocket fuel for your success.
I believe in starting slow to go fast—taking the time to truly understand why you’ve stepped into coaching and what you’re looking to achieve. My approach isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about lasting change, creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and excited about the possibilities ahead. We’ll lean into discomfort when necessary, always with the intention of growth and self-discovery.
Curious about how coaching can support your journey?
Happy Clients
My ‘Why’
Coaching is in my bones – it’s something I’ve done for as long as I can remember, whether in my entrepreneurial journey managing a thriving business or leading youth in sports. I’ve always been passionate about helping others understand themselves and those around them, so they can move through the world more effectively and, hopefully, with a bit more joy.
I know firsthand the importance of having someone to talk to, someone who isn’t a parent, to help you make sense of the chaos in your mind and the world around you.
That’s why I’m here – to be a fresh person and space supporting young people as they navigate the often confusing transition into adulthood.
My Mission: Empowering t(w)eens and supporting their favourite adults
I’m here to help young people cultivate self-belief, embrace their sense of self, and see the value they bring to the world.
One of the most powerful ways to support youth is to also support the amazing adults in their lives, creating a ripple effect that helps everyone thrive. We are all doing our stage of life for the first time, and having someone to process, brainstorm, and expand our perspective can be super helpful.
You are smarter than you think, braver than you imagine, and stronger than you feel! I love spotting and highlighting the glimmers in others that are often hard for them to see in themselves.
Ready to Get Curious? Let’s Connect
If you’re ready to explore your “why” and lean into the incredible person you are, I’d love to connect. Let’s make the tough stuff less scary and the good stuff even better.
Colleen’s Journey: From Corn Sales to Coaching
Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings:
Childhood
I grew up in a large family, as the middle of 6 kids on a small farm in Southwester Ontario. I was homeschooled through grade 8 where I developed a deep love of learning!
8 Years Old
Started an entrepreneurial journey selling sweet corn on the side of the highway. It all started with a table, umbrella, Fisher Price cash register and maybe $100 profit. This venture eventually grew into a larger business known as “Your Farm Market (YFM).”
Tween Years
As business picked up, other fruits & veggies were brought in and my sisters jumped on board to help serve the growing customer base.
Business Development
2007
This was the moment it went from a summer hobby to a REAL business I was all-in for! Serving my team, customers, farmers, and community became my why for that period of life.
I registered the business as “Your Farm Market,” (YFM for short) and took on the slogan, “We Gather Farm Fresh for You!”
We had outgrown the corn-stand label years ago as we added more and more local produce, preserves, and baked goods.
2018
By this time, I had developed the team and grown YFM into a thriving and steadily growing business. With a seasonal staff of 25-30, we had achieved 7-figure sales for the past 3 years!
After a truly amazing season in 2018, where we reached $1.8 million in sales, I realized it was time for a change. Feeling burnt out, I decided to pivot and successfully sold YFM. The business had become a staple in the community, and I’m proud that its legacy continues to serve and support the people it was built for.
Life Transitions
2019
With equal parts gratitude, exhaustion, and grief I had said goodbye to YFM and embarked on a 4-month adventure! I set out in my SUV and camper, GPS set for peace & adventure. I found both on the West Coast and had moved out by the fall
Post-Move
Now settled on the West Coast and working as an employee, I expected life to be a slower pace and less stressful. I joined a women’s softball and co-ed hockey team to find community, yet soon found myself burning out again. I realized that entrepreneurship wasn’t the cause of my burnout—it was my approach to work itself. This realization led to a profound shift.
2020
I recognized the need to learn about my energy levels; what creates, preserves and zaps my energy so I could move through the world more intentionally and less reactively.
I began exploring my motivation and approach to different kinds of work, and how that impacted my energy.
Through this time of self-reflection, I discovered the thread woven through all of my most meaningful experiences was the desire to help others be their best. As I explored where I could use that gift, I found and fell in love with coaching.
My absolute favourite part of running YFM was hiring and training youth in their first job, finding them the right-fit role, and coaching them to build skills for success on the job, AND that would stretch far beyond their time at YFM.
It became clear that coaching was my happy place, where my natural curiosity had space to thrive and create value, and where my love of learning could be leveraged for a greater good.
Coaching Certification & Training
2020
Completed Klemmer Coaching Academy 1:1 Life Coach training.
2021
Completed The 6 Types of Working Genius Facilitator training.
2022
Completed The Sparketype Advisor training.
2023
Completed Youth Well-Being & Resilience Coach training.
2024
Completing final stages of Associate Certified Coach (ACC) training with the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Quirks & Special Interests of Coach Colleen
Birds of a feather flock together, and if you LOVE ducks you have found your flock! I have always been drawn to the quirky confidence of ducks. When in flight, they appear to be battling for their life to stay in flight. Like they are amazed they can fly, while also terrified that at any moment they will fall from the sky! Their ability to look calm and serene on top of the water, while paddling ferociously below the surface has often felt like a metaphor for how I feel I am moving through the world! AND, 2 ducks are referred to as a “brace,” which gave an extra special note to my business name!
I have a large collection of emotional support books. I LOVE reading and learning, but I primarily consume content through audio (podcasts and audiobooks) … and yet I cannot resist buying physical copies of books! I LOVE spending an hour or two wandering through a book store with a cup of coffee or tea, and I cannot resist picking up a few books along the way – I like to think of it as adopting books and giving them a new home!
I have never told a long story short in my entire life! I will always tell a short story long – you will get ALL the context, side-quests, and fun facts! I have a friend that jokes I need a “skip-intro” feature, but I think it is part of my *charm.*
When you hear me say, “Oh, that makes me think of…” or “Oh, that reminds me of…” or “My brain is connecting that to…” buckle up, we are going on an adventure! Sometimes the connection is short and clear, other times I will take you on a few side-quests to get to the main attraction … and sometimes I get distracted by the side-quest and forget what the main attraction was! Rest assured, it can be fun, interesting, and educational if you lean in and trust the process!
My social battery, when full, is like a super-boost – I have a big energy and can bring a lot of joy, enthusiasm, and excitement to a space! But it is a finicky battery that does not hold a charge well and takes forever to recharge! Even though the big energy is an authentic part of me and brings me incredible joy and connection, it is not where I spend most of my time. I walk through most of my days in social-energy saving mode. If you encounter me out in the wild, when I am not expecting to be social, you are likely to experience me powered-down mode – don’t take it personally, I’m not mad, sad, or upset, I’m just recharging!