The Paddock

Here’s where the story starts…

For a while now I’ve had a sense of moving on from the old to the new, but with no idea what ‘new’ would look like. What I do know is that I don’t know. And that’s weirdly liberating, when once it would have seemed terrifying.

It’s time for a new beginning…maybe not even that…more like an unfolding, one step at a time, where each step determines the next. It’s a very freeing and beautiful way of living, if a little unconventional for a 50- something woman living in a wonky cottage, in the Hampshire countryside, with a mortgage to pay, a consultancy business to run, and two golden retrievers to feed.

I’ve wanted to write a blog for years, but I didn’t know what I wanted to write about…or if any one would care. But I’m okay with that now, and I’m writing this as much for me as for you. I reckon that as long as I show up, and start…something will flow. So it’s time to rise to the challenge.

Let’s set the scene, in a nutshell: I am Angela, happily living with Mark, step mum to his two lovely grown up children, Becky and Tom, owner of two lively golden retrievers, Jasper and Berty, who I’ve trained to competition level in dog Obedience.

For the last 15 years I’ve been exploring coaching, wellbeing, purpose, leadership, performance, relationships, as an on the road executive coach and training consultant working predominantly within the healthcare and public sector. I’ve had the privilege and joy of training thousands of good leaders and coaches to become great coaches, as well as coaching people from all walks of life, on a 121 basis. My methodology is deep coaching – bespoke and unscripted.

I’ve also been in and around the world of dogs for 15 years. I have years of experience, knowledge, and most of all PASSION for all things dog related. I’ve even taken the summer off because I want to hang out with, train, have fun, and compete with Jasper and Berty. My secret mission is to inspire newcomers into the sport, one conversation at a time. To say the experience of living with dogs and competing in dog sports has been a massive learning curve would be an understatement.

What most people don’t know about me is that I’ve lost loved ones, I’ve been dogged by self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and confidence issues, most of my life. I moved my business online because I had become frazzled by travelling and staying away from home. I love being busy and before I know it I get exhausted. I sometimes find business frustrating, relationships difficult, competing a rollercoaster, and dog ownership overwhelming. I’m not a joiner inner yet I love people.

My world revolves around the dogs, training them, walking with them, caring for them, showing them. It’s an expression of who I truly am in this crazy chaotic world.

When I’m not at a dog show, delivering training, or coaching my clients, I love mellowing out at my Paddock with the dogs, so the name for this blog was inevitable. Mark runs an online vintage camera business from home, and the good thing about this is I’m never short of photos of the dogs in all their golden gorgeousness.

So back to the blog – what’s it all about? The concept of a site that would celebrate all things dog-related, one that would help people to feel good about themselves, was immensely appealing to me. I’ll post about life, wellbeing, performance, leadership, sorrow, loss, love, facing adversity and transcending limits, all through the lense of dog sports and dog-friendly living.

During this blog journey, hopefully you’ll get a glimpse into the very normal life of a dog loving woman in her 50’s, who was transformed by dogs into an outdoorsy, mellow dog mumma who loves her creature comforts. I hope you enjoy it!

Mellow Dog Mumma challenges the myth that hard work, stress, and pressure is essential for success.

Case Study

Sarah J (UK based Collie Owner from Dorset)

Within 3 months Sarah went from being a struggling, overwhelmed, wife, mother, and dog owner, to increasing her confidence, took charge of her finances to invest in her dream property, has become happy and strong, and now has a life she loves living.

Before: Sarah was struggling, overwhelmed, and exhausted after two difficult years. As a wife, and mother, she had to constantly handle demands from her family, was always putting other people before herself, and didn’t have time for her own self-care so felt tired and neglected.

Also, if she had a problem she would work harder at it, rather than asking for help, and she had very little energy.

After: Sarah now has lots more energy and is about to invest in an equestrian property where she can live and train her dogs with freedom and peace of mind. With more energy she is enjoying life, and has more free time to take care of her health, is more confident in her relationships, and has a lifestyle she loves as it keeps her fit, healthy and feeling joyful.

Timeframe: 3 months

Quote from Sarah: “Angela’s coaching programme came at exactly the right time for me. I had had a difficult 2 years with concerns about the pandemic, together with bereavement, relationship problems, and illnesses. I was sad and felt as if I had lost my anchor.

Having completed coaching with Angela it has been very successful. Each session was enjoyable, useful, but oddly, not hard work.

It’s changed how I view problems, guided me to be aware of my thoughts, and to look after myself. In the past I have just been busy and only thought of others. It was so helpful to learn to check in on myself too.

So without much effort, I feel happier, stronger, and more confident. I also now have lots more energy and things are just seeming to fall into place. I can now look forward to my new doggy adventures with excitement.”

Case Study

TR (Partner in a Global Real Estate Firm)

In 12 months TR, went from overwhelmed new leader, to Partner in a global Real Estate firm.

” I started my coaching programme with Angela about a year back. I was cautious of the challenges ahead of me as a young professional in a leadership position, needed guidance on how to approach things and how to achieve satisfaction and peace with all the changes I was going through.

Angela’s coaching got me to value my capabilities even more, reduce mental and emotional attachment to situations, and to be more decisive.

Now I no longer fear the challenges ahead, I just deal with them as they come, and I’m capable of making decisions that are well thought through, in a timely manner.”

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Shop Mellow Dog Mumma

Our Lifestyle Collection consists of Dog Mumma apparel and clothing. We have taken our dog Mumma brains and created some very mellow pieces to wear.