bringing powerful stories to life.

In order to see change in our external world, we need to first make that change on the inside. However, the process of breaking down and restructuring our existing stories and systems can be intimidating, overwhelming, and often difficult to implement on our own.

Coaching creates the scaffolding necessary to support you as you undergo this process. By providing a safe, neutral space for you to experiment within, coaching empowers you to adopt a new story and holds you accountable as you bring it to life.

Navigating a Transition

Accessing Authentic Identity

Chasing a Goal

Building emotional resilience

Strengthening Relationships

Cultivating self-discipline

Elevating Your Career

Developing Healthy Habits

Reframing limiting beliefs

Navigating a Transition Accessing Authentic Identity Chasing a Goal Building emotional resilience Strengthening Relationships Cultivating self-discipline Elevating Your Career Developing Healthy Habits Reframing limiting beliefs

Before Coaching

Feeling stuck in the same cycles

Lacking motivation on personal or career goals

Holding on to past failures or mistakes

Overwhelmed by competing responsibilities

Anxiety around change and uncertainty

Feeling disconnected from or controlled by your emotions

Letting fear dictate your choices

After Coaching

Breaking old patterns and stepping into intentional change

A clear plan and sustainable habits to keep moving forward

A reframe that turns experiences into lessons for growth

A structured approach to balance and intentional living

The ability to embrace change with resilience and excitement

Emotional awareness and the ability to navigate them with ease

Developing the courage to take action despite uncertainty

“I never thought I would ever seek coaching. When I stumbled across Ashley's Instagram, however, the thought wouldn’t let me go. I didn't have a specific goal in mind, no business I wanted to get ahead with. I was just frustrated and dissatisfied with myself. And then I just did it.

Ashley helped me to deal better with my feelings and imprints. I was able to learn to reset my focus in the midst of being overwhelmed, especially in my role as a mom. I was given the tools to understand stories and imprints from the past and was able to learn how to change and reassess these stories and beliefs. We "simply" worked on my personality and that was a very precious time.

I learned a lot about myself in the coaching, we uncovered many lies and I am freed from some inherited burdens. I now know my values ​​and continue to work on aligning my life accordingly. You can't do everything at once and things take time. But when I'm frustrated and feel stuck, now I know where to start. Every day I get to practice becoming a better version of myself. So thank you so much Ashley! I still got a lot of work to do but you opened many doors!”

– Sarah

1:1 Coaching

Deep down, you know you have the capacity to build the life you desire, but somehow things just aren’t moving forward the way you hoped. It’s time to get someone in your corner.

Partnering with a coach one-on-one is the most direct and powerful ways to start seeing tangible shifts both in your internal and external world. With a monthly one-on-one coaching package, we work closely together to craft a powerful story and then establish rhythms and systems that support you as you bring your story to life. 

We’ll focus on falling in love with the process itself and celebrate the wins that come as a natural consequence of committed action. We’ll identify the limiting beliefs and unhelpful patterns that are holding you back from living your most authentic life. And above all, dial in on what is most valuable to you and run wholeheartedly toward it.

What’s included?

• 2-4 1-hour coaching calls per month with actionable items after each session
• Bonus training videos, worksheets, and resources
• Support via email & text between sessions

*In-person and virtual coaching available. Inquire for pricing and package details.

methodology

  • Narrative coaching is an approach that uses people’s own stories as the medium for transformation. By examining the stories we collect throughout our lives and allow to define us, we can create space for growth by re-writing the narrative and building a new understanding of self around that story.

    Ashley is specialized in the Narrative Coaching approach and uses this framework as the foundation of her coaching practice. Learn more about Narrative Coaching from its founder, David Drake, here.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its coaching variant ACC is a solution-focused approach with the primary aim of building a rich, full, and meaningful life. By supporting clients to drop the struggle with negative internal experiences (thoughts, emotions, etc.) and taking valued action toward the life they ultimately want for themselves, ACT empowers clients to take responsibility for their lives and the way they show up each and every day.

    ACT focuses on the core element of workability. Continually coming back to the question, “Is this working to create a rich & meaningful life?” and, if not – what needs to change to make this workable?

  • “Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.” (Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania)

    Ashley is a certified coach from the Academy of Creative Coaching, a coach training program that uses positive psychology as the foundation for its approach to coaching.

  • A paradox is an unsolvable dilemma to which there is no ultimate “solution.” A paradox is characterized by two opposing yet interconnected polarities which, by focusing on “solving” one to the ignorance of the other, causes the entire system to collapse.

    We all live within various paradoxes on a daily basis. Some examples are work & rest, structure & flexibility, freedom & responsibility, tradition & change, self & others, thinking & feeling, spiritual & physical.

    By mapping out the paradoxes in which we struggle to thrive, we can identify imbalances in our approach and begin taking targeted, intentional action to restore balance and overall wellbeing. (Based on Barry Johnson’s work with polarity management)

  • The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a standardized body that aims to uphold the integrity of the coaching industry, as well as maximize the success of clients both personally and professionally. Design Your Life adheres to these standards.

    Ashley is a certified coach from the ICF accredited coach training program, the Academy of Creative Coaching.

Transformed stories, transformed lives.

In order for people to truly change, we need to undergo two foundational processes. We need to change the story we are telling ourselves, and we need to harmonize that story into our understanding of self. These processes, however, demand radical vulnerability – the coaching relationship provides the safe space that is necessary to test out new stories and bring them to life.

The Narrative Process

01

situate

What is?

Getting curious and looking beneath the surface to understand where we are now, and what has brought us to this place.

02

search

What if?

Examining the story and looking for alternate narratives; embracing exploration, possibility, and play as  we workshop potential pathways.

03

shift

What matters?

Clarifying core values and charting an authentic course of action; beginning to look outward and craft holistic action plans.

04

sustain

What works?

Merging new stories with integrative action to bring our internal transformation outward and into our daily lives.

“HER WORK IS ALWAYS HUMAN-CENTRIC”

Ashley has an incredible ability to read the room and quickly grasp the needs, goals and moods of the individuals around her. Her work is always human-centric, value-oriented, and focused on a mission to help you understand yourself, the people around you, and your purpose in life and career.

– Yuliya

“HER ENTHUSIASM FOR HER CLIENTS’ BEST IS CONTAGIOUS”

Ashley is a wholehearted coach who is driven by her passion to support others to live their lives in the fullness of who they were created to be, and to pursue that purpose without fears, worries, or anxieties blocking the way. 

Her earnest authenticity makes her easy to connect with and easy to trust, and her enthusiasm for her clients’ best is incredibly contagious. Ashley leads by example, and her experience opens the door for her clients to do the same.

– Jen

I’m kind of obsessed with stories.

My work has always revolved around stories in one way or another – crafting them through writing, portraying them through photography, sharing them through speaking, and facilitating them as a coach. I believe that stories connect us as humans, drawing us together for a common cause and infusing life with heart and purpose.

My own story is one of relentless pursuit.

I raced through the early part of my adult life – packing up and moving from Canada to Finland at 17, an entrepreneur by 21, and two kids by 23. But as I approached my 30s my world got flipped upside down – my “5-year plan” was ruined, some of my relationships had been badly bruised, and I realized that detached from the external life I had built for myself, I had no idea who I really was or what value I brought into the world. I was just busy checking boxes.

What followed was a few years of re-learning how to do life. Instead of chasing milestones and highlights, I sought out steady rhythms and consistent action. I took the time to understand who I really am, what I value, and how that impacts the life I’m building for myself. Life looks – and feels, a lot different now.

Along the way I cultivated a love of watching other people’s stories come alive, also. And so this space I hold as a coach is so much more than empty cheerleading or cliché inspiration – it is an invitation to lasting transformation. Because I have experienced firsthand that, yes, true change is possible.

Whether you’re looking for personal growth, unlocking your creative genius, career development, fuller relationships, or simply navigating a transition or new season of life – coaching can assist you in the process of reimagining the way you do life. I believe wholeheartedly that you have the capacity to build the life you desire. My expertise is bringing it out of you.

Coaching has created a space where I regularly stop to think about how I want to move through life. How do I want to be seen and see other people? What do I want to create around me?

Ashley came into my life at a time when things were pretty messed up. Thanks to her, I've realized that if things are messy at one point, they're always reorganizing themselves. For a better picture than before.

In the long run, everything always gets better. I dare to be my size – live up to my potential for everyone’s benefit. I breathe deeper, straighten my back, look people in the eye and let life come to me. I can take it easy, let things clarify. I enjoy myself. I follow my thoughts, I follow myself. I treat myself nicely, I treat other people nicely. I say it doesn't matter if someone messes up. I splurge my joy and my love - it spills over everywhere I go. I can relax, lean back and laugh.

Coaching has helped me find the center of life force. Tools for growth, development and moving forward. I often find myself leaning on garden metaphors in life. I describe Ashley's work as the work of a gardener, where blooming is made possible both by the gardener herself and by the living conditions and persistence of the planted seed.

Ashley, coaching, and Ashley's coaching are one of the best ways to invest in yourself. To build your own idea of success.

– Johanna

faq

  • Coaching is an investment—not just financially, but in your growth, clarity, and the life you’re building for yourself. Because every coaching journey is unique, I want to make sure we’re the right fit before talking numbers. That’s why I offer a free, no-pressure discovery session, where we can chat about your goals, what you’re looking for in coaching, and how I can support you.

    After our conversation, I’ll provide a detailed pricing guide so you have everything you need to make an informed decision. If you’re feeling the pull toward change, let’s talk. Click here to book your free session, and let’s see what’s possible for you.

  • During each session, we’ll begin by checking in and reviewing any previous commitments or actionable items agreed to in the last sessions.

    After this brief review, we’ll look at whatever theme, issue, or idea feels most resonant to you. I’ll ask you questions to help you expand your own thinking, and together we’ll work to reframe your story and identify actionable items that will help bring it to life.

    Loosely following the Narrative Coaching structure, we’re looking to answer four big questions in relation to the story you brought into the coaching session – What is? What if? What matters? What works?

  • Coaching is a powerful tool for gaining clarity, making values-aligned decisions, and taking action toward what matters most. Because growth is an ongoing process, there’s no set “end point”—there’s always something new to uncover, refine, or strengthen.

    That said, meaningful change takes time. Many coaches agree that an initial commitment of a few months allows for trust to build, insights to deepen, and real transformation to take shape. To ensure you have the space to fully engage in the process and implement meaningful change, I ask clients to commit to a minimum of three months of coaching. From there, we’ll assess what feels right for your journey moving forward.

  • By default, I conduct all coaching sessions online via video conference platforms.

    If you are located in Finland, in-person coaching is available in Tampere, and occasionally in Helsinki. Please contact me directly to discuss the possibility of meeting in-person.

  • Coaching is future-focused and action-driven—it’s about where you’re going, not just where you’ve been. Unlike therapy, which often helps process past trauma or dysfunction, coaching is designed to help functional, capable individuals gain clarity, break through limiting beliefs, and take purposeful action toward their goals.

    Mentoring and consulting, on the other hand, rely on expertise—mentors and consultants provide advice based on their own experiences. Coaching doesn’t tell you what to do; it recognizes that your path is unique—so rather than giving you answers, I help you uncover them for yourself.

    Through Narrative Coaching, we examine the stories you tell yourself—the ones that shape your decisions, your confidence, and your direction. If those stories no longer serve you, we rewrite them. Coaching isn’t just about thinking differently; it’s about living differently—with intention, confidence, and a plan that actually works.

  • If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for a change but don’t know where to start, coaching can help you gain clarity, break unhelpful patterns, and take action toward the life you actually want.

    People come to coaching for all kinds of reasons, but common signs that coaching could benefit you include:

    • Navigating a life transition and unsure of your next step

    • Struggling to start, follow through, or finish a goal

    • Feeling lost or directionless—uncertain about your purpose or what to focus on

    • Wanting to clarify your values and make decisions that align with them

    • Feeling overwhelmed by life, yet underwhelmed by your results

    • Craving support and accountability to accelerate your personal growth

    Coaching is not therapy—it’s for functional, capable people who are ready to do things differently, better, and more effectively. It’s about moving forward, overcoming obstacles, and unlocking your potential in a way that is practical, empowering, and results-driven.

    That said, coaching may not be the right fit if you’re currently experiencing unresolved trauma, clinical depression, or other significant mental health challenges that require therapeutic intervention. If you’re unsure, let’s have a conversation—I’m happy to help you determine if coaching is the right step for you.