Bonnie Prestridge
Life Coach
Meet Bonnie
Do any of the following sound familiar?
"I'm so young, but so broken. It feels like my youth is slipping away."
"I have to rebuild my entire life. Where do I even begin?"
"I'm tired of explaining and defending myself. No one understands what I'm going through."
"I'm behind on everything. How will I ever catch up?"
"Every time things start getting better, I have a major setback. How will I ever get anywhere?"
"I want to have a life that's more than just surviving"
"What if it's true that this is my fault and I'm not trying hard enough?"
“With all my limitations, I have no clue how I’ll ever hold down a job or support myself”
If so, you’re in the right place.
I’ve been there, I survived, and I can help you make it through.
When I was 17, I began experiencing mysterious health problems that none of my doctors could explain. Things got so severe that I couldn’t go to school, work, or take care of myself. I thought my life was over. However, after years of struggle, I figured out how to get my health under control, live on my own, graduate from UC Berkeley, build a career, date, and have fun again... all before ever receiving a definitive diagnosis or "cure".
This experience taught me that there is more to "living your best life" than just medical care. You can experience joy even if lots of things are still terrible. You can have a meaningful, fulfilling life even if your health problems never completely go away.
Now, I get to be the experienced guide for others that I wish I'd had.
I am a Certified Life Coach through the Youth Coaching Institute and have 10+ years of experience working with young adults. Through my career as an educator, supervisor, and now as a coach, I’ve helped young people ages 15-30 with chronic health conditions and other disabilities reach their goals and build fulfilling lives.
This combination of personal and professional experience gives me a skill set that few other youth providers have. I’m a life coach, career advisor, health researcher, and comrade, all rolled into one.
What you're going through is tough. There are no quick fixes, but it can get A LOT better and you don't have to figure it all out on your own.
Together, we can make concrete internal and external changes that make living your best life possible!!
Coaching kept me on track with my schoolwork.
I’m in a much better place than I would have been if I hadn’t done coaching with you. I can now put my energy into actually doing my schoolwork rather than spending it all repairing emotional damage from beating myself up.
School is hard but it’s only hard because there’s so much work to be done. It’s not hard because there’s so much work to be done AND I feel horrible about myself.
--- David [Coaching Client]
Age 32, Graduate Student
Coaching Focus: Completing graduate coursework while navigating challenges with executive function and neurodivergence
Who I Work With
1. Young people with illnesses, injuries, or other health issues
Age groups of my typical clients
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Teens (15 and up)
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Young Adults in their 20s and 30s
...but older ages are also welcome!
Examples of health conditions my clients have include, but are not limited to:
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Pain or fatigue that won't go away
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Life-altering injuries from sports, accidents, work, or violence
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Undiagnosed health conditions
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Long Covid, ME/CFS and/or other post-viral illnesses
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Autoimmune, Neurological, Gastrointestinal, and Musculoskeletal conditions
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Cancer & Rare Diseases
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Mind Body Syndrome
ADHD & Neurodivergence | Many of my clients with physical health conditions identify as having ADHD or being neuro- divergent and have had massively positive experiences with my coaching approach.
2. Parents, Partners & Siblings of someone with health issues
Why this group is important, too:
When one member of the family has a serious health condition, everyone is impacted. All family members need and deserve support.
I help Parents & Partners/Spouses who:
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Have tried everything and don't know what else to do
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Struggle to maintain their own health, relationships, and career
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Want to have their own life while still being a supportive parent or partner
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Need help managing outside criticism
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Aren't sure when to "push" their loved one and when to go easy on them
I help siblings who:
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Have their own goals or challenges that they need help with
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Need more attention and support than their parent/s can currently offer
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Struggle to express their needs and communicate at home
Important Note
Mental Health Conditions | I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist. I see clients with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions on a case-by-case basis depending on if their needs needs align with my ethical scope of practice as a Life Coach.
I no longer feel dread or hopelessness every time I get an episode of fatigue or brain fog.
You totally expanded my mind when it came to thinking about work and school while dealing with illnesses and the mystery around it. I’ve developed a greater ability to listen to the needs of my mind and body and make adjustments proactively to make sure I don’t push myself past my limit.
Rather than thinking I need to push myself super hard all the time I’m able to be gentle with myself when that’s called for, and in turn I avoid stress-induced injury, fatigue and burn out.
--- Elizabeth [Former Employee]
Age 22, Undergraduate Student & Office Worker with Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety & Mystery Respiratory Illness
How I Can Help
I blend research, education, and skill-building with traditional life-coaching techniques to help my clients manage their health and reach their goals in school, work, and life.
Internal [The Being]
Cultivating New Forms of
Hope & Joy
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Go from just existing to living your best life
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Feel more pride and less shame
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Figure out what you're capable of when symptoms constantly change
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Learn how to cope & accept your limitations without giving up
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Feel more comfortable with uncertainty and big changes
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Manage flareups/setbacks with less emotional suffering
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Finally make the difficult decision/s you've been stuck on
External [The Doing]
Effective Habits for
School, Work & Life
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Develop daily routines that you can stick with even during flareups
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Build healthy habits for sleep, movement, studying, doing PT exercises, taking meds, etc.
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Get through school and work with less physical and emotional harm
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Shift procrastination or perfectionism habits so that you can actually get things done
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Meet people your age going through similar health challenges
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Navigate big career shifts
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Find purpose & direction if you can't work or go to school
Important Note
I am not a licensed medical or mental health provider.
I do not diagnose or treat medical or mental health conditions and coaching is not a replacement for such care
What Exactly IS Coaching?
Coaching is “talking for the sake of doing”.
It's a specific process that helps you connect to your own wisdom, mobilize your existing strengths, and take action. All for the purpose of living your version of your best life.
My coaching approach revolves around what I call the Client's "North Star"
This is a topic that the client wants to work on together. A North Star can take many forms, such as:
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A change you want to make
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A way of being you want to cultivate
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A success you want to expand on
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A question you want to answer
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A knowledge or skill you want to build
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A goal you want to achieve
(And if you're not sure what to focus on, not to worry! I can help you pick something that feels good!)
Weekly coaching sessions are a series of structured conversations that help you make progress towards your North Star
They are flexible enough for you to be yourself and think creatively...
... with just the right amount of structure to maintain focus and momentum.
I bring in nonjudgmental open ended questions to help you think, as well as exercises, activities, and mini educational lessons.
Clients leave each session with:
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New learnings
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One action step for the next week that moves you closer to your North Star
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A simple, realistic plan for implementing that action step without stress or burnout
At the end of sessions, clients often report feeling lighter, clearer, or more or energized
What Coaching Is NOT
Life Coaching is not Medical or Mental Healthcare
I am not a doctor, psychologist, or licensed healthcare practitioner of any kind
I do not diagnose, treat, or heal medical or mental health conditions
I do not give medical or mental health advice
Life Coaching is not a replacement for healthcare from a licensed practitioner
My clients and online audience should always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning, changing, or discontinuing a treatment plan
Also, I am not a dietitian, nutritionist, or personal fitness trainer
I do not provide advice, diets, or exercise routines related to nutrition & fitness.
How It Works
Format
Online over
Phone or Zoom
Client Location
Anywhere in the United States
Timeline
Once per week for 3 months
Program Structure
The focus, pace, and style of my coaching is customized to meet each client's unique personality, interests, and needs. While there is no set curriculum, our work together does have a clear beginning, middle, and end:
Intake Session - We get to know each other and talk about how we can make this experience comfortable, fun, and meaningful for you. We also choose what you want to focus on during our time together, which I call your "North Star".
12 Coaching Sessions (45 minutes each, once per week) - We break down your "North Star" into smaller, more manageable pieces. Each coaching session focuses on one of the pieces and ends with you mapping out an action you'll take over the next week in the direction of your desired outcome.
Week by week, these small steps build to powerful, lasting results. By the end of the 3 month program, you will have accomplished the goal or "North Star" that you set for yourself!
Along the way, we check-in celebrate the small wins and make any adjustments that might be necessary.
Closing Celebration Session - We end by reflecting on your growth, celebrating your accomplishments, and mapping out where you want to go from here.
Pricing
3 Month Coaching Package
1 Intake Session - 90 minutes
12 Coaching Sessions - 60 minutes each
1 Closing Session - 90 minutes
Text and Email support between sessions
2 Bonus Coaching Sessions for Parent or other Support Person
Coordination with Client's Healthcare Providers (if needed)
$1,650
Payment is due in full prior to the start of coaching
Payment Plans available upon request
I accept PayPal, Bank Transfer, or Check
Getting Started
If what you've read so far feels like a breath of fresh air, let's talk!
The free 30 minute consultation is a friendly, casual opportunity to learn more about life coaching, go over the specifics of your situation, and find out if my services can make a difference in your life.
Here’s what to expect
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I’ll ask you about your health condition and how it’s impacting you
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You can ask me any questions you like
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If we seem like a good fit for each other, I’ll share specifics of how I can help
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If I determine that coaching isn't the best approach for your situation, I'll refer you to other professionals and resources that may be able to help.
Consultations with me are designated “No Pressure Zones”. The goal is to connect and explore. No manipulative sales tactics. No pressure to make a decision if you’re not ready.
Hope to meet you soon!