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About Kate James

I’m Kate James, a coach, mindfulness teacher and author and I’m here to help you believe in yourself.

It’s likely that you’ve spent years (maybe even decades) doubting yourself. Being the person you believe others want you to be. Over-functioning, high-achieving, over-thinking, burning yourself out, feeling like an imposter, people pleasing.

So focused on being who you think you should be, that you’ve lost sight of who you really are and how you want to be.

I’ve experienced all of these things, and to be honest, sometimes still do, but I’ve also learned about mindfulness, positive psychology, self-compassion and equanimity (which is really just a fancy word for balance).

I’m here to help you find the middle ground. The balance between making peace with you are and the courage to change old unhelpful habits so you can live with more clarity, confidence and presence.

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Kate James

Over the past two decades, I have gathered more than 6,000 hours of coaching experience and many hours of meditation teaching.

After gaining my PCC level coaching accreditation from International Coach Academy in 2002, I was one of the first coaches in Australia to achieve a PCC accreditation with International Coach Federation.

A year after starting my business, I became one of the early teachers of ‘mainstream’ meditation in Melbourne. These days, I share my meditations with a global audience on Insight Timer and each week, I host a live session with around 200 meditators from around the world.

I have trained in mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion and Internal Family Systems. Some of the authors I love most are noted here.

how can i help

How can I help you?

If you’ve found your way here, it’s likely you’re ready for change.

My work will be right for you if…

  • you want to move away from the voice of self-doubt and start to trust your own inner wisdom
  • you’re ready to let go of over-planning and perfectionism and start moving forward
  • you’d love to worry less about what others think and focus on what matters most to you
  • you want to feel confident to start or grow a small business you believe in
  • you want to feel grounded and confident in your ability to lead others
  • you’re ready to believe in your ability to be creative or intuitive
  • you want to feel lighter and more present in your relationships
  • you want to feel more at peace and in tune with yourself

Why I do what I do

 I believe that each of us has a unique set of gifts to offer the world and
my aim is to help you discover what yours are.

I’m passionate about helping people to live more mindfully – to be more self-aware, more conscious of our choices and behaviours.

I’m committed to making a difference through my work and more broadly by contributing to causes I believe in.

I’ve learned from many great teachers and worked with some brilliant coaches and I love sharing the things that I’ve discovered.

My top personal values are inner harmony, kindness and generosity, connection, contribution, freedom, creativity and courage.

In my personal life

In 2017, my husband Chris and I made a tree change to a small acreage on the Mornington Peninsula, which had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. We’ve spent the past 8 years renovating our 80’s style farmhouse and restoring a very run down garden.

When I’m not coaching, teaching, writing or weeding, you’ll find me meditating, walking the local bush tracks, practising yoga, gardening, cooking, taking photos, paddle boarding, reading and babysitting my grandchildren, Oscar, Milla and Clover.

I’m very much an introvert but I love spending time with close friends (and not so much, going to parties). Each year I try to do something that takes me out of my comfort zone. This year, I’m learning to sail a Sabre dinghy so I can spend more time on the water.

kate-james-coach

“Kate listens with an open heart, cuts through the rubble of self-doubt and practises non-judgement.”

Stepping Stones Program

Giving back

As well as caring for the natural environment and supporting organisations that value diversity and inclusion, I contribute time and a percentage of income to a range of not-for-profits that focus on the wellbeing of women and children.

Read more about current causes I support here.

What people are saying

CH, Lawyer, Melbourne

CH, Lawyer, Melbourne

‘Hi Kate, it’s a while now since I’ve seen you, so I hope you remember me. I came to see you in the first half of 2005, when I was working at a big corporate law firm and trying to work out what to do with my life – primarily in a career sense, but, of course, that led to all sorts of other questions. As you may remember, with your encouragement I eventually applied for a different role which fit much better with my personal goals and values. I was so ready to change directions, but I just couldn’t find a way to do it without that support. And the conversations that we had and the resources you gave me – the questions about values and the books you referred me to – were so helpful then and are still helpful now. I really value the experience of working with you, it has made me appreciate the choices I have so much more and realise that whenever I feel like I’m not where I want to be, I can do something to change it.’
Grace, Queensland

Grace, Queensland

‘My thanks to you for your career coaching guidance and direction over the past six weeks. You have provided me with the focus and tools to think deeply and broadly about where I am at and what I want to be and given me insights that have shone a light on what I need to do and how to go about it. It has been a truly rewarding learning experience.’
Dennis Danaher, Director Danaher Legal

Dennis Danaher, Director Danaher Legal

‘I’m a lawyer and I approached Kate for career coaching to seek direction about my future practice. Kate was fantastic. Together we worked through the ideas and workshopped the different career options available. From our discussion, I decided to start my own law firm which was something I previously had not fully considered. I have not looked back. Through this process, Kate offered advice and assistance from the preparation of the business plan and projected earnings to advising on the branding of the business. Without her assistance, I would not have achieved what I did in such a short space of time. Highly recommended.’
Leader, Sydney

Leader, Sydney

‘When I began career coaching sessions with Kate, I was at a very low point in both my personal and professional life. Kate’s thoughtful guidance has proved to be a turning point. She created an environment of complete trust that allowed me to provide information that was at the heart of the matter. In response, Kate was both kind and firm, as required. Her personal follow-ups created a clear set of practical action items, without losing sight of longer-term life goals. I have now emerged from my darkness, and Kate’s advice continues to guide me toward a more positive future. I strongly recommend Kate James to join your own personal team.’
Executive, Melbourne

Executive, Melbourne

‘I can’t recommend the coaching sessions with Kate James highly enough.  I was very sceptical about them before starting – imagining they would be full of corporate psychology jargon.  But in fact, I gained far more from them than I ever imagined, on both a personal and professional level.  The career coaching sessions are interactive, conducted in a warm and positive manner that encourages honesty and self-reflection, and are extremely practical in focus.  Their great strength is that they focus on your whole life and the way you live it, not just on your role as a manager.  I’ve learned a great deal both in terms of how I lead my life and how I perform in management, the one informing the other.  This holistic, down-to-earth approach has been the most helpful and realistic career counselling I’ve ever had.’
total balance books

Writing

In 2014, I fulfilled a lifelong dream when I wrote, and had published my first book, Believe in Yourself and Do What You Love. Since then, I have written several other titles including Be Mindful and Simplify Your Life, Change How You Think and Be Happier Now, Create Calm and Change Your Thinking to Change Your Life.  Two of my books were listed in the top-ten best-selling personal development books in 2017. Believe in Yourself and Be Mindful have also been released in the US.

My latest title, Quietly Confident was released in 2024.

Meditation

Meditation

I was first drawn to meditation in my early 20’s and almost a decade later, finally enrolled in a course. For over 30 years now, I have had a daily meditation practice and I credit this with changing my life. Meditation is about more than just creating inner calm – it helps you to see yourself with greater clarity, connects you with your intuition and helps you to see where you’re not being true to yourself in life.

These days, my guided meditations are freely available on the Insight Timer meditation app, home to over 30 million meditators around the world.

Organisations I’ve worked with

I’ve spoken at conferences for The Body Shop, Serious Women’s Business, Flying Solo amongst others. Clients include Origin Energy, University of Melbourne, Latrobe University, RMIT, Sensis, Freehills, Middletons, Mallesons, Phillips Fox, Bolle, IBM, Aviva, Coles Myer, Tabcorp, CSIRO, Linfox, Toyota, Cadbury Schweppes, Urbis, Macquarie Bank, ANZ, NAB, Bank West, Clemenger, CHE, George Patts, Ogilvy, BWM, Village Roadshow, Department of Transport, Department of Human Services, Department of Sustainability & Environment, Department of Justice, Financial Ombudsman Service, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Whitelion and Kids Under Cover.

What’s it like to work with me?

Clients describe me as kind, intuitive, supportive and compassionate. These are the qualities that matter to me. I’m a gentle kind of coach and my approach sometimes feels a bit like therapy. In order to move forward confidently, it helps to understand your old patterns so you can avoid falling into them again. I’ll share resources and ideas when it’s helpful, but mostly, I’m interested in listening to you and helping you to draw out your own ideas.

If you can spare the time to travel from the city, I see clients in my home office on the Mornington Peninsula. Or alternatively, I work from people from all over the world over Zoom.

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“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” John Muir ✨
A follow on from last week’s post about aspiring to simplicity. I’m on holiday in Tasmania where I was lucky enough to live for ten years. Yesterday, as we drove through the countryside, I was struck by a lovely memory. At around the age of 12, I spotted many abandoned little cottages, very much like this one. I knew at the time that the simple beauty was all that I would ever want and need in my lifetime. A humble home surrounded by plenty of nature. I had a picture of myself planting a garden, reading by the fire, writing at a little wooden desk and baking in an old fashioned kitchen. Maybe one day having my own children and sharing my love of nature with them. Almost 50 years later, it’s still all of these things that fill me with joy and give my life meaning. I think most of us knew ourselves well at that age yet often, we lost trust in what we believed in and started shaping ourselves to please other people. Can you remember what it was you dreamed of? ✨
An invitation to go a little more gently this week. To let go of some of your striving. To notice the things that you already have. And to make sure that you really do treasure them. ✨💛
Since writing last week's post, I've had my value of 'inner harmony' front of mind, because it's something I don't always find easy.I've been a worrier all my life, so even after years of meditation practice, I sometimes find it hard to create a quiet mind – unless I'm immersed in nature. When Chris encouraged me to try paddle boarding a few years ago, I had no idea if I'd be able to do it. I'm not naturally sporty so things like this don't come easily. But something magical happened when I first stood on that board and looked into the beautiful clear water.I felt (and still feel) transported to a place that removes me from all of my worries. I become immersed in the wonder beneath me. The forests of seaweed, the schools of fish, the way the sunlight creates patterns on the seabed and once, we paddled with dolphins. All of it is truly magical (and quite miraculous that I can keep my balance). I didn't mention last week that one of my other values is courage, which is the one I embraced when I first went out onto the water.The irony is that some of the moments that bring the most peace are made possible when I do something that scares me. ✨
One of the things I do with almost every new client I work with is a values exercise. It's such a powerful tool to help you identify what really matters in your life. Once you've chosen your personal values, you begin to understand why certain choices, places or relationships, feel so right. And why others really don’t. Your values will help you make meaningful choices that shape how you live every day. And as soon as you start living in alignment with your values, your life immediately becomes more meaningful.Do you know your top three values? I’d love you to share them if you do. Mine are inner harmony, kindness and connection. As well as connection with others and myself, this includes a deep sense of connection with nature which is why we live where we do. 🌿 If you’re interested to discover your values, I’ve included a link in my bio to an easy exercise that will help you gain clarity on yours. It really can be life-changing. ✨
This morning on @insighttimer Live, I spoke about the practice of gratitude and how research has found it to be an antidote to many physical and psychological challenges.It can improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and lower levels of cellular inflammation. One study found that those who practice on a regular basis experience less depression and are more resilient following traumatic events.Another called it “the mother of all virtues”, in that it encourages other virtues such as patience, humility, and wisdom.In my own life, it has been a daily practice for a few decades now. At the end of each day, an app on my phone called Grateful sounds a reminder and allows me to add a few words and photos.The best thing is that I now have a collection of my favourite memories that I can scroll through at any time. I took this pic just over a week ago at our local beach. At the end of an afternoon of swimming and paddling with Meg and me, Oscar said, “Grandma, that was the best day ever.” I love that he’s already grateful for the simple pleasures. ☀️
Five ways to be more true to yourself this year.I spent so much of my time in my twenties and thirties doing things to please other people instead of trusting myself and listening to my heart. It wasn't until I found the courage to accept that I might be criticised no matter what I chose that I found the courage to be true to myself. And I can honestly tell you, it's life changing. I hope the following quick tips help. 1. Let go of the idea that you need to do what’s expected of you. In Bronnie Ware's book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, number one on the list is, "I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."2. Believe that you’re strong enough to handle some criticism. It might still be hurtful but after a short amount of time, that hurt will pass. The more you're being real, the less critical you'll be of yourself, and that's energising.3. Trust that you already know what fulfills you. Often when I meet a new client they tell me they don't know what they want. Once we get talking, it turns out that they do, but like all of us, it can be confronting to be really honest with themselves. 4. Give up one thing that hasn’t been serving you. This can be literally anything. Whatever it is that you choose, do it from a place of self-love not from a place of self-criticism.5. Take one courageous step towards the life of your dreams. It doesn't need to be huge but when you want something to change, there has to be some action taken. Make the phone call, update your profile, send (or accept) an invitation, join a class...it doesn't matter what you choose, just do something. ✨
Join my wonderful colleague and clinical psychologist, Catherine Morey-Nase and me tomorrow for the first workshop in a new series that we've called Compassionate Conversations.Catherine and I have been hosting retreats together in Byron Bay for six years now and we've decided to get together each quarter to share some of the teachings we've found most helpful in our own lives and the lives of our clients.Tomorrow morning we'll be chatting about the benefits of setting intentions.When: 9am - 10.30am Saturday 18 January (AEST)Where: Online via ZoomCost: $29 AUDYou'll find the booking link in my bio. We would love you to join us. ✨
Recently, my daughter Meg shared a teaching from trauma-informed therapy that I've found hugely helpful when we want to judge ourselves and others more gently.When someone is going through a period of difficulty or displaying behaviours you find a bit tricky, instead of asking, "what's wrong with them?", instead ask, "what has happened in their life to make situations like these difficult for them?"All of us have had experiences that have caused us distress in some way and we carry those stresses in our bodies. These unconscious influences can lead to habitual ways of responding to the world that are sometimes framed as deficiency. And when we behave like this ourselves, we also judge ourselves as deficient in some way.When Meg shared this research, I found it a wonderful pathway to self-compassion and it can also be the beginning of true healing. If we tune into our bodies and learn about what’s happening during times of difficulty, we can also learn how to better regulate our nervous systems.It's a transformative approach and one that is enormously helpful when we want to find a more peaceful way of interacting in all of our relationships – including the one with ourselves. If you want to learn more about a trauma-informed approach to healing (I think it’s great even if you haven’t experienced trauma) have a listen to Meg's brilliant course on @insighttimer - Journey to Self-Healing. ✨
© Kate James 2025

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