Jill Englund - Life Coach
Thirlby Co. Leader to Learn From: May 2023
May 3, 2023
When Jill Englund was only nine years old, she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer) in her right femur. After being pulled out of school, Jill endured 13 months of chemotherapy and having to get her leg amputated.
Today, Jill is thriving as a mom of three, part-time Dental Hygienist, and certified life coach. As a coach, Jill’s mission is to help people find courage to rediscover themselves and live life on their own terms.
“As a kid I had optimism on my side,” Jill explained. “Kids are so adaptable. But I didn’t know how to handle some of the harder things - like grief, a loss of my identity, being pulled out of my school, and missing friends. Cancer taught me how to lean into the hard stuff and live a more courageous life. It’s shaped me as a coach because I know how hard it is to go through things that you would rather not do.”
Read on to hear Jill''s story, her passion for belonging, and how cancer has fueled her work as a coach.
OUR INTERVIEW WITH JILL
Your career started as a Dental Hygienist. What inspired you to become a life coach?
Ever since I was a child I’ve loved helping people. I’ve also been on the receiving end of mentorship and being around great leaders, and have wanted to do the same for others.
I went to college for Dental Hygiene and practiced that for 15 years. I really enjoyed helping people to become healthier and always wanted to be of service to people, so it was a natural transition for me. As time went on with dentistry, I developed an interest in the human that was underneath the patient, and wanted to engage people in a bigger way.
A few weeks into the pandemic, I was doing a podcast with my friend, Scott Davidson, of Living Adaptive, and he told me that I’d be a great life coach - it planted a seed. Then when dentistry was shut down for eight weeks, I ended up completing my life coaching certification. I had enough of a pause in my life to hear the inner voice that said “there’s something more out there for you.”
You also have a powerful story that has shaped you into the coach you are today.
When I was nine years old, I was diagnosed with a bone tumor in my right leg. Didn’t see that coming - nobody sees that coming. Everything in your world on that day of diagnosis gets rocked to the core. You have to focus in that moment of what’s important to you.
I ended up having to have my leg amputated and go through 13 months of chemo. Lucky for me, I felt so much trust for the team of doctors and nurses. I also had a mentor in treatment named Scott Carter, who was also a kid but six months ahead of me in his diagnosis. He was always one step ahead and showed me the way.
Sadly, Scott passed away after three years. I always try to do things in honor of him, and to treat people well and look out for the next person in life. There is always somebody you can help. We go through cycles in our lives where you’re the helper or the person being helped.
How have you used cancer to fuel your coaching work?
Cancer taught me what’s most important - my health, my wellbeing, and my mental space. And it’s shaped me as a coach because I know how hard it is to go through things that you would rather not do. The power is learning how you’re going to respond. I couldn’t control my world but could control my attitude.
As a coach, I’m passionate about helping people get clear on what is most important to them. So many people are living out of alignment with their top priorities. They say their families are important but they’re spending so much time at work instead of spending quality time with their kids. They say traveling is important but haven’t been on a trip in years. They say health is important but they’re not eating well or exercising.
Cancer taught me how to slow down and know what your priorities are. Coaching taught me how to do those things.
Tell us about a client who has changed your life
It was actually one of my first clients. She was my age and also with three kids. We were about half way through her coaching program when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She sent me this email about her diagnosis and the radical surgery she was planning for. She shared with me how much coaching had prepared her for the process, and even practiced the mantras we worked on during the toughest parts of her treatment.
It was like this full circle moment for me as a cancer survivor and as a coach to help another woman through that process - not even knowing that was coming. It was a universe moment, putting her with me, out of all the coaches.
Switching gears a bit to our seven leadership questions - how would you define confidence?
Confidence comes from knowing who you are and not being afraid to show it.
What have you learned about vulnerability, in the context of leadership?
There is no true leadership without vulnerability. If you’re a leader of anyone, you’re in a powerful position. If you can’t do it vulnerability, you can’t expect anyone else to. Power doesn’t exempt you from being vulnerable - it makes it even more important.
How would you define your mission or purpose in life?
At the end of my life, I don’t want to look back and think in any way that I wasn’t true to myself. I want to look back and think I was brave, bold, and true to myself. A lot of what motivates me in my life to be those things is to then inspire others to do it. If I’m not doing it, how can I expect my children to do it?
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
My clarity of intentions. I know what is important to me and I know when I’m off course. I try to lead from the most real, honest, and valuable place - what are we trying to accomplish here? What is our ultimate goal?
What is something that might surprise people about you?
I really love true crime and reality TV. And I’m not into sports.
Next question - what advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
Reach out for support. Nobody is meant to do it alone. There are countless resources in the world and we are designed to use them.
There are a lot of things that stop us from receiving help. This might be fear, feeling afraid of the unknown, making a mistake, getting it wrong. Or it can be one’s ego. It’s hard to ask for help because it's a humble thing to do - but asking for help is the biggest power play.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
It’s going to be okay. Use what you are going through, and don’t be afraid of it.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
People need to give themselves permission to dream bigger. So many of us live in a really complacent place. What if you weren’t meant to live to be just okay? What dream is there in you that you’re not following? Grant yourself the permission you need to live life in an authentic way.
Also, seek to belong instead of fit in. As a kid I wanted to fit in instead of belong - I wore pants for 10 years because I didn't want pity or stares. The problem is that when you try to fit in, people don’t know your story. Then you can’t show up as your authentic self.
So own your story. I have to choose each season to show up as myself. If people are going to stare, they are going to stare. We don’t know what other people are thinking and so it’s the most important to know what YOU think.
About Jill Englund (she/her)
Jill Englund is a life coach who helps growth-oriented women find the courage to rediscover themselves and live life on their terms. As a childhood cancer survivor and amputee, Jill knows how hard life’s challenges can be and the value of honoring your story. “When we turn away from our story, we are doing ourselves an injustice.” She guides her clients as they uncover their truth and learn to live in a way that honors their greatness. “I believe your courage has to be greater than your desire to stay the same. Unlocking your true potential allows you to shine your light, use your gifts and fully embrace the life you were designed for.”
Learn more about Jill at jillenglundlifecoaching.com or follow her work on Instagram @jillenglundlifecoaching.
About This Feature
Leaders to Learn From is a standing feature in The Thirlby Company’s monthly newsletter that recognizes outstanding leaders in our community who embody our company’s core values. You can learn about our other honorees here, or subscribe to our newsletter to receive this feature and more inspiring content in the future.
