About Me

 

Lynne Gavin

I am a well-being and leadership coach, as well as a former headteacher. My mission is to help clients identify and overcome the obstacles preventing them from being their best selves, discover new possibilities in life, and realize their full potential.

I work with individuals, organizations, and communities, fully aware of the increasing pressures faced by both people and institutions today. My approach is rooted in a deep passion for people and a celebration of each person’s uniqueness. I believe well-being is not a simple checkbox; it's about investing in people, leveraging their strengths, and finding creative solutions and new ways of working.

To support this, I offer a hybrid model that includes both onsite training and remote coaching sessions.

I understand firsthand the challenges of maintaining well-being. As a headteacher, I often neglected my own well-being, prioritizing the job and others' needs over my own. This led to unhealthy coping strategies and eventually took a toll on my health and mental and emotional well-being.

Several years ago, I experienced burnout, which forced me to stop and re-evaluate my values and working practices. This pivotal moment inspired me to invest in my own well-being and ultimately led me to become a coach dedicated to helping others thrive.

BUILDING well-being, for me, has been about…

 

EMBRACING COURAGE

Finding the courage to talk about my burnout was a significant challenge, but it was also a turning point. When I finally opened up, I was surprised by the reaction. I realised I wasn't alone—many others were struggling or had struggled, and this gave me hope. As Brené Brown wisely states, "Sharing your vulnerability is a strength, never a weakness." This lesson has been invaluable to me.

 

LEARNING to accept myself

I love this quote by Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” Embracing authenticity requires courage. It means daring to be different and breaking free from the habit of constant comparison. I've spent years entangled in self-comparison, but I've discovered that true growth comes from celebrating my own unique strengths, achievements, and the progress I've made. Join me on this journey towards self-acceptance and learn how to honour your authentic self.

 

learning to ask for help

In the past, when stress and overwhelm took hold, my instinct was to isolate myself and withdraw from others. I mistakenly believed that asking for help signalled failure. Now, I see it as a strength—a courageous act to express my feelings and seek support. Remember, “Don’t let the fear of being judged stop you from asking for help when you need it.” Embrace the power of vulnerability and join me in learning how to confidently ask for help when you need it most.

learning to be kinder to myself

It's surprising how challenging it can be to show ourselves kindness. I've learned to recognise my inner critic and stop it before it takes hold. Now, I'm practising self-compassion and talking to myself with more gentleness. As Louise Hay wisely said, “Remember you have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” Why not give it a try?

 

building resilience

Life can be tough. Things go wrong, and we make mistakes. The true challenge lies in how we respond and move forward. I've faced numerous setbacks and hit rock bottom, but I've always managed to rise again. A key reason for this resilience is focusing on what I can control and letting go of what’s beyond my influence. Join me in learning how to build resilience and navigate life's ups and downs with strength and confidence.

 

practising self-care

When feeling overwhelmed or stressed, taking time for yourself might seem counterintuitive, but it's crucial for your well-being. When you're too busy to take a break, that's precisely when you need it most. Discover activities that help you rest and recharge. Remember, “Laugh loudly, laugh often, and most importantly, laugh at yourself.” Prioritise self-care and join me in finding joy and balance in everyday life.

Personal Story

Raised and educated cross-culturally in the UK and Portugal, my journey has been richly diverse. My career in education began at a small international school in Portugal, where my passion for teaching and learning was ignited. The connections I made there continue to inspire me to this day.

With over 30 years in education, I feel incredibly fortunate to have pursued a career I love. I firmly believe that well-being is at the core of unlocking people's potential. It brings me immense joy to witness individuals grow, develop, and flourish and to have the privilege of supporting their journeys.

IN my free time you might find me:

 

Riding my bike. It makes me feel happy, energised and takes me back to my childhood - which is fast becoming a long time ago!

Taking photos. I like landscape and macro photography. It gets me out in nature and I am ‘in the flow’ - not worrying about anything else, just being ‘in the moment’.

Doing the crossword. I love the challenge. A friend and I buy the same book and we often do it together over the phone. Two heads are most definitely better than one!

“The happiest people spend much of their time in a state of flow – the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.” — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

Training & Experience

  • Over 30 years of educational experience in a range of roles from teacher to headteacher.

  • Delivery of well-being and leadership coaching within schools and beyond.

  • Delivery of training, reviews and consultancy in schools nationally to parents, staff, school leaders and governors.

  • Delivery of a range of educational projects from sourcing external funding through to planning, implementation and quality assurance.

  • Under my headship, the school was awarded the National Pupil Premium Award for raising the attainment of disadvantaged children.

  • Diploma in Emotional Health Coaching Accreditation

  • Well-being Coach Accreditation (L.C. Well-being, MAC)

  • Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring (Level 7)

  • National Professional Qualification of Headteachers (NPQH)

  • Masters in IT in Education

  • B.Ed (Hons)

LET’s CHAT

If you are interested in coaching, for yourself or for your staff, why not get in touch?

I’d love to hear from you.