When Normal Doesn’t Fit: A Life of Purpose, Not Convention with Trista Guertin

In this episode, I speak with Trista Guertin, a former humanitarian aid worker turned life coach. With assignments in crisis zones like Angola, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, Trista shares her remarkable journey from global relief work and traveller to some 78 countries, to empowering midlife women through coaching. Her story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and redefining what “normal” truly means.

Key Takeaways:

• You’re not broken – Most women think they’re doing life “wrong”; Trista reminds us that’s not true.
• Regret is a choice – You don’t need to carry it. Own your decisions and move forward.
• You have more power than you think – Even in crisis, you can shift your perspective.
• Coaching isn’t just for business – It’s a transformative tool for everyday life.
• Processing emotions is key – Suppressing feelings leads to stress; letting them pass sets you free.
• Midlife is just the beginning – Reinvention, excitement, and growth are still ahead.
• From burnout to boundaries Trista's journey shows why self-care is non-negotiable.

About:  Trista Guertin is a master coach dedicated to empowering women in midlife to break free from feeling stuck and overwhelmed. With a remarkable background spanning over 20 years of leadership experience, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her work as a humanitarian aid worker across 78 countries, including challenging regions like Angola, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. As the creator of the UNSTUCK coaching program, Trista has developed a transformative 12-week journey that guides women to rebuild their self-relationship, unlock their potential, and create meaningful, sustainable life changes. 

Connect at: Instagram, Podcast, Website

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:17 Childhood Curiosity & Early Travel
• 3:52 Choosing a Life of International Work
• 6:35 Angola: First Mission - Repatriation
• 18:32 Four Years in Iraq
• 20:44 Working in Yemen with Somali Refugees
• 23:15 Lebanon & Managing Stress During Isreal-Gaza Crisis
• 30:11 Discovering Coaching During a Breakup
• 34:57 Do I Need to be Normal?
• 38:30 Coaching Family, Friends & Colleagues
• 40:35 Coping Mechanisms, Stress & Burnout Before Finding Coaching
• 44:13 The Importance of Ongoing Coaching
• 47:37 Helping Midlife Women with Transitions
• 52:42 Coaching Practices & Emotional Tools
• 1:01:34 Final Reflections & Where to Connect with Trista