Grit & Grace - Life Coaching

Join Me in Life Coaching

Hey everyone,

While my blog usually dives into the world of coaching Executive Assistants in church settings, today I'm switching gears to share a bit of my personal story and why I’m passionate about 1:1 Life Coaching.

My Unconventional Journey

At 17, I waved goodbye to a rocky home life, which led me to couch surfing and cocktail waitressing—yep, I had to fudge my age a bit. Talk about an upgrade, right?

This should give you a glimpse into the chaos I was escaping. My father battled his own demons and struggled with addiction. I went to 12 different schools across 4 states from the time I was in the 5th grade. Military brat? Nope, just your garden-variety dysfunctional family brat.

This rollercoaster ride shoved me into a marriage with a meth addict, whose hobbies included strippers and unfortunately, being emotionally and physically abusive to me. Fun times... not. However, this dark chapter also brought me my son, who was my silver lining and gave me a reason to push through when I barely wanted to.

My son and I … just monkeying around.

From Shame to Freedom

I’d been lugging around a suitcase of shame since I was a little child - a common trait of those of us who are ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics). At 19, some friends dragged me to church. They bailed; I stuck around.

Spoiler alert: no lightning bolt miracles. Just a relentless grind of counseling, mixing grit with a sprinkle of fear, and curiosity chased with a shot of discouragement but the light of Jesus was there - fueling me on.

Dream life? Nope. Hardly. I didn’t even dare to dream, it was drowned out by all the shouting from my pain.

But I pressed on, and along the way left the nightmare marriage, and continued through a lot of “mud” to find better days.

Enter stage left: my now-husband of almost 30 years, Frank, who’s been my rock.

I used to think I was "too stupid" for school. Dropping out of high school didn't just happen; it was the result of massive gaps in my learning that built up over time. But in my thirties, I gathered the courage to challenge that limiting belief and enrolled in two college classes at the local junior college—English Literature and American History. I sobbed before my first tests, overwhelmed by fear. But when I nailed A’s on both, the tears that followed were of sheer joy and disbelief.

Fast forward to a proud moment: earning my bachelor’s degree at 50.

Now, I’m knee-deep in the fascinating world of neuroscience and brain plasticity. Who’s calling themselves stupid now, huh? No, I'm not actually a neuroscientist—I only play one on TV. Just kidding!

But really, while I'm not a trained expert, I'm a passionate learner fascinated by our ability to change and rewire our own brains.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Continuous Transformation

My life's been an incredible journey of transformation, all thanks to an all-star cast of supporters: Jesus (always Jesus, friends!), Frank, family, friends, mentors, leaders, counselors, and life coaches. Each one has taught me love, resilience, forgiveness, and how to keep on keeping on.

Some of my tribe:

Coaching with Purpose

After two decades of helping leaders in megachurches, I now coach assistants to become “strategic aces”, if you will, for the pastor they support. We dive into a six-month program that includes the Working Genius assessment, helping my clients tap into their unique strengths. A client recently emailed me, saying,

"I am grateful for you. You have already strengthened me and given me new tools for my role."

Yes, I am here for THAT!

But today’s spotlight is the one-on-one Life Coaching. It’s for women who feel stuck but are ready to tackle their challenges head-on. We set SMART goals and chase down personal and professional dreams - overcoming limiting beliefs. I am so passionate about walking alongside women to help them see their own genius.

"Dawn was a game-changer for me. She helped me decode my skillset and present myself like a boss in interviews, landing me a killer job offer. Without her, I wouldn’t have had the mojo needed to showcase my true self and history. She lifted me up professionally and personally, pushing me to reach for the stars...and then actually showing me how to get there!" - Hannah

Join Me on This Journey…

Are you ready to overcome your fears, the limiting beliefs and take the next step to maybe even dream a little? Let's start with a 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit for your next step.

When someone underestimates you, it’s often simply a reflection of their lack of vision. Jamie Kern Lima

Don’t be the one to underestimate YOURSELF. Have a vision for yourself. I'm here not just to coach but to support you every step of the way as you unlock your full potential.

Let's discover what magic YOU can create,

Dawn

Email me @ Dawnmarraccino@gmail.com or CLICK HERE TO CONNECT

*Disclaimer: While I share my experiences with overcoming adversity, I am not a counselor. If you are experiencing abuse or neglect, there are resources available, and I can help direct you to professional help. I do not intend to make light of abuse or neglect through my storytelling.