MY JOURNEY
I was born in the frigid prairies of Manitoba, Canada, and by six months old, I was bundled off to tropical Tanzania, East Africa. That first big move sparked a sense of adventure, a trust in the unknown, and a fearlessness that has shaped my whole life.
By age 12, I had lived on three continents, across four countries, and been immersed in five languages. The spice stalls of New Delhi, rickshaws in Rangoon, and the misty rainforests of Mt. Kilimanjaro formed the earliest threads of my sensory tapestry.
But beyond the sounds, scents, and wildlife, it was the people, communities, and characters who captivated me. Their stories moved me; I saw their light. And they often saw something in me. Over time I became a center for those seeking clarity and direction, guiding others to connect with their purpose and lead with authenticity and vision.
I studied psychology at McGill University and later pursued graduate work in child development and education. In 2021, with my children on their own paths, I began my coach training—a journey that culminated in 2023 with my certification affiliated through the International Coaching Federation and the launch of Ruth Olson Coaching, my human-centered living and performance practice in Manhattan.
IF YOU’RE IN A MOMENT OF TRANSITION, YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
Whether in life or leadership, the questions that move us—What do I want? Where am I going? How do I show up?—hold the key to our highest potential.
I create a space where you can breathe and think deeply. Where we explore what’s getting in the way of growth—and surface the insights that move you, your team, or your organization forward.
My coaching approach combines warmth with clarity. I listen fully, ask the questions that open new perspectives, and challenge patterns that limit potential. The work is grounded in empathy, courage, and accountability.
You’ll feel supported—but also stretched—in service of becoming your most capable and human-centered self as a leader, partner, or professional.
I’ll have my hand firmly on your back—steady, supportive, and unwavering—until you’re ready to become your own fiercest advocate.
THE WORK WE’LL DO
Together, we’ll build a foundation of trust and curiosity. I draw from a blend of approaches—including cognitive tools, somatic practices, and methods that integrate awareness of both past experience and present impact.
These tools help you shift patterns, strengthen self-awareness, and move forward with clarity and confidence—in life, leadership, and work.
The result?
Clients walk away with aligned momentum and a grounded sense of what’s next—along with the clarity and courage to act on it.
This work often marks a turning point—a before-and-after in how you lead, live, and show up. It’s a return to what’s most true, and the beginning of what’s possible. I’d be honored to help you step into what’s next.
HUMAN-CENTERED
COACHING IS DIFFERENT
It feels different. It asks different questions. And it leads to deeper, more sustainable growth—for individuals, leaders, and organizations alike.Why?
Because truth lives at the core of who we are. And when we learn that inner language, life and leadership begin to align—from the inside out.
In my work with clients, I draw on methods I’ve refined through years of study and practice — tools I continue to use myself. I’ve experienced coaching that felt formulaic—with minimal results.
Two decades later, I’ve studied with world-class mentors, built my own frameworks, and witnessed what real transformation looks like. In 2023, I launched Ruth Olson Coaching—a human-centered practice serving individuals and organizations around the world.
What’s different about working with me?
I enter into a deep, trusting partnership
I ask the questions that want to be answered
I share a lot of myself; my striving invites your striving
I have a laser focus that gets to the core
My life’s work is to help you lead and live from your deepest clarity.
