Meet Kori Ryan | Coach and Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kori Ryan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kori, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been in the “helping professions” and while I really enjoy my day job as a professor, I found myself wanting to return back to my roots in helping individuals. I felt the pull more and more. I found so much success in therapy and coaching as a client, and felt like after many years of both clinical and academic training, I was in a position to move into coaching. I also wanted to set an example for my daughter (4). I wanted to show her that you can follow your dreams, passions, and strengths in a way that made you feel fulfilled.

I spent a lot of time following the path that I thought I was supposed to follow, and now I’m following my own unique and authentic path. It’s really meaningful to me, and it’s made for a happier, more content way for me to work, parent, and engage in my community, so I felt it was time to help others.

I’ve found people, including myself, are often focused on so much but feel empty and unfulfilled on the inside. We can all feel more fulfilled, and we can all use some help along the way.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m a life coach and consultant. I’m a professor of human services in my “day job” and after years of working in psychology, then as a professor, teacher, and advisor, I found time and time again that people were following the path someone else was laying out for them, and not the one that they genuinely wanted to follow. Having navigated that path myself, and knowing that some of my greatest strengths are empathy and communication, I thought I’d use some of my skills to work individually with clients as well as organizations to help people live more authentically. On a personal note, I’ve been on this journey myself for the last few years and had to make some really hard decisions and go through some really dark and trying times to come out on the other side, so I’m definitely walking my walk with you.

One thing that sets me apart is my training background. I’m trained as a psychologist, but I’m also an academic, so I incorporate my education and training into the work I do by understanding human behavior not only from an individual sense, but how we interact with the world around us. I’ve worked with a lot of different kinds of clients, students, and professionals, so what you have to say is probably nothing I haven’t heard before. I’m also really solid about my limits. If I don’t feel like I’m qualified to help you, I will help you find the help you need.

I can also tell you I’m honest and direct, but kind. I won’t hold back from sharing my observations with you, but we build you up to be able to hear them, first and foremost. You’re the expert, I’m just like your tour guide and travel agent. You choose where you want to go, and I’ll help you get there.

I help people make decisions about growth that work for them. Everything I do is strengths based and is mindful of the environment a person is in.

I don’t think building a business is ever easy! I am still very new to this – I launched in January 2022, and I felt like I spent the year really getting my feet under me and I’m looking forward to growing my business more in 2023. I think the amount of work any new project takes is daunting, but that’s all part of the process!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a tough question! It would largely depend on the first who is visiting, and I’m largely San Diego based. I’d definitely take them up the PCH – there are some really gorgeous spots to stop and explore little inlets. Shopping in the little boutiques in Orange County and grabbing drinks beach side is one of my favorite things to do. I’d take them to some of the smaller neighborhoods – some of my favorites are Encinitas, North Park, and South Park. Surfing at Torrey Pines or Blacks (depending on how adventurous they are). A different coffee shop each day because the coffee culture in Southern California is excellent. I’m not a beer drinker personally but there are so many amazing breweries in the area. I think a perfect day is a hot yoga class or surf session in the morning, followed by coffee and brunch, long walks by the beach, and finding a small mom and pop restaurant for lunch/dinner. Honestly, I could spend an entire week just doing that.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My daughter, Elliott, is absolutely the light of my life and my reason for everything. My family and friends are a huge source of support. I also wouldn’t be where I am now without my therapist and coach, Dr. Lori Collins.

Website: https://www.koriryanpsyd.com/

Instagram: @koriryanpsyd

Image Credits
Paige Hill Photograpy