The Visionary VA Podcast17 Huhti 2025

Putting Yourself First: Life Coach Sarah Dodsley’s Guide to Self-Awareness and Confidence

What if the secret to self-confidence isn't always pushing harder and “putting your best face on”, but giving yourself permission to put yourself first and feel your emotions?

“Maybe I don’t have to move on in the way everybody thinks I do. Maybe I just get to feel what I feel – and that’s okay.”

In this personal and eye-opening episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, Holly is joined by Sarah Dodsley, a seasoned executive and life coach who has played an essential part in Holly’s personal growth. From the early days of breakdowns at her desk to breakthroughs in both life and business, Holly shares how coaching changed everything.

Together, they explore recurring challenges like people pleasing, self-confidence, and the loneliness of leadership, especially for women juggling work, children, and invisible emotional loads. Sarah brings a refreshingly honest take on personal growth, showing how self-awareness and tailored coaching can lead to long-lasting change.

Key takeaways:

What looks like a confidence issue is often a symptom of deeper patterns, especially around putting everyone else first. Awareness is the first step to shifting it.

Leadership can feel isolating. Having a safe, non-judgmental space to be heard (not just “fixed”) is essential.

Sometimes the most powerful coaching move is helping you access what you already know. You just need time, space and permission to know how to deal with a particular situation.

You don’t have to wait for breaking point to get support. Start by giving yourself permission, permission to feel, ask questions and reach out. Whether it's a blog, a conversation, or community, take one small step toward getting resourced, not just “resilient”.

About Sarah:

Sarah is a highly skilled Executive and Life Coach, dedicated to empowering people to achieve what they want in life and work. With a strong foundation in personal growth strategies and leadership development, Sarah helps clients gain clarity, build confidence, drive meaningful and long lasting change.

Specialising in really going beneath the surface and tapping into deeper meaning, purpose and subconscous beliefs, she provides tailored coaching that fosters self-awareness, resoursefulness and understanding about what is going on in your world.

Sarah brings a mix of traditional and experiential coaching technqiues to her sessions to support people in unlocking their strengths, overcoming challenges, and creating a more fulfilling and successful life.

Where to find Sarah:

Resources

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hiring Associates free guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Free monthly metrics tracker download⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the website

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