My story…

I was raised in a family of entrepreneurs. We are curious, opportunistic and optimistic. At a young age I was taught to be independent, to think for myself, and to find creative solutions for my problems.

My first paying job was for a free spirited entrepreneur who launched a travel and leisure magazine for doctors.

I watched him navigate through the corporate environment of a pharmaceutical giant challenging creative minds to move forward decisively in the media world. He taught me to arbitrate conflicting views, neutralize uncertain outcomes and clarify unresolved issues. Somehow we published a quality magazine every month and I got a tutorial in corporate politics.

One night while working for the publisher, I was a passenger in a car that was struck head-on by a drunk driver.

I smashed into the windshield and sustained life altering injuries. The back of my hands that had protected my head from going through the windshield were split open. Long surgeries and months of physical therapy followed. I was told I would never be able to type or do tasks requiring dexterity or precision.

Eight months after the accident, I typed a letter to the orthopedic surgeon thanking him for meticulously putting my fingers and hands back together. I thanked him for teaching me about resilience and challenging me not to get stuck in my self pity. Over the next few years I pushed myself to gain back the strength I had lost in my hands, I relearned how to thread a needle, hold a bowling ball, type quickly and accurately with nine fingers. I also had become acutely aware of my purpose; my personal mission —  to reach out and help others survive, thrive and overcome their life struggles.

My second position was managing a prosthodontic practice.

The dentist was part engineer and part artist. He was motivated by giving people the smile they always dreamed of. The by product was an instant rise in their self esteem. I was inspired by his warmth and determination and motivated to develop my purpose and help people feel good about themselves. As a bonus I became a good listener and developed a deeper perception of patient and staff’s needs and challenges.

“Being struck head-on by a drunk driver altered my life and guided me to my life’s purpose!”

During this time I realized I needed to bring physical activity back into my life and joined an exercise class. This experience inspired my motivational drive. I loved helping students learn the steps, burn the fat, celebrate their weight loss and the rise in their fitness levels. Staying healthy is a big part of my personal mission.

My third employment opportunity was with an interior designer who was not only creative, but a fantastic project manager.

High maintenance clients, time sensitive installations, and working with so many different personalities and the drama of getting things done on a budget and on time was an education in and of itself. I was a sponge, observing his interactions with clients, building their trust and stretching them to think outside of their box.

By now it had become clear to me that people have been programmed to follow in the footsteps of others rather than lead by their own steps. It is a struggle for many of us to actually take an idea and bring it into existence – to make it happen. I wanted to enable the people I came in contact with to think on their own. To be able to see what could actually become a reality and doing whatever it takes to make it happen. We can open our minds to create our own opportunities and we don’t need to be afraid to pursue a path that’s different than expected.

I then went back to college while working full time and finished my degree in Organizational Behavior. I spent the next 20 years working with a genius construction, media and telecom entrepreneur. This Chairman and CEO founded or bought 14 companies in 7 countries and believed the best way to predict the future, was to invest in it. His tutelage and my exposure to the C-Suite and the politics and strategies of large public companies has been invaluable. I was able to observe, first hand, the challenges executives, directors, managers, and their employees faced. I became adept at identifying methods for resolving personal challenges.

Here are some lessons I learned from living and working with entrepreneurs, both in small business, non profits and large public companies:

• For every problem we encounter there is either a solution or we need to move past it.
• In every challenge or change, we are confronted with an opportunity to develop and explore the options to resolve it.
• We can learn to build resilience.
• Misfortune, such as my auto accident at a young age, can create a pathway to building resilience and not accepting your limitations — it may be just the thing that shows you your purpose!

My life experiences are the foundation I draw upon to help my coaching clients articulate their dreams, desires and aspirations. I empower them to find their own answers and encourage and support them on their path to live their best life!

My Professional Bio

The Blatie Group is a coaching practice that uses Positive Psychology as the foundational theory which guides the philosophy. This practice will serve as a champion of change for business owners, peers, colleagues for both their personal and professional lives. We focus on transforming lives with motivational and mindful guidance to help individuals achieve specific goals; such as maximizing their career, improving relationships, overcoming fear, and achieving personal dreams. Your coach, Blair Turner, holds a BS in Management and Organizational Behavior from Rider University and her certification through the CaPP Institute’s Certified Personal and Executive Coach Program. (Approved by the International Coaching Federation).  She actively volunteers her time to help many organizations such as Seeds to Sew International and serves on the Executive Board of the Rider University Women’s Leadership Council.