About me

For as long as I can remember I was always being creative, drawing, painting, and making things – I loved Meccano sets and the ability to create something new and different every time I opened the box. I suppose in a way that was my first tool kit!

Before I became a life coach, I was a man with a van (sorry, it was white) I ran my own businesses from the age of 21, always using my hands from mechanic to kitchen designer, manufacturer, and installer with a staff of 12 – On my business card, it said, “I give pleasure in the kitchen and satisfaction in the bedroom!” I met someone the other day who still remembered that strapline ten years after I last used it!

Life coaching

In 2000, after my divorce, I started in a long-term relationship with a life coach – I was married for 17 years, had two wonderful children Amy and Joe and have four fantastic grandchildren. 

When I started dating her, I had no idea what a ‘life coach’ was. I soon found out. I never met anyone like her before, open, curious, genuine interest in me. It was captivating.

I remember her saying to me one day early on in our relationship, “Are you going to buy a ticket and join me on this journey, or do I say goodbye to you on the platform?” I was not sure if that was a rather lovely way of telling me it’s over or a genuine invitation? Suffice to say, I bought the ticket, and we had a great 12 years of journeying!

Being with someone for that amount of time, you get enrolled in each other’s lives. After all, as human beings, we all feed off each other! So, I taught her how to use a power drill, and she taught me all about life coaching. And I am quite sure I got the better end of the deal!

She explained how our beliefs and values play a big part in who and what we are and how our upbringing can positively and negatively affect our lives. This was an “Aha” moment for me as I can certainly relate some of my negative beliefs to my childhood.

New direction

At the age of 60, I decided to hang up my tool belt and change the direction of my life completely. But I did not know exactly what I wanted to do.

But I then realised I had another tool belt? As you can imagine being around life coaching for that amount of time had an effect. And had given me this wonderful bag of coaching tools that came in very handy in helping me decide on my new direction.

Coaching

So, after a long hiatus, in 2019, I qualified as a life coach with The Coaching Academy and went on to take further qualifications in NLP and CPD’s in Confidence, Neuroscience and Reinvention coaching. At the heart of my coaching is a genuine interest in people.

Reinvention

I always wanted to live by the water, so in 2019, aged 64, I decided to reinvent myself (I did not know it was called reinvention at the time). I sold my flat and moved into a charming house by the canal – I wake every morning to a beautiful view of the canal from my bedroom window (you can see a view of it here).

I bought an Alfa Romeo sports car, took up dancing, purchased and learned how to use a sewing machine, and began painting again – I do not mean decorating the back bedroom with one undercoat and two topcoats of Dulux brilliant gloss. But glossy abstract Art. 

Niche

So, when I was searching for a niche to focus my coaching direction on, my coach (yes, coaches have coaches) asked me a straightforward question “what have you done in the past that has inspired you, given you creativity, self-expression and happiness?” it suddenly occurred to me that I already had it. I was already walking the talk, and Gary Hall coaching was born. Helping the over 50s create a life that excites them.

I think my coach already knew the answer, but coaches do not give answers; they only ask questions; it is funny how someone else can ask a straightforward question and empower and change your life in a heartbeat. That is the power of coaching.

And every time I coach someone, they leave with a piece of my heart.