Thea Sheldon has spent her life exploring what it means when the truth of an individual’s message is clearly, unmistakably heard—what it means for her, her family, community and the world. She formed her company, Prime of Life Coaching, LLC to help midlife women find their True Voice and gain unstoppable momentum for the rest of their lives.

Born into a family with several aunts, uncles and cousins who could not hear or speak, Thea learned early on how frustrating the silence and blank expressions are when you’re not heard, when others don’t get what you’re about. This experience heightened her awareness and created in her an even greater desire that every voice must be heard.

At the age of 7, sitting in a gathering of her parents’ friends, Thea delivered an obvious truth when one woman walked across the room, “Mrs. Kirk, you’re pants zipper is open.” In the moment she got “The Look” from her mother and later ‘The Lecture on Social Graces.” To this day, Thea continues to act without embarrassment when bearing the news about what is true, real and obvious as she helps each client find her personal truth and speak with her True Voice.

Thea has been helping one woman after another for over ten years to discover the deep joy that comes when her message clearly reverberates in the world. In her private coaching practice she has developed a process to help each woman navigate the unknown territories of life after forty-five, fifty, sixty and beyond. While there isn’t a one-map-fits-all, there are markers along the way for every woman as she Unravels Her Story; Wakes Up To a New Knowing; Wrestles the Unknown; Unleashes Her True Voice and Leaps With Unstoppable Clarity. Thea joins her clients with exhilaration and celebration at the edge of the Leap as she feels it in her bones, “This woman is unstoppable!”

Later, as a job-search trainer and career counselor at a woman’s non-profit organization, she knew it was about the woman’s story. Thea took all the time needed for each woman to speak her story, unearth her values and passions, and eventually discover her particular work in the world. It wasn’t about getting just any job, it was about the woman’s passion and purpose being fully expressed.

In the late 80’s, when the word “spirituality” was still whispered behind closed doors, Thea brought it into the corporate spotlight. The Minneapolis chapter of the American Society for Training and Development fully supported Thea in planning and leading two well-attended professional development conferences to explore the unspeakable, “Spirituality in the Workplace: Taking Your Spirit to Work.” There was a sigh of relief throughout the professional community as people realized there was finally a place where they could speak from their hearts and still do business together.

During this time another truth was spoken when Thea realized her 16-year marriage was over. Again, she declared it with no fanfare and launched into the next unknown territories of single parenthood and building a new support community. These were the years when Thea searched arduously and relentlessly to find her own True Voice, the voice that had almost gone silent for good.

New confidence rose up with each experiment and venture into who she was becoming. In 1990 Thea became a solo-entrepreneur, offering consulting and training services in companies undergoing serious downsizing and transition. She used her expertise to help others navigate life/work transitions without losing themselves in the process.

The clearest and most fun expression of Thea’s True Voice came when she learned the art of public storytelling. She savored the rush that comes when an audience connects with her stories. Even more, it was about her deep knowing that when a story is told, it inevitably changes the teller and the listener; doors open for the personal story to be explored and expressed from a deeper level.

When her two children left home to find their way in the world, Thea knew it was her time to explore, to find the voice that would sing her dreams. Determined to remain single forever (hee-hee), she sold almost everything she owned, wrapped up her business and moved from the Twin Cities to a small town. Her lifelong dream to live in the woods was fulfilled as she ventured alone through that first winter in a lakeside cabin on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely, MN.

As spring fingered its way into existence once again, Thea met the love of her life. She and Dave married (never say “never”!) and lived for nine years off the grid, in the woods and close to the earth. During these years, Thea completed her coach training with The Coaches Training Institute (CTI), became certified and attended CTI’s year-long Co-Active Space Leadership program near San Francisco, CA. Her coaching practice grew and at the same time a curious unrest appeared.

In the spring of 2005 Thea and her carpenter husband sold or gave away everything they owned except what would fit in their Toyota Sienna van and set out to answer the question, “What’s Next?” Thea’s clients stayed with her (over the phone) and vicariously enjoyed the adventure. After a year on the road searching, learning, exploring, and deepening their love, Thea and Dave’s decision came easily to return to Ely. They longed for the wilderness landscape that was home and the people whose stories they knew and loved.

Thea works now from her office in town where she coaches creative women leaders, solopreneurs and artists in person or over the phone.

At 64, this is exactly where Thea wants to be - right on the edge of the unknown; having fun helping other women find their voices and fulfill their dreams. Life is very good.

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