Coach in your corner: Brooke Loening helps out

SHARON — How is a life coach similar to a football coach? A football coach helps the players on his team get around and surpass the obstacles of the other players, to reach the goal.

A life coach helps a person surpass obstacles to reach that person’s goals.  

Or that’s how life coach Brooke Loening looks at it.

“I have always enjoyed helping people through their issues and road blocks,†Loening said. â€œLife coaching is a proactive approach that focuses on changing the future rather than looking back at what did not work in the past. I like facilitating people’s progress and seeing results.â€

Loening grew up with his family in New York City, but spent summers with them here in Sharon. “My heart has always been in Sharon,†he said. “I couldn’t wait to get out of the city.â€

After Loening graduated from Connecticut College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and art history, he earned a graduate degree in natural health from Clayton College. He has also been certified as a life coach from the Empowerment Institute in Woodstock, N.Y.

“I think it was natural for me to go into life coaching,†he said. “I help people make changes according to their vision of how they want things to be in their life.â€

He offers individual coaching, coaching for young adults and groups. In the groups, “we meet once a week, which gives people the accountability of having to report back,†he said. “I like the positive nature of people reporting back their successes. It’s not about dwelling on what has not been working. It’s about making changes that are positive and healthy for them.â€

Loening said one reason people feel “stuck†in their lives is because they are afraid of making changes.

“Change can feel very overwhelming,†he said. “But if you can break your next step down it into smaller components, it is very doable. My job is to give people  achievable goals and remove the subconscious obstacles, so they can get that feeling of being unstuck and moving forward. That feels great.â€

Coaching sessions can be held in person or over the phone. For more information, call 860-364-1175 or visit theloeningplan.com. He also writes a column for The Lakeville Journal health page. For past columns, visit tcetxra.com.

Latest News

GNH blanks St. Paul 34-0 in Turkey Bowl

Wes Allyn breaks away from the St. Paul defense for a reception touchdown Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Photo by Riley Klein

BRISTOL — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team ended the season with a 34-0 shutout victory over St. Paul Catholic High School Wednesday, Nov. 26.

It was GNH’s fourth consecutive Turkey Bowl win against St. Paul and the final game for 19 GNH seniors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Students curate Katro Storm portraits at HVRHS

“Once Upon a Time in America” features ten portraits by artist Katro Storm.

Natalia Zukerman

The Kearcher-Monsell Gallery at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village is once again host to a wonderful student-curated exhibition. “Once Upon a Time in America,” ten portraits by New Haven artist Katro Storm, opened on Nov. 20 and will run through the end of the year.

“This is our first show of the year,” said senior student Alex Wilbur, the current head intern who oversees the student-run gallery. “I inherited the position last year from Elinor Wolgemuth. It’s been really amazing to take charge and see this through.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Mini horses, big impact: animal learning center opens in Sheffield

Le Petit Ranch offers animal-assisted therapy and learning programs for children and seniors in Sheffield.

Marjorie Borreda

Le Petit Ranch, a nonprofit offering animal-assisted therapy and learning programs, opened in April at 147 Bears Den Road in Sheffield. Founded by Marjorie Borreda, the center provides programs for children, families and seniors using miniature horses, rescued greyhounds, guinea pigs and chickens.

Borreda, who moved to Sheffield with her husband, Mitch Moulton, and their two children to be closer to his family, has transformed her longtime love of animals into her career. She completed certifications in animal-assisted therapy and coaching in 2023, along with coursework in psychiatry, psychology, literacy and veterinary skills.

Keep ReadingShow less