A Transformative Journey: Laura Joseph 2009, Certified Life Coach

Positively addressing and alleviating the stigma around mental health has inspired Class of 2009 alumna Laura Joseph to help others break through the wall as a customer success manager at TaskHuman.

 

TaskHuman is a real-life digital coaching platform that facilitates one-on-one interactive sessions with wellness coaches and clients through video calls. As a customer success manager, Laura is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients and working with them to ensure the employees in their organizations know about TaskHuman and how to use the platform effectively.

 

“I get to inspire people to take ownership over their own well-being at scale,” said Laura. “People are so used to caring for others that they forget about themselves. Change is hard, and I want people to know we all have the ability to change and deserve to feel good!”

 

Laura enrolled at Boston College before transferring to the University of Connecticut where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional science in 2012. She continued her professional studies at UConn and obtained her master’s degree in nutrition sciences in 2014. Following graduation, she began her career in nutrition counseling and quickly realized she preferred the health and psychology side of the profession, noting that approaching counseling from a “why” perspective allowed her to connect and understand clients more effectively.

 

“The more I learned about myself, the more I wanted to help others learn about themselves and get through their own struggles to see more light,” said Laura. “I began to consider ways in which I could help others and that led me to mental health advocacy and seeking a life coaching certification.”

 

Aside from working at TaskHuman, Laura is passionate about being an advocate in the mental health space. She has written for different organizations, recorded podcasts to share her story and inspire others, and serves as an ambassador for a company called "STAY," which is dedicated to helping people find self-acceptance and creating a place that inspires self-actualization, positive mental health, and staying kind to all. She is also working towards a partnership with the United Brain Association, where she will be creating content with their physician on staff to bring educational awareness to mental health.

 

The road to practicing self-preservation has not always been an easy path. Laura noted that taking the time to prioritize her own well-being has made her not only be able to validate her own feelings, but connect with others in a true concrete way. As Laura continuously navigates healing and therapy, her approach flows from compassion and curiosity as she wants everyone to know that they are not alone in how they feel. She said she wants to remain a positive source of support.

 

Currently, Laura lives in Hamden and has returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the Girls’ Varsity Basketball program in step with Coach Brian Johnson. This was a surprising, but welcoming, new opportunity as Laura has prior experience with coaching. The position came through a discussion with Head of School Bob Izzo as Laura had reached out to him regarding a mentorship opportunity to support the young women at Hamden Hall.

 

“I love building connections and fostering a community to change the world for the better,” said Laura. “I would love to create something that supports emotional support for teens as they navigate this thing called life and use my experiences to inspire and empower.”