What Our Clients Say About Us

I was introduced to Mary at a point of upheaval in my life. I’d just left a career of over ten years, one I was proficient in and regarded as one of the best, for a job I had no experience in other than absolute basics. Prior to this point, for many years, decades even, I was in and out of mental health systems. With constant failure and failing personal and family relationships, I was putting all my focus into a toxic work environment because that job was the only thing I thought I was any good at.
But I wasn’t seeing the truth- the truth that I was so capable, caring, fun, ambitious and driven. That I could chart my own course. I was trying to please everyone but myself, to my own detriment. I needed someone, or something, to simply put a hand on my shoulder and ask me to take a step back for a minute to simply observe.

Mary did that. She put it all in perspective. She has helped me understand the simple fact that I can’t control other’s views of me, but I can control my view of myself and I can use that control to influence those around me I love and care for. There is absolutely no point worrying about what I can’t change.

I love laughter and fun. I didn’t realise that was at my very core- with Mary’s help I have, for the first time, a physical list of goals and values. It’s so humbling to actually see them without knowing what they were because in the past my goals were whatever anyone else wanted in order for me to make their lives easier.

But this is my life, my family, and I have finally, after almost 40 years on this earth, found a place where I am actually happy. As with everything in life, no doubt I will find certain points more difficult than others moving forward. But the skills I’ve learnt, thanks to Mary, I’ll be able to use and reflect on to help me get through those periods. I am so, so grateful for her coaching and guidance. It’s literally changed my life for the better- and I don’t ever say anything like that lightly.

Thank you, Mary

“I recently started my journey with Mary and needless to say she helped me in more ways than I ever thought. Mary is an absolutely amazing person who establishes from the beginning a warm and caring connection with her clients. The positive energy you leave with after a session is immeasurable and the insight provided is invaluable. I can say with all honesty that in 3 months, I have grown in a way that I did not see possible and without her guidance and support I would still be lost. In my journey she gave me the tools I needed to find my true self again, to positively shift my mindset to break old habits, to help me regain my confidence in myself and provide a clear direction to move forward in my life. Thank you, Mary, from the bottom of my heart. I am forever grateful and appreciative for the longing impact you have made on my life.

I was introduced to Mary through a family member who had been coached by Mary over the past few months. She certainly has been a great help with coaching me, especially in the skillful and friendly way she did as a coach. Wasn’t complicated lessons as such but very simple the way she taught you which I thought for me was just what I needed. I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to experience a clearer vision in both their mental, personal & family life.
Working with Mary as my coach has been life-supporting during a crucial and challenging time.  Mary’s approach is personal and tailored and is always just what I need at the time. Mary has provided tools and resources which have been applicable broadly as well as for specific issues, and situations. Mary has helped me to gain perspective, resilience and unleash my inner strength and creativity. Our relationship will be ongoing as I know Mary has the skills to support me as a coach in achieving my goals.

Mary is a good listener and very perceptive. I managed to lower my medication levels by 30%. Mary made me realise that 90% of the things we worry about is a waste of time and energy. She provided the tools for me to use that would prevent anxiety and depression. Mary made me realize that I have a good life and for this, I will be forever grateful.

I started my journey with Mary a year ago and what an incredible year it has been. It’s been 6 years now since I first saw a psychiatrist for my anxiety and just before seeing Mary, I reached the lowest point in my life in which propelled me to seek help outside my Psychiatrist and Psychologist. My mental health controlled my life and the decisions I made.

This past year with Mary has helped me find my courage to change my life, and in turn change the lives of those I Love. I truly can’t believe how far I have come in such a short period of time. If I think back to where I was a year ago, I can truthfully tell you that I don’t recognise the person I was, I have changed so much and feel such a lightness within.

My outlook and perspective have improved over the course of the year. I was once a cynical individual and Mary showed me how to see the glass half full. I was skeptical at first how much change would happen through coaching, as I have been with my Psychiatrist and Psychologist for five years prior and now, I stand by the practice as I have found it to be life-changing.

I feel so much clarity as I continue down my path of self-discovery, all the lessons learnt and wisdom gained over the course of the year has helped me to find myself. It has allowed me to realise my values and to implement change and development in not one but all aspects of life.

No amount of words can describe how grateful I am to have met Mary and to have started this journey with her. I can’t recommend her enough.

I began a Personal and Business Coaching program with Mary Argese as I felt I needed to improve myself in some areas of my life. She showed me how family issues impact our business and vice versa. As I was still working part-time and receiving a part-pension I began to understand the impact that both business and family issues have on each other. The impact affects all areas of our lives in ways I had not fully understood. Mary began to show me how to work through these issues effectively. Covid-19 was also having an impact too on my life. As a result of a mandate, I was forced to retire at the age of 75 before I had really planned for it. This also impacted hugely on me as I didn’t come out of the workforce quite as secure financially as I expected. Suddenly I was faced with a lower income and having to adjust to living on a lesser amount than before. Mary had made some adjustments for me, but it just wasn’t enough. So, I made the decision I had to withdraw from the Business Coaching program, after I finished the personal coaching sessions. I wrote a letter of explanation to Mary expecting her to attempt to keep me in the program by offering different methods of payments, instead, she accepted my resignation and understood totally where I was coming from. Her kindness and understanding were such a blessing at that time, and I am so very appreciative of her understanding. I highly recommend Mary if you feel you want to improve your family, business, or financial life. She has warmth, kindness, understanding, and the ability to assist you to move forward. I, for one, will always remember her kindness to me in my hour of need. I learned a lot from her in a short period of time. God bless you, Mary.

I have had the privilege of working with Mary as part of my business – Mary coaches some of our clients (with incredible success). When I found myself at a roadblock, I immediately thought of her to help me navigate my way through it, through coaching. Mary’s supportive and professional approach has helped me shift through some long-held beliefs which were holding me back (unbeknownst to me). I thoroughly recommend Mary as a business and personal coach.

Mary is kind, supportive, listens and challenges. At a time where I was depressed at work, with low self-esteem & low self-value, I engaged Mary for the 12 week Life Coaching course. To progress professionally, it starts with personal development. Immediately I warmed to Mary’s nature and had a likening to professionalism and structure. We identified important values, boundaries & behaviours. I regained confidence, positive language and a solution focus mindset. Mary supported, guided me and kept me accountable, in order to take me from strength to strength. Mary became a great role model and trusted support, which is why I saw her a second time to help work through family relationships. There is a lot of emotional work, which can make you feel vulnerable. This is why it is so important to work with the right person, who can hold a safe, supportive space for change & growth.

I wanted to thank you very much for your help on my journey in recent months. You came back into my life just at the right time, and your prompts and insights and assisting me to come to my own insights and find my way forward have been invaluable. I feel so much better prepared to continue to live the best life I can and live the life I am called to live as a result of talking with you.

When the thought of wanting a life coach crossed my mind I was in desperate need of help. The type of help that would lead to long-term positive changes and learning ways to better manage my emotions. Years of traditional counselling and sessions with psychologists, thousands of dollars spent on different therapies and yet I was feeling once again isolated, afraid and no knowledge of how to implement the tools I have to overcome another drastic life change. Talking about my problems and feelings is an important part of processing and healing, but the cycle of counselling was not helping me move forward. It would temporarily address a situation but then something else would happen and I would find myself again, in a position of struggle, unsure how to cope, and back talking about how stressed and sad I was feeling. Mary does this different by using a solution-focused approach. I am more than my thoughts and feelings and I wanted to start living the life I have always dreamed of. Achieving my goals in realistic ways, taking inspired action and knowing that this all starts with believing in myself, loving myself, trusting my intuition and following my heart. Mary has guided me to see how I can empower myself. She facilitated my growth using my own light and intelligence to build the foundations for decision-making on my own. Nobody can fix you but there are people who can support you. Mary is a very kind, caring and approachable person. I am forever grateful for the support and care she has given me. Although my 12 coaching sessions have ended, I have tools for life and will continue working with Mary in the future. Thank you.

Mary, What a positive end to the year in all that you have helped us to achieve! All those back-breakingly difficult and impossible hurdles, you just nipped them in the bud and made us see that they were all within reach! I can’t thank you enough for the help you have made to our lives and the mental shifts Eddie and I both feel in all avenues of our lives! It’s without a doubt our scores are similar as we have both felt the pressure release significantly drop over the last few weeks, by making the impossible – possible!

I was very apprehensive in what I would actually gain from Coaching sessions. Coaching? That’s not for me! (my wall was up) but after making the decision to take that step out into the unknown, I realised how blessed I was to have been given the opportunity to work with Mary.

Working with Mary has brought me huge personal growth, helped me find strength within myself, allowed me to find my voice and most of all find myself!

I’m able to see things objectively and not take things so personally.

I’m more relaxed with my kids – we have more time together and have fun!

I spend more productive time while I am at work, which has led to growth within the business.

Mary, you truly have helped me change my life and helped me grow into the woman I always wanted to be!

A truly amazing journey! I will always be so grateful – Mary you are truly inspirational!

Via the EPP Program

I have just recently finished my last session with Mary. As I drive back to my office I feel both excited and nervous. Nervous because I am thinking “what if I forget everything I have learnt” and excited because I know I wont and that Mary has equipped me with the “tools” to stay on track. Mary once said to me that her role is to eventually make herself redundant in her role as life coach and I could tell that rather than be saddened by this prospect, she is genuinely happy about it because it means she has helped someone enough that they feel they are more in charge of their life. This has been my experience. As a 47 year old wife, mother of 3 and successful business owner I am finally finding myself and gaining more enjoyment out of life. The fact that I called myself a “successful business owner” is evidence that Mary has taught me to be proud of what I have achieved, learn how to give myself a pat on the back for a job well done and take enjoyment out of the small things in life. I felt very directionless, consumed by the daily grind of endless chores. Now I have clear goals, a plan how to achieve them and learnt that these goals aren’t going to be reached by sitting in a draw somewhere. I actively devote time to myself, goal setting and planning what it is I want from my life. I feel more balanced now as I am looking after my own wishes and dreams, not just that of my family and the business. It is worth realising that it is never too late to start this process! I find that I am more decisive and procrastinate less because I have learnt to process everything in relation to how this fits in with my core values. If it doesn’t fit I ditch the idea/ invite/demand/request and I feel better for it. There is less guilt in refusing the demands of others and I have learnt that a firm decisive ‘No” is a complete sentence. I would highly recommending Mary’s coaching to you. Considering I was initially apprehensive about the cost of coaching, I am now relieved I made the commitment and view this as a small investment for the huge rewards that have followed since completing my life coaching sessions.

Mary, I would like to take this opportunity to pass on a very heart felt “Thank you” for your patience, wisdom, expertise and professionalism in helping me to see a way forward through the fog I felt I had been running around in.  I honestly don’t think my marriage would have survived if it hadn’t been for the time that both (of us) have spent with you.  And for this I will remain forever grateful.

I can strongly recommend undertaking Life Coaching with Mary Argese.  It allows you to step back from the urgency of the moment, to look at your strengths and weaknesses, and take steps to improve your overall performance.  Mary offers an impartial, non-judgemental perspective which is incredibly valuable.

From what began as a meeting to see if I could improve my work habits, started an unearthing of a range of emotions and false beliefs- it was an amazing experience in itself.  Thank you for helping me understand those emotions with trust, care, empathy and without judgment.  When I started I couldn’t imagine a world where I could not see light at the end of the tunnel.  Now I have an un-interrupted 360 degree view…and I gotta tell you it is a very beautiful world out there!  The investment in you Mary was worth its weight in gold and I will be FOREVER in your debt for making me believe in myself again.

When I attended my first appointment with Mary I was a little reluctant in discussing my life and apprehensive that anything Mary said could make it better.  Mary came across as a caring and understanding person who is there to assist me in making my own changes in life, which enabled me to open up and show trust in her.  Mary helped me see my problems in life differently and like a light house guided me away from the rocks.  I deeply appreciate everything Mary has done for me.

It has been an absolute pleasure in meeting my mentor Mary and what a perfect match it was.  We clicked instantly and I found myself telling her things I never thought I would.  Mary has been an inspiration and has had an enormous impact on my growth and development.  She provided a key to unlock all the uncertainties I had in my life.  She has helped me respect myself and believe in myself and let my soul shine.  I can honestly say I have never been so comfortable with another human being as I have with Mary.  I am sure she will always remain a great friend because I believe she is one in a million.

Mary I am so thankful for all that you have done for me. You made me BELIEVE. Meeting you has been so life changing in so many ways. I now and forever will continue to use what I have learnt in our sessions in the rest of my life’s journey. This is something I will always treasure and be so thankful that I did to make my life richer. You’re a special person who will always be a part of me.

When my husband was diagnosed with cancer in late 2011, we had clear plans for our life together, his diagnosis and prognosis meant that our plans were dramatically changed and we both finished work, to travel and spend as much time together as we could.

Unfortunately my husband passed away in 2013 aged 55.

After my husband’s death, I found myself without any clear direction in my life and simply ‘going through the motions’ on a day to day basis whilst handling the overwhelming sadness and guilt as best I could and trying to be strong for those around me.

After about 4 months, I sought traditional counselling through my GP but after a few session, it became clear that this was not the right approach for me. I needed more than being told everything I was going through was normal and it was just a matter of time.

About 10 months after my husband passed away, Season Funerals sent an email advising of a coaching service provided by Mary which would be able to help me in a number of areas including providing the tools to enable me to establish some direction and goals and to come to terms with a new ‘normal’ for my life. The timing couldn’t have been better, it was a particularly difficult time for me and I called Mary immediately to book in.

The sessions with Mary were fortnightly and over 16 weeks. I was cynical but hopeful when I arrived at the first session but when I left I was certain that this was going to help me get my life on track.

The sessions provided a forum for clear future thinking whilst addressing situations and emotions as they arose. Mary was friendly, empathetic and non-judgemental. She was also very flexible and, if necessary, adjusted the planned sessions to discuss any specific issues which may have occurred in the previous fortnight. Mary provided the forum and the tools to help me deal with each situation as it arose.

The sessions provided me with the opportunity and the freedom to assess my life as a whole and gave me permission to work through and to feel my emotions and to move forward with life and begin to establish my new normal.

Whilst my sadness and grief is still with me every day, the coaching sessions have provided me with the tools, strength, freedom and confidence to review what’s important to me and to begin to make a future for myself with this in mind. My goals are still changing and developing and I expect this to be an ongoing process.

In my opinion, anyone who has lost a loved one and is feeling ‘lost’ themselves or feeling that their life has lost direction and is unable to sort through it themselves would benefit from these sessions.

Thank you very much Mary.

Having met Mary has changed my life. I have been involved in Coaching in various forms from various National and International presenters over the years and believe me THIS WAS IT!!! I HAD FOUND A REFRESHING APPROACH ON LIFE COACHING.  With the one-on-one quality time together, Mary’s confidence, training and professionalism helped me realise I was not understanding my potential. I lacked confidence in meeting new people because I felt I had to be prepared all the time. The outcome, from several sessions was for me not to be such a serious business woman and to be able to say –I don’t know but I will get back to you on that!! Mary helped me see that I was working too hard on getting other peoples approval of me. I really have overcome so many of my challenges and learned how to work through them best – so they don’t overwhelm me. I really cannot recommend Mary enough in a short paragraph; what a great listener and coach and such a big heart of gold.

I recently had the pleasure of using Mary Argese’s Life Coaching skills. Not only is Mary delightful to know, but she has one of the most perceptive minds out there. She was able to easily identify and home in on key aspects of the work we were doing. And here I was thinking I was complicated! Mary is an extraordinarily good listener and explains things very clearly.  I’d thoroughly recommend Mary to anyone who is seeking to improve communications, relationships, team-work, both personally and professionally. I’d be pleased to discuss further should anyone wish to call me.

Dear Mary, I would like to thank you for helping me in my journey in finding happiness and a clear direction in my life.  I look back in the beginning when I first started coaching with you.  I was lost, unhappy and found it difficult to deal with my former wife.  Now I am more confident and no longer putting up with the things that make me unhappy.  This has empowered me and I feel I have full control in how my life is unfolding.  Your approach and coaching method has made me feel secure and respected – the type of values I would expect from a true friend.  It is great to be around inspirational people like yourself, not only in your professional life but an inspirational Parent also, well done.  I would not hesitate to recommend your coaching services to anyone in need of a life changing experience.  Thanks once again J Kind Regards