Meet Deborah
WHO AM I?
I’m Founder of Balanced Bee
I’m a Mom, Confidant, Pilates Instructor, Writer and Speaker
I love to dance and I’m an absolute aviation geek
My name in Hebrew means “bee” and in Greek, “honeybee”
8 is my favorite number
8 is the number of true understanding and balance and the infinity symbol when on it’s side
My son designed my logo of two yellow infinity symbols using a twist on the number ‘8’ thus creating a bee (check out his artwork at jts-art.com)
There are infinite possibilities in life and infinite realities that can be created.
I’ve been a high level Personal and Executive Assistant and Confidant for 20+ years having the privilege of working with leading CEOs, Directors and all round game changers in a diverse background ranging from Ministry of Defense, Charity, Legal, Events, Education and Engineering sectors. I’ve also seen the dark side of their successes.
But I was never just an “Assistant”. I was a trusted confidant. Not someone who just listened either. I made sure the person talking was heard on a deep level. I questioned their thinking I would offer another way of looking at things. In retrospect, I challenged their world and I did it with love. They knew I had their back.
I’ve been a trusted confidant throughout my entire life through high school, college, then the corporate world supporting bosses who were high level CEO’s, Directors and Executives whether they were small start ups or worldwide players.
I’ve always supported because I care. I took it upon myself to ask what I could do to alleviate the stress my boss was under when his start up with no more than 6 employees, was looking to secure £2.5m in a funding contract to set up a cohesive education business partnership work experience program. I undertook research work helping my boss formulate the bid and to subsequently win the funding.
I designed and implemented the confidential work experience database for high schools in their area. This database went on to form the backbone of the system that is currently being used in the UK today some 20+ years later.
I have been integral in helping companies achieve Single Regeneration Bids; Discretionary Funding Bids and Preferred Supplier Applications.
I know how difficult it can be for start ups to win funding. I witnessed first-hand the impact it had on my bosses. I also know how challenging and potentially stressful it can be for large scale organizations to bring in sponsorship and securing the backing for projects.
Aged 20, I was one of only two people within the MOD in the geographical area selected to become UK Eyes Only Classified Assistant working on Top Secret documentation.
The early years...
As a child I was a book worm and loved to read I grew up reading Enid Blyton and then Tolkien. I always loved stories, how they could expand the mind, there was endless creativity in stories.
A dancer all my life I love the freedom of movement, it lights me up I was always fascinated with how people moved the way they did and how exercise and movement was integral to health. I love nothing more than to put music on loud and just move.
I grew up on airshows captivated with how pilots undertook jaw dropping maneuvers in the sky and it set a dream in motion one which I eventually accomplished working with the Co-Founder Director & CEO of the very same airshow I attended as a child.
What most people know about me is...
People can trust me I take the seriousness out of life with a sense of fun and play. I sees things for what they are. I’ve been told my unique outlook on life is a breath of fresh air.
I’m blessed with a double scoliosis affecting my hips, ribs and neck. I do have a few straight vertebrae.
I trained as a Pilates Instructor and then as an Exercise Referral Specialist whilst running my global coaching business part-time, holding down a full-time position and running around after my son. I’ve spent 5 years building my business part-time.
To better serve my pilot clients and understand balance and centrifugal forces I undertook pole dancing classes - never have I been so enlightened on the physics of pole dancing and the effect of gravitational forces on the body!
I never mastered the moves from Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ despite the best intentions of my dance tutor ... the whole debacle of crazy arm waving resulted in the class in hysterics, watch Madonna’s video & tell me you couldn’t do it either.
What most people don’t know...
They don’t know I’ve struggled with anxiety most of my life, am a high achiever and perfectionist constantly pushing myself, I’ve suffered from chronic pain and experienced burnout four times.
Many people don’t know I’ve struggled with being a Mom and never felt I measured up balancing work and childcare and was too scared to ask for help.
And they don’t know I often have debilitating episodes of imposter syndrome and come screeching to a halt in my business, frustrated with my lack of creativity. But I’m grateful for the experiences and I’m thriving as a result.
In 2017 I collapsed. I’d pushed myself so hard and for so long my body put me on the floor. It was at that point I uttered 5 words that would change my life.
" I just need some help”
It was the first time in my life I’d properly asked for help. What I learned is it is not a sign of weakness. It is not a sign of defeat. It takes courage, strength and brutal honesty to yourself to ask for help.
These days I’m a trusted confidant to CEOs, Directors and Executives
My clients are over-achieving men and women from all walks of life who tend to dismiss their successes
My clients are men and women who struggle to see just how amazing and powerful they really are
My clients are men and women who are afraid to go after what they really want in life
My clients are men and women who want to challenge their way of thinking and being
My clients are men and women who want to take charge of their lives and their minds
I draw out the ideas by giving things a different perspective. I will question your thinking. I will challenge your world. I love to play. Above all else I have your back.
I’ve worked with the best at the top of their game. I’ve also seen the dark side of their success.
Alain de Botton once said “The rarer you are the rarer the people are who share your perspective, in this way the greater your success, the fewer people you can share it with”.
If you want a non judgmental trusted confidant in your life who has your back, will listen on a deep level and allow you to share your deepest fears and dreams then let’s hang out and have a conversation one human to another.
I believe…
“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, THE WORD ITSELF SAYS I’M POSSIBLE”
- Audrey Hepburn -
I also believe…
“LIFE IS WHAT YOU THINK IT IS”
- Sydney Banks -
And for good measure…
“Freedom doesn't mean the absence of all restrictions. It means possessing unshakable conviction in the face of any obstacle.”
- Daisaku Ikeda -
My Approach
You talk. I listen. We create.
I listen. Deeply. We all have our stories and we will dig deep into yours. I also like to play - intrigued? Contact me to find out more, I will say this though, when was the last time you intentionally jumped into a puddle for the sheer fun of it?
I don’t give advice and I don’t give you answers. You have everything you need within you (no this is not woo woo) I help draw it out of you.
I walk the talk and work with my own Coach, Pilates Instructor & Personal Trainer, it truly is invaluable and I’ve grown exponentially as a result.
I also believe anything is possible and there’s an answer to everything - you just have to find it.
Most of all I’m all about taking the seriousness out of life and giving you the space to laugh.
Even if you decide I’m not the right human for you or you’re not the right human for me I’d like you to know this.
What you are doing in the world right now matters.
YOU MATTER.
You have everything within you right here, right now in this very moment.
You and your life are not set in stone, you and your life are malleable like clay. You can mold yourself and your life the way you CHOOSE it to be.
Every moment of every day you have a choice in how to be, do and have.
Who you are being is everything and when you truly understand this it will blow your mind.
But know this...
Only you have the power to transform and change no one can do it for you. I cannot change you or make you do anything. I do not have that power. Only you do.
I cannot give you insights. Insights are just that – a sight from within. I can share my own insights and they may affect you or not, you might even think “what are you on?”
You don’t need me in your life. Neediness is not a good place to be.
Want...
That’s different and if you want someone in your life who’s got your back I’m here for you
You matter.