ABOUT US
We are an innovative, purpose-driven organisation, invested in helping people to thrive.
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Shift & Co is a Canberra-based organisation, that was founded in 2020, to make coaching available to everyone, especially those living with a disability or mental health struggles.
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Through our needs-based coaching, we assist people with diverse needs, to overcome adversity, pursue their goals and become more resourceful.
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Coaching for everyday people.
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Meet the Team
OUR TEAM
Our team are passionate about the support and mentoring that they provide. With a range of varying backgrounds and focus areas, we are able to offer versatile and personalised support.
Personal Development Coach
Jacob Cowling
About Me:
Jacob has detailed educational study and experience in community services, youth work, leadership, life coaching and more.
He has worked for many years with troubled youth who experienced childhood trauma, before managing the operations of an organisation in this space for many years. After this, he spent a small stint as a Behaviour Support Practitioner before opening Shift and Co.
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Focus Statement:
Jacob is passionate about helping those who struggle to navigate through difficult situations in their lives, lack of personal direction, and those with anxiety or ADHD. He also loves helping people to connect with others when they struggle to socialise.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Philosophy
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Writing
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Music
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Sport
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Spending time with his two young children
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Adventures
Personal Development Coach
Jared Knott
About Me:
Jared is a young male who has lived in Australia for around 10 years (having come from South Africa).
In the past, Jared has used his skills and passion for the industry to assist teenage boys through a mentoring program.
In addition to this Jared has completed and is still completing tertiary education in Psychology.
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Focus Statement:
Jared has a deep interest in helping people realise their potential in life.
He believes by setting and working towards goals together, confidence is built as well as the reassurance of their potential and worth being reaffirmed.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Being out in nature
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Learning new things
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Drawing
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Practicing Martial Arts (Jiu Jitsu)
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And of course, a healthy dose of gaming
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Mentor
Patrick O'Toole
About Me:
Patrick is a young male living in the Canberra region.
Using his own experiences in mental health and neurodivergence, Patrick has expanded on his passion for helping others with formal education.
Pat has a warm personality and is easy to build and maintain relationships with.
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Focus Statement:
Patrick’s interest is being able to help others in any way that he can. His passion is around mental health, assisting people in developing the skills needed around their own mental health and also recovering from various mental health statuses.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Vidoe games
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Reading
- Learning new things
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Personal Development Coach
Saumya Gupta
About Me:
Saumya moved to Australia 11 years ago, originally from India.
She set up her own life coaching business then helping people with problems like self belief, confidence, emotional trauma, grief, career and relationships and finding and following their own dreams.
She draws on her own personal growth journey, education in mental health, and extensive experience to now help anyone who is struggling in their life personally or professionally.
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Focus Statement:
Saumya is extremely passionate about helping people become their true selves and accept and love themselves wholly without judgement.
To enhance their strengths, work on their stretches and find meaning and happiness in the little things in life. She has a deep compassion for anyone who suffers silently, not knowing who to turn to or what to do even though they are fully committed to overcoming their challenges. She wants to be there for them, helping them through one step at a time.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Sports, especially badminton & basketball
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Dancing
- Trying our new cuisines, cafes & restaurants
- Trekking, hiking, and adventures
- Traveling
Personal Development Coach
& Group Program Manager
Benjamin Cowling
About Me:
Benjamin is a caring and approachable male from Canberra. He has a large number of years of experience in the service industry. He has been able to use these experiences to build and perfect many skills such as compassion and communication. He strives to find a way to achieve his goals, even if he cannot see the answer immediately and enjoys helping others pursue this as well. Benjmain also helps volunteer for a small country not-for-profit theatre and has an open-minded approach to life with a background in LBGTQIA+.
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Focus Statement:
Benjamin is a compassionate, caring and kind communicator who values honesty and integrity.
His strengths are guiding people who suffer from anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. In addition to this, he is highly passionate about helping others, self-improvement, being supportive, and helping others to be their best selves.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Nintendo
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Coffee & Cafes
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Shopping
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Traveling
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Yoga
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Mentor
Peter McCabe
About Me:
Peter is a true Canberran, being born and bred here. For over 10 years Peter has been a barber with 6 of those running his own business. Using this time Peter has been able to refine his skills in helping people come out of their shell and making a fun and enjoyable experience at every visit.
As well as this, Peter has been actively involved in the disability at youth offenders sectors, helping his clients with day to day activities, improving social skills and expanding relationships.
He looks forward to meeting new people and helping them with their journey.
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Focus Statement:
Peter provides a funny and outgoing personality allowing him to get to know people and help them realise their potential in life. He is committed to using laughter and having a good time to help others to get the best out of themselves and achieve any goals they have set or would like to set.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Golf
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NRL
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UFC
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Video games
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Being a dad
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Traveling
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Studio&. Lead Mentor
Kristie Watts
Making on Ngunnawal, Ngambri Country.
My core belief is that art should be accessible to all, and I've had the great privilege of professionally collaborating with artists with diverse abilities in accessible studios for the past 8 years.
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As an art mentor, I believe there is just as much art in the exchange, process, collaboration, providing access to and noticing art in everyday life as there is in the material evidence of art making.
My personal practice is informed by my studies in visual art, visual culture, art history and reflects my place in the world as a woman.
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My passions are exploring and skill sharing in a wide array of different mediums and holding a space to develop interpersonal skills and personal reflection.
Studio&. Mentor
Matilda Hillam
Matilda is a multidisciplinary artist, story teller, fashionista, advocate, living on Ngunnawal,
Ngambri Land.
Matilda is extraordinarily passionate about access and inclusion in the arts.
Coming from a place of lived experience, Matilda leads by example and is endlessly devoted to
empowering her peers.
Mentor
Kian Turrall
About Me:
Kian is a creative and passionate young man who has a wealth of experience in a wide range of areas. Working in education and support as well as within drama teaching, Kian has worked with people from all walks of life.
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Focus Statement:
Kian prides himself on creating a safe place where people can express themselves and build confidence. He uses his experience as a mentor, student social worker, and game designer to connect with a wide diversity of people and assist them with growing their sense of self.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Learning to play guitar
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Gymnastics
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Astronomy
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Reading
Personal Development Coach
Ross Docherty
About Me:
Ross obtained his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra, following the completion of his Undergraduate biology degree. He has spent almost 15 years practicing as a physiotherapist, with the last 5 years focused on helping people with chronic and persistent pain conditions. Through this time Ross has worked with a hugely diverse range of clients from a wide range of backgrounds.
This, along with his interests and further study in the philosophy of mind has led him to become a strong advocate for understanding the importance of a person’s biopsychosocial situation and how the greater social environment that we all find ourselves in impacts and creates feedback loops both for us as individuals and for the society that we live in.
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Focus Statement:
Ross is committed to helping people explore and address their life experiences with a strong emphasis on understanding the bigger picture, but also with an emphasis on taking responsibility and control of the small everyday actions that form the building blocks of personal and environmental/societal change.
He loves exploring ideas with his clients, helping them discover their values and strengths, and assisting them in putting in place small, actionable habits that build towards their value-driven goals.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Reading too much (especially philosophy, physiology, and science-fiction)
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Running (too little!)
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Hiking and camping
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Meditation, Mindfulness, and all things consciousness-related
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Getting back into Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer 40K
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Relearning the guitar (again)
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Drinking too much coffee
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Being run ragged playing with his son (see coffee above)
Administration Support
Kaitlin McKivat
About Me:
Kaitlin is a mother of two with extensive experience in administration support to a number of small and commercial-sized businesses.
With her welcoming attitude and knowledgable background, she is able to assist in all facets of Shift and Co's operations.
Combining her compassion for helping others with her expertise in administration, Kaitlin is an effective part of our team.
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Hobbies and Interests:
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Spending time with her kids
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Crocheting
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Learning new things
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And of course a little bit of Mario Bro's.
Lead Therapist
Sally Holliday
Sally is a passionate and wholehearted person fostering a safe and supportive space for healing and personal growth.
Prior to graduating from the College of Complementary Medicine and becoming a creative therapist, Sally worked as a Disability Support Worker, helping clients achieve their goals across a variety of settings.
Sally adopts a Transpersonal approach, which translates to 'moving beyond the mask.' In this way, working transpersonally means venturing beyond the surface and considering the whole person.
Having experienced the value of transpersonal explorations and resources in her own life, Sally now companions others on their journeys.
"Like curious explorers, we rediscover the various layers and parts of self, integrating these together in a process of self-realisation and affirmation."
Meet the Team
CLIENT PROTECTION AND SAFETY
The safety of all our clients is an upmost priority for Shift and Co.
You are able to view our complete Client Protection Policy through the below button.