About
MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND SIMPLY BEYOND
Hi, I’m Debra
Life has taken me on many paths, shaping my strengths, skills, and passion for working with people.
One of my most defining experiences was spending 17 years with a growing software engineering company, balancing its evolution from a start-up to a mid-sized business alongside my own journey through marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood. This exposed me to the intricacies of business, the power of people development, and the value of creative, Agile thinking.
It was during this time that I discovered solution-focused coaching—an approach that transformed my own life. That spark led me to become a certified Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Coach, eventually expanding my expertise to Masterful Coaching, Mentor Coaching, Coaching Supervision, and Team Coaching. Now, I guide individuals, professionals, teams, and aspiring coaches on their own paths to growth.
My Approach
I don’t fit the traditional “life coach” mould, and honestly, I don’t love the term. If I had to choose, I’d call myself a transformational mentor, wellbeing navigator, or life choices strategist – because coaching isn’t about telling people what to do, but walking alongside them as they discover their own way forward.
My coaching and mentoring approach is influenced by a variety of factors, most significant among these being my ‘SIMPLE’ philosophy of solution-focused coaching and my personal values and interests.
The SIMPLE Philosophy
Insoo Kim Berg, the co-founder of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), said that taking the next step in life should be “Simple, but not easy. People think simple is easy, but simple takes a great deal of discipline.” In my own work, I encourage realistic goals and a desired future while keeping it SIMPLE:
Sensitive to who the client is and what they want
Intuitive to that which is not spoken
Mindful of being present in the moment
Purposeful in creating a comfortable, safe space
Listening attentively with compassionate interest
Encouraging the client to take action towards their desired outcome
“Emphasising the importance of simplicity in exploring new possibilities.”
A Personal Touch
First and foremost, everything I do in life is guided by my core values of Faith, Love, Growth, and Harmony. My faith is the foundation of who I am and what I believe, and I approach my work knowing that there is a divine purpose in everything I put my mind, heart and hands to.
I also find inspiration in nature, which is why, whenever possible, I offer walking sessions in the beautiful landscapes of Somerset West – because sometimes, clarity comes when we move.
“My greatest learning has been that it is less about what you do and more about WHO you are,
doing what you do with what you have.”
Explore the Blog
The S.I.M.P.L.E. Way to Reflect and Grow
The S.I.M.P.L.E. Way to Reflect and Grow Experience alone does not necessarily lead to learning; it is important to intentionally reflect on experience. We all learn best when we give ourselves a little space to pause and gently explore our experiences. Reflective...
Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth: Embracing Harmonious Flow
LIFE Balance begins with Self-Care “We must eradicate the shame of rest and replace it with the pride of self-care.” Juliet Funt I sat in the Global Leadership Summit in 2021 and heard these words and thought, ‘I learned that the hard way’. This has been one of my...
G.O.A.L.S – A Coaching Approach for Lasting Solutions
Change requires action! What stops us from taking the first step toward a lasting solution that may have a positive effect on our lives? This question prompted me to think about how a person could make a lasting change in their life through the goals they set for...