Known for her enthusiasm and inspiration, Gabby Rosely (gabbyrosely.com) is a much sought-after mentor, speaker and event/retreat planner. She also shares her talents on her podcast, facilitating discussions on leadership, communication, mental health and stress management.
However, this was not the career Rosely envisioned having in her youth. We spoke to her about how a significant change to her plans brought her to the life she has now.
You were a champion swimmer in high school?
I was. I grew up swimming, including on the team at Walled Lake Northern High School. I briefly swam in college at the University of California, San Diego, and then I blew out my shoulder during my first swim meet.
How were you able to move forward?
It was tough. I had to walk through the fire to get to the other side. This was my first identity crisis when I no longer identified as a swimmer, something that had defined me for most of my life. I had to discover who I was outside of the sport. It involved many tears and much experimentation. I even dropped out of college for a semester and moved back home to Michigan.
I took my time reflecting inward and spending time with myself while exploring new activities and hobbies. This led me to start my first business, a learn-to-swim program. I had to genuinely take what I knew and loved and translate it into a different language, or rather, a different song. Swimming was still a part of my life at that point but from a different perspective. I ventured out in that way, tried it and loved it. It grew, I experienced a lot of success, and I found my way on the entrepreneurial journey from there.
What inspired you to get into the professional coaching field?
After opening the Goldfish Swim School in West Bloomfield with a great team, we benefitted from coaching by Strength Advisors. This experience helped us understand our strengths and how to leverage them for effective teamwork, fulfillment and success. It transformed my personal and professional life.
During this time, I was invited to speak on a women's inspiration network by a member of the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. After my speaking engagement, Linda Charter, currently the vice president of the Chamber, reached out to me and requested that I become her mentor. She became my first coaching client. I said yes before I was ready and then figured it out. I just followed the call.
What are the most important lessons you've learned?
The biggest lesson I've learned as an entrepreneur is to say yes before you're ready. Know what you want to do and then figure it out. When Linda called me, I researched but also focused on my strengths and what people seek my advice for. I experimented with different packages, outlines, and practices, tailoring the program to her needs. It was a co-creation process, and that's the beauty of my work—it's collaborative.
Community and self-connection are very important to me. My mission in this life is to create community and bring people together. This requires a deep self-connection, which I then share with others by fostering genuine interactions.