CATHERINE McHugh aged 46 lives on the Ballycolin Road just outside Lisburn with her husband, Damien and their five children. She has her own business as a life and business coach.
Catherine studied through the Open University at Queens University Belfast in Social Welfare and Psychology.
She has written and re-written a number of programmes over the years on the development of self - helping a wide range of people from single mothers to convicts rebuild their self-esteem and lives.
Starting out working with people suffering learning disabilities, Catherine re-wrote a programme which helped the first person in Ireland with learning disabilities to gain their certificate. This spurred on her passion for working with and helping people in the community.
I normally get up at around 8am and have a light breakfast. I have an office at home and one on the Lisburn Road, so I can check into office business from home.
Before 9am I generally look at my e-mails and return any calls that need to be done.
At the minute I am working with four different clients on an individual basis so I have an initial meeting with them in the morning which can take place over the phone.
This telephone coaching can last between one hour and an hour and a half.
I also offer follow up e-mail support. I try to be at the Lisburn Road office for about 1pm where I'll grab a sandwich and a drink before getting back to work.
Private sessions with clients take place between 2 and 5pm and I aim to spend 90 minutes with each person.
When I get home at around 6pm my great husband, Damien, will have something on for dinner. I'm not very hot in the kitchen myself. It wouldn't bother me if I never saw a pot or pan again.
I left school without any qualifications and went into hairdressing for 17 years. I even had my own business but it wasn't for me.
I went back to study and seemed to have my head stuck in books for the best part of 10 years, but Damien has been very supportive.
Now I love and am very passionate about the job I do. I have a programme running at the minute called 'Fit for Life' and that has me out of the house again from about 6.30pm and I won't get home again until 9.30pm.
My job is my hobby as well - I love watching Oprah and Dr Phil, but even then I'm sitting with a notepad and pen jotting down ideas for new or current programmes.
I'm honoured to be running a course at the moment training the first batch of people in Northern Ireland in a diploma in Executive Life and Business Coaching. This takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
Monday is my day for taking it easy. I stay at home and maybe watch TV or read a book, but I still check e-mails in case anything comes up at work.
My motivation stems from my passion for people and justice, which I inherited from my late father.
I try not to judge people and let them know if I can make a success of my life so can anyone.
Ulster Star
20/01/2006