ABOUT

ABOUT

ABOUT

I know what it's like to
take the mask off,
hang it up,
come out of the closet,
and
leave
it
behind.
and
leave
it
behind.

ABOUT

I know what it's like to TAKE THE MASK OFF
hang it up, come out of the closet,
and
leave
it
behind.
and
leave
it
behind.
I know what it's like to
take the mask off,
hang it up,
come out of the closet,
and
leave
it
behind.
and
leave
it
behind.

I learned how to change what’s around me when things are hard instead of trying to change myself.

I know how scary it is to embrace what makes you different, and let go of who you thought you were in the process. I have experienced that vulnerability and I learned how necessary that vulnerability is to thrive.

I haven’t always loved my life, and the self-love I have today was not easily won.

I remember what it feels like to pretend...
that my body doesn’t ache,
that I am heteronormative,
that my brain works the same as everyone else….
just
to
get
by.

I received my ADHD diagnosis when I fell apart after grad school.

I now realize that happened because I lost the only life I knew, being a good kid and a good student. I tried to “fix” myself by “fixing” my ADHD, which caused me to fall into a deep depression.

My life was so insufferable that I became suicidal, leading me to admit myself to an inpatient psych unit. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I did it to save myself.

I realized I had spent my entire life creating an identity based solely on the needs and approval of others.

Masking left no space for me, and I lost my sense of self.

In the years since, I have learned to work with my medical conditions, be openly queer despite the discomfort of others, navigate disclosing my invisible illnesses, and ask for appropriate accommodations in day-to-day life. I’ve learned to live in alignment with my values even when it’s hard.

I love my whole self, conditions and sexual identity included.

To be clear, I don’t love being in pain or struggling with executive dysfunction, and being queer in the Bible belt isn’t exactly a field trip. But I do radically accept those parts of me and show them love and care. I am proud of who I am.

Loving myself and others led me to walk away from a career in occupational therapy and become a coach.

Coaching is heart-centered and puts the client first. The healthcare system in America ignores the needs of the people it claims to serve and abuses its workers for profit. I can’t contribute to that kind of dysfunction and live the heart-centered life that I want.

Today, I get to put my clients first and utilize my knowledge and skills to truly help others and create good in the world. I get to lead with love.

Credentials

I have a master’s in occupational therapy with a double minor in psychology and human biology from Eastern Michigan University. I graduated from the honors college in 2016. 
I am registered and licensed as an occupational therapist in Indiana and have worked in outpatient, hospitals, and nursing facilities. 
I am an educated medical professional who has studied neurology, the sensory system, and mental and physical health.
I bring this medical knowledge and experience to coaching, but I apply it in a coaching context as a coach, not a therapist. 
I served as an “ADDmin” for Eric Tivers’  ADHD Rewired Coaching and Accountability Groups for eight months, which helped me grow my coaching style and discover that coaching is what I wanted to do with my career.

All of my experience qualifies me to be a coach, but what sets me apart from everyone else is that I am queer, polyamorous, neurodiverse, mentally ill, and invisibly disabled. 

I have been diagnosed with ADHD combination type, generalized anxiety, depression, dermatillomania (excoriation disorder), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and general chronic pain (likely fibromyalgia).

What i have learned from life so far is that Love is an action, not an ideal.

When I was bullying and criticizing myself, change was impossible. I didn’t see change until I decided to love first. 

I started Queer Spectrum Life Coaching to spread that love by coaching the outliers and outsiders like me to use self-love to create change.

I want that love for you.

Author picture

Natalie Stark currently lives with her nesting partner in Indiana, where they are working on moving into their RV, Polly Pocket, full time to travel the country to learn and continue to grow together.

She has two romantic partners, both of whom are trans, invisibly ill, and neurodivergent. Natalie loves adventure, hiking, singing, and playing video and board games. She’s looking forward to the challenges that a nomadic lifestyle brings and finding ways to make that lifestyle accessible for herself and others.

She’s excited to take Queer Spectrum Life Coaching, LLC on the road.

Author picture

Natalie Stark currently lives with her nesting partner in Indiana, where they are working on moving into their RV, Polly Pocket, full time to travel the country to learn and continue to grow together. She has two romantic partners, both of whom are trans, invisibly ill, and neurodivergent. Natalie loves adventure, hiking, singing, and playing video and board games. She’s looking forward to the challenges that a nomadic lifestyle brings and finding ways to make that lifestyle accessible for herself and others. She’s excited to take Queer Spectrum Life Coaching, LLC on the road.