Hey, I'm Claire Rushton-Plant
I'm a mum of three, former high-school English teacher, middle and senior leader, business owner and career coach with a passion for helping women navigate life's biggest career decisions.
I spent more than twenty years in education, pouring myself into teaching, leadership and supporting young people, while trying to balance family life and my own sense of who I was. Eventually, the long hours, constant pressure and emotional demands began to take their toll.
I came home exhausted, carrying the weight of the day with me and realising I wasn't showing up for my family in the way I wanted. I was surviving rather than living.
Then one day, I recognised something I could no longer ignore.
I wanted more than just getting through each week. I wanted work that gave me purpose, a life with more balance and the freedom to build a future that reflected who I was, not just the roles I had taken on.
Leaving teaching wasn't simply a career change. It was an identity shift. It meant letting go of the career I'd worked so hard to build and finding the confidence to create something new.
What I didn't realise at the time was that I'd already been coaching for years. Long before I gained my qualification or launched The Relaxed Mind Coaching, I was the person friends, family and colleagues came to when they had a big decision to make. Whether they were changing careers, applying for promotions or trying to work out their next step, I loved helping people untangle their thoughts, see new possibilities and believe in themselves again.
That passion led me to gain my Level 5 ILM qualification in Effective Coaching and Mentoring, combining professional coaching expertise with decades of experience supporting people through change.
Today, I bring together lived experience, accredited coaching and practical career strategy to help women stop second-guessing themselves and start building careers that fit the life they want—not the one they feel they should have.
Because I know just how daunting change can feel.
And I also know how transformational it is when you finally give yourself permission to choose a different path.
How My Own Journey Changed Everything
Why I Understand What You're Going Through
For years, I dreamed about building a life beyond teaching.
I knew I wanted more flexibility, more freedom and work that aligned with the life I wanted to create for my family. What I didn't have was a clear roadmap, or someone to help me navigate such a significant change.
So, I took a leap of faith.
I left teaching and invested in a franchise business, stepping into a world that was completely unfamiliar. It was exciting, overwhelming, rewarding and, at times, incredibly uncomfortable.
Building a business challenged me in ways I'd never experienced before. It taught me resilience, strengthened my confidence and showed me that I was capable of far more than I'd ever given myself credit for.
Looking back, I know the journey would have felt very different if I'd had someone beside me to ask the right questions, challenge my thinking and help me make decisions with confidence rather than fear.
That experience shaped the coach I am today.
The Relaxed Mind Coaching was born from my own journey of career change, business ownership and personal reinvention. Today, I help women navigate those same moments of uncertainty with the support, clarity and encouragement I wish I'd had myself.
Because changing your career isn't just about finding different work. It's about creating a life that feels more like your own.
Who I Help & Why
I work with professional women who are successful on paper, but quietly wondering, “Is this really how I want the next 10 years of my life to feel?”
Many of the women I support have spent years building careers, raising families and holding everything together for everyone else. From the outside, they often look capable and accomplished. Inside, they feel exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or unsure what they want anymore.
You might be:
A teacher, leader or education professional who has loved parts of the job, but can no longer ignore the stress, workload and emotional toll.
A corporate or public-sector professional who has outgrown her role and is craving more meaning, challenge or alignment with her values.
A woman who has spent years prioritising other people’s needs and is now asking, “What do I want next?”
Considering a career change or starting a business, but feeling torn between the excitement of possibility and the fear of getting it wrong.
Wanting more flexibility, freedom and presence with your family, without losing your ambition or professional identity.
Returning to yourself after burnout, redundancy, motherhood, divorce or another major life transition and trying to rebuild confidence in your next step.
What connects the women I work with is not a particular job title—it’s the feeling of being stuck between the life they have and the life they suspect might be possible.
I created The Relaxed Mind Coaching because I know how isolating that space can feel. You don’t need to have your entire future mapped out before you ask for support. You just need the willingness to explore what’s next with honesty, curiosity and the right guidance.
If you’re reading this and thinking “This sounds like me”, I want you to know: you are not behind, you are not failing, and you are not too late.
You may be much closer than you think to a career—and a life—that feels more like your own.
My Approach to Coaching
I believe real change doesn’t come from quick fixes — it comes from clarity, support, and a roadmap that fits your life.
Here’s what working with me feels like:
Empathy + experience — I’ve walked the path myself, felt the overwhelm, and come out the other side. I bring compassion, patience and practical insight.
Clear guidance, not fluff — Instead of vague promises, I offer realistic plans, step-by-step clarity and honest support.
Mindset + Strategy — We work on what’s inside (confidence, clarity, belief) and what’s ahead (next steps, actions, real-world changes).
Balance & sustainability — Because a new career or business shouldn’t cost your health, happiness, or relationships.
My Credentials & What I Bring...
20+ years working in education (classroom & leadership) — teaching, mentoring, leading teams
First-hand experience transitioning careers and building a business
Deep empathy for people feeling stuck, overwhelmed or craving change
A proven framework for clarity + action + transformation — refined through personal journey and coaching practice
ILM Level qualified coach
What You Can Expect When You Work With Me
A safe, non-judgmental space to explore your values, fears, hopes and dreams
Honest clarity about what’s working, what’s holding you back, and what’s possible
A personal roadmap: one that respects your life, responsibilities and ambitions
Support — mindset tools, practical steps, accountability, and encouragement
Real transformation: from uncertainty and “what ifs” → to clarity, purpose and momentum.
Masterclass Download!
The Career Change Masterclass
If you know things need to change but you don't know what or how to get started, my masterclass will help you decide. This is the masterclass I wish I had been part of when faced with the same tough decisions.
More Than Coaching — A Community & A Movement
When you work with me, you’re not just booking sessions — you’re joining a community of people who believe you can have more than “just a job.” People who choose purpose over pressure, balance over burnout, growth over stagnation.
Whether you’re seeking a new career, exploring entrepreneurship, or ready to finally step into your next chapter with confidence — I’m here for you.
Let's Get Started
30 Minute Advice Call
If you’ve landed here and felt a flicker of “yes — this feels right”, I’d love to connect.
Book a 30 minute advice call → Let’s talk about who you are now, who you want to become, and what’s possible.
No pressure. No fluff. Just clarity, compassion and a plan.
An Exceptional Coach
Working with Claire has been a transformative experience. She has a unique ability to challenge my thinking in a way that feels both supportive and empowering. From the very
beginning, she was able to pinpoint where I was getting stuck—not just on the surface, but at a deeper mindset level.
Claire is an incredible listener. She truly takes the time to understand how I learn and process information. Once she identified my learning style, she began using visual aids and analogies that made complex ideas suddenly click for me. I've had several moments during our sessions that have shifted how I approach both personal and professional challenges.
What sets Claire apart is her empathy and consistency. Every session ends with a clear takeaway—whether it's a reflection, an action step, or a tool to try—and she never leaves me
feeling overwhelmed. Between sessions, she stays connected through an app where she shares resources, mindset activities and gentle encouragement. That ongoing support has made a huge difference, especially on days when self-belief waivers.
Most importantly, Claire has helped me believe in myself again. Her guidance has brought clarity, confidence and momentum to areas of my life where I once felt stuck.
I highly recommend Claire to anyone looking for a coach who not only understands leaving a profession but also equips you with the mindset and tools to move forward with
purpose.
— Gail
I had an advice call with Claire, and found her to be encouraging and highly knowledgeable. She asked thoughtful questions and shared insights which made me really reflect on my current role. Following our conversation, I created a clear action plan and have since enrolled on a course that (I hope) will open up new opportunities for me in the future.
I would highly recommend!
- Suze
Claire was absolutely brilliant with supporting my goals, setting up steps to make me see a clear vision of how to get to my ideal career. I can’t thank Claire enough for how positive it has made me feel, thank you!
- Selina
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