What Facilitators & Participants Say About The Circle of Life Health and Wellness Coaching

"We are all looking for transformation. The Circle of Life shows us the way. One step, one goal, one action step at a time."
- Jim Kulma, Director of Spiritual Care, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Ohio

"I was first introduced to Circle of Life ten years ago. I found it to be an intriguing and comprehensive approach to coaching and support for making profound lifestyle changes. At the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing, we are using this model for an Internet-based personal health and wellness tool that will be available to students, faculty and staff throughout the University and beyond. The pioneering work of Rebecca McLean and Dr. Roger Jahnke is deeply impacting individuals and communities throughout the country."
- Mary Jo Kreitzer PhD, RN, Director of Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota

"Previous to my work with The Circle of Life I counseled countless victims of abuse and trauma. The single greatest challenge was helping them identify goals and resources because they were convinced that they had little power to change their lives. I have witnessed wellness group members make monumental changes in their lives that they had previously thought impossible, because of the fail-safe system, small steps, and accountability. I wish I had this twenty years ago!"
- Lois Annich, Wellness Coordinator, Lutheran Chaplaincy Service, Cleveland, Ohio

"I was newly divorced, bankrupt - with breast cancer. I not only have been cancer free for 9 years, I have fulfilled many life dreams. I published a book, and am now a national speaker. The Circle group was a catalyst and support for total life transformation."
- Beverly Kirkhart, author of My Healing Companion, National Spokesperson for Chicken Soup for the Cancer Soul, and Director of the Breast Resource Center, Santa Barbara, California

"Following Dr. Jahnke's presentation at our Riverside Health Care System Wellness Conference in 1988, we were inspired to engage Health Action to assist with our health promotion and wellness program planning.
As a component of the consulting service that we received at that time, the Circle of Life Facilitator Training was a highlight. We trained 50-60 of our team leaders, support group leaders, nurses, department heads and a number of representatives of key social service agencies in our community.
It was a dynamic program that received very positive evaluations by the participants."
- Caroline Martin, RN, MHA, CEO/Pres.Riverside Regional Medical Center Riverside Health System, Newport News, Virginia

"The Circle of Life as an assessment tool has been invaluable for me as a Health Coach in working with my clients. I use it to help both of us identify what components of life are calling for more attention and to prioritize their goals. While I have seen many versions of this tool in other trainings, I believe The Circle of Life approach allows for a true experience of self- discovery; for both the client and the facilitator. "
-Debra R. Harris, RN, BSN, Health Coach, Harris2 Consulting

"I learned how important accountability to ourselves is in being responsible for our own behaviors."
- Judy Sobieski, RN, Parish Nurse Coordinator,Breckinridge Senior Independence, Ohio

"Our Wellness Support Group has utilized the Circle of Life successfully for several years at our National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Wellness Resource Center, the first of its kind in the nation. The Circle process is also used by our Peer support groups throughout three counties. Rather than focus on the disease our focus is on wellness and the quality of life of each person, mind, body, and spirit."
- Joan Young, President of the Channel Islands Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Santa Barbara, California

"We achieve radical victories through small steps. We are healthier people in areas we choose, so this is really personal empowerment that is self-directed in a community context. This is a peer process where regular people hold regular people accountable for their dreams . . . the Circle is a synthesis of timeless global wisdom made accessible in a world noisy with self-help approaches."
- Ralph Pitman, Episcopal Priest, Participant in and Facilitator of The Circle of Life, Cleveland, Ohio

"There has been so little that medical care has to offer people who suffer with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, that is why the Circle of Life support group was such a blessing. Through using the resources of our group's knowledge, books, speakers, and tapes, within a few weeks we had a wealth of information that would have taken a year for one person to research. This saved us all exhausting labor and frustration. We found great support in being with each other and learned how to take action steps that led to better health."
- Tom Ducane, Participant in The Circle of Life, Illinois

Healthcare

"Our social services, health education, nursing, OT and PT staff were trained to be Circle of Life Facilitators. It was a tremendous experience for all involved. Since 1998 we utilize the Circle process in our 10-week " Medical Symptom Reduction Program", which is a great success. We have woven it in to all of our support group activities for patients and use it as a component of our staff wellness program. The Circle is also being used in our community outreach programming."
- Rosemarie Johnson, Director of Health Improvement, St. Charles Hospital, Bend, Oregon

"The Circle of Life process, is a teachable and reproducible process that has been used successfully to improve outcomes such as patient's self-efficacy. This methodology is not just health education or an action to improve patient compliance, but also offers cornerstone group dynamic processes which have been documented to reduce mortality, prevent and reduce disease and improve health outcomes. It can teach patients not only about their disease processes, but also about stress reduction, self-care, self responsibility and accountability, and implementation of more healthful life styles. I recommend this wonderful health education tool for any organization where patient, employee or client health improvement outcome is a key goal."
- Allison Mayer-Oakes, MD, MSPH, FACP, former UCLA Assistant Professor of Medicine,Current Medical Director, The Longevity Medical Center of Santa Barbara, California

"The Circle of Life process, which tailors every training to employee's individual needs. We have made the Circle of Life training available for the whole hospital staff over the years. This program teaches a process that is very practical for home and work"
- Linda Hoover, RN, Human Resources Training, Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California

"I can highly recommend the supreme quality of the Circle of Life based upon the many trainings provided at our hospital for nurses, administration, and the general public. The Circle process inspires and catalyze breakthrough and change using the highly effective Circle of Life model. This process keeps people motivated and moving forward to attain the health and life goals."
- Kathy Morgan, Head of Nursing Education, Goleta Valley Hospital, Goleta, California

" I have found that when behavioral and personal empowerment programming of the Circle of Life are combined with our clinical protocols, our patients have greater, faster and more long lasting results. Patient feedback has been excellent!"
- Walt Lewis, MD, Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic, Santa Barbara, California

"This mind, body, spirit approach to health has been a really healing medicine to my patients. They often make significant lifestyle changes because of the step by step Circle of Life method. Frequently, they have been very expressive of their appreciation that I have referred them to this health and life coaching."
- Richard Danson, MD, Internal Medicine, Santa Barbara, California

Support Groups

Cancer Support

"The Circle of Life always kept us in a process that focused on strengths, inner wisdom and positive actions to change our lives for the highest outcomes. The point was always on moving in a positive direction and toward solutions, rather than being a victim or lost in our cancer diagnosis and pathology."
-L. Shaffer

"Every week we began our meetings with self-healing methods such as deep breathing, healing visualizations and relaxation. I used these techniques everyday for coping with stress and these methods really helped me know how to make myself feel better emotionally and physically."
-M. McKinley

"The process of self inquiry in the Circle of Life really helped me to tune-into where my body and emotions were being drained. We learned how to "seal the energy leaks" in our lives. In such a safe and supported environment we all encouraged each other to make the changes we needed to be happier and healthier."
-A. Atwater

HIV & AIDS Support

"In the other HIV support groups it seemed like all we talked about was medication and how hopelessly horrible it was to be a victim of this disease, in the Circle of Life group we focused on and celebrated victories and how to access our inner strengths. We learned about self care and how to do our part in the healing process. We learned how to eat healthily, resolve painful issues and connect to our Spirit. I am eternally grateful."
-Eric Limm, Santa Barbara, California

"Being in the Circle of Life support group not only improved my health and eliminated my need to run to the doctor every two minutes, but it changed my whole view of life and myself in general. Being with the other group members and staying focused on healing our lives created a powerful group energy that left all of us feeling uplifted. Remarkably, the members of our group lived longer and had higher qualities lives."
-C. Manz

MS & Diabetes Support

"I really found that focusing on methods and skills to gain or regain my health made me feel empowered, which greatly reduced my stress. In MS stress has a very negative effect on one's physical balance and motor abilities. The Circle of Life clarified what skills we wanted and how to access the resources from the community."
-P. Strauss

"I am a diabetic and in the Circle of Life wellness group I discovered that I wasn't enjoying my life very much. So my homework was to start having fun! It seems like that wouldn't be important to one's health-but I found having permission to have fun and have a daily dose of pleasure positively affected my physical and emotional health."
-K. Lewis

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Support

"The Circle of Life group gave me encouragement and practical support to make the changes we needed to get well and stay well. Sometimes that meant changing our work or letting go of negative relationships, or learning how to manage our energy output. We learned how to create and sustain positive change in the areas of our life that needed support."
-S. Burrus

Universities

"I have taught Health 101 at Southwestern College and have witnessed some amazing transformation in short periods of time such as, one lady her abusive boyfriend, another became a living mother before her daughter would be taken away from her, several students with gambling problems sought help, people repaired relationships etc."
-Anna Solis, MPH, San Diego, California

Business, Corporations and Government

"The Circle of Life was used to assess what is "in or out of balance " in our work and personal lives. We use the Circle process to clarify direction, clear barriers, and create step by step action and accountability plans. We have implemented it as part of our continuous improvement (CQI) process, with ongoing success."
- Louise Ward, Resource Management Department, County of Santa Barbara

" For five years at all our branches we have utilized the practical Circle of Life methods, for reducing stress and maintaining good health, and for a the attainment of work and personal goals."
- Joyce Spezman Margolin, Vice President Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, Santa Barbara, California

"I highly recommend any training using the Circle of Life program for peak performance, wellness and stress mastery. This program is truly top-rated and energizing for teams and individuals. It was the end of a long day and our employees wanted more!"
- Chris Byrne, Assistant Vice President Operations, Dean Witter Inc, Santa Barbara, California

Education and Government

"The Circle of Life, a series was presented for teachers and elementary school children throughout our county school district. To say that the staff was extremely pleased is an understatement! The teachers rated the program as excellent! "
- Robert Pierce, Principal of Ellwood School, Santa Barbara, California

"Life Changing! Breakthrough experience! Fun! Inspiring! We learned life long tools for living a balanced, joyful and healthful life! These are only a few of the glowing evaluations we received from our annual state wide conference. The Circle of Life leaves participants with inspiring revelations as well as practical skills for how keep their lives moving in a positive direction."
- Mary Bingle, California Association of Educational Office Professionals

"Rebecca McLean presented a comprehensive mind/body, stress mastery and life enhancement program called The Circle of Life, for our professors, graduate students, and department heads. The feedback was outstanding! The self- inquiry, goal, barrier, affirmation, action and accountability method is now being used by many of the participants in their work and personal lives."
- Daniel Levine, PhD, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California

Individual Clients

"Rebecca saved my life - I mean it - literally and figuratively! I was a participant of one of her cancer support groups. I worked with her individually as well. At the most intensely scary and devastating time in my life, Rebecca helped me access healing of my soul. She taught me empowering self-healing methods. My appreciation is profoundly sincere; she is an angel in my life!"
- Lynne Cleary, Participant in The Circle of Life, California

"From the day I walked into Rebecca's clinic my whole life began to turn around - from tremendous physical pain, despair and hopelessness to life purpose, and physical strength. She took me through the 12 aspects of the Circle of Life process and helped me focus on what I could do to create the life I wanted. Instead of almost ending my life at 20, I am now healthy and am helping others! Rebecca is a gifted guide and coach."
- J. Bradley, Participant in The Circle of Life, California

"I met Rebecca when I was almost 50. My marriage of 30 years was in the midst of divorce, my relationship with my mother and daughter were not good, and I did not have a livelihood. I needed to make so many decisions about my life. Rebecca was masterful in helping me access my inner wisdom and power to find my highest calling. She was also an incredible support for me in the mapping out the practical steps for attaining positive outcomes."
- Karen Scott, Participant in The Circle of Life, California

" I was suffering from headaches and my doctor referred me to her for some health coaching, since medical intervention wasn't working. Rebecca took me through the Circle of Life process. I became aware of the root cause of my health problem. By changing my nutrition and resolving some stressful relationship I am now well."
- Liz Petrillo, Participant in The Circle of Life, California

"I saw Rebecca because I was deeply depressed and had very adverse effects from antidepressants. She had me assess my whole life to see what gave me a feeling of energy or joy and what in my life was draining me or keeping me separated from what I wanted in life. We worked with my strengths and inner knowing and then began, step by step to help me channel my energy in a new direction. She gave me the tools to breakthrough my barriers and I am now waking up early and excited about my life. I feel empowered and lighter."
- S. Marx, Participant in The Circle of Life, California

"Rebecca is highly intuitive and comes from the heart, yet she is very grounded. As an artist I needed assistance from someone who would be sensitive, yet could be dynamic, to help me move forward into making a living doing my art. We did it!"
- Jason Thomas, Participant in The Circle of Life, California