Clients Speak

While being coached by Bob Riley, my business has improved both financially, as well as my skills in dealing with people. My attitude and outlook on life has changed "dramatically". After struggling with depression for over a decade, I now choose to look at challenges in a different light and am able to overcome them. I am now accomplishing my goals and ideas not just thinking about them. I have a better attitude of self. I honestly can’t believe the difference in myself how I have changed, in a positive way, more caring, compassionate, less self centered yet more self caring and self loving. A huge difference! Over the years I have had "years" of professional counseling. I know that it helped and had a positive impact in my life, but not nearly to the degree of the practical, day to day life changing ways that the coaching of Bob Riley has. I am truly grateful for the terrific blessing he has been and continues to be in my life.

Cleo's Video Testimonial

My experience coaching with Bob Riley has done so much for me in my life. First, let me start with a little story about my past, which I find necessary to share. I have had a rough life, having been sexually, mentally and physically abused. I have gone to psychologists, psychiatrists, marriage counselors and church ministers. I was Baker Acted for trying to commit suicide. I was also on bi-polar medication, anti depressants, anxiety medications and with all of this help I was still miserable. I just wanted to be happy and isn't that what we all want?

Coach was/is my life savior. He has taught me how to have self esteem, set boundaries, trust myself and most of all "BE" happy. With his skills, knowledge and love, he has helped me to grow as a person. I have become an individual and I love myself, living life to the fullest extent of my potential. Life Coaching is not about someone telling you how to live your life and what is right and wrong. It is all about love, life, self esteem, goals, boundaries, happiness and trust, while bringing out the very best that you can possibly be.

It is all about you, your own growth and how to achieve happiness. Coaching has changed my life. Presently, I am 42 years old. I now see how miserable I have been all of my life, while having settled for so much less than I deserve. Now I live my life to its fullest. I am happy and I can honestly say, even though I have had a bad day now and then, I have learned how to let it go and be happy.

To make a long story short, for eight months now, I have not seen any therapist or have I taken any more medications. I am so happy and positive about life. I love my life and everything I have achieved. I could never have done it without Coach. I love you Coach.

In the past, I have visited a counselor however I felt I never received either the necessary guidance or information. Counselors just listen to problems with no hints as to how to resolve them. I was stumbling along like a ship without a rudder, floundering in a stormy sea and could not see the shore. I desperately needed a lifeline. I felt like I was lost in a tunnel-a sad place to be-no sunshine, happiness, joy and felt I was gong in circles. While in this tunnel of turmoil or "Black Hole", either place whatever we name it, is not pleasant and I did not enjoy the fact that I could not find a way out alone. EVERYONE, at one time or another needs the help of someone. I needed to recover from trauma, grief, lack of self esteem and numerous other minor () problems, which at that time seemed insurmountable. I know I had tools and vision for my future. I just was not using them effectively. THEN I was introduced to Life Coach Bob Riley, a Life Coach How was he going to help me Women are skeptical and they need to be. This was a new area for me and frankly I didn’t think anyone could help. WAS I WRONG! I met Bob and came away with a brain full of information. I was on overload. After considering the information Bob had given me, it began to make sense and seemed so simple.

Coaching to me now is quite different than counseling. A Coach LISTENS (so very important) to you but has a way of "offering" suggestions while never forcing me to take any particular path. He just gave me a road map. What I did with it was totally up to me however I had his guidance and support to depend on. Coach taught me to carefully think before making decisions. He directed me toward a different and more positive outlook on life. I have no idea how he accomplishes these "miracles" but I am thankful that I was one of them. He was always there, standing in the wings with words of encouragement, laughter and gentleness. By now, having this positive attitude, I’ve been given back my joy, laughter, confidence and the light to brighten my path.

I mentioned earlier about having needed a lifeline and Bob not only threw me one but a raft to go with it. My general health has improved along with my sleep patterns. My outlook is brighter. My life has changed drastically and in a relatively short period of time. I am not really sure how this all happened and it is not easy to explain. I do know that I am more willing to give more of myself to others and I do not have time for negativity in my life. I have completely changed for the positive and I love hearing that from others who notice the POSITIVE change in me. We all still will have problems and make mistakes but the coping mechanisms I have now will permit me to think and make better choices. Not all choices are easy to make however we make the ones that are best for us. That is an area where we need to be selfish for ourselves, as I learned from Coach.

I feel like my inner light has been turned back on. My life is more joyful, positive and happier with much more sunshine than I have had in years. By the way, I have now been nicknamed—"Gloria, The sunshine girl"!! Everyone should have a Life Coach in their life. This world would be a better place and more positive with happier people. Thank you Bob for helping me change my life. I recommend you for LIFE COACH OF THE YEAR-how about possibly the universe You will always be a very special friend to me and my Guardian Angel as you have heard me refer to you so often.

From day one, you have been there for me. You didn't even know who I was on the other end of the phone, sobbing, wondering what to do next -- the very day after Drew's death. It's been about one year ago. My friend, Kathy Coleman gave me your name. Even on that VERY first CALL, you took the time to listen, you taught me the phrase "died of suicide", you taught me about depression and suicide. You were so helpful, direct, and gave me insight and strength to take the next step, one minute at a time, one day at a time. Then you introduced me to your support group and so many other wonderful people.

I still see you in my mind, sitting in the back of the church at Drew's memorial Mass, and in the back of the reception room of the church. Just being you. Your demeanor, your presence, your kind face. I knew it was you -- the wonderful person who cared enough to be there when you hadn't even met me. You have no idea how your being there touched my heart. And you still do, every single time you answer my email and return my calls.

You, my friend, are one in a million. Even after one year, you are still there, caring, helping, and giving your time to help me get through. I can not express enough what your kindness, compassion and wisdom means to me and how much you have helped me and so many others. How can I ever thank you enough? Even if I had one million dollars to give you, it would not cover the help you have given me.

I can only hope to return the kindness to you when you need it, and to pass it on to others. Thank you, Bob. You are a treasured friend and wonderful soul. Warmest regards, -- and hugs

I found out the hard way that dealing with cancer alone can be a terrible, lonely journey. A cancer diagnosis made me stop and assess my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me reclaim my life and get excited about it again. Juggling it all made me feel like a hamster on a wheel. This journey has caused me to take a hard look at my life choices. I struggle to understand how a healthy, 31 year old, non smoker, non drinker, vegetable eating, marathon runner could get cancer. I also did not want to live with a bitter heart. This journey has taken me through 2 divorces, with the effects of toxic choices and situations taking my energy and soul. Why me?

I felt like I was losing my heart, soul and then my identity, due to cancer returning the 2nd time, claiming both my breasts. I felt like a Jekyll and Hyde, putting on a plastic face trying to be positive in the face of cancer in the workplace and in front of my daughter. I had to fake it to make it. Fact is, the surgeries and years of chemo were daunting, but you taught me that not trying to outrun the pain is crucial to healing. Having gone through gut wrenching chemo, my hair falling out in clumps like hay, enduring people’s stares, wearing an itchy, fake looking wig and penciling my eyebrows didn’t help my self image. I couldn’t have immediate reconstruction, so I also endured walking around with two holes in my chest, where my breasts once were, difficult for a woman, at any age, much less a single woman under 35. I felt like a robot. I let things slide since I was filled with fatigue, working through treatments. I felt dead inside. I could not afford to feel my feelings. I was in survival mode. Friends and family helped. However, accepting help was hard too, as weird as it sounds, I was so set on cancer not defining me, that I lost touch of my feelings altogether. My satisfaction for life was zero.

Being a single mom, I had guilt for not having the energy to be there for my young daughter, who couldn’t understand "mom" during that time. She and I have survived these past 7 years juggling her needs and scheduling surgeries on special days off and coordinating chemo later in the day so I could continue working. But like a bank account that was overdrawn, any reserve of energy I had was used on necessities. As a result, I knew I owed more to myself and to my daughter when I found you and your life coaching. Together we have peeled away many layers to create the coping skills to get through this. I have no promises that cancer will not "revisit" for the 3rd time. However, despite daily challenges and heartaches, I have managed to develop a healthy attitude with your help. There is absolutely no way of ever describing all the devastating effects of "living with cancer".

Your life coaching has enabled me to survive it. When I felt all alone, and overwhelmed, you were there so I could hear myself talk. Well meaning friends did not know what to say and sometimes I felt even worse. You validated my concerns and reminded me that my self identity is not wrapped up in what others think. You helped me become accountable to myself and the coaching process. You have taught me not to push my feelings down, but rather to embrace them and learn from them. I slowly got the energy to problem solve and began to be positively motivated, as well as learn assertiveness and put up boundaries. I do not get upset with people or my daughter like the old way I used to, because no one will ever get it about what I have gone through, then, or even now. My life coaching experience has been definitely lifesaving. I have come to be very proactive, finding ways to relax, recharge, truly listen to others and to positively relate personal experiences. I affirm the good now and see the beauty in myself and other people. I am on my own personal quest to find and establish a new "normal" after some big losses.

My daughter can now see me as a human being, capable of making mistakes. I refuse to waste my time worrying about what other people may be thinking. I thank you for the tools, skills and techniques you have given to me plus the way you gently guided me through this challenging maze. The personality assessment distinctions of all the different traits were the foundation for my growth, giving me the introspection of myself and others. I try to live as if I have only one more day, however, I can plan for the next 50, knowing the uncertainty and frailty of life. I know what my filter of the world is now and I am enjoying what inspires me and pumps me up. I am aware of my needs and wants, as I am becoming this assertive woman, functioning daily in all types of relationships I encounter in my work and personal life. Thank you for showing me how to be present in each moment of each day of my life. It is inevitable that bad stuff happens in life, but with your help, I choose to focus on the good stuff and live each day to its fullest.

From my personal experience and after many years full of thoughts, psychoanalysis and psychiatric sessions, the only thing I have found to be very meaningful to me was my work with my personal life coach Bob! He helped me to find the solutions for living a new life for my own self and all others around me. I am now much more positive, joyful, have more respect for myself and others as I create this new way of living.

Hi my name is Denise Warner and I lived at St. Matthews house back in 2003 when Bob came to do a 6 week session there on boundaries and dealing with the grieving process. At the time I was dealing with the loss of my children thru drug and alcohol abuse and a divorce. I really learned a lot about how to process information and allow things in life to happen without allowing them to control me as a person. I was also able to finally forgive myself for the things I had done in my life that I was unable to forgive myself for. I moved from St Matts in 2004 into David Lawrence center housing, due to mental health issues and within a year I was married. I proceeded to use what I had learned in Bob’s class and go to AA meetings. After one more year I was able to get my children back and I was able to attend all three of their graduations. I have now moved to another state and I’m in my 3rd year as a business owner and I own my own home. I am a useful member of society today and I have healthy self worth and good self esteem. I attribute this to the help I received along the way including but not limited to Bob’s classes. I would strongly recommend attending Bob’s workshops, to anyone who gets the opportunity. It is well worth the time you invest.

I will tell you that there was a time that I did not fully understand what coaching was really about. Having personally experienced your coaching services myself, I really get it and it is very powerful. I have always been able to clearly see the results of patterns, life’s strategies, reactions and behaviors, whether it may be mine or someone else’s. Problem was, I just had no idea what to do about it or how to change it. Like you have said, "we all have never really been given the tools to change these patterns". That was very empowering to hear and is exactly what most people struggle with in this life. You and your coaching have been a Godsend to me and in my book, "one in a million". I am doing well and am very busy. I am feeling more confident about things and myself, as a result, I want to thank you for your encouragement, the tools for change, your commitment and validation of me as a person and also the work that I do. I will never be able to express to you in words how much it means to me to have your admiration, respect and support. Sometimes the path I am on with my spirit world work can be lonely and challenging. Your dedication to me and the work I am doing, which at times can be against all odds, is priceless to me and really helps me keep going. Thank you for being you and doing what you do. Your work is so important with all of what you are accomplishing and "our" team work together with others, is so effective and life changing. Thanks for everything!

I have always been a great procrastinator, who has needed to talk to a counselor or coach for a few years. When things weren’t working quite right in my life, I always said, "I will call a professional next week".

Next week took over 3 years to come. By then I was desperate and I needed a cure in an instant. I needed the magic pill, which doesn’t exist. I called Life Coach Bob Riley and he gave me a crash coarse in the skills that I needed to get over my resentment, anger and the tools to quit beating myself up with the "coulda, oughta, woulda, shoulda." The only person that I was hurting was myself. Who knew that I held all the keys to make myself happy?? All I had to do was use them. Coach Bob gave me the tools I needed to unlock the doors to my personal power, be true to my 3 basic core values, set boundaries and throw away the things that were making me so miserable. Could this really be so simple?

Well, it has been just over 3 months, and I feel like a new woman. It has not been easy. I have to remember each day "NOT" to fall back into the way I have been thinking for the past 30 years. I have learned how to be my own best friend and to be patient with myself. I am a work in progress who is growing with purpose. I am learning to sit at the feet of my life experience and learn from it. Isn’t that why we are all here, to learn? I have come to realize that when I change, the people around me will change.

For years, I have been beating myself up with the same problems. I never knew that I had chosen to play the role of the victim, which is so easy to do. Nothing is ever your fault, you can blame everybody else, but that role only brings misery. It is scary when you realize that you hold the keys to your own personal happiness. There is nobody to blame except for yourself and to be in charge of your own life--that is a huge responsibility. As scary as it is, we are in control of the life we choose to live. Thanks for giving me control of mine!!

It was under the saddest of circumstances that I met you.....the suicide of my son. I was pretty sure I would never be the same and I am not. Through the grief process, I came away with many "tools" to cope with daily life. So, not being the same was okay. I appreciate your honesty, dedication and knowledge about a very sad subject. I thank you for volunteering your time to console survivors of suicide. Being able to attend group meetings and feel your compassion for EACH member is the best therapy. It has been so comforting to know you were there whenever we needed you. Had it not been for your dedication to our group, I am not sure where I would be today.

I met you I think it is close to 6 years ago now. I had no self esteem, no goals and did not know how to deal with everyday life, people or how to respond properly to others. I did not let anyone get close to me. However, by talking to you one day and opening up, I have had a close friend in you ever since. You have spent a lot of time with me. Through your coaching, you have taught me how to stand up for myself. You have taught me that I am a good person and have shown me how to be kind to myself. I learned that "I CAN" is what I say to myself now and "I can’t" are no longer words for me to use anymore. You’ve been like a Brother to me Bob and sometimes like a father as well. You met me at my lowest and now I may not be at my best, but doing very well from 5 years ago. If anyone would like to know anything about my life, I would glad to share my experience. "If it is to be it is up to me"—I loved learning "the" ten-two letter words of success phrase.

You have a unique way of communicating knowledge and facts of human relations. Every lady in our group today and in the future can only benefit from your gentle but precise explanations on how to act and react to the situations we will encounter throughout our lives. Please continue with your workshop program. I personally thank you so much for your time. You have made a difference. Keep coming back. This has been exactly what I have needed.

Bob has been a volunteer for more than 4 years, working with both the men and women residents, bringing his knowledge and skills to share with others. The many times he has brought his workshops to the women here has been invaluable. His ability to share and inspire people to reach their full potential has benefited many. All have come away more open, informed and empowered by working with him. He consistently demonstrates honesty, integrity, dignity and compassion in a friendly manner that informs and instructs. He is a prime example of the best that volunteers have to offer. We look forward to working with him again in the near future.

Women’s Program Manager, St. Matthews House

Your self assertive/awareness and confidence class has been one of the best lecture/seminar classes I have ever attended. I so looked forward to each meeting we had. There aren’t enough clichés, phrases or emotions which can be written on paper that can explain it entirely. I am grateful and blessed to have had this opportunity to meet and be inspired by you. I look forward to attending another series of "lessons of life." "WOW"- too impressed to speak.

You have been a great asset in my life. I have had to face many issues and you have helped to direct me in the path I have needed to go in. I, as well as others have had a lot of problems for many years. The one on one sessions I have had, I know saved my life. I feel if I had never faced my problems I would have gone back down that old familiar road and possibly have died. I have made a great friend in you along the way as you made such a great impact in my life. I pray you continue your work helping those who desire to change their lives.

In the past few months I have had the privilege of being coached by you, both personally and in a group situation. Some of the things I have learned from you are ways to raise my self esteem and turn the negatives life gives me into positives or at least the tools I can learn from. I find myself using the very techniques from your teachings in my everyday life. The power of positive thinking is a wonderful thing. Thank you Bob!!

I am privileged to write about Life Coach Bob Riley. I have found him to be most dynamic and sensitive facilitator in his group setting. He possesses the knowledge and effective information necessary to bring about significant life changes. I know that I have been able to accomplish changes in my life that have changed me forever. I am much more able to face "Life on life’s terms." I have also grown spiritually by improving the quality of my relationships with myself, others and the God of my understanding. Thank you for the opportunity to write this letter about Mr. Riley.

I am writing this concerning my friend and close advisor Bob Riley. I have known Bob approximately three years and have had the privilege of attending a number of his workshops. He has the great ability in allowing me to learn how to express so many of my life’s experiences and my hopes for a better way of living. I have found Bob to be a positive force in my life and a teacher of the importance of living everyday to the fullest. I will always support any endeavor of Bob and his ability to be helpful in assisting and coaching many more to their fullest potential.

I just wanted to say thank you. It is way overdue so thank you. You saved my life in so many ways. I cannot put all of this into words and "thanks" seems like such a small word but, the meaning is from the bottom of my heart. Thank you again for saving my life. I’m still a strong person because of you. Thank you. As my friend Dawn, who got us together can tell you, I am happy. Thank you so much for everything you have done.

What a great time to tell you about my progress in taking care of me. Being a single Mom with a special needs child, I simply became overloaded with everything. Overworked, keeping up with bills, forgetting to take care of myself and getting very rundown. I keep going because that is what I do, even though I never get the rest I need. My son has seizures and by not minimizing his illness, he wound up in the hospital by not taking his meds regularly. I lost it so bad I told my friend I was ready to end it all. She DID make me talk to someone and by taking her advice, the thought didn’t last long. I did talk to a friend at work who told me about talking to Bob Riley, a Life Coach. I told him life had to change, as I no longer was handling the pressures in my life. He shared with me about responding rather than reacting and how to teach people to treat me better. Thinking I’d been doing that, actually I was teaching people how to walk all over me. My son, not being able to work, is responsible for house chores and cooking. Telling me "he" washes "my" dishes/clothes and cooks "my" meals became heated discussions. Learning other ways to communicate, I taught him how to speak "with" instead of "at" me. In a minute I realized I was using the tools Bob Riley taught me. I soon reduced my workload without guilt, making better choices about myself and having a better relationship with my son. Boundaries are clearly understood, getting all the rest I need and not being tired when I wake up. Please note all of this has happened since October 30, 2007 last month. I was aware I had a lot on my plate and couldn’t see the forest for the trees, but did not know I had more than I realized. I have cut back some of the branches and feel so much better. My goal is to really become that "freebyrd" and not have worries in my life I can’t deal with. Thank you Bob so much as I know this was rather long.

My first thought when asked to write about Bob Riley was, "My words will be so inadequate"! But let me try as best I can to tell you about my true friend Bob Riley. It will be my honor.

I met Bob 5 years ago through my work as a grief counselor at a crisis center. He had been volunteering for the crisis center as co-facilitator of the Survivors of Suicide group for more than 15 years at that time. When I first met Bob I knew immediately that he was an empathetic and very caring person. I was truly amazed at his dedication to helping others and his generous nature in giving of time and of himself. Many of my clients also attended the support group and I was able to see through them what a difference he makes in people’s lives.

In addition to his volunteer work with those who are bereaved, he is also a Life Coach. The staff of the crisis center has had many occasions to call upon Bob for help both professionally and personally. He mentors and inspires people to reach within themselves to find their true strength, both as a coach and support person. Bob is able to help people because he is considerate of others, a great listener and devoted to helping others.

I am honored to consider Bob Riley my mentor, confidant and loyal friend.

My name is Don Rung. I am the founder of "Camp Angels" for diabetic children. I have known Bob for over 33 years. I am always amazed at the depth of concern Bob has for other people and also their problems, but I am even more amazed at his unique ability to help them take control over what ever situations they are facing.

Two years ago, my professional career and personal life was in complete disarray. Not only was I indecisive about my career path, but I found myself living a 1000 miles from any comforts of home-family-friends, being stuck in a living situation that was less than favorable. During this challenging time, someone close informed me that I would benefit if I had a big brother. I was introduced to Life Coach Bob Riley. Big brother was an understatement! I found Bob to be very positive, inviting, confidential, close and concerned listener. Our discussions were always conducted in a very professional manner and might I add-extremely motivating. He taught me things about my personality, other personality styles and coached me on the art of assertiveness. He coached me on how I wanted to be treated and coached me to utilize my inner skills for resolving current and future issues. Bob provided direction, guidance and challenged me to implement methods for life change. Having complete trust and faith in these methods I accepted the challenge and first noticed success in my professional environment, shortly thereafter noticing successes in my personal and family life as well. To this very day I apply the knowledge Bob shared with me and remain in close communication. I am very thankful to have met Bob and overall my coaching has been an enlightening experience. The knowledge I have gained and the man I consider now a dear friend is priceless.

You are without a doubt a life saver and the best! I know that I would never have been able to experience the levels of happiness I have in my life today without your help. I love getting up happy and can't wait to see what God has in store for my life. Thanks to you and your coaching I know what it feels like to experience genuine joy in my life everyday!