Meet Coach Betsy Karp

Betsy Karp

Age: 49

Betsy Karp, who calls herself The Colour Coach, says she can help you start transforming your life today. Through the simple use of color, she will give you the tools that teach you how to shift your energy, attitude and perspective. A former artist, textile and fashion designer, Betsy is now a certified health and wellness counselor. She helps women–mind, body and soul–to “paint the picture” of their lives.

Are you married?

I’m not yet, but I feel really lucky because I have experienced passionate love with two wonderful men. Both relationships taught me how to be in a relationship and stay true to myself.

Kids?

In my second relationship, the man I was with had two younger children who I helped raise for five years. They were with us on weekends and I enjoyed every moment. What I loved most was their innocence and their joie de vive. Children help you to be present, enjoying the now. My time with them was precious, as well as all the lessons I learned.

Color is a powerful force I knew through my experience as an artist, painter and fashion designer, so I began to experiment with it.

Why did those relationships end?

I’m still involved with one of the men.

Where did you grow up and what did your parents do?

I grew up in Woodbridge, CT. My father is a corporate attorney and my mom was a stay- at-home mother who was always busy.

What did you do before becoming a coach?

I was an artist, textile designer, fashion designer and chef.

Why a coach?

I want to help women feel better about who they are. I help and guide women to live their inspired lives. From my world travels as a fashion designer and chef I reinvented myself during the second act of my life. I had my own fashion line that was sold in over 75 stores in North America, but it was deeply impacted by September 11th. Almost every one of my orders was cancelled and I had to close my business. I was devastated and depressed. I poured my heart and soul into this business and had to start all over again.

I began looking for design work and found some consulting work instead. But eventually that dried up, as well. I had been a designer for 25 years and couldn’t find a job in my industry. I kept asking myself, ‘Why me?’ Then one day I woke up and said, ‘ENOUGH Betsy! It’s time to rebuild your life.’

Color is a powerful force I knew through my experience as an artist, painter and fashion designer, so I began to experiment with it. I needed courage, so I decided to surround myself with my favorite color, ORANGE. Turns out that ORANGE is all about courage, bringing forth your creativity and positivity. Once I saw the amazing benefits it produced, I began experimenting with all different colors: from the colors of the food I ate, to the colors I wore, to the colors with which I surrounded myself. My glow from within was visible to others. It was transformative and family and friends noticed right away. I knew that if it worked for me it would work for other women as well. So I studied spirituality and how color affects one’s energy and Chakras. I then went back to school for a Health Counselor Certification from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition and Columbia Teacher’s College, as well as to a cooking school in Morocco and the Piazza Savonarola in Italy.

It is my calling to help ALL WOMEN in Transition—Moms, Single Women, Married Women and Single Moms—adore themselves, inside and out.

What kind of FabOverFifty woman can most benefit from coaching?

All women can benefit from coaching. I’ll help them understand what colors help with hot flashes or how to lose weight. As we get older we need support and I’m here to encourage women to be the best they can be. And believe that their lives matter and that it doesn’t matter how old you are if you just BELIEVE IN YOU!

What is your mission?

To style women’s lives by aligning their bodies, minds and souls from the inside out, from what they think, to what they eat and what they wear. i adore me empowers you to transform and live your life with passion, authenticity and self-love through the use of color.

Tell us about a typical client.

I work primarily with middle-aged women searching for their life’s true purpose and passions, who are feeling stuck, unattractive, unhealthy and negative. It’s time to shift your mindset, feel empowered, learn portion control and gain self-respect. I will support you in finding your true calling, guide you in identifying the positive actions you need to take and empower you in every aspect of your life, so you can say and FEEL “i adore me.”

How did you come up with the idea of I ADORE ME?

It is said “we teach best what we need to learn the most.” I think that everyone–women, men and children–need to adore themselves. Learning to love oneself is a lifelong journey. When I first came up with the name, a psychologist friend said, ‘no one is going to be able to say this I adore me thing.’ Now she’s singing it!

Have you written any books?

I have two e-books, Color Your World and Authentically You, as well as my weekly blog, Inspiring Insights.

What’s the greatest piece of advice you can give FOF women?

To learn to FEEL and SAY i adore me and really mean it for you.

How do women most sabotage themselves?

Women sabotage themselves by negative thought patterns and not letting go of their old drama and old stories.

What famous women do you most admire?

I love Hillary Clinton, Oprah and her best friend Gayle King, as well as Isabel Allende, Louise Hay, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Georgia O’Keeffe, Donna Karan and Diana Ross.

Do you have a mentor?

My dad is my mentor. He’s given me the greatest lesson in life and that is to always believe in yourself and always be persistent. NEVER GIVE UP!! I also work with a spiritual guru, Liam Watt, whom I adore. He has taught me how to allow feelings to be, to feel them, and to not push them under the carpet. Most importantly he has helped me to learn the gift of stillness. My life is different because of him.