I created what I needed when I couldn’t find it
Separation doesn’t always arrive as a single moment. Sometimes it unfolds quietly, while life continues on the outside. This work grew from that place.
Hi I'm Jess
I created The Zest Life after navigating separation while raising children and holding a career together. During that time, separation was not a single event. It was an ongoing reality alongside school runs, workdays, and daily responsibilities. From the outside, I was functioning. Inside, I felt unsettled, stretched thin, and unsure of my footing. I was trying to make sense of what had changed and how to move forward. What I found hardest was how fragmented the support felt. Emotional help sat in one place. Practical information sat somewhere else. Parenting guidance often felt disconnected from real life. I spent a lot of energy piecing things together when I was already exhausted. I needed calm, trustworthy guidance and practical clarity without pressure or fear. I needed reassurance that struggling did not mean I was failing my children. So I created what I could not find at the time.
How my experience shapes this work
My professional background is in programme leadership and supporting people through change. That work taught me the importance of clarity, pacing, and structure when life feels overwhelming.
I am also a trained yoga teacher. The tools I learned there helped support my nervous system when it felt stretched thin, and they continue to inform how I approach this work today.
While my professional experience shapes how the programme is designed, it is my lived experience of separation, rebuilding financial independence, and finding my footing again as a mother and a woman that informs everything I offer through The Zest Life.
How I work
I work slowly and with care.
I don’t rush people into decisions.
I don’t push for progress before there is steadiness.
I don’t expect clarity before it’s possible.
This work is practical, grounded, and emotionally safe.
It holds real-life guidance and emotional support together, without pressure or judgement.
There is space here to pause, reflect, and move forward in a way that feels manageable.
What others have shared
The reflections below speak to how I show up in this work.
They are shared with permission.
“Jess brings a calm, steady presence to conversations that feel overwhelming. Talking things through with her helped me feel more grounded and less stuck.”
“Working with Jess helped me feel less alone, but also more capable. She helped me think through practical next steps without making things feel heavier or more complicated.”
“There was a sense of safety in talking with Jess, alongside a clear, practical way of approaching what needed attention. Nothing felt rushed or forced, and that made a real difference.”
Get in touch
If you have a question, need clarification, or would like to reach out before taking a next step, you’re welcome to get in touch. You can email me directly at: jess@thezestlife.co.nz I’ll respond as soon as I’m able.
Boundaries and Care
The Zest Life offers emotional and practical support through courses and facilitated guidance. It isn’t a crisis or emergency service, and it doesn’t replace legal, financial, or therapeutic advice.
If you’re experiencing acute distress, it’s important to reach out to local emergency services or a trusted professional.
If you’re feeling ready to explore support, you can look through the course options.
If you’d prefer a gentler starting point, you’re welcome to begin there instead.