I created what I needed when I couldn’t find it. Jess Drayton — founder of The Zest Life, separation support for mothers in New Zealand
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.
What others have shared
The reflections below speak to how I show up in this work. They are shared with permission.
Get in touch
If you have a question or would like to talk through your options before taking a next step, there are two ways to reach me. Book a no-obligation 15-minute call or email be directly jess@thezestlife.co.nz - I will respond as soon as I am 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.
Terms and Conditions
Effective date: 22 July 2026
1. Introduction
The Zest Life is a business founded by Jess Drayton and based in Wellington, New Zealand. The business is operated by The Zest Life Co Limited.
These terms and conditions apply to your purchase and use of our products. We offer two products, both called Reclaiming Strength Through Separation. One is a self-guided course. One is a live group coaching programme.
When you buy a product from us, you agree to these terms. Please read them before you complete your purchase.
We may update these terms from time to time. The version that applies to you is the one in place on the date of your purchase.
2. Payments
All payments must be made in full and in advance. You will not receive access to the course or the programme until your payment has cleared in full.
We offer Afterpay and Klarna. These are third-party providers who offer payment instalment options. Any instalment arrangement is managed between you and the provider directly.
All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST where it applies.
3. Refunds
We want you to feel confident in your decision to join.
For the first module of the course or the programme, we offer a no-questions-asked refund. If you request a refund during the first module, we will refund your payment in full. You do not need to give a reason.
After the first module, refunds are prorated. We will refund the portion of the course or the programme that we have not yet delivered to you. We will not refund the parts you have already accessed or attended.
To request a refund, use the contact details on our website. We will process approved refunds within 10 working days.
Nothing in this section limits your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
4. Non-disclosure
All course and programme materials are confidential and provided for your personal use only. This includes videos, workbooks, written content, recordings, and any resources we share with you.
You may not share, copy, resell, distribute, or publish these materials. You may not give your access to another person. Access is for you alone.
5. The coaching relationship
The services we provide are pre-designed, with the modules set out on our website. Coaching is not advice, therapy, or counselling. It may address specific personal projects or general conditions in your life.
Throughout the working relationship, the coach will have direct and personal conversations with you. You can count on the coach to be honest and straightforward in asking questions and making requests.
The power of the coaching relationship can be granted only by you. You agree to make the coaching relationship a powerful one. If you believe the coaching is not working as you want, you agree to say so and take action to return the power to the relationship.
6. Use of media and testimonials
You consent to The Zest Life exhibiting, copying, publishing, distributing, or otherwise using on our website and social media any agreed testimonials, conversations, and pictures from the coaching process. All of these will be anonymous, with no names used, unless both parties agree otherwise.
You also consent to The Zest Life editing the information you provide, and publishing or using an edited or partial version. Any such edits will not create a misleading or false version of the information you originally provided.
7. Confidentiality and privacy
We respect your privacy. We collect and handle your personal information in line with the Privacy Act 2020.
The coach promises that all information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.
We collect personal information such as your name, email address, and payment details. We collect this so we can process your purchase, give you access to the course or the programme, and support you as a customer.
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with the service providers we use to run the business, such as our payment and email providers, and only so far as they need it to do their work.
We store your information securely and keep it only for as long as we need it.
You have the right to ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you. You can also ask us to correct it. To make a request, use the contact details on our website.
8. Complaints
If you have any issue or concern, we want to hear from you.
Please raise any complaint using the contact details on our website. Tell us what has happened and what you would like us to do.
We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and work with you to resolve it.
9. General
These terms are governed by New Zealand law. Any dispute will be dealt with in the New Zealand courts.
We may update these terms from time to time. Any change applies from the date we publish the updated version on our website.