by Owain GwynfrynBy Owain Gwynfryn
At 41, I’ve already lived what feels like several different lives. I’ve run a busy chiropractic clinic, retrained as a professional opera singer, and now work as a life and business coach. Each pivot has been deeply personal — and each came with its own set of fears, doubts, and extraordinary rewards.
So when I say I believe in reinvention, I don’t just mean it in theory. I’ve lived it — and I coach people through it.
Why people stay stuck
Many of my coaching clients come to me successful on paper — business owners, professionals, creatives — but feeling quietly unfulfilled. They’ve done everything “right” but something still doesn’t feel right. Often, they’ve buried dreams they told themselves were silly, unrealistic, or belonged to a younger version of themselves.
Sound familiar?
Fear of failure plays a role. But so does fear of success. What if you actually get what you want — then what? Or worse, what will people think of you for even trying?
These are real fears, and they keep a lot of people playing small.
The moment that changed everything
For me, the turning point came when I asked myself one powerful question:
"What if I stay safe and don’t change, and I reach 80 years old wondering what if I had dared to try?"
That question unlocked something. It made the fear of regret greater than the fear of failure. And that’s when I really started to change.
I signed up for a beginner’s singing course — not to become an opera singer, just to feel alive again. One step led to another. Eventually, I restructured my entire business to allow space for music, and I completed a Master’s in classical singing while my clinic ran without me. I later sold the clinic and trained as a coach, because I knew I had something to share with others who felt trapped by their own potential.
Coaching isn’t about having the answers
My approach to coaching is grounded, practical, and deeply human. I don’t give advice. I help people reconnect with their own voice — the one underneath the noise of expectations, social pressure, and fear.
Whether you’re looking to pivot in your career, launch a passion project, reconnect with your creativity, or just get clear on what you actually want from life, coaching can be the start of something transformational — not because you’ll become someone new, but because you’ll finally give yourself permission to become more you.
A few questions to reflect on
Whether you’re considering coaching or not, here are some questions worth sitting with:
What have you always loved, but pushed aside?
Where in your life are you playing it safe?
What would “starting again” look like if you weren’t scared?
You don’t have to blow everything up. Sometimes, it starts with a single honest conversation. Or a singing class.
About the Author
Owain Gwynfryn is a life and small business coach based in London. A former chiropractor turned opera singer, he now helps others reconnect with their passions, redesign their lives, and find the courage to change. He specialises in working with creatives, business owners, and LGBTQ+ clients who want more than just success — they want joy.
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