A little
ABOUT ME
I’M
Liz Gooster.
Coach, positive psychology practitioner, and lifelong explorer of change, ideas, and the path of personal growth and transformation. I work with thoughtful, curious people who want to lead with clarity, act with integrity, and thrive on their own terms.
My own turning point came when I commissioned The Financial Times Guide to Business Coaching – and found myself and my life unexpectedly transformed! Anne Scoular’s book sparked a pivotal moment that led me to retrain, reimagine my path, and start a new chapter.
Since then, I’ve coached professionals and leaders from all walks of life. I hold an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from UEL, a PhD from UCL, and a first-class degree from Cambridge.
MY COACHING APPROACH.
I love working with people at pivotal moments, whether they’re stepping into new leadership, rethinking direction, or seeking greater impact with less stress. I offer bespoke 1:1 coaching programmes and immersive Vision Days designed to create clarity and momentum.
Working with compassion and care, I challenge my clients to be who they truly are. My coaching is both empathetic and action-focused – a combination that supports meaningful insight and lasting change. I work across sectors including professional services, the creative industries, and non-profits, and coach both established and emerging leaders with open-minded curiosity, warmth and integrity.
Alongside my private practice, I’m proud to be a Faculty Member and Tutor for Meyler Campbell, a world-renowned business coach training organisation. Teaching coaches is a true joy, and being part of this vibrant professional community keeps me learning and growing.
my path to coaching.
One of my sweet spots is working with people at a crossroads or inflection point. I think that’s because I’ve lived those moments too.
After years in educational and academic publishing, I joined Pearson as Publisher for the Financial Times business list. It was a dream job, combining my love of learning, leadership and business in the perfect storm of a role. But I hadn’t reckoned on how life-changing publishing one particular book would be.
Anne Scoular’s Financial Times Guide to Business Coaching unexpectedly lit a spark for me. I enrolled on Meyler Campbell’s Mastered programme – and loved every moment. The course inspired me to rethink what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. It wasn’t long before I stepped into a new chapter as an independent coach.
Another transformation was when I became a mother to my daughter, Ellie, at the age of 48. Motherhood has been the most joyful and most stretching experience of my life, a source of insight, challenge and connection that continues to shape who I am. Unsurprisingly, in my coaching work I also love supporting ambitious women navigating work and motherhood.
Lifelong Learning.
Reading, writing and learning have been part of my DNA since childhood. When asked to do anything as a child, my standard reply was, “Just let me finish this chapter.”
Publishing was a natural expression of my love of books and my thirst for learning continues. As a practicing coach and a trainer of coaches, I’m constantly evolving both as a person and a practitioner. Nothing stands still and to keep current, satisfy my curiosity and keep developing, I always have a book – or two! – on the go.
My MSc at UEL was the culmination of a long-held fascination with positive psychology and led to publishing an article in the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. Even when I’m not studying formally, I’m always diving into something that inspires me. Right now, that’s deepening my somatic and embodied coaching practices.
beyond coaching.
Outside work, I love to travel, read fiction, and drink great coffee. I believe both body and mind need attention to stay healthy, so I run regularly, recently discovered Bounce Fitness, and practice yoga and mindfulness to stay grounded.
Trying to apply the principles of positive psychology to parenting is its own ongoing experiment! I also love to cultivate my creativity: I’m part of an incredible women’s journaling and writing group HERE, and have been developing a photo-a-day practice since researching wellbeing and photography for my MSc. You can read the academic paper I published, or drop me an email for a lighter version. If you’d like to experiment with a photo-a-day practice yourself, THIS is the group I’m in.
QUALIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Giving Back.
Contributing to a fairer, more compassionate world is part of what fuels my work, and my wider purpose. Each year, my business supports a charitable cause that aligns with my values.
For 2025, I’m proud to support the Cherry Groce Foundation, founded by Lee Lawrence, a fellow Meyler Campbell graduate and author of the stirring book, The Louder I Will Sing. The Foundation works to empower young people affected by trauma, injustice and disadvantage, with a focus on healing, leadership and systemic change.
Alongside this, I offer a small number of pro bono coaching places each year. These are for individuals – often women – who inspire me through their energy, creativity, and potential, but who may not otherwise have access to coaching. It’s a quiet but fulfilling part of my practice, and one that keeps me grounded in why this work matters.
Liz is great to work with. Expect her to provide some challenge along with support, and to help you to think beyond the demands of your role to reflect on your underlying motives and values as a leader. Since working with her I’ve started to make time to shape my own ‘second act’, and pivoted into another role.
Michael McGarvey, MD, The Key, Education support organisation
