Why I Became a Certified Coach

Hi, I’m Christina Poehlein (pay-line), founder of Sunny Seas Coaching. My journey into coaching wasn’t planned — it was discovered through pain, reflection, and a desire to help others find light in their darkest moments.

In 2022, after 14 years of professional success, I experienced a devastating career blow. The final few months at a company I once considered home were under the leadership of a toxic boss. Her words and actions slowly chipped away at my confidence. By the time I was let go, I had begun to believe that I wasn’t a capable leader — that I didn’t belong in the corner office I had earned, and that all I had achieved was a fluke. The weeks and months that followed were some of the hardest of my life. I was grieving more than a job. I had lost my beloved Mamaw — my best friend and one of my greatest supporters — just months earlier. Then came the isolation, the depression, and the quiet dissolving of friendships I thought were lifelong.

As I sat alone in our new home — the one my husband and I had just bought — applying to what felt like a thousand jobs, I sank into hopelessness. I cried often. I drank more than I should have. I doubted every part of myself. But somewhere in that silence, something stirred. Amidst the grief, the pain, and the fear, I started reflecting deeply. I began to question not just what I lost, but what I loved most about my past career — and the answer was clear: it was never about the tasks. It was always about the people.

What lit me up most as a manager was coaching my team. It was seeing the light in someone’s eyes when they realized what they were capable of. It was the breakthrough conversations, the confidence building, the personal growth I got to witness and support. That’s what I missed most. That’s what made me feel alive. And that’s when I knew — I wasn’t broken. I had simply outgrown a space that no longer served me. I didn’t lose my purpose. I was just being redirected toward it.

With the support of a professional coach and the encouragement of those closest to me, I found the courage to pursue certification. I knew that if I could help others the way coaching helped me, I could truly make a difference. Becoming a certified coach wasn’t just a career pivot. It was a reclaiming of my voice, my worth, and my calling.

Why I Named My Business Sunny Seas Coaching

The name Sunny Seas isn’t just a brand — it’s a piece of my soul. It was born from healing conversations and quiet epiphanies shared with my cousin Ashley while sitting side by side on the beach. Those beach trips became sacred: we’d talk for hours about leadership, personal growth, and the challenges we faced in our careers. The ocean in front of us, the sun above, and the honest reflection between us made everything feel possible again.

To me, the “Sunny” represents light — the optimism, joy, and clarity I strive to bring to every client I work with. It’s the part of me that believes in better days and the power of perspective.
The “Sea” represents depth — the emotional waves we all must learn to navigate, the storms we survive, and the calm we can return to with the right guidance and tools.

In 2022, I lost so much — my grandmother, my job, my confidence, and what I thought were lifelong friendships. But in that loss, I found something more powerful: my truth. I realized that coaching was not just something I was good at — it was who I am. That realization, paired with the healing energy of the ocean and the sunlight that always follows the storm, gave birth to Sunny Seas Coaching.

My mission now is to help others navigate their own waves. Whether you’re healing from career trauma, stepping into leadership for the first time, or rediscovering your confidence, I want to help you find your own version of calm, clarity, and a sunny horizon ahead.