About Margaret
Born and raised in Calgary, Canada, my love of teaching started before I started preschool with me teaching all of my teddies and dolls. My love of singing and performing started very young too. As oldest child and only daughter, I had a load to carry very young. I learned that my job was to be responsible - to help out but not to stick out. I became very independent, taking myself to the doctor alone by bus at the age of 10 or 11. While I learned the value of hard work, I also learned that life is hard especially for girls, that nice people don’t get ahead, that rich people weren’t nice and that family responsibilities were just that - something that girls and women bore. It has taken a lifetime to move past those self-limiting beliefs, and like everything else, it’s a work in progress.
Margaret Miyagishima
Next Stage for You
Photo by Svetlana Yanova
These days, along with the pure joy of being a grandma times two, and mom of two amazing adult kids, family responsibilities include being responsible for ailing loved ones where mental illness and cognitive decline are significant factors. In juggling the many parts of my life, I am learning that caring for myself isn’t selfish, it’s self-care. It gives me energy for everything else, and it’s absolutely vital. So, now I work with people to honour all of the parts of their lives as they design their retirement, in their time and in their way. With grace, and planning, we can move into the retirement that works for us.
At Play
When not working, I can be found walking, particularly when water, trees and mountains are present, in the yoga studio or at the gym, singing as part of large ensembles or cooking up a storm for friends and family. My husband and I are the proud parents of two grown children and two adored grandchildren.
Margaret with her grandson.
Education
Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, Royal Roads University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Utah
Master of Human Resource Economics, University of Utah
Professional Development
Rethinking Retirement Licensed Associate-May 2022
Certified Retirement Coach through Certifiedretirementcoach.org
ACE Coaching Excellence program
PCC (Professional Certified Coach) designation through ICF
EQi 2.0, EQ 360 Emotional Intelligence
Body Centred Coaching
