My Story

My career in the Police started at the age of 18 in an entry-level role.

Over the next 20 years, I worked my way up through the organisation in various leadership and management roles, including the Control room/Call centre and Major Crime Investigations.

My first leadership role was at 21 and my first senior management role at 30.

In my final role I worked as the Business Change Manager for the force, working between the Programme Management Teams and the business on IT system rollouts, the implementation of bodyworn cameras for officers and laptop and mobile app technology. I also worked as part of the team that redesigned and implemented a change in the Force Operating Model, impacting 1 in 3 people within the organisation.

In addition to my contracted role, I also co-delivered personal development courses and was a coach and mentor to other leaders in the organisation.

In 2017, I was informed that my role with the Police would be made redundant. I knew this was the sign that it was the time for me to make the leap and step into my passion for coaching and training full-time.

Phoenix Life and Wellbeing Coaching Ltd. officially came into existence on August 1st, 2017.

Since then, I've dedicated myself to training and continuous personal development in diverse disciplines and methodologies. This commitment enables me to be flexible in my approach to those I work with.

I have trained as an NLP Master Coach, and an Executive Coach, and I am an Accredited Master Coach with the Association for Coaching.

I am based in Bristol, UK and a parent to an adult son. I love to travel, to read, and I am actively involved in the local basketball community as both a volunteer and sponsor.

photograph of Zoe Thompson in a garden holding her 20 years long service good conduct award certificate from Avon and Somerset Police

My Passion Projects

Team photo of group of women in purple and white striped rugby kit.

13 women in red basketball kit with 2 male coaches in blue polos and trousers - standing under basketball hoop.

I am very fortunate and grateful that I get to do the work that I love every day.

Running a business is more than paying the bills to me, it is also about impacting and leaving a legacy.

My work as a coach is centred around the ethos of my personal values of continuous improvement, positivity and making a difference, which is reflected in my passion and purpose projects.

Sport empowers players to achieve this on and off the court, at all ages and all levels and it is fantastic to be able to support them as a sponsor and as a Coach.

Supporting young people and women in sports is something that I am incredibly passionate about, and I am very pleased to be able to support Bristol Flyers women's Basketball and ADOB women's Rugby Teams.

I am also very proud to support Community of Purpose with their 'Purposeful Pathways' Programme for the Bristol Young Heroes.

'The Purposeful Pathways Programme is simple, not only do we want to recognise and celebrate the successes of the Bristol Young Heroes, we also want to equip them for taking the next steps and building on their early success'.

This is one of the most rewarding projects I have ever been involved in and it is great to be involved!

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Training
&
Experience

Accredited 'Master Coach' with Association of Coaching
NLP Master Practitioner (INLPTA)
ACE (Accelerated Coach Excellence) Certified Coach with WBECs (World Business and Executive Coaching)
15 years+ of coaching and mentoring experience
Mental Health First Aider (MHFA England)
Additional training and qualifications in CBT, DBT, ACT, sports psychology, weight management and diet and nutrition.
20 years in the Police Service in public-facing, operational and senior management roles.
CMI Level 6 Certificate in Management and Leadership.
Former 'Springboard Consultancy' self-development trainer she has delivered the programme to over 300 women including a bespoke programme for women who are domestic abuse survivors.
Licensed Level 3 AEaT trainer
Valid DBS certificate.
Passionate about working with charities, small businesses and young people.

About Me

In my personal life, I am a parent to my now adult son and spend most of my time travelling, watching basketball, cooking and reading.

I like to stay active and love a good spin or weights session.

There are a lot of stories to tell, and I am proud of many achievements in life ...so far!

In my late twenties, I lost a lot of weight, found the weights section and that led me to the sport of strongwoman and within 12 months I was competing in Europe's Strongest Woman.

In 2016 I was featured by Redbull TV who followed my Strongwoman competitive journey.

I have appeared on Radio, TV and Podcasts, and I am often asked to tell my story as a guest speaker.