I’m Richard Taliaferro, and I’m a former senior news editor for The Wall Street Journal. I’m branching out beyond journalism, into areas that excite and intrigue me.

I have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience in journalism, from print to video, from the U.S. to Western Europe.

I’m a career and health coach, trained in habit change, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career and health journeys. And here’s my story.

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It happened at the office one morning, years ago. And I knew at that moment, something had to change.

I remember what happened too clearly. A pen had dropped to the floor, and I reached over to pick it up. I struggled in that movement, and gathering up a bit more momentum, I grabbed it on the second try.

In the spring of 2007, I was in my mid-30s and I weighed 260 pounds. I had a bike, but barely used it. Cookware gathered dust, as trips to the grocery store meant buying prepackaged stuff I could easily microwave. Fast food was nearby, and too convenient. In other words, maybe without knowing it, I was slowly giving up.

But I came across a nutrition coach who was just starting her business. I happened to become one of her first clients. Some of the things she had me do made sense, like keeping a diary of what I ate. Some of the things seemed odd, like reading “The Alchemist.” That was weird, but I was game for it. Yet, the program I went through with her for 12 weeks changed the course of my life.

Now, it did take a bit of time for the changes to root in. After all, McDonald’s French fries remained a temptation. Yet, a new foundation had been laid down. I paid more attention to the food I was throwing in the grocery store basket. I bought a crockpot and a rice steamer. I tried to walk more. I drank weird green liquids before they became a thing.

While I said I was slowly giving up, there was a part of me, under that 260 pounds, that knew I could be more, and show up better. And rather than succumb to slowly withering away, I got curious. Curiosity changed everything.

This is what coaching can do. This is the magic of the work to, as George Sheehan said, re-enter my life by re-entering my body.

That moment of dropping the pen will forever be with me. Motivation? Inspiration? I don’t know. But a tool for us scribes became a touchstone for an altered way of being.

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Four of the most powerful words are, tell me a story. At heart, I’ve helped people tell their stories, through journalism and through coaching. I’m looking forward to continuing this, and helping you uncover your story. Drop me a line, and let’s talk about how we can shape your story.