Name: Vanessa Baker
Age: 42
Title: Mindset Coach for Parents + Teens
Married/Single: married
Kids: 8 (ages 1-26)
City you live in: Scottsdale
I was born…
to leave a mark. That’s my ex-husband’s name. Just kidding! I was born to see what is good in everyone, even teenagers.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
is that my kids are all here! It won’t be long until they scatter and go on their own crazy life journeys.
I’m listening to…
Brendon Burchard and Jay Shetty podcasts. They make me remember that we all have a responsibility to be who we are and to serve others with our whole heart.
My family…
is so interesting to me. Every one of these people has me in awe of their humor, their unique take on life and their insights on humanity.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
my wife and not bean burritos from Taco Bell, not while sharing bites with our toddler, not while helping big kids with homework.
One thing I cannot live without…
learning about new ideas, about myself, about other people. I listen to like ten Blinks a day on every subject every chance I get!
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Katie Couric 100%.
I’m inspired by…
people who have the courage to be exactly who they are despite the risk of being judged.
The one person who motivates me is…
Stephanie, my bff and wife. She is working as hard for her dream as I am for mine. We push each other to be better and dig deeper every day.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
to zap away meanness! Let’s debate, challenge, test, call people out…all while being kind. It really amps up our ability to be effective when we are just kind.
The perfect day would be…
geez! I’d spend the whole day trying to figure out what the perfect day would be, get tired and go to bed by 8:45 pm.
My first job was…
at 10 years old working at my own business which was painting address numbers on curbs for neighbors.
My favorite escape…
reading books on airplanes that are taking me to places that don’t have dogs to walk and maybe clean or maybe dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
My life…
is something I intend to use up fully, every drop of me, in pursuit of helping people know how vitally important and astoundingly perfect they already are.
I’m currently working on…
creating more courses for my coaching practice to help teens and parents to relate better, to make them remember that they like each other.
Always…
tell the ugliest truth (it’s better than the prettiest lie).
Never…
underestimate yourself.
Favorite Quote…
“You never won’t know what you can’t achieve until you don’t achieve it.” – Mr. Gordon (21 Jump Street)
Biggest Dream…
to be interviewed by Katie Couric! Actually, to create a difference in the world that would really interest someone like her.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
when people think they have to be something they aren’t in order to be loved. And also the little lint balls that grow on sweaters, especially near the armpit area.
