Meet Jody Cates

You’ve reached a moment to celebrate. You’ve raised your family, built lasting relationships, and kept your body, mind and soul healthy while doing work you love.

You hope your experience and wisdom will serve you well in the future.

But you’ve got more questions than answers about what comes next.

That’s where I can help.

When midlife came for me, I wasn’t ready!

I thought if I just kept doing what I’d always done – taking good care of myself and the people I love – life wouldn’t change all that much.

But within a few months of my 50th birthday, my whole world turned upside down!

My 25-year marriage ended and I became a single parent then a single empty nester. I had to leave a job I loved when the workplace turned toxic. And my body no longer felt like a trusted friend.

In my search for answers, I learned there are many voices telling women how to navigate the middle years, but finding sound advice that aligns with my faith wasn’t so easy.

I didn’t give up. With the help of wise Christian counsel and a lot of prayer and surrender, I learned how to trust God more deeply in every area of my life, even in the painful and unexpected times.

Today, I’m a happy empty nester with great relationships with my adult kids and grandkids. I’ve learned to care for my aging body with compassion and respect. And I get to do work I love helping other Christian women navigate the sea of change that midlife brings in ways that deepen their faith and multiply their joy.

That’s what led me here to you.

My 17+ years of working in pastoral care and counseling, along with my coach training and certification, equips me to be your guide.

But it’s my personal experience with the challenges of midlife that fuels my passion to help other Christian women find their way through the messy middle to a second-half life they love.

It’s your time to shine.

I created Blooming in the Middle to help women like you find your focus, renew your purpose, age with confidence and grow satisfying relationships with your adult kids, parents and partner.

So you can step into your next chapter with clarity and confidence. Knowing that God’s plan for you is still unfolding.

Let’s discover what’s next together.

Professional Background & Education

When not working with clients, I love spending time with my family, hiking on trails with a view of the ocean, and enjoying my favorite things: fresh air and sunshine, good books, strong coffee, deep conversations, and seeing God’s plan unfold in the everyday moments of life.