About Sally
A glimpse into my story
I’m Sally Jean Fox, an author, seasoned coach, educator, artist, and transformational creativity consultant.
My friends call me wise, practical, intuitive, deep, inspiring, and one-of-a-kind creative. Which includes making big messes in the studio…
But you can just call me Sally and I can’t wait to meet you!
I’ve helped hundreds of people find the meaning they are seeking in their life, nurture their spark, trust their inner voice, and design lives that match their dreams.
For years, I was an educator, business consultant, and coach—and I’ve always been a meaning-maker, spiritual seeker, and lover of people horses, dogs, music and … a lover and observer of people.
My grandmother used to share a story at family gatherings.
Apparently, one day when I was five I left home and set off to see the world. I lived in a busy neighborhood with a lot of traffic, especially at the intersections.
That afternoon, my grandmother—who was driving over to see my parents—was SHOCKED to see me standing on a busy street corner.several blocks from home.
She pulled up and asked, What on earth are you doing?”
“Well,” I replied with a big smile, “You’ve just got to know people.”
I’m still that kid who wants to know people, whether I’m teaching, writing a book, blogging, or working around the world (France, Ecuador, Burkina Faso, Japan…for starters).
Whenever I hear someone’s story, I care about them.
“Wanting to know people” led me to earn a Masters degree in Sociology, an MBA, and a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems.
And I’m still exploring. I’ve traveled the world—now I travel through art, music and words.
I’m a story-shaper. I’m not content with the old stories we tell ourselves. I want ones that lead to a better world.
That’s why I wrote Meeting the Muse After Midlife: A Journey to Meaning, Creativity, and Joy where I share my forays into gardening, writing, improvisational theatre, podcasting, music, sound healing, and art.
I hope my story will inspire yours: it’s never too late to do what you’re called to do.
Vital Facts:
Once convinced the Ecuadorian Air Force to fly her to the Galapagos Islands (I was teaching there at the time.)
Met her dream (and only) husband while working for different campuses of Antioch University.
Violated every good-sense gardening rule and created fourteen plus garden beds on her property her first two gardening years.
The more official bio
Sally Jean Fox, Ph.D. is a writer, performer, artist, and coach who supports midlife-plus adults to create the stories they want to live— about the future. She helps them design more artful and creative lives.
She is the author of Meeting The Muse After Midlife, a memoir about finding hope and meaning in the second half of life—particularly through creative expression.
An engaging and dynamic speaker, Sally shares in a way that feeds the spark in others.
She has helped hundreds of clients find their authentic voices, share their stories, and design their lives.
Her long-running weekly Engaging Presence blog offers hope and inspiration to those who want to live meaningfully in changing times. Her Vital Presence podcast highlights those who are “Shaping the stories that are shaping the world,” with a focus on becoming more creatively expressive in the second half of life.
In her earlier career, Sally directed innovative leadership programs, both as a consultant and a university professor and department chair, training professionals to She coached hundreds of professionals, from all walks of life, to lead with passion and presence.
She holds a doctorate from the Fielding Graduate University and an M.B.A. from Yale.
She is known for her deep listening, intuition, sense of strategy and ability to help others discover catalytic new possibilities. She has consulted to organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest and abroad.
Her early career was in international development where she worked in fourteen countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Sally lives on an island near Seattle, where, when she’s not writing, planning, coaching clients, or interviewing guests for her regular podcast, you may find her working in her enormous garden or riding her Connemara mare.
A Few Facts
Principal: Sally Fox
Age: Older than she looks!
Education: A lot:
- Ph.D. Fielding Graduate University. (focus: leadership development)
- MBA Yale
- MA. University of Michigan, Sociology
- B.A. Oberlin College
Her husband Steve