At what age do we become too old for personal transformation? According to Richard Hulley, a retired naval officer who began coaching at 79, that limit simply doesn't exist.
Richard's journey begins unexpectedly through an NHS diabetes course that evolved into a profound exploration of his mind. Growing up in what he calls an "Edwardian upbringing" where emotions weren't discussed, Richard initially couldn't even identify his feelings when presented with lists of emotions. "I didn't know I had emotions. I certainly couldn't describe them," he shares with remarkable candor.
What unfolds over a year of intensive coaching is nothing short of extraordinary. Richard gradually confronts decades of accumulated guilt, learns to understand unconditional love (a concept that took 42 sessions to fully grasp), and develops boundaries—what he now considers his most valuable tool. The process wasn't easy; Richard describes it as "terrifying" and "challenging," yet the results speak volumes: "I am me now. I'm not someone carrying guilt and shame and worries that I can do nothing about."
Most striking is how Richard's transformation occurred without any external circumstances changing. Same home, (although the cats are new), entirely different experience of life. Now 82, Richard continues monthly coaching sessions and reports being more confident, thoughtful, and genuinely happier. Perhaps most profound is his newfound peace with mortality, concluding that "if one is happy in this world, you just take it into the next one."
Whether you're 28 or 78, Richard's story challenges us to question what's possible when we're willing to explore our minds with courage and persistence. What emotional weights might you be carrying that could be set down? What transformation awaits when you're ready to do the work?

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