My Story: Finding my way back to me.
And how that journey became The Back to You Method™.
It wasn’t always this way.
Hi, I’m Sam Richardson, founder of Sam Richardson Coaching and creator of The Back to You™ Method — a transformational coaching approach designed to help women reconnect with themselves, rebuild self-worth and create lasting change.
For much of my life, I was the person everyone relied on, whether in my career, relationships or friendships.
I naturally and happily stepped into the role of supporting others. Helping people brought me purpose and fulfilment… but somewhere along the way, I quietly lost sight of myself.
It happened gradually. I lost connection with myself one small act of self-sacrifice at a time.
Every time I put someone else’s needs before my own.
Every time I ignored my own dreams.
Every time I dismissed the quiet voice inside me that was asking me to slow down.
Every time I ignored the signs my body was trying to give me.
Every time I convinced myself that looking after myself could wait.
From the outside, everything looked fine. Inside, it was a different story.
When everything changed.
Being diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis led to chronic pain, a hysterectomy, and the painful reality that I would not have children of my own.
For a long time, I responded the only way I knew how - by pushing through.
By keeping going. By putting everyone else first. Until my body no longer allowed me to continue in the same way. What followed changed everything.
My recovery created space - not just physically, but emotionally. Space to pause, grieve, and reflect.
For the first time, I began asking questions I had never truly made time for.
What did I want? What actually mattered to me? And was I living a life I chose - or just one I had learned to live?
As I began exploring transformational coaching, hypnotherapy, and the subconscious mind, I started to recognise the beliefs that had quietly shaped my life:
That others came first. That my value was connected to how much I gave. That my own needs could wait.
These beliefs weren’t consciously chosen - they were learned over time through experience, expectation, and conditioning. As they began to shift, my life began to change. Not because I became someone different…
But because I finally began to return to who I had always been underneath it all.
Coming home - full circle.
After many years living overseas and working in London, life gently brought me back home to Yorkshire. Returning here has felt like coming full circle.
Back to familiar landscapes.
Back to a slower pace.
Back to a place that reminds me of what truly matters.
But more than returning to a place, this journey has been about returning to myself.
Coming back to Yorkshire has given me the space to reflect on my own journey and create the kind of supportive spaces I believe so many women need.
Now based in Otley, West Yorkshire, I feel grateful to be creating the kind of supportive spaces I once needed myself.
Because I understand what it feels like to lose connection with yourself. And I also understand what it feels like to slowly find your way back. That is why I do the work I do today.
To support women in reconnecting with themselves, rebuilding confidence, and creating a life that feels true to who they are.
Because sometimes the journey isn't about becoming someone new. It's about finding your way back to yourself.
Welcome to The Back to You™ journey.
My Experience and Qualifications.
Over the past 25+ years, I've had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds, helping them realise their potential and create positive change in their lives.
My career has taken me from recruitment and leadership into luxury wellness retreats and five-star destinations around the world, where I learnt from exceptional practitioners and supported clients on their own wellbeing journeys.
Today, I bring together those experiences with extensive training in transformational coaching, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and NLP to support women through The Back to You Method.
Professional Qualifications.
I am a Clinical Hypnotherapist, trained through HypnoTC, London and certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists (USA).
My training incorporated a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive & Behavioural Coaching, NLP, ACT, REBT, Mindfulness, Inner Child Work and Regression Techniques.
Alongside my hypnotherapy training, I have undertaken further professional development in areas including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), EMDR for Hypnotherapists, Meditation, Life Coaching, Reiki and other holistic wellbeing approaches.
Professional Membership.
I am a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and hold full professional insurance.
Beyond Coaching.
I’m happiest outdoors. Whether it's a walk in the woods, the coast or sitting in the garden with a coffee. Nature is where I feel most connected, happy and inspired.
I'm definitely that woman who talks to animals! In fact, I'll quite happily stop to say hello to a dog before I notice its owner. (Thankfully, they usually don't seem to mind!)
I was born in Wales, grew up in Yorkshire, and after travelling the world, life has brought me full circle and happily back home again.
Travel has been one of my greatest teachers. It's introduced me to incredible cultures, inspiring people and holistic philosophies that continue to shape the way I work and live.
I've always been fascinated by the connection between our minds, emotions, beliefs and overall wellbeing.
Despite the serious topics I often work with, I have a great sense of humour and firmly believe that laughter is incredibly healing.
If there's one thing my journey has taught me it’s this…
You don't need to become someone else. You simply need to find your way back to yourself.
Today, I help women discover what took me years to learn - that putting yourself first isn't selfish; it's the beginning of everything.
If my story has resonated with you, I'd love to hear yours.
Whether you're ready to begin or simply wondering what the next step might look like, a Clarity Call is a gentle place to start.