We begin our coaching conversation with a single question…

What needs to shift in your work or life for you to feel truly happy?

Your answer might be a work promotion, a new role in your career, or a completely fresh start. Perhaps you want to build resilience, reconnect with what matters most, or navigate important life decisions. Or maybe you simply need support because you’re feeling stuck.

By asking powerful questions, challenging assumptions and, most importantly, giving you the space to explore your thoughts, we will help you move forward with clarity, confidence and purpose.

We structure our coaching conversation around four stages.

Where have you been?

We explore the highs and lows of your work and life to date.

Where are you now?

We examine your current situation and what needs to change.

Where are you going?

We work with you to develop an action plan to move forward.

Have you got there?

We ensure you are where you want to be.

If you’re in a rut, or in a period of transition, this programme helps you to reconnect with your values, rediscover your strengths, and explore new opportunities.

We tailor our coaching conversation to fit your needs and goals. Some of our most popular programmes are:

Define Your Direction

    • 6 one-to-one coaching sessions across 12 weeks

    • In-person (London), or on Teams

    • In-between session homework blending smart AI tools with reflective exercises

    • Clarity on your values and strengths

    • Confidence and self-esteem building

    • Exploration of new work or life landscapes

    • Goal setting that is achievable and motivating

    • Experiments and identity exploration to test new possibilities

If you’re ready to move up in your current company, or stepping into a brand-new role, this programme helps you to navigate the transition with confidence and impact.

Nail Your Promotion

    • 4 one-to-one coaching sessions across 4 weeks

    • In-person (London), or on Teams

    • In-between session homework blending smart AI tools with reflective exercises

    • Honest assessment of your role strengths and growth areas

    • Personal brand building

    • Confidence and imposter syndrome coaching

    • Support with impression management, boundaries, and emotional regulation

    • Tailored guidance for a successful transition into your new role

If you’ve got a business idea or side hustle that you are eager to bring to life, this programme gives you the structure, insight, and confidence to turn your vision into action.

Elevate Your Idea

    • 8 one-to-one coaching sessions across 8 weeks

    • In-person (London), or on Teams

    • In-between session homework blending smart AI tools with reflective exercises

    • Exploration and development of your business idea

    • Identifying and understanding your target market

    • Competitor identification and analysis

    • Guidance on branding, messaging, and marketing

    • A practical business launch toolkit to get you started

Meet Darren

MSc Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology - Birkbeck, University of London (2026)

Photo of a relaxed and happy looking Darren Hanley, coaching lead at Career Happy.

Darren is an accomplished business owner, blending senior leadership roles in consumer insight with a long-standing passion for sports and personal coaching.

Throughout his career, he has been driven by a fascination by human motivation - people’s goals, ambitions, and the obstacles that hold them back. He is especially interested in those pivotal moments when individuals feel ready to make a change - whether improving their fitness, learning a life skill, changing careers, or pursuing a long-held passion - but struggle to take the next step.

  • Darren’s professional journey has given him a 360-degree view of career life - the highs and lows, launching and growing businesses, and even resigning from a job without knowing what was next. He has had a boss, been a boss, and worked for himself, giving him first-hand insight into the rewards and challenges of leadership and management.

    Today, this mix of curiosity and lived experience shapes his coaching practice. He combines his corporate background, sports coaching expertise, and academic training in coaching psychology to deliver evidence-based approaches grounded in real-world insight. His goal is to help people overcome barriers and define their own version of career and personal happiness.

    Darren’s style is warm, relaxed, and down-to-earth, but he’s not afraid to ask the tough questions when it matters. This balance of support and challenge has earned him the trust of clients from all walks of life.

    He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology from Birkbeck, University of London, and is currently completing his MSc. His Masters research is exploring how the outdoor environment, movement, and physical exercise can shape and support career coaching interventions.

    Darren is a member of both the UK Register of Career Development Professionals and The Association for Coaching.

    Alongside Work Life Happy, Darren is a facilitator, trainer, and runs the cycle coaching company Bike Happy.

Client Feedback

  • Debbie's feedback...

    “I’ve really enjoyed working with Darren and would highly recommend him as a coach. He’s warm, empathetic, and takes the time to truly get to know you as a person. One of the things I appreciated most was how he helped me recognise and celebrate the progress I’d made, even when I wasn’t feeling very confident. Our sessions always felt supportive and constructive - I’d come away with clear next steps and a real sense of direction, which helped me keep making progress.”

  • Josephine's feedback...

    "Darren was incredibly helpful as I was getting my new business off the ground. When you're starting something new, it's easy to get overwhelmed by everything that needs doing. Darren helped me cut through the noise, put things into perspective, and figure out what actually matters. His coaching gave me the clarity I needed to prioritise effectively and move forward with confidence. I'd recommend him to anyone who needs help getting focused and starting a new chapter."

  • Peter's feedback...

    “Darren helped me to see my way into the first couple of months in a new, high profile role. I was nervous before starting the job but working with Darren helped me to explore my management and leadership style for the first time, and helped me to articulate how I wanted to present myself in my new company.”

  • Paul's feedback...

    “Working with Darren was a really supportive and encouraging experience. He created a warm and friendly space that helped me navigate a difficult stage in my career. His coaching enabled me to see my situation from new perspectives and gave me the resilience to move forward after setbacks. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for guidance and clarity in their career.”

  • Chiaki's feedback...

    “Darren is a super professional, fantastic coach. Darren has helped me navigate my day to day short term and long term goals in this difficult time with the job market. He helped me to see things differently and I always felt refreshed leaving the session with a new vision and clarity.”

Book a Free Chat

Pop your details in the form below to book a free 20-minute chat. We’ll have a conversation about what you’re looking for in a coach, how we might work together, and I’ll answer any questions you have.

There’s no strings attached. This is simply a chance for us both to see if it feels like a good fit. If it does, we can book your coaching sessions and get underway.