Martha Beck
Born 1962 · Age 63
American author, life coach, speaker and sociologist; Harvard BA/MA/PhD; bestselling author (Expecting Adam, Leaving the Saints, Finding Your Own North Star, The Way of Integrity); founder of Martha Beck, Inc. and Wayfinder coach training; long-time columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Provo, Utah
Martha Nibley (later Martha Beck) was born in Provo, Utah, the seventh of eight children of Hugh and Phyllis Nibley.
Earned BA (East Asian Studies), Harvard University
Completed undergraduate degree in East Asian Studies at Harvard University (completed before continuing to graduate studies at Harvard).
Married John Christen Beck
Martha Nibley married John Christen Beck in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Co‑authored Breaking the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior
With husband John C. Beck, published Breaking the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior (Deseret Book Company).
Taught at Brigham Young University (part-time)
Served as a part-time faculty member in the BYU Department of Social Science teaching a course on the sociology of gender (noted as 'soon after the birth of her third child' in sources).
Left the LDS Church
Following public controversy over criticism of BYU and LDS leadership and events around the 'September Six', Martha and (initially) her husband left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Research associate at Harvard Business School (academic role)
Worked as a research associate at Harvard Business School studying career paths and life-course changes (part of her academic career prior to full-time coaching).
PhD in Sociology, Harvard University (thesis published)
Completed PhD in Sociology at Harvard. Dissertation: 'Flight from the iron cage: LDS women's responses to the paradox of modernization' (1994).
Published The Change of a Lifetime (Japan employment patterns)
Co‑authored academic work The Change of a Lifetime: Employment Patterns among Japan's Managerial Elite (University of Hawaii Press).
Transitioned from academia to professional life coaching
Having counseled students and begun private coaching, she quit full-time teaching to work as a life coach and counselor. (College students had begun hiring her outside class.)
Published Breaking Point
Published Breaking Point: Why Women Fall Apart and How They Can Re-create Their Lives (Times Books).
Published Expecting Adam (memoir)
Released Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic (Times Books), a memoir about her pregnancy with her son Adam (diagnosed before birth with Down syndrome). The book became a New York Times bestseller.
Developed coach training and group programs (Wayfinder methodology)
Expanded coaching from individual sessions to group programs and teacher-training; began training other coaches in her methods (later formalized as Wayfinder Life Coach Training).
Published Finding Your Own North Star
Released Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live (Crown), a bestselling self-help guide that codified her 'North Star' coaching metaphor.
Became columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine
Began writing a monthly column for O, The Oprah Magazine (has been a long-term contributing columnist since July 2001).
Published The Joy Diet
Published The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life (Crown).
Separated from husband John Christen Beck
Public separation from John Beck; sources reference legal filings and later divorce.
Divorced John Christen Beck
Divorce finalized (Martha Nibley Beck v. John Christen Beck, Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, 2003 case reference; divorce in 2004).
Published Leaving the Saints (controversial memoir)
Published Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith (Crown)—recounted recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse and criticized her father, prompting major controversy and pushback from family and the Mormon community.
Family denial and public controversy over Leaving the Saints
Book prompted widespread reaction: denial by her mother and siblings, media coverage (NYT, Washington Post), and email campaigns against the book's inclusion on Oprah's website/magazine.
Published The Four Day Win
Released The Four Day Win: End Your Diet War and Achieve Thinner Peace (Rodale Books).
Published Steering by Starlight
Released Steering by Starlight: The Science and Magic of Finding Your Destiny (Rodale Books).
Published Finding Your Way in a Wild New World
Released Finding Your Way in a Wild New World: Reclaim Your True Nature to Create the Life You Want (Free Press).
Self-published The Martha Beck Collection, Vol. 1
Self-published The Martha Beck Collection: Essays on Creating Your Right Life (self-published, Martha Beck, Inc.).
Long-running O column reaches ~13 years
Marked over a decade as a monthly contributing columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine (started 2001; recognized as a long-term contributor on her bio).
Self-published Diana, Herself
Released Diana, Herself: An Allegory of Awakening (self-published, Cynosure Publishing).
Continued expansion of Martha Beck, Inc. offerings
Company offered Wayfinder Life Coach Training, retreats, seminars and other courses based on Beck's philosophies; international retreats and trainings grew in prominence.
International retreats and seminars operating
Regular international nature-based retreats (South Africa, Costa Rica) reported to draw participants from around the world.
Published The Way of Integrity
Released The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self (Penguin/Open Field). The book received high-profile attention and was an Oprah's Book Club selection per her website/bio.
20-year milestone as an O magazine columnist
Marked roughly 20 years since beginning her monthly column for O, The Oprah Magazine (2001–2021).
Public profile: continued speaking & media appearances
Continued as popular speaker, appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America and The Oprah Show (multiple dates across career) and spoke internationally on coaching and personal development.
Published Beyond Anxiety
Released Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity and Finding Your Life's Purpose (Piatkus); reported as an instant New York Times bestseller on her website/bio.
Martha Beck, Inc. trains thousands of coaches
Company/Wayfinder training reported to have trained roughly 3,000 coaches (interview and company bio reference training thousands of coaches over her career).
Resides in Pennsylvania; runs retreats and online programs
Reported residence in the Pennsylvania woods with family and continued offering international retreats, seminars and online courses through Martha Beck, Inc.
Long-form media presence and bibliography surpasses a dozen books
Author of numerous bestselling books, over 150 magazine articles, and more than two decades as a monthly columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine.
Key Achievement Ages
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