Karen L. Bruns

I’m Karen Bruns, founder of Monarch Coaching & Training, an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC), neuroscience and somatic coach, author, speaker, and coach educator.
At the heart of my work is a deep curiosity about what makes us human—why we respond the way we do, how our brains and nervous systems shape our experiences, and what becomes possible when we begin to understand ourselves with greater awareness and compassion.


I bring neuroscience, somatic awareness, nervous system education, and the art of coaching together to help people better understand themselves, recognize patterns, and discover new possibilities for growth and transformation.


I’m also the creator of The Coaching Heartset™, a philosophy rooted in presence, embodiment, attunement, and trust in another person’s capacity to discover their own wisdom.
I believe there is something profoundly meaningful, even sacred, about being fully present with another human being. That belief shapes how I coach, teach, mentor, and build relationships.

I help individuals, leaders, and professional coaches deepen their self-awareness, understand the connection between mind and body, and create meaningful opportunities for growth.

Through individual coaching, I work with people who want to better understand their thoughts, emotions, reactions, and recurring patterns. We explore what’s happening beneath the surface, including the role of the nervous system, to create space for greater awareness, compassion, and intentional change.

Through Monarch Coaching & Training, my ICF-accredited coach training school, I train and mentor aspiring and experienced professional coaches. My Level 1 and Level 2 programs combine professional coaching competencies with neuroscience, somatic awareness, and the inner work of becoming a coach.

I also provide neuroscience and somatic education, speak and facilitate conversations on leadership, relationships, and human transformation, and host Neuroscience Summit Live, bringing together leading voices to share insights about the brain, nervous system, and human experience.

I work with individuals who are curious about themselves and want to better understand how their thoughts, emotions, nervous systems, and experiences influence the way they show up in life and relationships.

They may be navigating a transition, experiencing recurring patterns, adjusting to life with a medical diagnosis, or feeling disconnected from themselves despite outward success.

I also support women and leaders who carry significant responsibility and want space to reconnect with themselves, strengthen their self-awareness, and relate more intentionally to others.

For aspiring and experienced coaches, I provide accredited professional training, mentoring, and opportunities to deepen coaching presence, neuroscience knowledge, somatic awareness, and professional skill.

I also work with organizations interested in developing greater self-awareness, relational capacity, leadership effectiveness, and coaching skills within their teams.

Curious, reflective individuals who are open to exploring themselves more deeply, understanding recurring patterns, and creating meaningful personal change.

I also work with leaders seeking greater self-awareness and relational effectiveness, aspiring coaches pursuing accredited professional training, and experienced coaches who want to deepen their craft through neuroscience, somatic awareness, and coaching presence.

I’d love to connect with professionals whose work intersects with human growth, wellbeing, learning, leadership, and meaningful change.

This includes therapists, wellness practitioners, leadership consultants, HR and organizational development professionals, business and career coaches, retreat facilitators, educators, authors, speakers, podcast hosts, and event organizers.

I’m also interested in building relationships with organizations that value the human side of leadership and want to incorporate neuroscience-informed education, professional coaching, or leadership development into their workplaces.

I especially enjoy collaborations where different perspectives come together and create opportunities that might not have existed otherwise.

Podcast Interviews · Speaking Engagements · Joint Workshops · Retreats · Neuroscience Education · Summits · Referrals · Leadership Development · Corporate Training · Creative Partnerships