Mitchell Vantrease
Daily News-Sun

When she retired as a television writer, Misty Taggart thought her life after Hollywood was over.

The Surprise resident felt depressed for months because she wasn't around the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. She hired a life coach who helped her discover that life is truly filled with seasons. "I have to move forward, " she said.

Taggart decided to spread her newfound message to others by becoming a life coach herself. The writer helps women in the Phoenix area, across the country and even has a client in Australia to move into the next season of their lives.

"I want to help target their real goals and priorities. They aren't the same as they used to be. That's why so many women feel suddenly so sad. Their passion for life seems to have left them high and dry."

Taggart talks with most of her clients by phone and e-mail to help them get their lives back on track. "So many do not realize they can move on. There are so many other things in life to achieve," she said. "You just have to live in the present, in the moment. Seasons come and go, but we all find times in life, no matter how old we are, when we need to let go and make changes."

She learned it the hard way, trying to relive the past. "I spent years silently miserable after leaving California, wanting things to remain the same. But, they had changed. It was time to find new ways to find out who I am."

For years, Taggart had the life many people dream of having. She wrote television scripts for shows such as "The Smurfs," "He-Man," "SheRa," "Space Ghost" and "Scooby Doo."

"It wasn't easy writing dog dialogue," she said with a laugh. "But it was great fun."

Her mentor was William Hanna, who with Joseph Barbera, created the pop culture icons "The Flintstones." Taggart became on one of the first women to work in animation in the 1960's and '70's.

Her talents soon spread into live-action television, where she wrote for "Another World," "Knots Landing" and "Fantasy Island."

In the '80's, she wrote two plays that were produced in Los Angeles. At the casting call for the first one, she met her husband, Joe. "He immediately got the part!" she smiled. He now works in production at Sony Pictures in Hollywood, comuting to Phoenix on the weekends.

After reading an article about life coaching, Misty searched out a coach to help her start over. "She has been wonderful. With her help, I was able to realize my life wasn't over. I still had lots of talents and gifts to share. I could still have dreams."

After much thought, Misty decided that, because of her own full life and her personal journey, she just might be the one to help other women through some tough times. "I want to help them discover their potential."

She does just that through life coaching appointments and on her web site 'Ordinary Woman/Extraordinary God.' http://www.ordinarywoman.com

She teaches online classes with such topics as "I was This Close to My Goal." "Is Your Schedule Running You?" and "Regain Your Sanity...Come back to the Party!'

"You can have an incredible and fulfilling life, no matter your age, you just have to want it enough to move on!" she said.