My journey to becoming a coach
Me now:
Running the coaching business I could have only ever previously dreamed of.
Working with amazing clients.
Connecting with incredible women to help them make the positive impact they want to on the world.
Me in February 2020:
Acting
Auditioning
Freelancing in Theatre Education
Running my speaking consultancy business
Travelling up and down the country running workshops in schools, Working weekdays, evenings, weekends
Pretty much at the point of burnout out
Very ready for our holiday to South Africa at Easter!
Me in March 2020:
COVID hit - and it well and truly pulled the rug out from under my feet.
It was March 23rd; I'd been in my part-time drama teaching role in a school that day. You could smell the apprehension, the feeling of uncertainty, the sense of, 'how the heck are we still here?!' - as rumours of lockdown being called that evening were leaked through the press. Senior Leadership told me to take home all the resources I would need to teach online, just in case.
I was already scared. I'd lost the next two weeks worth of (very well paid) work the day before - I'd been due to go on a road trip of schools in Scotland to run theatre education workshops for a major west end theatre show on tour in Edinburgh. I'd heard the night before that travel was banned for everyone in the company & I wouldn't be going.
And then that evening - sitting in my living room texting the family WhatsApp group, 'do you think they'll do it?!' - lockdown was officially called. I remember watching the announcement and being lost for words. Schools closed, events cancelled, the world as we knew it, overturned with nearly immediate effect.
Like most people, my plans changed without notice, and without exaggeration —95% of my work dried up overnight— my (now virtual) 6 hours a week teaching role was the only thing remaining.
Over the next few weeks, I couldn't think straight. I couldn't continue even the work on my own speaking business; heck, I could hardly even hold a conversation.
What was most alarming, though, was that I discovered my identity had been so wrapped up in my work for so, so long that I didn't know who I was anymore without it. I didn't know what I stood for anymore. What my hobbies were. My values. What I did or didn't like.
I lost sight of my own identity.
I worked with a coach. I rediscovered my values, beliefs, and strengths - I finished with working to burnout & purposefully rebuilt my life the way I wanted to.
I realised that all my work was grounded in a coaching practice. I'd been helping people of all ages (literally from 7-70) to feel confident, empowered to get visible and ready to be seen, but I wanted to go further.
I loved learning more, developing my understanding of the theory, neuroscience and positive psychology behind coaching. All helping me to work with you on a deeper level.
I went all-in:
100 hours of live lessons over eight modules
10 hours of group and 1:1 coaching mentoring
Over 100 hours of practice coaching
Six assessed recordings with feedback to ICF PCC level
Investing £1000s in myself and my business to work at a deep level
Now, I work 1:1 - supporting you to cultivate confidence, shift your mindset, and realise your full potential through holistic coaching sessions to impact the world positively.
My clients are my inspiration - they're unique, ambitious, creative women who are standing up for themselves and saying 'no' to the status quo. I'm so lucky to get to work with people who are flipping their script to do things their way, to, in turn, make a positive impact on the world and thrive in their definition of success.
Have you had a similar experience? Leave a comment about your business journey below ⬇️
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