What is it really like to be a Transformational Coach?

(Special Video enclosed!)

This was one of the big lifestyle adventures I had been waiting for. I have been drawn into this realm over and over again like that creative spirit that didn't stop tapping at my shoulder. You will hear me mention Jennifer Grace many times through my journey as she has been an instrumental teacher to me.

As i now start to believe, you make some of your biggest shifts when you’re in times of pain, sorrow, stuck in a rut, negativity - you get my gist. Rod Stryker calls it the ‘miracle angel’. When I first moved to Corporate America from the UK I struggled. It wasn’t the move, it wasn’t being in a new country, it wasn’t being on my own. It was the working environment I landed in. I was so grateful this eventually led to my long term relationship but I felt trapped at work. Everyday at work I wanted to just go and hide in a cave, I couldn’t see why I had to deal with such an environment, it wasn’t for me. I was stuck and didn't know what to do. I couldn’t leave due to my visa and I really wanted to see how things went with my now fiancé.

I searched for hobbies and like minded people to keep me sane outside of the office and came across Jennifer Grace through a Meet Up group. I took her full Creative Insight and Action Journey course within 8 weeks to help me gain clarity in what i wanted. I felt back in control of me, my life and my action plan. It showed me there was light, there was hope. There is another world out there outside of Corporate, with like minded people. There are so many interesting things people are doing ‘on the other side’ and they are taking care of themselves and helping others at the same time. I loved her style because she was practical. The messages I took were not to run away but to try and understand what’s going on inside me, address it and make sure I had an exit plan if I was running! A few months passed after I completed the course. I wanted to make sure I was able to consistently apply her teachings in my life before I made any moves. Ok, it wasn’t 100% consistent but there are things I learnt with her that will stay with me forever. I still have reminders on my phone from 2 years ago that say ‘ Be.Here.Now’ and i take a moment to breathe. I took time to practice what I learnt. Some more time passed and one of her train the trainer courses came up. It caught my attention and I was curious. I looked at it and convinced myself out of it. It was quite an investment and I didn’t feel ready. I had a huge amount of work load at my 'real' job and I just didn’t want to put that pressure on myself. Another few more months passed and I remember coming out of a yoga class talking to my teacher about signs of the universe as I put my shoes on. Suddenly an email popped up on my phone. It was a first time offering from Jennifer Grace to become a trainer in a short version of her course called ‘Directing your Destiny’ based on her book - it was much more affordable and a much better time for me by then. I signed up. I was able to train alongside my day job. In training we had to practice teaching a pilot group so it really was a good way of testing this whole new concept out - of me being a trainer, a transformational coach. I was attracted to the content as it was something I connected with and I was interested in seeing how it felt to teach others. The most obvious initial reaction was ‘what makes me qualified to teach this content to others’. I felt fake. I was still unhappy with what I was doing and had no idea what I wanted to do, yet I was coaching a pilot group on how to live their destiny. Jennifer taught us how to be authentic and at the end of the day I knew the pilot group, so it was safe. I could still share what I had learnt over the last year since meeting Jennifer and was open to sharing my challenges. It opened my eyes to the preparation needed in presenting to an online class which was quite different to presenting to people in a room which I was used to. You can’t quite afford to have any awkward silences and faffing of papers in the background whilst you sort out what’s next! I was worried about the questions I would get and if I would be able to answer them. I was also worried about me trying to solve other people’s problems for them as I’m a solver but that is not what coaches are meant to do. We were armed with open questions and tools to help the students work through their own challenges themselves. It was amazing and fulfilling to see the breakthroughs my group found through the exercises just by me leading them through. Surprisingly I managed to respond more easily to the questions than i thought I would. I would also say the phrase ‘practice makes perfect’ does apply in this type of scenario. I really enjoyed teaching so i decided to take this one step further and I asked Jennifer if I could come and spend some time shadowing her in Miami to see what it’s REALLY like to be a coach. I was now slightly more familiar with the teaching side of it but not everything else that goes on behind the scenes - the admin, the marketing, the sales, the preparation, the financial sustainability of it as a career. Jennifer was extremely enthusiastic and gave me potential dates I could come straight away. I took time off work and flew out to Miami. This is my video encounter of the trip and Jennifer's description of her purpose, passions and the highs and lows of her work. ​

My Analysis of my experience using Jim Collin's Hedgehog Concept

(for more details click here):

1) is this something you are deeply passionate about? Score 4/4

2) can you be the best in the world at it? Score 3/4

3) will it drive your economic or resource engine? Score 3/4

TOTAL 10/12

For me it's the inspiring others that I feel extremely passionate about. I strongly believe everyone has something unique for this world and to help people unleash that feels like it would be very fulfilling. I want everyone to follow their dreams!

Can I be the best in the world? Ok, i initially put this at 2 but I think that's a confidence thing. To Jennifer's point in the video - i can be the best in the world at doing it my way (cause no-one else can!)

Economic/resource engine - my experience showed there's many different ways of inspiring others which could lead to multiple income streams so I have a few more channels I want to explore.

Overall, brilliant #lifestyleadventure!

#Action