Firstly, let us know:
What inspired you to enrol with The Coaching Academy?
What was/is your profession before becoming a coach?
CIPD qualified, a senior Learning and Development professional, a teacher and ‘informal’ coach for
many years on the subject of health, I saw the Introductory 2 days advertised and was drawn to find
out more. I had just left a multi award winning business I had started some years earlier and was
looking for something that fulfilled me on two levels; it had to fit in around my three teens, and it
had to be driven by passion around helping people to manage their health and wellness. The two
days were a revelation for many reasons. Never had I learned so much in 2 days and never had I
been so sure that something was so right for me. I became fully committed, inspired and motivated
to become the absolute best coach I could and signed up immediately.
 
Tell us about your journey as a TCA student:
What was the most rewarding part of your training/journey?
Two aspects of the course stood out for me.
Firstly I loved every second of the coaching itself. The buzz I got from this from day 1 has been
incredible. I would advise all trainees just to dive straight on in there. I was determined to finish the
course in as near to a year as possible and I think giving yourself a target really sets the pace and
motivation. Every client I had was a huge learning curve, one that I relished with an opportunity to
get better.
Secondly the training days. I have worked in and around L & D for most of my life and I have rarely
encountered such outstanding trainers. On day 1 of meeting Pam Lidford, I remember thanking her
after the event and saying ‘ I want to do what you do’. Now I have qualified I will be looking to see
more of them all on the NPD days.
How did you fit coach training into your busy life?
Like anything that should be a priority, I set aside so many hours a day and week to training and then
subdivided that up into coaching, paperwork, and training ( webinars, 1-1’s, group sessions). I’m a
busy single mum of three teens so I am in demand, but I red circled this time, and diarised this first,
building all else around it and letting my family and work colleagues know that I was doing this.

 
Then:
Where are you now? How are you using your coaching skills?
My coaching niche was easy for me. I’ve had over 25 years experience in health, wellness and
wellbeing, with my focus around food and nutrition. Although I had qualifications in nutrition I
hadn’t wanted to be a nutritionist. As a coach I feel I am perfectly placed to help people get to
where they want to be for long lasting sustainable change to last the rest of their lives – but what is
key is that they drive the journey and changes. This makes it work!
I have started building up my business to work with both mums and families who want to change
their relationship with food, both 1-1 and as part of a 12 week course I offer. I also work with
businesses to make Wellbeing a focus, giving talks and training.
I started a podcast ‘ Coaching Conversations’ with my colleague Julian Roberts whom I met on a
Coaching Academy Training Day for DISC, with the intention of raising the profile of ‘coaches with
integrity’, helping give a platform to some of the excellent coaches out there and helping those

seeking a coach the opportunity to hear what it is all really about. We are so fortunate to have had
Pam Lidford, Kris Robertson, and Ann Skidmore as guests. I have also become a Radio Presenter on
Wellbeing Radio to widen my reach and further help others mind body and soul. I’ve also written a
coaching manual following the GROW model for those wishing to work through the process of eating
better and taking a family along with you. It will be ready for launch in September.
 
What are your top tips for:
People who are looking to become qualified as a professional coach?
Find a course you can engage with and feel motivated by. Adult education puts you firmly in the
driver’s seat so you will need to self powered to see this through. Set a schedule and a timetable for
getting the qualification. Find someone you connect with on the same course and mentor one
another through the journey. I am very grateful to Elissa Benjamin for doing so with me. We will
remain mutual supporters and friends. Engage a coach if you can.
Those currently in training with TCA?

  1. Set yourself a finishing date – begin with the end in mind!
  2. Get yourself a buddy so you can push one another through. Co coach and set up at least one
    call together a week to talk through progress and ensure you are moving forward. Go over
    paperwork, tick off the process together, and ensure you are both moving forward.
  3. Start coaching ASAP!. Just do it – the sooner you get going, the quicker you learn, the
    quicker you qualify
  4. Stay organised. Get a folder for all your paperwork both online and offline and ensure you
    have all the submission sheets there. I set all this up initially which made it very simple for
    me to come back and input my feedback on online training, my coaching sessions, my
    assessments. Organisation is KEY so that as the months progress you stay on top of the
    various bits and pieces.
  5. Use your personal 1-1 coaching sessions with the CA experts well. They were so helpful to
    me
  6. Enjoy it!

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