Emma Humphrey - 'My mission is to support people through coaching'

Discovering coaching  

I first learned about coaching around 5 years ago when I felt stuck in a rut in my life. I generally didn’t feel well and I couldn’t put my finger on what it was that wasn’t right, so I took to the internet to try and find a solution. I came across a wellness coach who really resonated with me and I got really interested in how coaching could work for me. After lots of research, I employed this amazing coach to work with me to move forward in my life. 

Having experienced the power of coaching in my own life, I wanted to be able to extend this to the lives of others. I wanted to be able to help others to move forward in their lives, how I had been helped to do so in my own. I started the research into coaching training providers and The Coaching Academy came up again and again. I attended the free taster weekend and that was it, I was totally hooked. 

I loved every second of the training and completed the diploma in around 18 months. I actually felt a bit sad when I received my certificate to know that it was over, but thankfully there are so many resources to access afterwards for continued learning. 

My journey to becoming a coach

During the learning journey, everything captivated me, I was fascinated by the power of asking simple questions and how it can so often create seismic shifts in someone’s mindset. Sometimes, you can ask what feels like something so simplistic, but it’s like you’ve handed a key to someone that opens up something for them, to get those ‘ah-ha’ moments that can help to bring them a new perspective. 

The most rewarding part of the training for me was the practical assessments, I love coaching people and to do so and receive the feedback was very rewarding. I embraced the opportunity to learn and grow from the feedback to be able to be a better coach in the future. 

Most of all though, I enjoyed the accelerator days – the first one felt a bit daunting, but I soon learnt everyone was super friendly and easy to chat with. The accelerator days are such an amazing opportunity to meet like-minded people, to connect with buddies to practise your new coaching skills with, and just to absorb all the amazing information and energy from the fantastic trainers. 

I was able to work the qualification around my current commitments, a full-time job and a long-distance (and time-consuming) road cycling hobby. I loved the diploma so much it became a priority to me and so travelling for it and completing the coaching sessions didn’t feel difficult to slot in. 

Taking steps towards my future 

I’m currently coaching a small number of clients in my spare time, but I will shortly start working 4 days a week so I can open up more appointments and spend more time focussing on my business, Emma Humphrey Coaching. I am a wellness and mindset coach, working to empower women to live with purpose and intent. 

My mission is to support people through coaching to be well, feel well and live well through making changes in life, career, mind and body.

I believe that if something isn’t going the way we want it to in our life, our career or in our mind and body, it can have a really negative impact on how we live and feel; we can feel unbalanced, unwell, and lack energy. When we feel like one or more thing is going in the wrong direction, or going nowhere at all, can be draining and exhausting.

I believe that wellness is a state of being and that we are in control of, and responsible for, taking care of this.

I believe people are happier, healthier and more fulfilled when they’re living with intention, when their actions are purposeful and when they’re focussing on what really counts to them.

In the next 2 years, I want to focus on building my business; working with more wonderful clients and continuing to increase my toolbox of coaching skills. 

My favourite coaching question is “How are you getting in the way of achieving your goal?” – I like this one the most because it’s the one I need to ask myself the most…

Emma’s top tips for: 

People who are looking at coaching:

If you’re looking at coaching as a career, go on the free taster weekend – it’s a really great example of what the accelerator days are like – you’ve got nothing to lose.

Those coaches currently in training:

I’m a stickler for the rules, so I followed the flow chart you get in the front of the folder to stay on track, but my advice is to complete it however it works for you and fits into your life.

If you think coaching might be the right path for you, join our free two-day Foundation in Life Coaching course and find out.