Follow that curiosity and see where it takes you!

Heather is a Coach Academy graduate who now runs her own coaching business (HAdV Coaching & Consultancy) and Podcast (Listen to the Connected & Confident). 

What has led you to coaching and how has coaching benefited your own life? 

I believe that coaching found me at just the right time. In summer 2020, with the world on hold with the pandemic, my 15 year career in events management was on pause. Like many, I struggled with the restrictions and new normal of Covid times. After a few months of just getting through it, I did some deeper soul searching and adjusted my mindset around what was happening. How could I turn this time into something more positive?

I followed my intuition and explored what else I could offer the world with my experience & talents. I knew I wanted to do something impactful, helpful and empowering for people, but didn’t want to become a therapist or counsellor. I continued my research and found coaching. Immediately I  knew it was the right next step for me, because it was forward-focused and centres around the client’s unique goals & dreams - it's about holding space for them, so they can unlock their potential for themselves - powerful stuff! 

Most people become a coach to change the lives of others…how has coaching benefited your own life? 

Coaching helped me to understand myself on a deeper level, and it ignited a creative curiosity to learn that I thought I had lost! In learning how to coach, and launching my business, I’ve remembered who I am, the skills I have within me, as well as the power I have to make positive changes in my own life. It's an amazing skill to learn and practice every day. 

Tell us about your coaching journey so far… 

My journey as a Coaching Academy student was very enjoyable, and right from the start I felt welcomed & supported by the team. The qualification was structured so that I could learn at my own pace. I was in control of how to fit it in with other commitments, such as when my events work started back up again, and the online portal was always there with lots of material to absorb when I wanted to. I found the mentoring and group learning to be a great environment in which to develop my skills and learn from others, and the practical assessments were really enjoyable as I could feel myself improving at each one. The biggest reward from my Coaching Academy coaching journey were the connections with fellow students made along the way, many of whom I now consider very good friends!

What was the most rewarding part of your coaching journey? 

I use my coaching skills every day when working with my clients. I am now a full time coach, with my business HAdV Coaching & Consultancy and I work with organisations, executives and private clients to help develop their confidence and learn how to lead in a way that empowers their journey and others.

My mission is to help people to be more connected & confident. I do that by creating space (through coaching) so that they can connect to their inner power, learn to trust it, and confidently follow it to create the life they really want. I believe that human potential is limitless if we all learn to listen to and trust our inner guidance.  

One of my favourite things about being a coach is that I am constantly learning and growing - I find myself seeking deeper conversations and am genuinely curious about how people experience the world. Since becoming a coach, I am reading more books than I have in the past decade, and my current growth-focus is reading up on different behavioural styles, which is fascinating! 

What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a life coaching career? 

If you’re curious about a career as a coach, I say - follow that curiosity and see where it takes you! Connect with other coaches, join the conversation, do the reflective work to understand why you’re drawn to coaching and, when you’re ready, explore the benefits of a qualification & the confidence it can give you. Some of my best resources have been built on the Coaching Academy foundation, the student Facebook group was invaluable while learning and I often go back to my workbook from the diploma to see what else I can bring in to serve my clients better. I also love listening to podcasts about coaching!

I found my next level of confidence & purpose when I followed my intuition into coaching, and I am grateful every day that I can use my skills to help others find & follow theirs too, in pursuit of their dreams! 

Thank you Heather for sharing your coaching journey with us!   

If you are feeling inspired and would you like to have a coaching business you can run from the comfort of your own home, then do join us on our Introduction to Life Coaching webinar - choose from available dates.