Building confidence with youth coaching

Journey to Coaching

Let me start with a constant in my life: I love people. I’ve always enjoyed connecting to them, listening and understanding their perspectives. That is why I started my career in …marketing…here understanding your audience - their needs, desires, and motivations - is paramount.  Having worked in Paris, London, and Hong Kong, I loved developing products and brands. It was exhilarating.

However, while living in Hong Kong, I had the time and space to think outside the box. Away from peer pressure and biases, I realised something was missing in my life. Around that time, I met fantastic individuals in the coaching industry and even became friends with some. I was hooked! I knew this was my calling.

Personal transformation through coaching

In June 2020, I had the opportunity to be coached, and it was a transformative experience. Each week, I’m reminded of what I’ve learned about myself. During that time I used to feel guilt and underachievement in my professional life because I wasn’t fully utilising my skills. Coaching helped me reframe my experiences as strengths, not failures. My training with The Coaching Academy reinforced this perspective and gave me confidence, even as a French native coaching in English. Initially I doubted myself - my accent, language limitations and professionalism. Overtime with practice I overcame these insecurities. Well, most of the time…

One of the biggest changes coaching brought to my life is a stronger sense of commitment and resilience. I started with a clear goal - to coach young people - and that clarity has been my anchor during challenging times, including the loss of my mum. Coaching has made me stronger and more focused. My husband often says I’ve grown into a woman with a sharp ideas about what I want - and don’t want!

When my family planned to return to London in 2021, I discovered The Coaching Academy online. Its Coaching within Education programme felt like the perfect fit since I knew my true calling was to support young people. The free Introduction to Life Coaching event and an introductory call with a Course Advisor, I enrolled in the programme to do both the Life Coaching Diploma and Coaching within Education Diploma. I knew those would bring legitimacy and the best foundation for my coaching journey

Working part-time left me my Tuesdays and Fridays to focus on my readings, webinars and pro bono coaching sessions with peers and clients.

My three sons being still in primary school with early pickups, finding enough time was a challenge. Gradually, I managed to create more space for coaching.  The evening live online coach training sessions worked best for my family though it meant preparing dinner at 5pm and giving everyone, including my husband, clear instructions on the evening’s schedule!

Pressing SUBMIT (twice!!) for my Life Coaching Diploma and Coaching within Education Diploma was an incredible feeling, followed by the joy of receiving the results and they were good!

But the most rewarding moment for me was just before submitting actually, while proofreading for the 1000th time, I stopped and thought, WOW wait, I did this? That sense of pride and growth was truly special.

Value of support and resources

As mentioned earlier I am definitely a people person, so for me, learning through others has been key. From the start, I was fortunate to find a study buddy who became both a friend and a trusted partner. We went through the diploma together and still check on each other regularly.

My mentoring sessions with Antonio taught me the humble approach to coaching, with one main insight that I’ve learnt: It’s easy to focus on what’s not working but shifting your mindset to see progress changes everything!

Finally, the live online coach training sessions were invaluable.  I’m grateful for the Coaching Aacdemy's trainers' generosity, accessibility and the many tools they shared.

Applying my coaching training and skills

Today, I work with young people aged 12 and above, helping them build confidence and self-awareness. My coaching approach can be viewed as a set of AAA batteries with Active Listening, Awareness, and Affirmation. This holistic approach lays the foundation for their growth and development.

In my role as a French assistant, I use these three skills—or what I call my superpowers. I believe that when a teacher applies them in education, it encourages and motivates pupils.

As a mother of three boys, my coaching skills have made me more aware of the power of words. I do my best to foster growth and optimism by reframing my thoughts into positive sentences. And asking open questions to foster dialogue. It’s challenging but I’m aware and making progress every day!

I love the power of sharing a story. During one of my Coaching within Education coach training sessions, the trainer read a moving story from the Magic of Metaphor’s book by Nick Owen about the relationship between a teacher and a pupil. I remember feeling deeply moved (I even cried), metaphors help to shift perspectives and approach challenges with fresh eyes.

One of my favourite question is“What is in your control?”, it helps clients focus on what they can influence and take actionable steps.

My clients have given me wonderful feedback, including:

“Several months after my coaching sessions with Angelique, the goals and insights gained from them are still a part of my daily life. They influence my attitude towards myself, serving as a reference and a true success.” 

‘It is clear that my coaching sessions with Angelique have been transformative by comparing the difference in myself from session 1 to session 7."

Curiosity and Future Goals

I am deeply curious about the increasing impact of coaching on young people especially in today’s world - especially post covid, with technological changes, climate anxiety, political unrest, societal changes and the influence of social media.   Mental wellbeing in youth has become a prominent issue. Schools play a vital role as the environment where young people face various pressure.

How can we as coaches, together and hand in hand with schools, contribute to creating a brighter and more balanced future to the next generation?

As a French mum in London, I know I can rely on my network to help grow my client base. Word of mouth is already in motion! At the same time, my role as a French assistant gives me the legitimacy to collaborate with schools. It allows me to design tailored 1-1 sessions, group coaching and workshops that meet their specific needs.  My goal is to keep expanding both areas through AAA Confidence Coaching

Advice for Aspiring Coaches

First of all Coaching isn’t just a career - it’s a calling.

The skills you develop will go far beyond work enriching your relationships and deepening your self-awareness. To me it meant feeling aligned: a great sensation! Tempted?

Then start with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Stay open to feedback while being gentle with yourself, embrace the challenges and remember that coaching is a continuous process of growth and development.

I’d like to offer a massive thank you to everyone who has nourished my coaching journey from the very beginning until now. I’m also grateful to those I will meet along the way in the future - clients, peers, mentors and others- as they will help me accomplish my goals and continue growing.