Meet Coach Jeanet Lamoca

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 April 25

Jeanet Lamoca

Tell us about your background.

I was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, the daughter of a German mother and Spanish father, who came to Canada in the early 60’s. I grew up in a family with a mix of cultures, traditions, rituals and language. Diversity and transition were foundational elements in my life from an early age.

I have over 25 years experience in the human services industry in various positions, including vocational rehabilitation counseling, mediation & arbitration and leadership development.

I work with the Strategic Capability Network (SCN) to deliver monthly programs to senior leaders and HR professionals.

As a public service, I facilitate workshops at the Aphasia Institute to help victims of strokes, and their families, to understand aphasia and give them strategies to communicate in new ways and make meaningful connections with those around them.

I hold a BA in Psychology, Organizational Career Development and graduated from the Rotman School of Management Executive Program. I am a Certified Co-active Coach Practitioner, Associate Certified Coach with International Coach Federation and a member of ICF International and Toronto chapter.

What brought you to coaching?

After working with a company for over 23 years, I was let go due to a series of organizational changes. During that ‘divorce’ I found myself off the island, alone and in a sea of ambiguity, questions and possibilities.

I remember saying to my husband, ‘I have been released, I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I do know it’s a gift.’

During a year long sabbatical I worked with a coach and uncovered my own passion for coaching. The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) had the structure, process, framework and rigor that I believed would prepare me well for this profession. Now I have my own coaching practice, SageSeason, Your Best Season, providing coaching services to people in transition.

Are there any particular life experiences which inform your coaching?

Although my job was over after 23 years, my career wasn’t. I also realized that for others in this position, their career is over and they want a job. Every end is the beginning of a BEGINNING and that end needs to be honored. Learning what to hold on to and what to let go of to transition takes time to understand, balance and to do.

Jim Rohn said: ‘If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.’ I really get that. Transitions are tough, ambiguous, wobbly and uncomfortable, and exciting, fresh, full of opportunities and freedom. It’s truly a process that is unique to every individual.

What is your mission as a coach?

Coaching helps push us out of our comfort zones to deepen our learning capabilities, it holds us accountable to use skills gained, gives objective feedback, a listening ear, a place to brainstorm while introducing new resources.

Highly successful people know that if they expect much better results, they must be committed to grow, learn, re-focus and begin to do things differently. I believe everyone needs to have the opportunity to partner with someone when they need to think something through, make tough decisions, get unstuck, change perspective and learn to listen to themselves.

My mission for each of my clients is to help them have ah-ha moments; to move through an uncomfortable transition stage; to discover themselves and be excited and feel connected and whole; to find out what they really want and to make better and smarter decisions and take action to reach their goals.

What kind of client do you most enjoy working with?

I most enjoy working with clients who are willing to roll up their sleeves and explore their situation, challenge themselves, get out of their own way and Go For It. My clients are 45 plus and senior in their profession. They are considering a change, or in transition and wanting to focus on themselves, to be their own priority, and figure out what they want.

Do you offer workshops?

I have a series of workshops that focus on career, leadership and life transitions:

  • Career Transition — Going from Here to There
  • Strengths First — Knowing your Strengths and Leveraging Them
  • Sage Season, Your Best Season — Having the life you want and planning it

Where and how often do you meet with your clients?

I offer complimentary initial consultations to assess how we’ll work together and partner in a way that will get you where you want to go. I coach by phone or by Skype and suggest a biweekly schedule, although arrangements are flexible and negotiable. I recommend at least a three-month commitment, which gives the coaching relationship time to develop.

What is the most important thing a new client should know about you as their coach?

I bring energy, compassion and a sense of humanity to my work, creating a unique and inspiring process. I partner with my clients with a high level of engagement and commitment to bring about the change they want to have. For me, coaching is forward thinking, focused on ‘what and how.’ The process promotes clarity, certainty and action. And focuses on the “here and now” for YOU.

Meet Coach Sue Bock

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 January 20

Sue Bock

Tell us about your background.

I’ve been enjoying my nursing career for the past 20 years, sharing my knowledge, compassion and sense of humor with my patients. My passion for life motivates me to impart my gifts of empathy and courage to others and, as a breast cancer survivor. I have a unique perspective into the vulnerability of life. My experience also has made me love travel adventures, which help me appreciate the differences and similarities among us.

Are or have you been married and what’s your view on marriage?

I was married for 15 years but we parted ways when I discovered he no longer loved me. It was a huge challenge for me. My divorce left me broken emotionally, and then the experience allowed me to put myself back together in a much more authentic and full form. Married now to the love of my life, I know that my journey to get here has made me a better wife and partner. I love being married!

Being married to whom you love means you put your whole heart into the relationship. It binds you to that person in ways you never thought possible. In a healthy marriage you have a partner and friend you collaborate with on common goals. There is love, support, and laughter!

What brought you to coaching?

I had everything I ever wanted, but I felt there was something missing, so I decided to see a coach. The experience was quite different from therapy. It gave me a sense of purpose, confidence and peace. People started telling me I was “different,” but they couldn’t put their finger on it. My coach encouraged me to take a coaching course and I fell in love with it.

I help women re-group, empower themselves and breathe a sigh of relief when peace enters their lives.

What is your mission as a coach?

Life transitions are a challenge for all of us. It can be especially challenging for women, given all the changes in our lives. Kids are leaving home; ailing parents add time in doctor offices. Our kids who are home keep us busier than ever, and all the while work is requiring more and more of our time. Work-life balance disappears from the radar. I help women re-group, empower themselves and breathe a sigh of relief when peace enters their lives.

What famous women do you most admire?

To name a few: Oprah, Brene Brown, Hilary Clinton, Madelyn Albright and Kate Middleton. I admire their strength of character, vulnerability, intelligence and leadership.

How do women most sabotage themselves?

We’re excellent at over analyzing, feeling we’re not good enough, and then try to over compensate for it. I did this all the time, until I found coaching.

What kind of client do you most enjoy?

I enjoy working with clients who are ready for change, searching for change, yearning for change, and know that what they’ve been doing isn’t working anymore. They want answers and are ready to do what it takes to get them.

Where and how often do you meet with your clients?

Almost all of my coaching is done via phone or Skype with great clients around the world. We generally meet for three 40 to 50 minute sessions per month. Our typical coaching sessions are conversations about living courageously, discovering who you want to be, and learning how to use the tools available to get there.

Tell us about your workshops and presentations.

I discovered that I love to speak and conduct workshops. I currently work with two other women in what we call the “Women in Transition Team.” We conduct events that help women see who they are, use that knowledge to brand themselves, and then learn how to show up authentically with style.

What is the most important thing a new client should know about you as their coach?

A client should know that I love her. I stand by her side to support her through rough patches in her current life transition and to help her arrive at a place of peace of mind and happiness.

Being human makes us vulnerable, but also brings us community. When clients feel they share things with others, their sense of hopelessness ebbs. I have the ability to listen and hear past their pain, without trivializing it, and to offer ways for them to manage the process and remain accountable. It makes my heart soar!

Meet Coach Sherry Matheson

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 January 9

Sherry Matheson

Age: 46

Tell us about your background.

I am 46 years young, married with a blended family of five girls and one boy, and two dogs. I worked for 17 years as a corporate paralegal at various mid size law firms and then in the legal department at a large corporation. Before becoming a corporate paralegal I worked in the oil and gas industry for 6 years.

Why did you decide to leave your profession and become a coach?

I was working until 11:30 at night and weekends at the big corporation and I burned myself out after three years. I didn’t have the right skills and tools to be in that environment and developed shingles on the backs of my knees to the point where I was sitting in my doctor’s office and she was handing me a prescription for anti-depressants and wanting me to take a leave of absence. I decided I needed to quit my job in order to heal and get better. We are a blended family with six kids and it wasn’t an easy decision.

I accidentally discovered coaching after I quit working as a paralegal and started my training five months later with the Coaches Training Institute at the University of Calgary.

We often put everyone else first. It’s the ‘nice girl syndrome.’

My coaching style has a big focus on positive psychology, so if beating yourself up isn’t working for you and you’re not feeling empowered, I can help.

Explain your approach to health and wellness coaching.

I take a comprehensive approach to health and wellness by looking at how all the areas of your life are connected to your wellbeing. I like to open up the realm of positive possibilities for others. I feel my journey prepared me well to understand and emphasize with my clients and makes me a better coach.

I create action plans to help my clients make the sustainable changes necessary to improve their health and live better quality lives. We tackle issues such as managing stress, increasing energy, achieving more balance, sleeping better, eating healthier, getting into more movement, achieving and maintaining an ideal weight, reducing food cravings, improving self perception, improving relationships, increasing productivity, and enhancing decision making.

Health and wellness coaching combines psychology, behavioral change theory and life coaching. The field is on a swift positive trajectory due to the evidence demonstrating its role in improved client/patient outcomes, medical compliance, employee health and productivity, and lower health care costs. Health and wellness coaching effectively bridges the gap between traditional, organized healthcare and behavioral change.

How do women most sabotage themselves?

We often put everyone else first. It’s the ‘nice girl syndrome.’ My coaching style has a big focus on positive psychology, so if beating yourself up isn’t working for you and you’re not feeling empowered, I can help.

I’d like to share a testimonial from one client, who wrote: ‘I’m never usually at a loss for words, but I find myself hesitating to express my gratitude because words alone can’t convey my emotions. What I originally thought was going to be a simple plan for weight loss and exercise, to my surprise and delight turned into a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, of which you were the catalyst. From our first coaching session you had the wisdom and listening skills to pinpoint my needs. The information you forwarded to assist me in working on my goals was invaluable. You will forever hold a place in my heart as the person who helped introduce me to a better version of myself.” —Sharon, Ontario

Why is your company called “Ingredients For A Healthy Lifestyle?”

Each client is unique and so are her ingredients to create a healthy lifestyle. What roles do eating, exercise, work, family, etc. play in her life and how can she balance them to achieve her goals?

Where and how often do you meet with clients?

I coach the majority of my clients over the phone so they can be located anywhere. Our calls are 50 minutes long, twice a month, and we have unlimited email contact.

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