Imagine talking to a complete stranger, who helps you figure out—in about an hour—where you should start taking your life next.
Before your conversation, you felt “stuck.” Maybe you were uneasy about your marriage, or your job, but afraid to face it. So you did nothing and your anxiety just kept intensifying. The stranger helped you ease your fears and see the outstanding possibilities for your future.
Shirley Oya, CPCC, BCC
Please fill us in on your background.
I was an accountant for many years, first working in a public accounting firm, and then operating a home business while raising two daughters. I specialized in working with television writers/producers and holistic health practitioners. While I enjoyed working with numbers, the best part was the interaction with my clients.
How do you come to coaching?
In 2004, when my youngest started kindergarten I began to reflect on what career would fulfill me going forward. I worked with a Life Coach and soon discovered that coaching was at the core of everything I’d done. So I opened my private practice and first coached clients on their personal finances. After taking a course at The Coaches Training Institute, I was instantly hooked! I pursued my coach training with CTI, including the advanced certification, CPCC. I soon discovered my real passion was working with women around career and life transitions, and I’ve never looked back!
Do you have any life experiences that inform your coaching?
Parenting and experiencing my own life and career transitions give me a perspective that help me understand each client’s experiences.
I also faced many challenges in my childhood, including alcoholic parents, who fought continuously, and left my severely disabled sister under my care for extended periods while they went out drinking. As a result I grew up with a lot of anxiety and depression, but thankfully, I got to work with a gifted therapist (specializing in psychoanalysis) who helped me heal. While coaching is a very different modality (though many of the benefits overlap), my own personal work in therapy deeply informs my work, especially for clients who also struggle with anxiety. I am a student of neuroscience and positive psychology (self taught), and that informs my work as well.
I like clients who understand and accept that change begins with them (it truly does), and that playing the victim or blaming others are NOT the answers!
What is your mission?
I want to educate and guide women towards lives that they can control; to coach them to ‘own’ and use their natural gifts, values, and passions to do the work that is enormously fulfilling and uplifting to them.
What kind of clients with whom do you most enjoy working?
Women, in particular, highly successful executives in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s who are disenchanted with life the way it is, and are seriously motivated to make changes. Most important, I like clients who understand and accept that change begins with them (it truly does), and that playing the victim or blaming others are NOT the answers!
Do you hold workshops?
I am super excited about my signature talk, which I’m now doing throughout the Los Angeles area. It’s called “3 Massive Mistakes Female Executives Make That Keep Them Overworked, Overwhelmed, and Struggling to Find Time for Their Kids.” It’s an educational talk that provides a ton of value, tips, and tools that women can apply right away to ease their stress trying to balance it all.
Attendees will learn:
I’d like to share some testimonials from the talks:
A rich, insightful time of sharing and information. Shirley is precise in setting the stage for people to discover, delve, and deepen their self-awareness.
—Jennifer Oliver O’Connell
Everything changed for me in like three days after the speech. I’m STILL Amazed.
—S. King
This was such an insightful presentation. I learned something that I was able to apply the very next day with a client
—Vicki Schmidt, R.N., M.F.T.
To register at a location near you, contact me: Shirley@shirleyoya.com
Where and how often do you coach?
I coach via Skype (audio), or telephone, so I can coach clients anywhere in the world.
My sessions are 45-minutes, three times a month, with a minimum three-month engagement. I first do a free 30-minute consultation so a potential client and I can determine if we are a good fit.
What’s the most important thing to know about you?
I am fiercely devoted to every client’s change and growth, and I won’t give up on you, as long as you don’t give up on you!
When Lady Godiva trotted naked on her horse through an English market, ten centuries ago, the innocent townspeople got a great deal more than a glance at the noblewoman’s bare bottom.
Join an inspirational, one-day workshop that carries you back to the 11th century in Coventry, England, to meet the real Lady G. Discover how her courageous and compassionate act greatly influenced her world and what it can teach you today. Also, unveil your own Lady Godiva and see how he or she affected your life.
Carla Beach
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
—Pablo Picasso
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I’ve also lived on the East Coast, in Central Texas, San Diego and currently in Los Angeles. I’m a wife of 30+ years, mother of three beautiful, grown daughters and proud grandmother of two.
Prior to becoming a coach, I spent 20 years creating dynamic change in the world as a community activist. I addressed issues ranging from environmental protection and public education to teen/youth development, usually taking a leadership role in community or non-profit organizations. I was especially active in forging partnerships between non-profits, local government agencies, churches and businesses to create positive impacts for the communities in which I’ve lived.
What brought you to coaching?
It was a life-changing event that gave me the psychic push that turned me toward coaching. My husband was diagnosed with cancer in early 2008. While I had toyed with the idea of becoming a coach for a few years, this shocking news somehow gave me an imperative to pursue this course. That spring I began my training with Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and immediately continued with their Certification process. By June of the following year I completed my written and oral exams and received my CPCC Certificate.
Over the course of that year and a half my husband recovered from his bout with cancer. However, the irony of the situation was not lost on me when exactly one year after my husband’s diagnosis—as I was mid-way through my Certification training—I, too, was diagnosed with cancer. I finished my last course of chemo just days before my Certification “finals.”
So how do all of those events connect and what are the lessons learned for me? I guess I have a deep “in the bones” understanding of how impactful coaching can be in a person’s life. An essential part of training to become a coach includes being coached yourself; and I had coaching every step of the way through some very dark times. I understand that a coach cannot fix the unfixable, but can be there to witness, support, challenge, encourage, comfort, communicate 
and celebrate any event—from the most mundane to the terribly tragic. And there’s great value in that.
Are there any particular life experiences which inform your coaching?
Besides the health challenges that I’ve mentioned above, I would have to include all the moves I’ve made as an adult, many of them trans-continental. I’ve helped my daughters through unthinkable transitions—leaving friends behind and struggling to find their places in unfamiliar territory. I’ve learned how to “create community” in each new place that we’ve lived, and how a new perspective can have a positive impact on a place. I think I’ve also learned that no matter how dark the night, there is always a sunrise coming soon and that we gain strength by allowing ourselves to bathe in that new light. All of those lessons are reflected in the manner in which I coach.
I believe we all have had a Lady Godiva in our lives—someone who championed us when we needed it most.
What is your mission as a coach?
My mission is to help my clients:
What kind of client do you most enjoy working with?
I enjoy clients who are working toward a dream and willing to take on challenges.
Sometimes that dream is just out of range of their vision—they know it’s there but they just haven’t quite figured out what it is yet. The process of discovery—discerning what is really important and what can be let go of—is exciting to watch.
Sometimes people get stuck in a life situation that they know isn’t working for them, but they haven’t quite figured out how to make a change. It’s that point when they decide that they are ready to leap—but need a little help to take the first step… That’s when I love to coach.
I understand that change doesn’t really happen in one big leap. It’s a process of baby steps that moves us from one place to another. As a coach, I can offer perspective on that process. At the moment when a client thinks they’ve hit a wall and they are never going to achieve their dreams is when I can remind them of all those baby steps that they’ve already taken, and how far they’ve already come. So a moment of frustration can become one of celebration and renewal.
Tell us about your workshops and presentations.
I have developed an inspirational workshop for women entitled The REAL Lady Godiva™. It begins with the life and legend of the 11th century Saxon noblewoman.
As the story goes, the people of Coventry were suffering under the excessive taxes imposed by Lady Godiva’s husband, the Earl of Coventry. She took pity on them, and appealed again and again to her husband to lighten their burden. As with many husbands, he grew tired of her requests, and said he would grant what she asked only if she would strip naked and ride through the town. Of course, she did exactly that. She put her bare bottom on a horse and rode through the marketplace for the benefit of others. The result was that the Earl did abolish the taxes and the impact on the townspeople was profound.
I believe we all have had a Lady Godiva in our lives—someone who championed us when we needed it most. I know I have!
The workshop takes participants on a journey of remembrance and discovery where they reconnect with the powerful influences in their lives. It is an expedition of envisioning a future where they are using their natural gifts, strengths and skills to create positive change in their world. It is brainstorming and action planning to propel them from awareness into activity. And finally, it is a homecoming to the present with a deeper understanding of the legacies we all receive and pass on to others.
Another way to describe this process is The REAL Lady Godiva Principle™:
The workshop is appropriate for groups sized from 15 to 150 participants. It can be presented as a half-day activity (e.g. for an organizational annual meeting) or a full-day retreat—or just about anything in between. The REAL Lady Godiva™ Workshop is an unforgettable event.
Where and how often do you meet with your clients?
I coach by phone or by Skype. The exact arrangements are flexible depending on the clients’ needs and the compatibility of our schedules.
Additionally, I offer complimentary initial consultations.
What is the most important thing a new client should know about you as their coach?
I bring a wealth of life experience to the table when I coach; however, I know that I have not walked in your shoes. Your life is uniquely yours, and as your coach I focus only on what is important to you. I am willing to walk with you on your journey. I consider it an honor to share your confidences and I am humbled by the trust you place in me.
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!
Dr. Phil Brown
Age: 64
Tell us a bit about your background.
I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, along the front range of the Rocky Mountains in full view of Pikes Peak. I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in history and systems management, a Doctorate of Management, and I am a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach from the Coaches Training Institute and certified as an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation.
I was a pilot most of my career and am now retired from the Air Force. My two daughters and their families live close by so we see each other frequently. I am a travel junkie, and enjoy golf and riding my Harley through the mountains.
Are or have you been married and what’s your view on marriage?
I have been married to my one true love since 1971 and she is the most intelligent, compassionate, and interesting person I’ve ever known. It helps to be married to someone who is your friend and partner in love to get you through the joys and hard work of being a couple, partners, parents and grandparents. I think that marriage is a personal decision for two people that may work in extraordinary fashion or may not work and needs to be appraised.
As many women search for being all things to everyone and helping others all the time, they focus less on themselves as individuals.
What brought you to coaching?
My doctoral studies and dissertation led the way for me to research and deep dive into coaching. Following graduation my dissertation committee urged me to continue my studies and attain certification as an executive, leadership, and personal coach. It made sense for me to pursue coaching since I enjoy the messiness of human contact and I discovered it makes a difference in people’s lives and pursuits.
What is your mission as a coach?
I am a lighthouse that illuminates paths and possibilities in partnership with fascinating people. I enjoy seeing someone’s eyes brighten during those aha moments and assisting with the hard work it takes to get there.
Are there any particular life experiences that inform your coaching?
My marriage, my children, and my grandchildren continually open my eyes to the art of the possible. Plus, my time in the Air Force flying jets, training new pilots, and flying in combat have all shaped and inform who I am and my approach. The doctoral journey and coaching certification process were both transformational and informative.
What famous women do you most admire?
I admire women with intellect and drive, including Golda Meir, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale, Sally Ride, Cher, and Katharine Hepburn. It would be a treat to listen to this group, sitting around a table and talking from their hearts and minds.
How do women most sabotage themselves?
Each woman approaches her day differently. As many women search for being all things to everyone and helping others all the time, they focus less on themselves as individuals. A search for individual strengths and individual interests requires individual permission to create and take personal time. It often is a challenge to give yourself permission to being in addition to doing.
What kind of client do you most enjoy?
I enjoy the client who wants more, wants to work on her strengths, capitalize on her knowledge, and work hard to get there. I have particular interest in those in transition.
Where and how often do you meet with your clients?
It depends on the client. I can meet in person in my local area, although many of my sessions are on the phone. Sessions are usually two or three times a month, each for 30 to 45 minutes.
What is the most important thing a new client should know about you as her coach?
I will be there and we will get there. I am committed to each client’s success, will act with integrity and honesty, listen without judgment, challenge the stated and unstated words in our conversations, and partner with her every step of the journey. This is a transformative and meaningful journey.
Barbara Korosec
Age: Late Fifties
Tell us about your background.
I left a Fortune 100 company in 2012 to create the life of my choosing, which included coaching. I’ve been fortunate to have had some really cool and enriching experiences, first as a naval officer and then as a Learning and Development Director at the major company. As a leadership instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, I worked with 1,300 freshmen. I’ve managed a $450 million program for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I’ve coached new and emerging executives as they transitioned to positions of greater responsibility. I love nature, creating beautiful gardens, and tending the 75 acres that comprise a future retreat center. I have master degrees in Finance, International & Strategic Studies, and Human Performance, as well as certifications in several assessment instruments for individuals and teams.
Are or have you been married, and what’s your view on marriage?
I recently married Kate, my partner of 23 years, because we finally could. My Navy career came to an abrupt and premature end in 1997 when my relationship with Kate came to light. This experience taught me a lot about leaning in and asking for help. It taught me a lot about resilience. I was closeted for years, living in fear of being found out. The real gift of this experience was to shine a light on shame, move beyond it, and to open up my heart to greater connection with others. This adversity, as painful as it was at the time, served to strengthen our relationship.
I view the decision to marry or not as an individual choice, and one that should be available to everyone. Beyond that, my view of marriage (like any relationship that matters) is that it requires ongoing care and attention. Assumptions can come up that benefit from clearing. There’s a need to align with one another on an ongoing basis about expectations, dreams and needs. We’re not only in our own process of life; we’re joined with another in the experience. That creates a need to balance and honor both the “me” and the “we.”
What brought you to coaching?
The constant theme in my life has been around bringing out the best in others. This showed up in early teaching experiences, in leadership, as an internal consultant working with leaders and their teams, and ultimately, in coaching. My introduction to coaching was serendipitous when my former company sought out people to train as internal executive coaches. Going through the coach training changed my life. What an amazing way to be in service of the growth, dreams, and goals of others! What an amazing way to live my life on-purpose. I love the way the universe calls with what we need. We just have to pay attention when the phone rings!
I’m passionate about making a difference & I believe it’s an honor to be with someone who is on a journey to create something vitally important for herself.
What is your mission as a coach?
Fundamentally, I believe that we all want a fulfilling life, with no regrets and no ‘woulda, coulda shoulda’ sentiments. It charges me up to see clients seek this. A friend gave me a block of wood with the inscription, ‘Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.’ This has become my mission—to help people create the life they want and to be the person they want to be as they live it. This is a life of aliveness and choice, a life lived on purpose; a life rich with what matters most.
Are there any particular life experiences that inform your coaching?
Two recent experiences most inform my coaching: The first, a 10-month leadership program through the Coaches Training Institute, fine tuned my listening and gave me much greater range as a leader and a coach. The second experience is a certification program for Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching. Horses are amazing and wise teachers! This experience is teaching me to open up my perceptive abilities and intuition.
What famous women do you most admire?
I admire women of strong convictions who are fiercely courageous and passionately advocate for what they believe. They are self-determining and plant their own garden. These women include Maya Angelou, for her wisdom, clarity, and grace and her ability to cross lines of race through her elegant prose; Lynn Twist, for challenging our relationship with money, her conscious philanthropy, and her focus on a just and sustainable world; Amelia Earhart, for (literally) flying in the face of conventional feminine behavior in pursuit of her dream, and Oprah Winfrey, for bringing so much to everyday women and bravely demonstrating her humanity.
How do women most sabotage themselves?
Women are more apt to presume they aren’t capable, especially when presented with new challenges. They are more likely to minimize their past experiences and not accept that they are resourceful, capable, and equipped for the challenge. The sabotaging inner talk that comes with this often is further fueled by buying into an image suggested by others; by seeking validation from external sources.
What kind of client do you most enjoy working with?
I love coaching clients who are in key passages of their lives, whether personal or professional. I also love to work with passionate and motivated people who willing to look deeply inside themselves and are keen on making the transformational changes necessary to reach their goals.
Where and how often do you meet with your clients?
Almost all of my coaching is done via phone. I’m open to Skype calls and meeting in person. Logistically, it doesn’t work as well. We generally meet for two 60 minute sessions per month. I find that this session duration and frequency allows time for insight and shifts—both within and between the sessions. That said, if you would like a different arrangement just ask and let’s see what we might design together.
Tell us about your workshops and presentations.
One innovative workshop features horses as teachers/coaches and can be taken individually or in a group. Designed to jump-start insight and change, they include different ground-based individual activities with the horses, typically in a 60-foot round pen.
I’m also certified to deliver workshops on The Bigger Game®, which were created to inspire executives, leaders and individuals to get out of their comfort zones and invent the lives they want. It was designed with the premise that life itself is one big game, so why not play it with excitement, fulfillment and challenge? At its core, The Bigger Game helps people find their compelling purpose. It is an innovative model that guides us to create a set of circumstances that will intentionally design who we want to become.
What is the most important thing new clients should know about you as their coach?
I’m passionate about making a difference and I believe it’s an honor to be with someone who is on a journey to create something vitally important for herself. It’s nothing short of sacred to witness moments of doubt, of truth, and of triumph. One of my signature strengths is that I create safety that permits my clients to step into their full range of humanity—messy, gooey, juicy, and beautiful. I’m likely to hold you bigger and more capable than you’ve ever been held before. Consequently, I’ll challenge you to step out of business as usual and not settle for playing small.
Barb is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (C.P.C.C.) and a graduate of CTI’s Co-Active Leadership Program. She’s certified by the International Coaching Federation. Reach her by calling (315) 841-8370 or emailing bkorosec@frontier.com.
Gabriella Rattner
What brought you to life coaching?
I’ve been married for 42 years and have two amazing adult daughters, one a teacher and the other a social worker. Being in a long-term relationship has taught me many things about behavior, responses, reactions and what drives us and if that driver is in our best interest.
I’ve worked in healthcare administration for over 30 years. Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to be a ‘safe space’ for people to share their thoughts and become more aware of their habits and what motivates them. My dream was to find a way to take these special sessions and create a coaching opportunity.
I will celebrate your courage and strength. I will never judge you and we will work together towards you not judging you either.
Dreaming, however, wasn’t going to get me to act and live my best life. It wasn’t until I started working with my own life coach, in 2009, that I discovered I really could create the life I always wanted.
My coach offered me a safe, honest and encouraging space in which to have unchartered conversations and to go deep and work with my fears about change and possibilities. Having someone really listen to me and hear the things I could not myself distinguish fueled me ahead. The fulfillment, balance and empowerment most of us crave are attainable. As a Certified Life Coach I can offer this same safe, honest and encouraging space for you to design the life you want to live and to enjoy it.
Live the life you love. I welcome you to www.lifecoachingwithgabriella.com.
Where and how often do you meet with your clients?
Almost all of my coaching is done via phone. My clients and I generally speak for two to three 45-50 minute sessions each month. Within that relationship I also send questions to ponder and am available via email to respond to any questions a client may have. I offer a complimentary, 30-minute introductory session to explore whether we can have a successful partnership.
What is the most important thing a client should know about you?
That I am totally invested in and honor you and your journey. I may never meet you in person, but when you invite me to work with you I take that very seriously and will support and guide you with all that I know and all that I am. I will always remind you of your amazingness and our work will include opportunities to try new approaches, behavior and actions. I will celebrate your courage and strength. I will never judge you and we will work together towards you not judging you either. I am really excited and looking forward to connecting with you and working together.
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.
Cindy Hooker
Tell us about your background.
I’m 53 and I’ve had many jobs, including waitress, travel agent, Nordstrom sales associate, Navy Petty Officer, college English instructor and now, Coach. I have an MA in English and I’m a sucker for a good story. My master’s portfolio focused on the Renaissance, and I love the arts. I was stationed in Wales and Guam in the Navy, which secured my love of travel. Some of favorite places are Sukhothai, Thailand; Madrid, Spain, and anywhere in Ireland. I practice yoga two to three times a week and boot camp three times a week.
Are you or have you been married and what’s your view on marriage?
I married, nine years ago, for the first time. He’s a wonderful man. We don’t have children, but we do have three golden retrievers. It’s great being married and having a partner for life, and I want to be the best partner I can be. We enjoy doing many things together, such as traveling, yet we also have our individual interests. I like that I can have my own hobbies and activities and that he can have his.
While it works for me, I realize marriage isn’t for everyone. There are all forms of relationships and each of us has to decide what kind of relationship we want and who we want to be in the relationship. That’s the most important decision.
I am helping women become the jewels they were meant to be.
What brought you to coaching?
After a long career in human resources, coaching managers and employees, I decided to become a certified coach and start my own business. There’s a moment when clients achieve clarity that gives me great satisfaction. That feeling also comes when I teach. I always wanted to help people become their best selves, and knew that work didn’t have to be a chore. That doesn’t mean I have always chosen the best direction in my career. The reason I resonate with women and their transitions is because I’ve reinvented myself multiple times. At sixteen I was a high school dropout working as a waitress at a truck stop. I always intuited there was something more that I should be doing. It took many years and a Master’s degree to figure it out, but here I am helping women become the jewels they were meant to be.
What is your mission as a coach?
I want to compassionately provide feedback and accountability to women who wish to change their lives in extraordinary ways.
Are there any particular life experiences that inform your coaching?
I draw on the whole package, good and not so good. The jobs that challenged me to the core have created the most growth for me and make me a better coach, including my four-plus years in the Navy, being a college instructor and a vice president of human resources. I had success and failures in every position and experienced issues of confidence, work-life balance and fear of change. All this guides my coaching.
What famous women do you most admire?
I adore Katherine Hepburn for her authenticity and femininity in pants; Isabelle Allende, because she writes such passionate, heart-wrenching stories and Susan Butcher for her strength of will and love of nature and dogs.
How do women most sabotage themselves?
We lack confidence, don’t trust our intuition, allow situations or people to step on our values. We stay in situations, jobs or relationships because we care what others think of us.
What kind of client do you most enjoy working with?
Women who truly want to make change. If you are committed to show up and do the work, I want to speak to you!
Where and how often do you meet with your clients?
I consult with nearly all of my clients via telephone or Skype. My appointments vary widely. I meet some clients twice a month for one hour each time, others four times a month for 30 to 40 minute sessions, still others for less time. I usually recommend starting with two hours a month and going from there.
I always am available via text or email for communication between sessions.
Tell us about your workshops and presentations.
I provide workshops on finding happiness at work and at home, discovering and using your strengths, 360 degree feedback for leaders, and I’m available by request for other topics.
What is the most important thing a new client should know about you as their coach?
I have your back and I am truly in awe of your strengths as well as your vulnerability. I will compassionately provide you with honest feedback. I will hold you to your goals as if they were mine.
Your transition is safe with me as your co-pilot.
