Vanessa's Story

When Vanessa first joined me as a client she was looking for inspiring & fulfilling work in line with her values. Together we explored several options and Vanessa researched each that felt instinctively right for her. Her journey involved retraining via home study and weekend workshops. She re-organised her home & social life to make space for regular learning. Her dedication was truly outstanding! Today, Vanessa has a series of Pilates classes in the Nottingham area and is working out how she can make time for more - she is in such demand!
Read how Coaching helped Vanessa move from first base to where she is today...

Interview with Vanessa

LOTS OF PEOPLE PROMISE THEMSELVES COACHING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR LIVES, BUT YOU ACTUALLY PICKED UP THE PHONE, VANESSA, WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO MAKE THAT INITIAL CALL?

For a start, I believe everything happens for a reason and as one door closes another door opens. I had just experienced a number of doors closing on me at the same time when suddenly I was given a flyer with Ann’s details and I knew that this was the key to opening the next door.

AND WHAT DIFFERENCE DID THAT MAKE TO YOUR LIFE INITIALLY, VANESSA? HOW QUICKLY DID YOU FEEL A DIFFERENCE?

It’s hard to remember as so much has happened, but I think I felt stronger right from the very first contact. Knowing that I was embarking on a new journey and the excitement of the unknown possibilities and also feeling safe and comfortable in the knowledge that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

AFTER LOTS OF INITIAL RESEARCH, YOU CHOSE TO TRAIN AS A PILATES INSTRUCTOR - HOW DID COACHING HELP YOU WITH THE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROCESS?

Coaching helped me focus my mind and motivate myself through all the studying, but also it was invaluable having someone else there encouraging me and supporting me through each step. Just having regular contact with Ann and having her there to share the ups and downs with made the whole process easier. It seemed at times that no matter what questions or problems I threw at Ann, she was always able to help me find the answers and the solutions.

LOOKING BACK NOW, VANESSA, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ALL YOU'VE ACHIEVED SINCE THIS TIME LAST YEAR?

I feel amazing! And I feel proud of myself. I have worked hard to get where I am but I promised myself that I would enjoy the journey and I have. That’s what makes all the difference, if what you are doing is a chore, it’ll be so much harder to do. The secret is to find a way of enjoying the process and then the outcome will be so much sweeter.

AND WHAT WERE THE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY?

I think the first major breakthrough came with defining my personal values and then aligning these with my goals. It provided me with a strong structure on which to arrange my lifestyle. From there I would say that identifying my strengths and then taking my past experiences and combining them with my ambitions we discovered a professional direction for me. This was something that I enjoyed, that came fairly naturally to me and something I felt passionate about. The next stage was to equip myself with the necessary ‘tools’ for the job so I enrolled on a distance learning course. Over the next 6 months I studied and took my exams and at the end of that time I achieved my qualifications and I haven’t looked back since!

SO HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED, VANESSA, SINCE MAKING THAT VERY FIRST PHONE CALL?

My life has changed in so many ways. I believe that we all have it in us to make our lives happy and successful but we are under so much pressure all the time that it’s difficult to maintain the necessary focus to keep ourselves on track. I am much more disciplined now than I was before I started life coaching. I’m motivated because I have seen results; I have achieved everything I set out to achieve. I am now not afraid to challenge myself and push myself further. Coaching has given me renewed confidence and self belief.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE CONSIDERING TAKING ON A COACH TO PARTNER THEM IN REACHING THEIR DREAMS?

Coaching is a gift, everyone can benefit from coaching, having an hour every week or two that you spend on making life better for yourself is, in my mind, the most positive thing you can do for yourself. It is a commitment that you must take seriously and as with most things, you get out what you put in. Anything is possible, if you can imagine it – you can make it happen!