FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I grew up in New York City and studied finance for my undergraduate. I experienced a lack of fulfillment with the finance industry and traveled to Japan to teach English and study meditation. This experience furthered my interest in mindfulness and meditation and inspired me to formalize my training at Naropa University where I received a Master's degree for my studies in Tibetan philosophy, meditation and language. When I finished my degree I used the tools given to be by my studies and practice to make the deep-seated changes necessary to overcome my lifetime struggle with being over-weight and obese. I lost 120lbs and instilled a new age of health and wellness in my life. Looking back at my life, I saw how much I had changed, grown and expanded from the person that had been studying finance in New York and how much that process of transformation had benefited me and the others around me. I experienced a strong desire to help others on their own journey of personal transformation so that they could have the same benefits. How could I help people do this? Was there a methodology which facilitated and expedited this process? Thus I discovered coaching. I can help you organize and prioritize your tasks and goals but I do more than that. I can help you design and transform into the person you want to become. This is why I coach, because serving someone in this way is more fulfilling to me than anything else.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I worked with a mother who's goal it was to re-enter the workforce after having a baby. I helped her identify what she wanted to do and helped her highlight her strengths in that area. She decided to focus her application efforts on positions which she wanted and which would find her skill set the most valuable. She identified smaller goals which served her efforts and created a system of deadlines and accountability to help get them done. Together, we examined the emotions she was experiencing as she was transitioning into this new role as a worker. As a new mom, she was able to shift into a space where she was comfortable and ready to entrust daytime care of the child to the loving father. This shift put her in an optimal space to pursue her dream position unfettered. When she encountered obstacles, such as not obtaining a position, she was able to see that it was only her offer that was being rejected, not her as a person. This helped her preserve her self confidence and diligence in her efforts. Today, she has the position and the life she wanted. She let go of old habits and thought patterns that were holding her back and built and cultivated new patterns that brought her toward her goal. She stuck with it until her goal was accomplished. I am so happy for her and so proud of all she was able to accomplish!
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
I would like anyone thinking about hiring a coach to consider the importance of International Coach Federation certification. The ICF is the foremost accreditation body regulating the training and practice of coaching. A coach perusing or holding ICF certification attended a coach training program of a certain level. It implies that the coach adheres to the ICF standard code of morals and ethics in their practice. Anyone can call themselves a "coach." What you are looking for is someone trained in coaching methodology and ethics up to the standard of the industry set by the ICF. I attended a ICF accredited coach training program and am perusing my ICF Associate Certified Coach certification.