LIFE COACHING
Janette Valentino
Before becoming a coach, I worked first in administrative support positions in companies ranging from a non-profit to an investment bank. I was searching for something else most of that time, but wasn’t sure what I was looking for. Then, I went back to school and got my MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and taught first at a university in Finland for 2 years and then in businesses with a training company in Sweden for 8 years. I also became the head of the language department there and was part of the management team. This eventually led me to coaching. Looking back at this, I see it as a unique journey, where I was gradually finding my strengths and getting more and more clarity about how I could use my gifts, live purposefully and contribute to others while being the person I am meant to be.
I was looking for something that would enable me to use the qualities I liked best about teaching—inspiring people, supporting them and helping them see how much they already know and learn to listen to this and use it—without having to worry about whether they were using the correct grammar or not! I read that the first step to becoming a good coach was to hire a coach and this was the best decision of my life. As a result of coaching, I gained more peace and contentment in life than I have ever had before—it was like I could stop searching for some key to make everything ‘perfect’. When I realized this, I knew that I wanted to spend my life supporting others in similar processes.
Because I have lived abroad for a lot of years, the global aspect of ICA really appealed to me. Also, as I was working full-time, it was important that the program was flexible. Both of these things were key to me in choosing ICA and as I went through the program, ICA lived up to my expectations regarding them to 100%+!
The most memorable part of the program for me is the connection I have made with people—trainers, peer clients, ICA graduates, classmates. It is a community full of interesting, supportive, caring people interested in learning and discovery. You can’t really beat that.
About 10 years ago when I was living in Finland, I started talking about the bi-continental life that I wanted to have, i.e. a home both in California, where I’m from, and a home in Sweden (where I had spent 6 years previously) or somewhere else in Europe. I had no idea how that would ever happen, but I knew even then that possibility is everywhere and that the universe is listening. After 2 years in Finland, I went back to Sweden and began to build my Swedish life, including a job I liked, buying an apartment and then beginning and completing my coaching training. Two months ago, I left Sweden after taking a 12 month leave of absence from work and am now living in California and building up my coaching practice and my California life. I have no idea what will happen now (I am really enjoying the California sunshine!), but actively creating the life I want has been the best experience ever.
BUSINESS COACHING
Costel Coravu
http://www.harmonycoaching.net
Prior to establishing my coaching business and earning my ACC ICF certification, I earned my stripes as a successful business executive during my 16 years of work in the top management trenches of three big international corporations, being awarded the Most Successful Team in Central and Eastern Europe in 2004. That was possible, among other things, due to my structured approach, developed after having my MSC graduation, during my scientific research activity, acknowledged through 10 scientific patents.
Because I discovered, even at a later stage in my life, thanks God, my true call and passion: coaching, supporting people to rediscover and reach the power within themselves and enjoy a life full of harmony and prosperity.
When I started to look for a coach training program, first of all I looked for ACTP ICF accredited programs. The International Coaching Academy name attracted my attention, and I started to study the profile and program details. Being impressed by the very flexible and comprehensive schedule and curriculum.
I still remember the wonderful supervised coaching sessions, the peer coaching and the wonderfull people I interacted with. I still appreciate very much the challenging but clarity bringing Research Paper and Coaching Model paper works.
In my twenties, after a few years of martial arts ( karate ) training, I started to have a feeling that something is missing, so I asked myself: “ Well, I learned very many techniques, I made my body stronger than ever, what is missing ? Is there anything beyond that ? “ I did not know at that time, but my master was having the same kind of thoughts. And because like attracts alike, he had a revelation which he instantly shared with us: “In martial arts there are three components which are like the three legs of a tripod: the Body, the Technique and the Spirit. If any of these three legs is shorter or missing, the tripod will fall down. And the importance of each one is as follows: a strong spirit beats a strong technique, a strong technique beats a strong body.” We realized that we were missing the most important ingredient of all: the Spirit. Since then I began to build my life guided by a strong spiritual awareness, based on a strong and healthy body, through powerful and comprehensive skills and strengths….People say that I have a natural gift in making a conversation light and enjoyable, through a sensitive good sense of humor. That comes from my great joy of interracting with people, based on my strong belief that each human being has all it takes for living a life full of joy, harmony and prosperity, supported by a good body-mind balance. I also strongly believe that business can grow without “ scarifying “ the family or the private life, in harmony with everything that is, given the right perspective and approach.
CAREER COACHING
Anna Carlborg
My professional background is IT management in big financial companies of Australia. I have good experience in project management and team leadership. I have numerous professional achievements I am proud of but the one which is closest to my heart is a spontaneous hug and a thank you from one of my team members who in this unexpected way expressed his gratitude for my support which made positive difference to his family life.
Corporate career goals seemed to be not enough for me to feel professionally fulfilled. Something was missing until I realized that it was a human component. Then I experienced firsthand positive effects of executive coaching and the role of a coach seemed very good way to make a difference to lives of others and my own. Since then I wanted to become a coach to be able to make valuable contribution.
I have been leading a nomadic life style for a while moving between Australia and Poland. Online study seemed to be the best option to suit my needs and I found ICA in my internet search. I liked the information I found, ICA comes across as a professional academy and its links with ICF made a difference to me. All my contacts with ICA from day one were very encouraging, professional and friendly so the decision was easy.
My first ICA days are memorable even though it was a time of confusion and uncertainty for me. I felt lost for a while but this did not last long, the natives were friendly, so I relaxed and started to participate in discussions with time. The most memorable and pleasant experience, however, was my supervised coaching with Kathy Munoz, Jamee Tenzer and my three fellow students. The dreaded supervised coaching turned into very pleasant and significant learning for me.
The story I would like to share is about ICA friendships. I had to spend some time in a town where I did not have any friends and I felt isolated. This was the time I joined ICA. I did not join ICA for social reasons, but with time and when I started peer coaching I met wonderful people who became my friends. Some of them I have not met in person but this does not seem to matter, we will meet one day. The most important in my story is that if we are open and willing to trust and share, ICA can be not only a perfect coaching education ground but also a community where friendships can be formed.
SPIRITUAL COACHING
Christi Byerly
I’m bilingual in English and French and pursued a 12-year career in communications management for an international Paris-based firm. Though I attained a 6-figure salary and achieved recognition in my career, I found that corporate work was not what makes me “tick”. I truly enjoy the one-on-one work of coaching. I love helping people get to the next stage, be it a spiritual awakening, a new way to be open with feelings, a new connection in marriage and family, a new step or change in a career. Having lived in several cultures, I’ve become aware of what people long for in any culture. I know what it feels like to be the “odd one out”, what it feels like to take risks, how to take the plunge into new and difficult situations. And I have learned to trust the Source of all strength.
I benefited from being coached at two crucial points in my life. I had worked through a skills assessment about 15 years ago, and all the signs told me I would be a good counselor, teacher, leader, CEO…none of which seemed like the perfect fit. Only because the coaching field didn’t exist yet! Now that coaching has grown as a profession and I’ve grown in my life experience, we are a great match.
I chose ICA because of its international flavor and because the courses were offered at flexible times, so that I could have real class interaction with people I grew to know, all the way from Kenya. I also wanted to study at an internationally accredited school.
Most memorable for me was coaching a woman I have known my whole life, and whose stories I had heard many times before. Listening to her as a coach, I was able to understand and love her, and she was able to make major changes. That was exciting! I also benefited greatly from a course offered by my fellow classmate, Jeannie Sullivan. She taught more than a dozen of us how to lead in workshop settings, which was invaluable to me. I love the way ICA students share their knowledge with each other, helping one another grow and build on their skills and resources. And ICA management facilitates that for the students.
A few years back, my husband and I drove through the San Bernadino Pass between Italy and Switzerland, despite the large sign in many languages stating “Road Closed”. We nearly skidded off a cliff, nearly got stuck in a snow bank, and ended up with high fevers after the event, but we survived and learned to take Swiss driving instructions seriously.
HEALTH & WELLNESS COACHING
Amy Christensen
I received a Bachelor’s degree in music therapy from the University of Miami (FL), and enjoyed working in the field for a number of years. I worked predominantly with adjudicated youth and Alzheimer’s patients before switching my career path to marketing. Over the next eight years I worked in advertising and brand management for an ad agency, a Fortune 500 telecom company and a luxury destination club. My experience during that time covered project management, video and music production, and managing and producing International photo shoots. I enrolled with ICA October 2009, graduated in June 2010 and launched my new business as a full-time life coach at Expand Outdoors shortly after graduation.
After years working in a corporate environment, I quit my job as Brand Manager in June of 2008. After in-depth personal exploration, I realized that I am drawn to helping people reach for, and achieve their dreams. I hear so many people talk about why they could never do something (it’s too late, too inconvenient, they’re not good enough, etc.) and I wanted to scream, “of course you can!” I wanted to find a way to utilize my background as a music therapist, my experience in the business world, along with my passion for the outdoors to develop a career that I adore. Life coaching kept coming up and I realized I wanted to help others integrate health and fitness into their daily lives, emphasizing the powerful connection of the outdoors.
For its flexibility, versatility and professionalism. The philosophy that there is no “one right way to coach” really resonated with me. I saw the potential to really make my business my own, with the solid foundation ICA provides, along with the lifetime access to new classes and programs.
Meeting and getting to know classmates and colleagues while gaining so much more wisdom, confidence and self-assurance in my career and life in general.
I’m a late-blooming athlete. As a child, I enjoyed music and dance (violin, chorus & ballet), and never really felt like I fit in with the sports teams (or was good enough). After graduating from college in Florida, I moved to Colorado and was introduced to the outdoors and tons of new ways of being active. I began to run (my first mile ever) at the age of 26. Ten years later I ran my first 50-mile ultra trail race. Over the years, I’ve adopted a ton of new sports, learned invaluable life lessons, and experienced deep, personal transformation in every area of my life.
EXECUTIVE COACHING
Ben Koh
http://www.successmotivation.kz
Founder of Success Motivation in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Certified EQ Trainer and Facilitator with Six Seconds, Certified NLP Practitioner with Self Leadership International, Certified Career Consultant, Qualified Experiential Learning Trainer, Associated Consultant with Success Resources, Singapore.
I strongly believe that coaching helps to bridge the gap between classroom learning to real life application and thus enable successfully training transfer. Established certification like ICA Professional Certified Coach provides stronger creditability and strengthen our branding.
The continual support after graduation, established training and assessment system, professional and experienced trainer, interactive and cross-cultural interaction with other students.
Attending the Supervised Coaching and tele-class, especially during the discussion.
I married to a beautiful and loving wife, Ms Rakhimgaliveya Maiya in 2006 and have 2 wonderful children, Jasmine and Daniel. I am passionate about living a purposeful life. I am firm advocate of hard work and taking decisive action for your personal life. To experience success in life, you must be prepared to develop yourself.
PARENT COACHING
Janice Learmond-Criqui
http://coaching4ideallife.wordpress.com/
Worked in the telecommunications and energy sector in administrative positions. Strong IT background in the area of computer software; teaching different types of computer software to all levels of Management and Non-Management; developed databases in Access and intranets.
At age 46 I realized that I had to start my retirement planning. What was I going to do after I was given the golden handshake at age 65? My sister, Josephine is responsible for pointing me in the direction of coaching when she gave me the book: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield to read. While reading it, this is where I got my AHA moments. I realized that my purpose in life is to educate and inspire people based on courage, purpose and happiness. Jack mentioned that he was a Life Coach and he talked about his experiences. This was the start of my journey and finally taking 100% responsibility for my life.
ICA came highly recommended by Lydia Mattison who is a graduate. The cost of training was a major factor and the payment plan was the deciding factor. I liked the international flavor of the community and the energy of the facilitators.
hmmm, this is a tough one. I would have to say my Supervised Coaching. During the sessions, I made discoveries about myself as a coach and I learned a lot about the coaching experience from my facilitators re their insights and final comments.
1997 Old Year’s night, 36yrs old, I sat with pen and paper and wrote down all the qualities that I wanted in the man that I was going to marry in the New Year 1998. One of the most important qualities was the ability to get along with my father who is the patriarch of the family. In February, Carnival season, I was preparing some manuals for a training session on the Monday and my sister June, particularly dragged me away from what I was doing to go to a fete (open air party) at Mt Hope Hospital Grounds. There I met my husband, Ulric Miller. After a very, very short romance, we got married in June 1998 and the rest is history. Four stepdaughters and my son with Ulric, my husband and I are still together. What a life!!! Would I ever repeat it, yes – but with the knowledge that I have now. ……. I am a true Gemini which means that I have double personalities. Funny, creative, fun loving and very family oriented. Known as “red” in Trinidad, which means that I am neither white nor black. There is a saying that says: “Don’t mess with red women, they are not easy.”
