Becoming a coach transformed my life

In 2017, I remember the feeling of being happy while also feeling lost in my life. Our son was just born, I was working in a well established career as a sales leader in a fast growing software organization and things on the surface was great. But something didn't feel right and I couldn't figure out where to go next.

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Have you ever thought about using a coach?

This was a simple and thoughtful suggestion from a good friend and business contact who had used a coach himself to figure a path forward in life.

From there, I connected with David Ogle and our sessions began. I quickly realized the positive impact of having a coach by my side to explore, dive deep, partner and even challenge my own assumptions and stories I created in my own head. Through thoughtful questions and being a sounding board to my ideas, David was able to quickly help me see where I needed to go and what needed to happen. From there, I decided to quit my job, take 5 months off to help raise our son and spend as many precious moments with my ailing father who would soon pass from battling cancer.

Through my coaching conversations I started to distill what my true passion in life would be and what I was willing to say yes to, but more importantly to what I was willing to say no to. I found an exciting, fulfilling career with FranklinCovey who then supported me to pursue another passion that was starting to appear. Through my years leading sales teams, supporting clients and volunteering in the community, one thing stood clear to me and it was my love and desire to help people.


In 2019 I decided to enroll in the UBC Organizational Coaching program and completed the program in May 2020. I started the program with the intention of becoming a certified coach, not realizing it would transform my life. From this experience, I learned 4 key things that can be used in all facets of life, even more importantly in the times we're facing now.


Being present
One of the first things they taught us was the importance of staying present with your client. And this holds true for anything and everything we do in life. Be present, be still, be there in front of the person, moment or thought. With all that is happening in the world today, we spend too much time in the past and too much time in the future, none of which really matters.

Stay curious
We were taught this idea of inquiring below 'the waterline' with our clients. And this holds true for any conversation we have, with our clients, our partners, our kids, our neighbours, even ourselves. Stay curious with what is being said (and not said) and dig a bit deeper. There may be more than meets the eye and it typically comes up after a second or third pass.

No judgement, no attachment
Our ego is constantly knocking on our door and it's so important to question it's intent with every action, thought or question that arises. We are all experiencing this pandemic differently, how can we be kind to each other and ask, support and lead with no judgement and no attachment to being right or wrong.

Listen, no really listen
​How can we listen with our whole hearts with our colleagues and family members with the intent of understanding. Pause, even for a second or two after something has been said to really take it all in. Let them know you hear them, with your eyes and your energy. We can achieve so much more if we really listen to each other.

​Becoming a certified coach has been such a rewarding experience. I learned so much from the people I interacted with in cohort #8. I hope to use these new skills to better serve my clients, help strengthen my relationships and ultimately to help those that need help like I once did.