Blog

Transitioning to Coaching

7.30.22 - Ashley

I grew up knowing I wanted to help people. When I was young, I worked hard and according to those around me, I was, and still am, smart. Much of my time in school was spent tutoring others and encouraging them when learning new material was a challenge. As I entered my teen years, I began a little side hustle as a babysitter. Parents knew I was a straight A student and that I was duel enrolling in college courses at 16. Tutoring younger kids became a regular way to break up my own study schedule. It was amazing! I loved helping kids discover that they could learn anything, that their value as a person was not tied to a grade on a report card, and that sometimes taking a break was the best way to recharge and gain efficiency. Due to multiple losses of loved ones and a profound connection to those struggling with mental illness, I wanted to become a psychologist or at least a mental health counselor. My college major was psychology. I minored in English to fuel my passion, and religion to fill a requirement by my university. My associate's degree was earned at the community college with my student aid coming in the form of a note-taking and tutoring job, but during my time at university, my job shifted to an amazing opportunity as a teacher's assistant in a local elementary school. Incredible teachers not only supervised my time, but mentored me and when my little cousin died of cancer, they held me close in prayer, gave me much-needed hugs, and let me use my work as a lifeboat keeping me from drowning in grief. Those four ladies, along with the AP who was incredibly kind and supportive, gave me the greatest gift - purpose. Their love for teaching, for children, and for knowledge planted a seed in my soul. Shortly before grad school, I began working at a school for students with various exceptionalities which had special programming for students on the autism spectrum. Each day was challenging, rewarding, and filled with growth. I still wanted to be a counselor, but I also wanted to continue working in schools. School counseling became my focus. I finished my master's degree and started my first year as a school counselor by building a comprehensive counseling program for our school. Many challenges and not enough responses to my own needs and self-care led to major medical issues which pulled me away from education just a year later. I worked as a tutor with a local company until medical bills required more stability in pay. Four years of working in HR, two of which I had my own tutoring company, had me aching for connection with education, with schools. When a friend called saying that a new school offering Trauma-Informed care was looking for a middle school teacher, I knew I had to apply. It was pouring and I was 10 minutes late for my interview, dripping wet for having forgotten an umbrella, I was transparent about my experience, desires, and passion. I worked in that school for two years and learned an incredible amount about trauma's effects on the brain, meeting basic needs, and pushing students to be the best versions of themselves while loving them right where they were. Another opportunity arose and I took a middle/high position at another school developed for students on the autism spectrum. While I loved the classroom, 2020 turned the world upside down and another change was inevitable. As jobs were altered or cut, I sought out other opportunities and landed a position with the county as an elementary school counselor. One more change of schools, within the county, and I found the exact spot where I am meant to be. Throughout my career, I have always listened to my heart and prayed that God would move me to wherever he needed me to serve. The strategy has been flawless so far. That is why when I considered closing my tutoring company, I chose to rebrand, complete training, and transition into coaching. I did not feel it was time to close my business, our business since my husband joined after our wedding. We took time to discuss what this choice would mean for each of us, our relationship, and what it might look like. We discussed the goals and millions of ideas. We made a plan and we continue to adjust and discuss as things progress. What could have been an end is now a beautiful beginning and we are thrilled to be on the journey together.

So what is your story? Have you found your own passion, or are you still seeking that spark that ignites your soul? Are you where you want to be? Or is something acting as a barrier to your ideal version of you?

If you are struggling to find or fuel your passion, reach out to us! We would love to meet, help you define your goals, and celebrate when you reach them.