Coach in the Spotlight - Ali Shaw

I was brought to coaching after having spent the first 20 odd years of my professional life working as a television presenter where I went on to achieve far more than I had ever believed I could as a nineteen year old starting out in the supposedly glitzy world of showbiz! After having pestered literally hundreds of producers I got my first audition, and subsequently my first job, presenting a teenage magazine show where I was given the chance to try my hand at all sorts of things, including presenting a piece to camera with a 20 foot python draped around my neck to playing football with some very cute lion cubs.

More recently I was a presenter on the ITV national news, Sky Sports News and Manchester Utd TV. Whilst I do love my work, latterly I began to feel that I was ready for a new challenge. I spent a year mulling over so many potential new ventures, and came across the 2 day foundation course offered by The Coaching Academy. I had no hesitation in signing up and can quite honestly say that since that weekend back in January 2015, it has changed my life.

Everyone that I have met through the Academy has inspired me - the passion and drive to help other people fulfil their potential is so powerful and rewarding - I caught the bug. I came away from that weekend with more than a spring in my step. I knew that after a whole lot of soul searching I had stumbled across the profession that I wanted to pursue for at least the next 20 years of my life! The fact that I could learn how to bring out the best in people, and how to walk alongside my clients until they, like me, could achieve what they really want to do in life, was the most inspiring thing I had experienced for many years.

I signed up for The Life Coaching Diploma and when the big box full of goodies got delivered to my door from The Coaching Academy I couldn't wait to delve in and get cracking. Life threw up a few challenges that year, so it wasn't until January 2016 that I got to really throw myself into the course, and throw myself into it I did. I completely immersed myself in all things coaching - I couldn't get enough of it! I found myself doing sessions with the most wonderful and interesting people, all of whom shared a passion to move forward with their lives and to be the very best them they could be. How inspiring is that?!

The Accelerator days were a real highlight for me. To be in a room full of like-minded, motivated and energised people was uplifting and invaluable. And the food was pretty good too! Throughout my studying I was, and still am to an extent, presenting. This meant that I had to exercise a fair bit of self-discipline to pack in all the various facets of my life.

I worked with my coach to devise a workable timetable that allowed me time to work, be a mum, a wife and also to study (but not necessarily in that order)! This worked really well and meant that I could wear all my hats at different times throughout the week. There were sacrifices to be made, but because I enjoyed the coaching so much it didn't really feel like a sacrifice.

Having qualified in July I am now in the process of marketing my coaching business AD-Coaching, which is in its infancy. I had plenty of 'pro-bono' clients throughout my training and since qualifying I have been marketing my business to gain more clients.

My life has completely transformed to being one of new and bright challenges every day where I meet (mainly via Skype) some truly wonderful people. The rewards through seeing my clients grow is immeasurable and I feel so blessed to be in a position to do that.

I really enjoy coaching in issues around confidence and motivation, but am also branching into coaching people going through auditions and job interviews. I felt there must be a way to marry up my professions and this seemed to be a good way of doing so.

To share my favourite question, it has to be, "What does it look like to you when you have achieved your goal". The way that people light up when they cast their minds ahead to that moment when they have actually achieved all that they are hoping for is beautiful. For me, it's a pivotal moment in the session and almost always helps increase my clients' vision and motivation.

For anyone out there wondering about a career in coaching I would say to attend The Coaching Academy free 2 day foundation course and experience it for yourself. For me it was truly life changing, and it just might be the same for you.