Suzi Payton - Celebrating the strengths of neurodivergence

What has lead you to coaching?  

Back in 2011 I was working as a secondary school teacher and knew something was missing. I knew I was not fulfilling my purpose or my passion in life. In some respects, I was as I was helping children with their studies and with their development at a crucial stage in their lives which I loved. What I did not love however was the constant barrage of paperwork, endless planning and an uneven life–work balance!   

My Dad sent me some information about The Coaching Academy's Introduction to Life Coaching event to find out what coaching was all about. It was fantastic! I was so inspired and motivated that I signed up there and then. I knew that coaching was for me.

Most people become a coach to change the lives of others… How has coaching benefited your own life?

I have been working with an amazing coach who came along just at the right time. I have recently become a full-time entrepreneur and Jo, my coach, has helped me make a confident start. She has helped me with so much; from my money mindset – I used to worry about charging too much and felt uncomfortable talking about my prices. I am now confident in my value and speak up without fear!   

I have been working on my limiting beliefs and replacing them with far more helpful ones such as ‘speaking my truth sets other people free’. I have progressed in my business and am well on my way to where I want to be.

Coaching has highlighted my strengths and helped me overcome barriers that I did not even realise were there!

"I knew that coaching was for me."

How did the qualification slot in with your busy life?

At first, I studied in the evenings and at weekends around my job. However, at the time I had undiagnosed ADHD and quite a common feature of this neurodivergent condition is that people can lose interest as quickly as they gain it.  

 I let the studies slide and eventually I just stopped.   

What was the most rewarding part of your Coaching journey?

In early 2020 when the world changed, I was furloughed from my role as a skills advisor for the YMCA. I thought to myself ‘what can I learn’? I made a list; learn the ukulele, learn Greek, do some online courses.  

Then the answer hit me, I could pick up my TCA Life Coaching Diploma studies and complete them!   

And so I did. I threw myself into my studies and coached 7 practice client’s pretty much full time. I knew that this was where my vocation was heading. Seeing the transformations in my practice clients confirmed that I was on the right path.

"I am currently creating a 12-week programme for other ADHDers that combines 1:1 coaching, comedy improv and live training sessions."

Tell us about the work you do! How are you using your coaching skills?

I am now full time self-employed. I coach other neurodivergent people to see how brilliant their unique brains are. I support people to get organised, create new habits and build their confidence.

I am also a comedian and teach comedy improvisation to adult beginners. Put simply, I spread the joy of improv by making a safe and supportive space for people to create short scenes ‘in the moment’ based on a location suggested by the group i.e., hairdressers on Mars! The result?  

Hilarity, increased confidence and the joy of playing!  

I am currently creating a 12-week programme for other ADHDers that combines 1:1 coaching, comedy improv and live training sessions.

I also deliver mindful autism training to organisations with a focus on strengths, understanding and acceptance.  

I help people to support autistic people by taking a person-centred and holistic approach where communication is key.

What’s the biggest area in coaching you are curious about and why?

I’m fascinated with the brain and its ability to hold us back by offering us thoughts that essentially do not help us.  

I am looking forward to doing more research in limiting beliefs.

What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a life coaching career?

Just do it!

What are the best resources that have helped you along your coach training?

The live and online accelerator days were all excellent!   

Would you like to make a positive and lasting difference to others, just like Suzi does?

Would you like to have a coaching business you can run from the comfort of your own home? The free Introduction to Life Coaching training sessions are available for you to join. They are interactive, informative and designed to help you understand if training to be a life coach is for you.

Take positive action, project forward and plan for a year to remember for all the right reasons. Choose from available dates here.