Story Of A Coach In Training

If you’ve ever wondered what it is like to be a student of The Coaching Academy, training to be a Professional Coach, then this blog post is for you! We do love a trainee coach with gusto so when student Claudia Brown, Coach in Training, proposed an article providing a first-hand account for what it’s like to be a Coach in training we jumped at the chance.

What brought you to coaching?

I had taken part in some management training a few years ago which covered coaching and the GROW model. I also decided around that time to make a few changes in my life, I reduced my working hours as a Commissioning Manager at Staffordshire County Council, went back to college to study for a Foundation Degree in Photography which I loved, and once that was successfully completed I said to myself, "What next....?"

What were your original thoughts when applying for the coaching?

I googled ‘coaching’ and found the free 2 day coaching event which I attended with an open mind, to get as much out of the experience as I could and to then inform a decision on whether I wanted to go forward with training to be a coach, and if I did, then would it be with the Coaching Academy? After the 2 days, I thought, "Yes, these are MY PEOPLE! I want to be in their gang!"

What are you finding most interesting so far?

I’ve found the results from the DISC profiling quite a revelation both personally and professionally (I am a high I married to a high C!) and I am currently working on different ways to use the findings in my coaching sessions. I have also been interested in how many people from different walks of life with a variety of experience and backgrounds are also training.

What has been the most rewarding part of the training/journey so far?

Being able to apply the GROW model to other areas of my life to help me at work and with relationships with friends and family. I have met some really interesting people and hope to continue to do so! It is also making me far more self aware about my own potential and what I want to achieve and how I can do it all!

Which bits are you enjoying the most?

I am really enjoying the accelerator days. Not only is it a chance to meet other coaches, but the pace and content of the 2 I have attended have been really informative, the quality of the training is exceptionally high and the chance to practise the techniques as they are taught has been great.

How is the training slotting in with your current lifestyle?

Because of the flexible nature of the course, it is slotting in well. I work 26 hours a week at the ‘day job’ and then the rest of the time is structured around coaching sessions with clients, studying and doing the work attached to the modules and attending the accelerator days. I am being strict with myself in terms of time management and allotting time in my diary to study and I have planned ahead for the next months so I am clear about what I have to do and when.

Where are you now? How are you using your coaching skills?

I'm about to have my first practical assessment and I have completed 2 of the accelerator days. My reading pile is very tall. I am using my coaching skills to set my goals around completing my qualification (within 8 months and gaining a distinction) and my vision board keeps me on track. If I have a CBA moment (can't be arsed) I just have a quick look at that board.

Are you thinking about what your coaching niche will be? If yes, why did you choose it?

I am keeping open minded about this so I am receptive to whatever opportunities are ahead, but I would like to work with and empower women and I am also interested in working with sports professionals – both of which I currently have as clients.

What is the best thing that could happen in your coaching journey the next 2 years?

To gain a distinction in my qualification, to set up my own performance coaching business, to be running workshops and events around empowerment and coaching and to be working for The Coaching Academy as one of the trainers.

What is your favourite coaching question so far?

I have had the best responses so far with, "So, if someone else was asking you about this, what would you tell them?" or variations on that theme – what would your best friend tell you, your mentor, what would Madonna tell you to do?

What do you enjoy most about training to be a coach?

Developing new skills and applying them so I can work with people and watch the lights come on when they work out for themselves what they want to do and how to get there.

Top Tips so far

Be your own cheerleader – I keep encouraging myself and sorting out my gremlins, there is a group of them. They are called ‘The Saturdays’ and I tell them to be quiet on a regular basis.

Make a plan – Calendar diary dates for accelerator days and when you are going to do the work attached.

Get a coach! - Get your paperwork organised. Really. Do it! Just crack on and get some clients to practise on. I used Facebook and Twitter to recruit my clients – that’s how I got 7 out of my 9 clients!