We sat down with Alicia Walker, a Certified Wellness Coach. During this chat, we asked her some basic questions about her skills, beliefs and of course – her strengths! All graduates are encouraged to provide a follow-up interview after a coach has earned his or her credential. Getting feedback from coaches in practice helps us in the development of coaching training for Wellness Coaching success. Over time we will use our blogspace to feature a graduate we think you’ll find interesting!
Are You a Great Wellness Coach?
| What Do You Identify as Your Key Strengths? | |
| Intellectual Wellness: Creativity: I believe creativity is a gift. It allows me to be open and flexible when communicating with different people of different backgrounds and personalities. I’ve learned that creativity is not something that everyone has easily or some not at all. This gift can be applied in the way I coach by allowing me to hear and understand what the client is trying to communicate when it is difficult for them to “spell” it out completely. It will allow me to maneuver around how to question the individual in order to get the results or answers needed. Spiritual Wellness: Principles and Values: I am comfortable and sound in my spirituality, understanding and loving. I feel deeply and hope that all people can heal and become their better selves. They deserve it. I will not do anything that would hurt a person so, I take everything into account when coaching. Being aware of how they may be feeling and doing so with high moral standards. Interpersonal/Social Wellness: I encompass all these and more: compassionate, friendly, good-natured, supportive. I believe that these things contribute to being an excellent coach, because when people feel that someone truly cares about them they become a little more open to trusting them. This, in turn, means they may open up and speak more openly, more honestly. | |
| As a Newer Coach, What Opportunities for Growth do You See For Yourself? | |
| Body: My physical condition has declined in the last 3-4 years. All aspects of your whole self affects one another… The Condition of the Body affects the Mind.. The Mind Effects pretty much everything.. etc. So, taking steps to repair my physical condition will show my clients that I care about myself in turn it could motivate them to join in on the journey. I will be able to relate to them in a way that says ”Hey, no one is perfect. I have my challenges too. I am overcoming those challenges and so can you. If I can, so can you.” Habitat: Currently I am in a living situation that makes me a bit uncomfortable at times. I believe that cleansing my mental air by meditation and yoga I could over come some of those uncomfortable feelings. Social Participation: Because of some very uncomfortable experiences with people in my past I find that I have become more reserve. I am very cautious about the people that I allow in my space. This could be a good things, yes. However, it makes me avoid one of the things that bring me the most peace, socializing and going outside more. | |
| Excellent, Alicia! Now, describe your “Ideal-self” and “Vision Goals” | |
| The interests I listed above will help me become the product that I am looking to “sell” to my clients. Someone who is seen to have gone through a similar challenge and was able to overcome it, will be seen as someone that would have “proven” results. Someone with proven results is more likely to be trusted as someone with good advice. I believe that by me improving those things that I am weak in my business as a coach would grow. | |
| What Being and Doing Skills are The Easiest for You to Be/Do? | |
| Being Skill: Empathy: Being able to “walk a mile” in someone else’s shoes. I believe that shows that I can relate to the person. If I’ve gone through something similar or have experience with someone that has gone through I can gain a little more trust from the client. Doing Skill: Listening: Active listening which could include repeating what the client says (or summarizing it) reflects to the client that you care about what they have to say. This builds trust between myself as a coach and the client. | |
| After Much Reflection, What is Your Final Assessment of Yourself as a Coach? | |
| Discuss those things that I would like to change. Map out how I would like to change them and create steps to reach that goal. A step by step guide or checklist with dates to check in would be great depending on the individual’s desires. I believe that is what a coach may have me to do next. I believe a physical or check up with my doctor may be in the list. To assess where my health is. | |
