Why I Coach: Embracing My Many Paths and Passions

Today I want to talk about something different. In fact, I want to talk about someone: me. For someone like me who generally prefers not to be at the centre of attention whenever possible, this makes for quite an interesting change. However, I believe this is actually needed here. Coaching is very personal, and relies heavily on the trust between coach and client. I always tell people that they will get out as much as they put in, and for that to happen, they need to feel comfortable enough to open up and be fully honest with me. So with this article I want to share more about who I am, my background, and what brought me to coaching, so that you can get a good feel for what it’s like to work with me.

Let’s go back to the very beginning

My professional journey is rooted in the financial services industry. I started off as a financial analyst at a leading North American investment bank, then transitioned into private equity, and eventually took on a challenging yet rewarding role at the UK’s financial services regulator. Beyond enabling me to develop a broad skillset, these moves enabled me to gradually course-correct my career trajectory so that it more closely aligned with my values, motivators and key strengths. This is something that took me years to gain awareness of and embrace. In fact, I was lucky enough to work with a coach, which significantly accelerated this process of self-discovery and gave me the confidence to go after what I really wanted.

From stumbling into coaching to finding my passion

My path into coaching, however, was almost accidental. It began with a desire to enhance my people management skills, recognising that while strong technical expertise had propelled my career thus far, it wasn’t enough if I wanted to excel at managing and leading others. What started as a practical career step quickly evolved into the discovery of my true passion.Through this process, I realised how much I thrive on learning and novelty. For years, I questioned whether I should have pursued a singular path, diving deeper and deeper into one direction. By practicing what I preach as a coach, dedicating time to understand myself and reflect, that I found peace with my need for change and thirst for ongoing learning. Embracing my full self, I stopped worrying about external opinions (except from those whose views I deeply value!) and leaned into my adaptability, creativity, and exploratory nature, along with my passion for growth through diverse experiences.

Building Coaching Stream

Coaching Stream was born from this personal journey, and reflects both who I am and my philosophy: that we should embrace the constant change in our lives with curiosity and excitement. This belief drives my work with clients, helping them uncover what truly matters and navigate their journeys with confidence and authenticity. My work is guided by four core values that underpin my business and coaching philosophy, shaping every interaction with my clients:

• Connection: I build a partnership based on trust, where you can be fully open and honest without fear of judgement, and feel empowered to step outside your comfort zone. Through greater self-awareness and strengthened relationships, you can achieve what you truly want.

• Curiosity: I meet every client with an open and inquisitive mindset, actively listening and asking powerful questions. This fosters your self-discovery and helps align your actions with your true purpose. It also reflects my own commitment to ongoing development as a coach, ensuring I can remain in the best service of my clients.

• Freedom: I help you embrace your authentic self, unburdened by external expectations, while finding balance in life’s responsibilities. It’s about creating the independence – emotionally and financially – that allows you to thrive.

• Balance: I believe that understanding and managing life’s priorities in a sustainable way is a key component of resilience. This isn’t about avoiding challenges, but enabling you to resource yourself to withstand them as they arise and move past the discomfort.

What it’s like to work with me, in my clients’ words

Clients often describe working with me as a balance between insightful exploration and practical application. When you work with me, you’ll enter a space that is reflective, empowering, and deeply supportive, where you can explore your challenges and gain clarity – often leading to breakthroughs you might not have achieved on your own. I’ll provide the structure and accountability to turn insights into meaningful progress, while also challenging you with tough questions that make you pause and reflect. When needed, I’ll be your thinking partner, helping you generate new ideas or approach situations from a fresh perspective.

Looking ahead

If you’ve read all the way to this point, let me first say thank you for stepping into my world. If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my story, it’s that it is never too late to change. If you’ve been going around in circles for a while, knowing you’re not where you want to be but still wondering where you’d like to go or how to get there, then it’s time to take action, because nothing changes if nothing changes. From someone who has done it herself and helped many others do it too, I can guarantee that you absolutely can as well. I’m truly excited to show you what’s possible. If you are ready to find out, it could not be easier – book your discovery call now and let's get down to work.