The first time I heard about Soul Coaching was over a bowl of ramen. A lovely human, and recently certified life coach, was creating a program for self discovery and asked that I join. With a mouthful of spicy miso, and little understanding of what I was getting into, I said yes. I'll always be grateful that I did.
Fast forward 3 months and here we are. I've completed the program and still wont shut up about it or the wonderful person who orchestrated it all.
Her name is Margaret. She's a Life Coach, a business lady, a student, a healer, a friend - and most importantly, a girl with a plan.
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Margaret began her journey with life coaching as a client. "It was February 15th 2015," she said, pointing to a page in an old journal where all her memories live. She chose to hire a life coach after feeling unfulfilled with therapy alone. "I don't really remember what the specific issue was with my therapist, but I felt like I needed more," she explained.
*side note - therapy is clinical and works for some but not for all. This article isn't meant to derail anyone from getting whatever help they may need. I'm just sharing someones journey. Cool? Cool.
Her mother, Linda, was also a life coach at the time and connected her with someone to talk to. From what Margaret can recall, her first session broke through the barriers that used to hold he back. She felt safe, heard, and in the proper space to heal. Since that day, they've talked once a week for the past four years. Like a moth to a flame, Margaret soaked up every bit of light in each session. Even so, making the transition from client to coach didn't cross her mind until last spring.
Before she pursued coaching, Margaret dipped into social media management and music/fashion PR. She tried a couple of different internships but nothing ever stuck. Thinking of her past attempts at 9 to 5 a smile sneaks onto her face, "when I was in the offices I would just be like fuck this," she said bluntly.
It wasn't the work ethic or company structures that didn't sit well, her drive was simply tethered to something else. "Chris, my life coach, was always like Margaret you're a healer," she said. Though she often refused to believe him, one night in Copenhagen changed her attitude forever.
When an upset friend needed a listening ear, she decided to create a safe space in her apartment abroad. During their conversation she found herself coaching him through his through his troubles with techniques she'd picked up from Chris. "I didn't even realize I was doing it until after," Margaret said, "Then once I stepped out of it I realized 'oh my god' I just did that."
The rest is history.
Since then Margaret has become a certified life coach through Soul Space, gained a weekly client, started a group session, and is currently planning her next venture. In its simplest form, Margaret describes Soul Coaching as providing a space for individuals to gain self-awareness and build confidence.
She hopes to continue creating these spaces after college. The plan thus far is to move back to Chicago and start a life coaching program for graduating middle and high school students. "It's really important to me to talk to young people about how acting out and feeling triggered is normal," Margaret said, "people carry around so much energy that isn't even theres."
Overall, Margaret wants to help people feel validated. "I just always felt so crazy when I was little," she said, "I always felt annoying. Misunderstood. Misrepresented." These characteristics, she notes are ones that everyone feels at some point. "I really want people to have that comfort in knowing that they're not crazy," she adds, "they're not too much."
Margarets not the type to fantasize about the future. In fact she finds it rather limiting. "I want to be really open to everything, so I don't want to visualize the wrong shit," she tells me. Although, if she could chose, the ultimate goal is to become an executive coach for large companies. (aka - the person who runs team building retreats).
No matter where life takes her, Margaret will always be grounded in her love for helping others. It's a quality she just can't shake. That being said, if you have a chance to take her class (or anyone else for that matter) - do it. Even if it means saying yes to something you don't understand, be open to the possibility of something new.
Margaret began her journey with life coaching as a client. "It was February 15th 2015," she said, pointing to a page in an old journal where all her memories live. She chose to hire a life coach after feeling unfulfilled with therapy alone. "I don't really remember what the specific issue was with my therapist, but I felt like I needed more," she explained.
*side note - therapy is clinical and works for some but not for all. This article isn't meant to derail anyone from getting whatever help they may need. I'm just sharing someones journey. Cool? Cool.
Her mother, Linda, was also a life coach at the time and connected her with someone to talk to. From what Margaret can recall, her first session broke through the barriers that used to hold he back. She felt safe, heard, and in the proper space to heal. Since that day, they've talked once a week for the past four years. Like a moth to a flame, Margaret soaked up every bit of light in each session. Even so, making the transition from client to coach didn't cross her mind until last spring.
Before she pursued coaching, Margaret dipped into social media management and music/fashion PR. She tried a couple of different internships but nothing ever stuck. Thinking of her past attempts at 9 to 5 a smile sneaks onto her face, "when I was in the offices I would just be like fuck this," she said bluntly.
It wasn't the work ethic or company structures that didn't sit well, her drive was simply tethered to something else. "Chris, my life coach, was always like Margaret you're a healer," she said. Though she often refused to believe him, one night in Copenhagen changed her attitude forever.
When an upset friend needed a listening ear, she decided to create a safe space in her apartment abroad. During their conversation she found herself coaching him through his through his troubles with techniques she'd picked up from Chris. "I didn't even realize I was doing it until after," Margaret said, "Then once I stepped out of it I realized 'oh my god' I just did that."
The rest is history.
Since then Margaret has become a certified life coach through Soul Space, gained a weekly client, started a group session, and is currently planning her next venture. In its simplest form, Margaret describes Soul Coaching as providing a space for individuals to gain self-awareness and build confidence.
She hopes to continue creating these spaces after college. The plan thus far is to move back to Chicago and start a life coaching program for graduating middle and high school students. "It's really important to me to talk to young people about how acting out and feeling triggered is normal," Margaret said, "people carry around so much energy that isn't even theres."
Overall, Margaret wants to help people feel validated. "I just always felt so crazy when I was little," she said, "I always felt annoying. Misunderstood. Misrepresented." These characteristics, she notes are ones that everyone feels at some point. "I really want people to have that comfort in knowing that they're not crazy," she adds, "they're not too much."
Margarets not the type to fantasize about the future. In fact she finds it rather limiting. "I want to be really open to everything, so I don't want to visualize the wrong shit," she tells me. Although, if she could chose, the ultimate goal is to become an executive coach for large companies. (aka - the person who runs team building retreats).
No matter where life takes her, Margaret will always be grounded in her love for helping others. It's a quality she just can't shake. That being said, if you have a chance to take her class (or anyone else for that matter) - do it. Even if it means saying yes to something you don't understand, be open to the possibility of something new.
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