How I Went from Coaching Client to Future Coach
I first published this as an article on LinkedIn, but think it’s worth sharing here.
I didn’t set out to become a coach. In fact, when I first worked with a life coach, I wasn’t even thinking about coaching as a profession. I just wanted to get my photography out into the world. But looking back, I can see how each coaching experience I’ve had shaped my mindset, not just about personal growth but about what’s possible when you have structure, support, and the right kind of guidance.
My First Coach: From Hobbyist to Artist
My introduction to coaching wasn’t through a book or a podcast—it was through my neighbor. He was a life coach, and I got curious. At the time, I had been doing landscape photography for years, but I’d never exhibited my work publicly. I was intrigued by the idea of working with someone to help me figure out what that next step could look like.
With my first coach, the goal was simple: get my work into a show. My biggest challenges? Self-doubt and feeling overwhelmed by all the ways I could start. Coaching gave me structure. We mapped out a plan, and my first step was to find a small group show.
That led me to being accepted into a small group show at a local coffee shop. From there, I kept going—getting into more shows, larger ones, and eventually having my work displayed solo in a downtown Chicago restaurant. The biggest moment? Getting into a prominent local art museum’s group exhibition, where my piece was featured on a large wall and, to my surprise, became the most talked-about piece of the night. I sold it, along with a second requested copy.
That experience taught me firsthand how powerful coaching can be when you have a goal but need structure and accountability to make it happen.
My Second Coach: Shifting to a Business Mindset
Because my first experience with coaching had been so successful, I decided to try it again—this time for something different.
I had been thinking about a business idea for a while. Social media was new, and I noticed that many artists weren’t doing much to market themselves. I had purchased art at fairs, yet never heard from those artists again. I saw a gap—artists needed help with contact lists, social media strategies, and marketing. I wanted to create a consulting service to help them.
With my second coach, the focus was on structuring my ideas into a real plan. I had the vision, but once again, I needed help organizing my thoughts and defining clear steps to move forward.
With a clear strategy in hand, my first step was market research. I started talking to artists, attending panels, and listening to their perspectives. What I learned changed everything. There was massive resistance—many artists saw marketing as “selling out,” and social media felt foreign to them. I realized that before I could even offer my services, I’d have to tackle a much bigger problem: convincing artists to change their mindset from one of not “selling out” to one of using their creativity to finance their ability to continue full time as a working artist. That was a completely different business challenge I wasn’t ready to tackle. In hindsight, I was a bit ahead of the times and artists would eventually embrace social media and marketing, but my existing plan would have to wait.
Even though I didn’t move forward, this coaching experience showed me something important—coaching isn’t just about personal development. It can be a powerful tool for business planning, too.
My Third Coach: Preparing for My Own Coaching Journey
Through these experiences, I started reading more about coaching, following coaching topics, and, honestly, just dreaming about becoming a coach myself. But for years, I put it off. Financially, I wasn’t in a place to walk away from my UX career, and the idea of making a full transition felt risky.
Then last year, my employer added life coaching to their mental health benefits, and I had six sessions available. This time, I knew exactly what I wanted to focus on: getting myself ready to become a certified coach.
With my third coach, I worked on logistics—researching certification programs, defining my niche, and figuring out the right path forward. I knew I wanted to work late-career professionals like myself. My coach gave me a key insight: if I was going to do this, I needed a program that didn’t just teach coaching skills but also business development. There was no point in becoming a great coach if I didn’t know how to actually build a coaching business.
This time, everything aligned. I was closer to retirement, financially stable, and in a position where I could explore coaching as part of my future without major risk. The path to certification began with enrollment in a 22-week accredited program. (As of this writing, I’m nearing the end of the requirements phase and am aiming to have my full certification by summer.)
The Biggest Shift in My Thinking
Now, after working with three different coaches, studying coaching for years, and taking the steps toward certification myself, I see coaching differently than I did when I started.
The biggest realization I’ve had in my coaching journey is that working with a coach benefits you in a multitude of areas. A coach can help you strategize, goal set, overcome questions of what to do next or how to move forward from where you are to where you want to be. The possibilities are limitless because your potential is limitless. A coaching relationship is about uncovering the solutions already inside you.
That’s what I want to bring to others. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, to have ideas but not know how to move forward, to second-guess yourself when facing big transitions. I also know how much structure, clarity, and the right kind of support can change everything.
And that’s why I’m becoming a coach.
Feeling stuck or unsure about what’s next? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Coaching helped me navigate major transitions, and now I help others do the same. If you’re ready to explore new possibilities and create a path forward, let’s talk.
Reach out and let’s see how we can work together. Your next chapter starts with one conversation.
