#SH with Natalie
Hey Natalie, can you introduce yourself to us?
Hi, I'm Natalie! I am a personal coach and consultant. I merge my experience in healthcare, sociology, and my time in an ICF-certified coach training program to help clients create the lifestyle they desire. I recently relocated from city to farm, and I love to lead dance workshops online and at my local recreational center.
Can you take us through your self-love journey to where you are now?
I have always had love for myself, but I have had to learn how to enhance that love, and my self-worth, in particular. Unlearning codependent patterns in relationships of all kinds, surrounding myself with a supportive, yet objective team, and making sure I'm getting my needs met has me in a much better place than I was ten years ago!
What are some of your favorite self-love + self-care practices?
1. Dance is a great practice because it allows you to release pent up emotions while having tons of fun!
2. Being out in nature is a good one for me, too. Living on a farm has taught me so much, and I love walking around, exploring different aspects of it.
3. Practicing gratitude is also a big favorite of mine. It gets you out of your head really quickly.
4. Finally, I know everybody says this, but I love meditation. You can do it for as long or as short as you like, and in almost any way that feels comfortable to you. You can even do it while walking around on the farm (eyes open, of course)!
How would you like your self-love journey to inspire other women?
I want other women to know that they can do it too, no matter where they come from, what they look like, or even how they feel inside at this very moment. You can change anything you take responsibility for. And I want them to know that sometimes, it's easier than you think!
What has been your biggest challenge with your self-love journey?
Unlearning codependent behaviors, for sure. I am constantly in progress with that. I deeply believe in coaches getting coached, so I have my own coach who helps me!
Could you give us 3 of your favorite quotes? How do they inspire you?
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."
-Jim Rohn
I like this quote because it pretty much encompasses why I love helping people with lifestyle design--designing projects that they want to work on, that mean something to them. The client gets to choose what they want to do and how they go about doing it--I just get to facilitate, reflect, hold them accountable, and show them where they might have blocks. Designing projects gets my client and I in a space of creativity, where just about anything is possible. The world will quickly make a plan for you if you don't take a stand for what you want and need. So my clients and I take a stand for our purpose, our lifestyles, and our communities.
"Most of us spend our lives protecting ourselves from losses that have already happened."
-Geneen Roth
This quote rings so true! We as people often try to cope with things that have already happened through behaviors that ultimately end up hurting us. We specifically try to cope through a dependency on something--whether it's food, dysfunctional relationships of all kinds, substances, material items, etc. We must learn to truthfully accept these past losses for what they were, and work to move forward with grace to gain more than we ever could have back then.
"Do it afraid."
-Unknown
I love this quote because it reminds me to not let fear get in the way of achieving things for myself and for my community.
What are 5 of your favorite things about yourself?
Clients and friends have told me that I am warm, funny, wise, supportive, and that I have a knack for connecting with others. That makes me feel pretty good.
What is one major change that you made in your life that has affected you most positively?
Choosing to have faith and trust myself, no matter what happens.
Where can you see yourself within the next 3-5 years?
I see myself continuing to help my community with innovations in healthcare, wellness, and volunteer work. I see myself expanding my coaching business, as well as enjoying time with friends and family.
What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?
You can choose! You can be specific regarding who you serve, and the ways in which you serve. Hone in on the causes that are important to you. Those are the ones you can help the most with your natural talents, learned skills, and interests. This was a huge revelation for me.
Why did you choose to become a transformation coach?
I chose to be a coach because I love helping people in very close, detail-oriented ways. I wanted to foster that connection with people which is missing in so many services. Without that connection, that specified, undivided attention, we can often miss the mark, especially when dealing with the things that are most important to us. I wanted to help my community develop into what it always knew it could be.
How has your role as a coach fulfilled you?
My work helps foster connection, build support, and provides accountability. It allows me to be with people in ways I never have before, but also in other ways we crave--genuine, honest, thoughtful ways. I am very happy to be in this line of work. Every day, I learn more about business, authenticity, and best of all, people.
What is your favorite part of being a coach?
Hearing the shift in a client's voice when they reach a change in perspective and feel empowered to take action.
What is your favorite part of your day, and why?
Early morning when I am getting ready. It's quiet and there is so much possibility.
How do you measure your own terms of success?
I measure my success by how happy, content, and/or at peace I am with my life and my decisions.
What does #SelfHoneymoon mean to you?
To me, #SelfHoneymoon means to cultivate a place within yourself to go and experience self-love. It's a celebration of self.
Lastly, what in your self-transformation journey are you looking forward to exploring next?
Next, I will be developing my creative self-expression. I just love to dance, sing, and write, so I am continuing to teach and take lessons in these areas. I'm also looking forward to continuing to support Black farming initiatives, studying and exploring different roles in healthcare, and hopefully becoming a volunteer EMT in my new town. I'm looking forward to learning and evolving.
