Oliver,

As I write this letter, I am on a date with myself.  This is time that I cherish as I reconnect with my inner-self while spending the day doing things that align with my values.  This is a strategy that you introduced to me; a strategy that has laid the foundation of my growth and healing and the reason I committed to our coaching relationship.

When I started working with you, I was overcome with stress, commitments and responsibilities that were draining me of my vitality and contributing to a lack of ownership in my life.  I felt stuck, fearful, and uncertain of my path.  I was a prisoner to my own busyness.  I lacked awareness to acknowledge my role in my own suffering.  I couldn’t “see” a way out.

Each week, I gained insights that helped me make changes in my life to reach my full potential.  I learned strategies and shifts in my mindset to take control of my life.  And not the life that I thought that I should have or what was expected of me but the life that I wanted, that I dreamed about. A life that I knew in my heart was meant for me. You held space for me and guided me along a path of self-discovery. Each week you listened with patient curiosity that helped me begin peeling back the layers of my story.  Uncovering my true self.

With your guidance, I discovered who I am at my essence and learned to separate what I did or labeled myself as, from who I am, my being.  I am of value and I am enough.  This insight set in motion so many changes in my mindset, habits, and life. I began making decisions that served me. I learned to speak my truth and set boundaries.  I learned to say “no” unless it was an overwhelming yes!  You have been the precursor to my growth.

After coaching calls with you, I felt energized and motivated to take ownership over my life, my healing, and my story.  Sometimes, the work was heavy, leaning into the pain teacher. Feeling emotions that I have left unfelt, pain that I left unhealed, experiences that I left untold.  On these days, I rested.  I learned to listen to my soul and honoured what it was saying.

When I started working with you, I truly didn’t know what to expect.  I remember being shy and doing more listening than expressing myself.  I took in the experience of our coaching relationship but also was willing to put in the work.  I was all in.  I was open to receiving guidance from you.

I approached each session with an open mind and heart knowing this would allow for the most value from my time with you.  You created a safe space for me to be vulnerable.  To be truly honest.  To be validated.  This allowed me to open up and express my truth.  I was brutally honest with my answers, facing myself with compassion.  You taught me that I could only heal what I was willing to face. I released fear, worry, control and expectation from my experience.  I became a master of my mindset and of my time. Our weekly meetings held me accountable to keep moving forward in my growth and healing.

The value that I have gained from working with you far exceeds my own life journey.  Through my work, I have healed past trauma and generational cycles of harm.  My children are the true beneficiaries of my work.  This was an unexpected outcome of healing myself.

I have changed my children’s paths.  The strategies that you taught me to elevate my growth, I use with my children.  In a way, I have become their coach.

Oliver, you have taught me a whole new language and way of being. I now lead with compassion, integrity, responsibility, awareness and love. My life is full of peace.  It is with so much gratitude that I owe you for guiding me on this journey.

Happy Holidays to you and Janet.

With so much love,

Alisia