Wave 2 of our #RideTheWave coach training programme which began in September 2020 was a workshop with a difference. This time, aspiring coaches from across the world dialled into our virtual classroom (aka the Beach Hut!), to begin their training to become professional coaches.

We approached the virtual experience with some trepidation, curious as to how the journey to become a coach might be different in a virtual world, rather than face to face. However, on the Welcome Call the group began to collaborate, learn and laugh immediately, reassured by the opportunity to use the chat and get to know each other in the breakout rooms. One of our new #RideTheWave coaches commented: “As an introvert who is massively out of my comfort zone, I felt the Zoom protocols worked well for me personally. The 'chat facility‘ on Zoom was excellent and allowed another avenue for communication.”

By  Coach J' , #RideTheWave Alum
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Standing ankle-deep in the sea on the pebble beach of Praia Da Garajau in Madeira, I looked as far as my eyes could see.  Where the sky appears to blur into the sea, and the clouds created random stepping stones, had me reflecting on my journey to become a qualified coach and mentor - what I should be doing versus what I am doing. Basically, I wanted to have a bit of a pity party.  But instead, I had an a-ha moment, and for the first time in years, I felt connected to my vision and dreams.  I saw my fears and acknowledged that I am the only person putting limitations on my both my coaching practice and personal life.  Beyond how far the eye can see is unlimited possibilities for anyone who dares to look in the distance.  Such an overwhelming moment, that renewed my faith in me and unblurred my vision - not only could I see my dreams come true, but I felt its energy in my body.

That moment was quickly broken as a wave came and almost swept me off my feet.   But I stood firm, and it felt so good to stand strong against the stone-cold wave that had come up to the shore of the beach and covered my legs - an unpredictable force of nature. As I watched the water recede,  I became curious about the formation of a wave and wondered what I could learn from the motion and formation of waves.

Here's the chance to learn a little bit more about Co-Founder, Sonya, as she talks candidly to Stephen Clements, in his podcast - The Curious Coach.

By Lucy Bramley, #RideTheWave Alum

Do you have a robust plan for work and life? Have the next 5 years all mapped out? Look back on your life’s achievements with pride at a job well done?
No, me neither!!!

I bimble through life on a rollercoaster of trepidation, joy and guilt. I regularly feel that life is something that happens to me. I’m usually surprised by deadlines and tend to look back on each day feeling that, although I’ve been busy, I’ve just not achieved much.
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Let’s talk about techniques that you and I can utilise to make us feel more in control, and some simple tools to recognise our efforts and achievements.

These external stresses can be work related, relationships, money, mental health … the list is endless. Some clients, when external stresses were high, found it harder to be disciplined with tasks given to them regarding their gyms goals and therefore reducing their chances of achieving the results they’re working for.

This got me thinking and through this reflection I made a number of changes to my programming style to fit client’s external environment. I found the change to be really impactful to my clients’ stress levels, but there were still some inconsistencies.

Personal Training revolves around being a ‘people person’, the ability to listen well and be empathic. Although, for me, as someone who always wants to help and fix a problem I found myself being less of a sounding board but more of a ‘giver of advice’. I would try to guide a client’s actions to improve whatever it was they were struggling with in their day to day. My objective – if I can help them improve their external stresses, it will improve their chances of success in the gym. Where my intentions were always for the good of the client, my advice was more along the lines of; “this is what you should do” or “have you ever thought of trying this?”

I was advising clients on what to do, rather than allowing them to come to a decision they felt was best for them. Where this undoubtedly built trust it also leaves me as a trainer in very murky waters, especially if the outcome of my advice isn’t the desired one. I felt there had to be a better approach to helping clients with external stress and coaching in a way that puts them in the driver’s seat of their decisions.

Enter ‘Ride The Wave’ (RTW) Professional coach training. My first experience of executive coaching.

The course structure comprised three, three-day modules all of which were jammed packed with opportunities to learn, apply and reflect. The delivery of the course, incredibly interactive and relaxed, aiding in a great learning environment. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t walk into module one overly confident, thinking that “coaching people is what I do for a living, it’ll be easy”. Although for years I have been a ‘giver of advice’, but with my new skills in executive coaching, the strategy is not to advise, it’s to guide.

I really struggled at first, having to holding back my usual approach and taking a step back to listen. I was soon to realise that there is so much more to the art of executive coaching, a profession that requires knowledge of a vast number of coaching techniques and how best to apply them. This was uncomfortable at first, but I’m a firm believer in making the uncomfortable, comfortable, so this was a great challenge for me.

Lucy and Sonya are brilliant at what they do and enable you to really discover your own coaching style. They wanted us to bounce ideas off them and all the others on the course, giving us another opportunity to learn. The learning doesn’t just stop once you leave module three either. You build a network of fellow coaches and mentors to help continue your development in executive coaching.

#RideTheWave opened my eyes to how best to communicate with my clients. How, through the art of open questions and tools to help open perspective, you can help empower people to make their own choices to better their lives. I now use my coaching as a tool to bridge that gap between client goals and their habits outside the gym. The skills I have learned have completely changed my approach and role as a PT and will be forever grateful.

An exciting future awaits.

By Coach Dom (#RideTheWave Alum)

​There’s not been a lot of light for many of us in the last few COVID-dominated weeks, but today a brilliant ray of sunshine flashed into my life when the Association for Coaching informed me that I had achieved my Executive Coaching certification – and I was now an accredited Foundation Executive Coach. 

By Sonya Shellard.

I’ve been running accredited coaching courses in the UK for many years now and have been excited to watch them evolve and indeed feel privileged to have been part of that evolution.
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I am often asked what the essential components of any accredited coaching course should be, to help guide people when making their choice; so, I’ll share here what I think the key questions are that you should ask yourself...