I love coaching, and I’m incredibly happy that I was able to move into this field. For me, one of the most powerful aspects of coaching is being able to help people transform their lives from inner vision to reality. It isn’t always easy to do this, but it’s always worth the hard work and effort. I know this because I lived it myself! If it weren’t for my own ongoing, personal life transformations, I wouldn’t be here today helping others achieve their deepest goals and dreams.

I’d like to share with you some of the most meaningful and memorable transitions I’ve made in my life so far, so you can see where I came from and how I got here. Though I know there will be many more transitions to come in my lifetime, the journey I’ve taken from student to professional career, to life coach has made a huge impact on me and those around me.

My favorite coach quote is this: “A coach has you do what you don’t want to do, so that you can become who you’ve always known you could be.” – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach (1960 – 1988)

My personal transition journey is both simple, and complex. I came to the U.S. about 10 years ago. I earned a BA in Statistics from Iowa State University. I later earned a master’s degree in Actuarial Science from Columbia University. I graduated and quickly began working in my field of study.

A few years into doing actuarial work, things seemed great, from the outside that is. I was making excellent money working for a great company, I had regular working hours, fun weekend activities, and I enjoyed eating at the best restaurants in NYC; however, on the inside I was totally miserable.

I knew in my heart that something was missing from my life. I didn’t care deeply about what I was doing for a living. There was no meaning for me. Actuarial science is a great an honorable profession, it just wasn’t my calling. I believe that we all have a special talent or interest that creates a spark and brings us joy, but did not feel fulfilled where I was. At that point I went through a deep period of introspection and reflection about myself and my life.

After a lot of deep thinking, I made a big decision to make serious changes in my life. I knew that I would need help and guidance to transform my life. I hired a career coach. It turned out to be a great decision for me. After an assessment and a few sessions my coach asked me if I would consider being a life coach. I did not see her vision for me at that point! I thought she was joking. At the time, I thought life coaches were very old, wise people, with long white beards and lots of earned wrinkles and knowledge. I thought “how can someone like me, in my 20’s, be someone’s life coach!” It seemed ridiculous to me. But in retrospect, I see that a seed had been planted.

At the same time, I was struggling over giving up the actuarial profession which I had spent so much time, money, and effort developing into a successful career. Until one day, I was introduced to Accomplishment Coaching. I requested a sample session. My coaching focus was whether I should change my career to coaching or continue as an actuary. Not once in the entire process did she tell me what I should do, she simply asked me questions. By the end of the session, I found my answer. I realized deep down I wanted to move into coaching, although I didn’t know exactly how to make that happen yet. The power struggle that had been in my head for more than a year was over, the answer suddenly became so clear in just one hour! I told myself that no matter what I did in the future, I wanted to have this skill so I can do the same for other people!

As an actuary, I made decisions based on valid historical data. I needed to have control, and I needed to know exactly how to proceed before making life decisions. Now I follow my inner compass instead of blindly following what other people do.

Though I knew at that I wanted to be a coach, after graduating from the coach training program, I didn’t have many clients! I didn’t have sufficient savings and coaching income yet to quit my actuarial job either. I had never started my own business before. I felt that I was just a woman from China who wanted to make a living in America. I was scared at that time that I wouldn’t make it. But one thing I had was trust, trust in myself and trust the process, this was a breakthrough from coaching. The company I worked for was very good to me, and I had a great job working with great people, but it wasn’t the right path for me. I knew I had to take the plunge if I wanted to live my authentic life. I mustered up my courage and I gave notice in August 2018. It was a huge leap of faith for me to leave a good, steady job to venture out on my own and into the unknown! I’ll admit, I was very scared, but I was also thrilled. I took a deep breath, set my goals, and focused on coaching, and guess what!? The money came, and more clients came.

“When you are on a journey to fulfill your personal legend, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.” – The Alchemist

It has been a wonderful journey so far. It took multiple large and small transitions for me to get here, but I became a full-time coach in September of 2018, and, as I might have mentioned, I love it!

Being a life coach is an ongoing evolution – a process of becoming continually free by breaking through the “prison cells” we set around ourselves. We help our clients to do the same so that they can break past old patterns and create the life they want. This is my daily goal. To help others achieve their desired transformations, as my coach helped me achieve mine, and continues to help me transform and grow!

My newest coaching endeavor that I’m very committed to is group coaching! Coach Hang Zhao and I have joined forces to develop an intensive six month program designed to help you free yourself from old habits and make meaningful, long-lasting life changes. Are you seeking your own transformation? You can learn more about this group coaching program – Career Transition Launchpad here.

If you are interested in this Career Transition Launchpad program, fill out the contact form and Pan or Hang will reach out to you for a free consultation session, alternatively, you can reach out to us via LinkedIn.