Empowering Caregivers: Coach Amy Pierre-Russo on Holistic Coaching & Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

I was drawn to coaching while working in Human Resources (HR). I wanted to support professional's unique goals. I became a Certified Life and Leadership Coach to fulfill that need. I've since coached many professionals and entrepreneurs witnessing how juggling professional aspirations and the responsibilities of caring for a family can become a burnout-inducing tug-of-war. I now support parents and other caretakers to lead happier lives. It's been a great culmination of my need to see more people thrive within their work while satisfying my coach instinct to see more people lead fulfilling and productive lives.

My coaching business is called, Excelsior Professional Coaching. I focus on supporting parents and other caretakers to lead happier lives. My website is ExcelsiorProCoaching.com.

I hold a Life & Leadership Certification from The Academy of Creative Coaching. I was drawn to this program because it focuses on meeting clients where they are and understanding their true needs. The curriculum emphasizes diversity and considers the unique factors that affect our individual experiences, mindsets, and lives. Additionally, I have a Whole Person Coaching certification from Coach Training World. I chose this program to deepen my skills in holistic coaching. I believe that when a significant event occurs in one area of our lives, it can create a ripple effect that impacts other areas. I never want to diminish these experiences; instead, I welcome my clients to bring their whole selves to our coaching sessions, even on difficult days. This allows us to work through challenges together and develop a plan for moving forward. Both of these certifications are accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), where I'm a member and engage in continuing education.

I found the CoachVantage platform to be robust in creating a positive client experience. I also have a WordPress website where I house my blog. The ICF has a number of partnerships with services that make a coaches life more efficient. It's been a great place to check when shopping needs as partners typically provide discounted rates for ICF members.

Some common limiting beliefs that my clients hold include: 1. The idea that it is impossible to be a great parent while simultaneously achieving their professional aspirations. 2. The belief that they need to handle the bulk of their to-do list themselves, otherwise it won't be done properly. 3. A feeling of inadequacy, often characterized by imposter syndrome or a lack of confidence, which prevents them from pursuing what they truly want. I have worked with clients to overcome these challenges by: - Helping them brainstorm and clarify their ideal vision for life. Many clients operate in reactive mode throughout their days and rarely take the time to proactively cultivate a vision. Once we identify what they are working toward, we can develop a plan to achieve it. - Assessing situations to identify opportunities for additional support. - Engaging in deep work during our sessions to explore the origins of these limiting beliefs. While it can be difficult, our collaboration creates momentum that reduces self-criticism. Over time, clients gather enough evidence of their capability, intelligence, and worthiness to pursue their aspirations. I particularly enjoyed celebrating the success of an entrepreneur client who effectively built out her team while arranging extra care for her children during the summer months. This proactive planning ensured that her business wouldn’t lose momentum during the summer which happened to be her industry's busy season!

This is a big question because I've learned that caring for myself is essential! As coaches, we tend to be compassionate and empathetic. Establishing a routine to reset and turn inward allows me to release any emotional baggage from my clients and creates a fresh space for future sessions. Activities like going for a walk, practicing yoga, journaling, and reviewing my affirmations not only support me as a coach but also enhance my overall well-being. Being a coach holds me accountable for prioritizing these practices, allowing me to avoid being a hypocrite when supporting my clients with prioritizing themselves.