CM: When did you complete the Transformative Coaching Essentials program and what are some of the most valuable things you got out of it?
JVA: I am Student Zero. I was the first enrollee in the first TCE in 2019 and completed the program that year.
I found my life and coaching purpose: To explore, inspire and empower myself and others.
I learned about my Sabotaging Voice – how to recognize her, how to set her aside, and how to focus on what is important to me.
I gained a true understanding of what it means to set an intention and the importance of committed action to accomplish it.
I learned about accountability and its value in building trust in relationships.
I became part of a community of coaches making a difference in the world.
CM: Do you consider yourself a life coach? If no, how would you describe who you are professionally?
JVA: Yes, I am a life coach as well as an online magazine publisher, author, writer, and guest coach for TCE.
CM: What would you say to somebody who told you they were thinking about becoming a life coach?
JVA: Go for it! You will never be the same. It will change your life. You will have the opportunity to: Learn the skills of being a coach and so much more; discover who you are, who you want to be, and most importantly, WHY.
You will create lifetime friendships, have a cadre of colleagues who are there for you in a unique way, and become part of a community of individuals making a difference in the world.
CM: What is one misperception you believe people have about coaches (whether designated “life coach” or something else)?
JVA: That we have the “answers.” We don’t. Our skill is to be genuinely curious with you, listen to you, reflect back to you, and facilitate you discovering that you have all the answers for you.
CM: What is your coaching specialty?
JVA: Coaching Dynamic Aging. Since we are all aging from the day we are born, this covers a broad spectrum. The key is dynamic – finding out what that means to you as you face challenges, opportunities and change in your life at any age.
CM: Are you a full-time coach?
JVA: No.
CM: What do you do other than coaching?
JVA: I am the publisher of the unique online Dynamic Aging 4 Life Magazine. We are a community of people who are changing the paradigm of aging by challenging the stereotypes of aging by sharing TRUE stories about aging dynamically, to explore what’s possible, inspire one another and empower by example.
I am a published author (Dynamic Aging: Simple Exercises for Whole Body Mobility co-authored with bio-mechanist Katy Bowman).
I am a writer and just completed my memoir, Dynamically Daring the Future: I’m Not Too Old!
I am a hiker, tree climber, docent for our local land conservancy, and a guest coach for TCE.
CM: Do you have a website dedicated to your coaching business?
JVA: Yes. https://DynamicAging4Life.com.
CM: Do you have social media accounts that you use primarily for your coaching business?
JVA: Yes. http://instagram.com/dynamicaging4life
