Interview with personal coach Laurie Martin

Darren: Hi Laurie, thanks very much for letting me interview you. To begin with, could you tell us a bit about yourself and the experiences that have led you to becoming a personal coach?

Laurie: Good question, I spent fifteen years in corporate America in all size companies, from Manager to a Vice President. At age twenty-nine I was on an inward path of self love, a deep journey into my heart. I have had many eye awakening experiences around giving my power away, fear of the unknown and my challenges of following my heart.

As I was evolving, and learning, my thirst to help others grew. I became a certified yoga instructor, a Reiki Master, and a certified life and business coach. I left my comfortable corporate job. Since then, my purpose is to help others feel their own self love, build confidence in themselves, feel their connection deep within and above, and understand how valuable they are to this world.

Darren: What are the main things that a life coach can do for someone?

Laurie: There are many ways a life coach can assist people.

Here are a few examples of how I assist people:

If a person is stuck in their life and in search for direction, I can help then discern what is important to them and assist with a creative action plan and empowerment to have the courage to move forward.

At times, we are attached to outcomes, situations or people, and I can help a person see from a higher or different perspective, listening in between their words, to help them clarify meaning or direction and feel better about themselves and their lives.

There are plenty of situations when we are living in the past- holding onto the memories that may hold us back, and we are still giving our power to those people or situations. I help people to create new stories, new perspectives that are more empowering to them. Releasing emotions that don't serve them so they can live in the present and feel free.

I had clients that have had difficulty sleeping and I was able to do meditation techniques with them which helped them release control and learn to manage anxiety-- which has been successful.

I love to help clients create the appropriate vibration that draws to them what they desire and help them understand the laws of the universe.

Darren: What are the main problems that people come to you with?

Laurie: Difficulty in business relationships and with co-workers, personal life changes- divorce, separation, people interested in increasing self love and confidence to believe in oneself, encouragement to follow their hearts in any area of their life, assistance with setting boundaries with customers/clients and personal life, help with releasing negative emotions and seeing situations through more empowering eyes, inspiration for people on a path of self awareness and personal growth and help with increasing peace, spiritual growth and faith in their lives.

Darren: What do you think are the main sources of personal problems that people have today?

Laurie: Many people are going through a purging out of things that don't serve their higher purpose. During these times, it can be challenging. Things may feel out of control to many people right now. Many people are living in what I call "the unknown"-- searching and seeking who they are and for more meaning in their lives. I believe many people are being forced to go inward due to a loss of job, career, death, relationship-- losing their foundation and searching for the things that really matter.

Darren: If someone has hit rock bottom, and feels hopeless, what would you advise them to do?

Laurie: There was a time that I was at rock bottom and I can tell you -- the light is always there, even when you don't think it is. Actually hitting rock bottom is a blessing, because there's no where but up from this point. Once you reach upward, you will not be the same person again. You will be wiser, stronger, more confident and many other things. I suggest to surrender. Get the appropriate help! Invite a higher power into your life. Hitting rock bottom is a time to allow others to support and help you through. It's a time to be quiet and go inward and allow the process to take place. It's a time of necessary self-care.

Darren: Are there any particular therapeutic techniques that you've
found very powerful?

Laurie: I have found meditation, yoga, breath work and prayer to be very helpful in my life. I love to teach these things to my clients. One homework assignment I give to many, at the end of each day, write these things down in your journal.

1.) Anything you are proud of about yourself for that day.

2.) All of the things that went really well for you.

3.) All of the beauty in nature that you admired.

4.) Anything and any person that you appreciated.
This helps people to focus on all of the good things- they begin training their minds to look for them.

Darren: Many thanks Laurie.

Laurie: Thank you Darren!

If you would like to learn more about Laurie, her personal coaching services or speaking appearances, her website is: http://smileacrossyourheart.com/