Will Baumgardner
How did you first find out about Frame of Mind Coaching™?
I work with John Shumate, the CEO of Venture First. We were growing the business together, but John was dealing with some issues in his personal life. Then, all of a sudden, things started to get better for him. He told me that he was being coached with Kim Ades of Frame of Mind Coaching™. So I saw firsthand the outcome of the FOM Coaching process.
What were you struggling with prior to coaching?
I had recently taken on a time consuming, business development type role at work. I felt uncomfortable and I wasn't sure what I was doing. I began to doubt my abilities. I participated on many different boards and took on volunteer opportunities to make up for the fact that I lacked confidence in my work.
I also felt that I should have everything together. We were doing great things at work, I had just finished a triathlon and I was in a new relationship that was going perfectly. On the outside, it looked like I had everything going for me. On the inside, I felt like I was on the wrong path. I was unhappy.
How did coaching impact that?
It helped me to understand why I felt the way that I did. The first gift that FOM Coaching gave me was knowing that it was OK to feel that way. That was a huge first step for me. After being given the freedom to accept how I felt, we were able to pivot away from those feelings. I learned how to react in situations I found stressful, how to feel powerful and how to own my decisions. Now, I show up with purpose. I know what my role is and I'm comfortable with it.
Has coaching impacted how you show up in your relationships?
Yes. I used to have specific ideas of what a perfect relationship should be. I would tell myself, "he has some qualities that I like but one that I don't, and that's a problem," whereas my coach would say, "big deal!" Through coaching, I learned what truly is a deal-breaker for me and what I can just let go of.
I also used to believe that if he did certain things that I disliked, he would continue to do those things for the rest of our lives. My coach helped me take a step back and realize that that wasn't necessarily the case.
I can now identify what is the truth of each scenario versus what the story is that I'm making up about it, and how to react based solely on the facts.
What was it like journaling every day?
There were many times in which I would begin responding to a journaling prompt believing one thing, and a few paragraphs in would begin believing something different that actually served me better. Journaling helped me to be honest with myself. Putting it in writing made the facts shine through the stories I was telling. The journals also enriched my conversations with my coach, and made them more productive.
Would you recommend FOM Coaching to others?
Absolutely. If they're ready. You need to put in the time and be honest.