PRAISE
Here you can find testimonials from past clients to give you a taste of what you can achieve through coaching;
When I first connected with Issie, I was feeling very stuck – I felt like lots of parts of my life were on hold, because I didn’t know what direction to go in, where to begin, and had low self-trust, meaning decisions were really hard to make. I found myself overthinking everything, which prevented me from making a decision or taking action.
In recent years I’d started a few creative practices, including sewing and embroidery, but had convinced myself I wasn’t good enough to do them, and had lost my confidence, so had stopped being creative all together.
I reached a point where I realised I didn’t want to be trapped in that cycle of thinking anymore.
By the end of the first session, I was SO relieved to have taken that first step! Oh my goodness I just remember feeling so excited and empowered already – like the cycle of being ‘stuck’ could actually be changed! I was looking forward to thinking about different creative activities I could try, and felt almost like my brain had been given permission to just be a beginner again and not get trapped in the overthinking cycle of “it’s not good enough, it’s too hard, there’s no point in starting”.
I think the word I’d use to describe the biggest change is ‘intentionality’. I feel like I’m not only being intentional with my time (e.g. choosing to spend time creatively, choosing to carve out part of my day to journal, choosing not to default to busy-ness), but also in the way I think and talk to myself (e.g. catching the ‘shoulds’, noticing when I’m getting caught in a negative overthinking spiral, and intentionally using kindness and compassion to bring myself back from those negative patterns). I think all of this is leading to more self-trust, and stronger ability to make decisions (and trust that they’re the right decisions for me).
If I had to describe the coaching experience in 3 words, they would be, empowering, enlightening, intentional
>>>Jess (1 month 1-1 coaching series)
When first reached out for coaching with Issie I was challenged by a lack of self-trust which denied me the courage to pursue any goals, despite my desire for change and growth and exploration.
I was at a point where I needed to try something new. I needed to find a way to focus within the chaos and overwhelm. I knew that I needed someone kind and compassionate – and in fact, familiar – to guide me through and out of a difficult phase in my life.
When I started the coaching series I didn’t really know what to expect. With each session, each task, each call, I understood that not knowing what to expect was an advantage –with Issie’s guidance, I was given permission to flow with curiosity and with an open heart. What I thought I required from a coaching experience (support with career change, discovering my values and life plan) was wildly different on reflection – I travelled back to my roots, back home myself. I became familiar with these spaces and beautiful safe landscapes, from where I could begin trusting my feet and exploring new paths again with bravery and hope. This was something I didn’t know I needed, but is integral to a colourful, textured, content life.
My friends and family have really noticed a change in me since I started coaching. Even over the phone, a couple of weeks into coaching, my mum said I sounded different, happier, calmer, more myself, she said. Friends have commented on my energy, my empathy, my positivity, my boldness, my courage and resilience.
The biggest change I have witnessed in myself is that I feel full up. Like I am bursting with ideas and energy and light. I feel whole, like I have found the thread and all the tears and learned to stitch. I am confident. I am more comfortable with chaos and unknown – aware that I am now equipped with a brimming toolbox to support me and bring me home.
If I had to describe my coaching experience in 3 words they would be, Transformative. Empowering. Nurturing.
>>> Kya, (1 month 1-1 coaching series)
When I first connected with Issie, put simply, there was an absence of me. I was struggling deeply to connect with myself, even fleetingly, and the task of wading through the noise and obligations felt completely overwhelming.
My expectation about the experience of working with a coach was that it would be a holding space for everything I am.
Going into the first session I felt relieved and as the session came to a close I felt I was finally on the pathway home.
Life has grown so immeasurably since I began coaching. My friends and loved ones are proud of me for seeking what I needed and having the courage to commit to growth.
I feel I am connected. Not perfectly, but enough. I am in metamorphosis in every aspect of my life and am so full of hope for what is ahead.
If I had to describe the coaching experience in 3 words they would be; I am enough.
Truly, it was wonderful. A very big, heartfelt, bursting – THANK YOU - for everything.
>>> India (6 month, 1-1 coaching series)
When I first connected with Issie I was struggling with a sense of lost identity. As a new mother, in the midst of a global pandemic, I found myself labouring with the push and pull of motherhood and an accompanying feeling of guilt that it just wasn’t enough for me.
I desperately wanted to give my son the very best but felt depleted and knew deep down I had to nourish myself before I could hope to nurture a happy, confident and buoyant young child.
I was apprehensive at first, unsure what coaching would offer, and if it was right for me. However, I need not have been concerned as from my very first conversation with Issie I knew I had made the right choice to invest in myself.
Issie created a space of safety and support throughout all our sessions. She was the perfect cheerleader in my quest for a more balanced, nourished life, offering validation and unconditional encouragement to help me reach my goal.
With Issie’s knowledge, kindness and reflection I was able to develop a personal self care toolbox that I could and can continue to delve into unashamedly, without guilt or judgement. By gifting myself this opportunity for balance and restoration I feel I, in turn, gift to my son a healthy and happy role model.
I honestly cannot find the words to thank Issie enough. Yet if I had to find just three, to best describe this whole coaching experience, they would be – motivating, inspiring and transforming.
>>> Kim (1 month 1-1 coaching series)
When I first connected with Issie I was struggling with being present. Had a lot of negative thoughts about myself. Tried to keep busy so I wouldn’t be alone with my own thoughts. Felt heartbroken and closed off to the idea of love and achieving any future goals or wishes I had. Was exhausted as I felt I never had time to myself.
I wasn't expecting coaching to be as effective or wonderful as it has been. I thought it might be more like counselling where I just talked about past hurts etc but I liked how from the get go it was like OK here are some tasks and tools. So it was more practice based than I thought.
Since my coaching experience with Issie I am much kinder to myself and able to reason with how I am feeling. I have realised that I actually quite like spending time with and on myself, and want to let that relationship blossom. I seem to have lost the focus and thought that I have to be in a relationship and be validated by someone else, because I don’t. It feels so lovely and liberating.
If I had to describe my coaching experience in 3 words, I would say; finding yourself again.
>>> Helouise (1 month 1-1 coaching series)
I’m so, so glad to have had Issie as my coach. Issie is a fantastic coach who created a safe space for me to explore and work through issues.
Her caring support and encouragement, her gentle, thought-provoking questions, the way she reflected my own words back to me, her belief in me – it all added up to a powerful, wonderful experience that has helped me so much.
I felt Issie really heard me, understood my difficulties and what I wanted to change, and because of her support, encouragement and belief in me I’ve moved forward in life where I felt stuck for so long.
My time spent coaching with Issie has been invaluable and is something I will continue to feel the benefits of for a very long time to come.
>>> Gabrielle (3 month 1-1 coaching series)
It is difficult to put into words the momentous effect that this life coaching series has had on me and my life. I look back (in absolute awe) and see the vast difference in how I feel about myself and the huge changes that have actively occurred in my life because of it.
My life-coaching journey was a combination of creative rediscoveries, self-love and remembering how to have confidence in expressing my true self. Although I am a socially confident person, I felt a bit useless at times and believed my life had become slightly meaningless to the world. Issie supported me in accessing these thoughts to begin with and then helped me recognise why I felt this way. I had to see my worth, and stop measuring it.
This powerful three-month journey unveiled the power and potential I held in myself. I had to let go of the restrictive negative judgements and predictions I had put on myself – through fear of failure or fear of success that I felt I did not deserve. Growing in confidence and self-assurance allowed me to shake these restraints away and go forward with the creative life and ambitions I was holding back from.
I am grateful for the time and energy Issie spent on coaching me, but I am more grateful for what I am left with. The patience with myself and my development and the confidence to be proud of formerly seemingly unimportant things. The change in my attitude and outlook has completely changed my life.
Three months is not a long time but the monumental developments in my life feel like it could and should have taken years.
>>> Esme (3 month 1-1 coaching series)
When I think back to September last year when I had my first session with Issie, I was in a pretty negative space feeling pretty bored and frustrated with life. I was struggling with self-care, not being active and uninspired by my work.
By the end of our first session I realised what was really important in my life and what could make me happy. I realised it was instantly achievable by breaking these big goals down. For example playing around with some paint, writing a journal and getting on my bike again. These small things created a massive change for me.
My husband has definitely noticed a positive change in me, above all he just loves how I paint in the evenings, he can see how happy it makes me!!
The biggest change I’ve witnessed in myself is that I feel less anxious, through doing my self-care, exercise and painting; I know these tools help me feel positive and enable me to cope with stressful situations. They also give me confidence to do more than I thought I could and I feel inspired by future work ideas.
To describe my coaching experience in 3 words I would say; inspirational, enlightening and an achievement.
It was such wonderful experience, I loved every moment!! Thank you Issie!!
>>> Annie (3 month 1-1 coaching series)
When I first connected with Issie I had been in the process of working out ‘what next’ for a few years. I'd been reading various books on self-development and self-discovery, trying to figure out who I am and what it is I have to offer the world.
I realised I'd been edging towards life coaching for a very long time – through literature, people / accounts on Instagram, my yoga classes and the kind of people I am generally drawn to I would say I have been on a bit of a spiritual journey over the last few years.
When working with a coach I expected to have an accountability partner to ask me some questions which would guide me through a tough journey of self-discovery to help me unfurl my thoughts and feelings and hopefully allow me to clarify some ideas and set some intentions for my next steps in life. I hoped for a sense of clarity and confidence in my decisions.
My close friends have really noticed a difference in me since I started coaching. I have always been quite an open person and have shared my experience with some of my closest friends and I feel it has bought us even closer together. They have commented on how I seem much more aware of my behaviours/reactions/thought processes and far more objective when looking at different situations that have recently come up.
It feels like I am learning a new language, a new way of thinking and a new way of approaching things, and when I share this with others it can create the most beautiful moments of connection. I now feel like I have a set of tools and techniques to address other areas of my life and maybe some of those other complex relationships which can still be a problem. Often I now say “old Clare would have said this, done that, but new Clare decided to do this.’ Game changer.
We covered so much – the 1 hour sessions felt sufficient to give enough time for questions and guidance and knowing I could always contact Issie in-between sessions was very valuable. I always felt supported and listened to and loved how the sessions were framed and held with a clear aim with time to wander into different areas of enquiry when they came up.
If I had to describe my coaching experience in 3 words, I'd say it was transformative, cultivating and empowering.
I will be forever grateful for this experience with Issie. It is hard to write any of this stuff without sound super cheesy, but Issie has given me the tools to continue my life journey with an inner confidence and ability to listen to myself and others in a way I could never have imagined.
I feel so much lighter, my head and heart clearer and so ready to navigate my next steps – so thank you – from the bottom of my heart.
