Transformative Coaching: A Testimonial
I’ve been in the Blooming Willow community for two years and my desire to heal brought me here. I was very curious about the All Black Conductors program which is the cohort I was a part of. I was curious about being able to heal in community with other Black people. I felt called to do this work because we become certified as coaches to support our personal healing journeys, as well as the healing journeys of other Changemakers.
My experience in the Conductors cohort was transformative, especially learning about the Pause and actually being able to practice it as well. I’m the type of learner that needs to integrate the knowledge I’m learning into my daily life. The Black Conductors cohort offered the space to be able to do that in community with other Black Changemakers and we were accountable to each other. Part of my experience was learning that it’s not only okay to Pause, but it’s necessary.
The Pause is a practice that I still have and I feel like I’m getting better and better at it. This August, I’ll be taking the month off to take a vacation in Chicago to dance and eat yummy food. And that feels good. Blooming Willow has modeled that for me as they also Pause every August. I’ve never just taken time off of work, unless it was for a medical reason. So this vacation and my practice of Pausing is intentional and life saving. One of the tools I practice on myself is challenging my limiting beliefs, especially around how I care for and pamper myself. Therefore, this vacation is a step toward prioritizing my rest, peace, and celebration. All tools I cultivated during my participation in the Conductors program.
Blooming Willow has also taught me that I don’t have to do things in isolation. Leslie, the founder and CEO, would often remind us that we don’t have to go on this journey solo-dolo, that we can lean into our community. Giving myself permission to ask for support has lifted my load and made life sweeter. I still keep in touch with some of my fellow cohort members and there’s so much love there as we continue to support each other’s healing and growth. I credit Blooming Willow often when I think about my care and wellness practices.
Blooming Willow is transformative. The model and the approach to coaching is unlike any I’ve seen. Blooming Willow coaches have a unique approach that we bring to our coaching, where we are thinking about not only how to move someone forward, but also supporting people in their healing journey as well.
If you’re feeling called to Blooming Willow, check out the informationals or some of our other programming. Even if you’re on the fence, I would encourage you to attend the informational. And trust your intuition if you’re feeling called to join us. Even if you’re someone who may not want to coach, I think the approach that the program teaches you will enhance your work, especially if you’re an organizer, working in historically oppressed communities, or doing organizational development work. Even if you don’t want to or don’t identify as a coach, you can still use these tools in your personal life as well as your work life to live the life you have been dreaming of.
This essay first appeared in a faculty spotlight for Blooming Willow.
