Our main objective here at the National Coach Academy is to enable aspiring coaches to reach their full professional potential. One of the most effective ways to educate students about the world of coaching is by offering them a window into the world of real, practicing coaches and showing them all the different ways coaches make a difference in the lives of their clients.
We hope today’s interview adds another insightful glimpse into the dynamic world of coaching.
Today we are interviewing Mary Houlihan. Mary is an ICF-accredited Life Coach and graduate of Inner Glow Circle.
NCA: Can you describe your coaching practice and the kinds of clients you typically work with?
Mary: My coaching practice is built on Universal Law and Vision. That falls under the umbrella of the Human Potential Movement written by so many authors,including classics like Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. It’s very aligned with a lot of what Abraham Hicks teaches and says.
I start with a vision. I’m always talking about the client’s vision in order to move them in the direction of what that vision is, knowing that their vision is their invitation for growth. It’s less about the perfect vision coming through and way more about the path to becoming the person that’s a match for that vision. I do believe the vision keeps us excited about becoming a better person. I keep the vision top of mind all the time knowing that it can change all the time as well. The path is the magic stuff.
NCA: What initially got you interested in this career path and what kind of degree or certifications did you need to complete, if any?
Mary: My first entrepreneurial endeavor was personal styling. When I was a personal stylist, I hired a business coach who had been through a life coach certification program. She brilliantly did that to help her in her personal styling business. Throughout my time with that coach, I realized that I was more concerned with the inner work than the outer work, although I think personal styling can also be a channel to transformation. I was way more excited to guide somebody on a path with their thinking than with their clothing.
So with that coach, I decided to change directions. Despite all the time, money, and energy that I had already put in to my personal styling business, I was able to shift gears and give myself permission to go for it. I ended up going with the same certification program that she took — a company called Inner Glow Circle. They are ICF accredited so I have ICF hours.
But my coaching business really took off when I found Felicia Searcy who is my current mentor. I saw her at a summit interview. She said I have a paint by numbers system for spiritual success. It was that in addition to everything that she said that really resonated with me. I’ve been in study with her for a year and a half now. I’m in my 2nd year with her and I don’t really plan on stopping. She’s been life changing for me.
The most rewarding thing is when I see somebody awaken to their brilliance, to their power, and when I help a client in their relationship with loving themselves. That, I think, ultimately is the most important thing that I do.
NCA: In working with your clients, what would you say is the most rewarding aspect of that process and on the flip side of that, what is the most challenging aspect of the work that you do?
Mary: The most rewarding thing is when I see somebody awaken to their brilliance, to their power, and when I help a client in their relationship with loving themselves. That, I think, ultimately is the most important thing that I do.
The most challenging is trusting that the image in your mind is as real as the facts in your life. Learning to trust that universal law is as real as the law of gravity or the law of electricity and really trusting that the next step will be revealed and finding comfort in uncertainty.
NCA: What is one piece of advice that you would give to somebody in the very early stage of their coaching career?
Mary: Hire a coach. Trust your curiosity and just trust your path. Look for the coach that speaks to you. We overthink everything especially when we’re going to invest in something. Just trust yourself. Find the next right thing. Just trust that everything will unfold and there’s no one way. There’s no right way. Just keep going.
