We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Judy Sabah, MCC a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Judy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At the age of 6, my world underwent a drastic change as my parents’ marriage came to an end. It was February when my mother and I left Colorado and began a new chapter by moving to Kansas to live with my maternal grandparents. I enjoyed spending time with my grandparents and cultivating new relationships with them. I distinctly recall that night; the date was June 3rd, a moment forever etched in my memory, when I was awakened by noises coming from downstairs.

I was curious about the noise and went down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, I asked the person, what happened that created all the noise. The response I received was curt, instructing me to return to bed with this explanation, “You don’t need to know.” Little did I know the impact of those words, the gravity of the situation became apparent soon after – my Grandmother had passed away.

Over the course of the following years, I made a conscious decision to become the best listener I could and make myself available to lend an ear to anyone in need. The memory of the pain I endured in the exchange at 6 years old, remained with me and motivated me to ensure others didn’t undergo a similar experience. The feeling of being dismissed, not heard and not valued or loved was very present for me.

As time progressed, we arrived at the year 1994, a time when the Coaching Profession was just emerging. Despite the satisfaction I found in the Public Speaking business that my husband and I had embarked upon over a decade earlier, my journey took an unforeseen turn.

Two fellow speakers began to suggest that I possessed the qualities of a good coach. I resisted engaging with their suggestions for nearly 9 months. Eventually, their guidance paved the way for a seamless entry into the world of coaching. As I delved deeper into this field, it became evident that coaching encapsulated everything I held dear: an ardent enthusiasm for generous listening, the finesse of posing thought-provoking questions, and the knack for being fully present.

In a serendipitous moment, the stars aligned, harmonizing my mission, my passion, and the tapestry of my life experiences into a seamless convergence.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In the year 1994, the Coaching Profession was still in its infancy, offering a budding avenue for me to channel my passion and mission. To embark on this transformative journey, I identified three pivotal steps that would set me in motion:

1. Enroll in a coach-specific training program, of which there was only one at that time: CoachU. This program, founded by Thomas Leonard, a visionary often referred to as the father of the coaching profession, held the key to shaping my path.

2. Engage a mentor coach, a decision that came easily for me. Amid the 112 individuals enrolled in CoachU at that juncture, I chose a colleague from this group to guide me in my coaching endeavors.

3. Secure clients, a task that drew inspiration from my husband Joe’s insights gained from his previous role in the insurance industry. Leveraging a mailing list we had built, I reached out to our network, sending 100 letters to introduce my transition into the world of coaching. From this outreach, 10 new clients emerged, marking the inception of my coaching journey.

When I look back at the journey of the past 29 years, I see a big adventure of discovery, growth, and evolvement. I often remember what Thomas Leonard said: “Coaching is the only job where we get paid to grow.” This idea really means a lot to me and pushes me to keep improving and changing.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

In 2006, I learned about a program that provided a convenient and cost-effective way to send physical greeting cards in the mail. Since that discovery, I’ve taken to sending birthday cards, occasional sympathy and get-well cards, as well as numerous spontaneous cards to clients and individuals within my network.

What truly delights me is the sense of surprise these cards bring. Experiencing the joy of receiving a call or email from someone who unexpectedly received a card is a source of immense satisfaction. Often, these cards arrive precisely when they’re needed the most – offering encouragement or congratulations at just the right moment.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Over the span of the last decade, I’ve grappled with persistent energy challenges, a hurdle that significantly impacted my ability to thrive. This journey has been marked by considerable difficulty, yet my unwavering dedication to my mission’s significance has propelled me forward.

Throughout this period, I’ve adeptly employed strategies to navigate these trials, with several key approaches standing out:

1. Prioritizing self-care emerges as the cornerstone of each day, a vital element that underpins my well-being.

2. Nurturing an unshakable trust in my intuition and embracing the constant guidance it provides has proven invaluable in maintaining my course.

3. This past year, in response, I’ve actively undertaken numerous measures to mitigate stress and decrease my responsibilities, leading to positive shifts in my overall balance.

4. It remains paramount to recognize the individualized nature of our bodies’ responses to stress. What may induce stress in one may bear no weight on another; indeed, our human experience is diverse and uniquely wired.

This period of personal growth has led me to uncover novel avenues of support for those navigating life’s journey. The satisfaction gleaned from aiding both myself and my clients on this path is immeasurable and continues to be a driving force.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://judysabah.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judy.sabah
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judysabah/