We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Engle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.

Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

My coaching business model was more a “command” than an idea. I felt clear direction to start supporting mothers in a professional capacity (I had done so for decades in a volunteer role) and to use my experience working with so many to be a benefit to myself, my family, as well as the moms i would serve.

The risk of putting myself “out there” wasn’t comfortable and because the service I offer is working with me, not selling a product, it felt like a risk to become so public with my new professional adventure.

Using social media to create “brand awareness” in order to start building a client base felt intimidating and risky to be so public.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

After having worked in natural health care practice and helping patients tie their choices to their values, becoming a Certified Health and Well-Being Coach felt a natural next step professionally. Having I led a moms group for over a decade, having 5 children of my own, and my mother being a midwife, motherhood is a “first language” for me. It (motherhood) has served an analogy for nearly all situations I have faced personally and professionally.

For example, having written a book, I first felt “pregnant with it”. Over time, “parts” formed into chapters and after a very long gestational process, I finally gave birth to it in 2020. Another example would be the reflection of growth in a clients life; sometimes we continue to do things when it’s not our role anymore. If a child can tie their own shoes, it’s time to let them. We all are growing and changing and learning to tune into where we are so we can intentionally stay the desired directions of our lives supports us living our healthiest and happiest life.

For me, the inspiration to support a client toward their healthiest and happiest life is rooted in my belief that the sphere of influence a mother has generates a ripple effect far beyond her own life. In order to raise healthy, happy kids, we need healthy, happy parents.

My job is a coach myself out of a job by equipping, facilitating, and inspiring my clients to practice coaching techniques themselves and to learn to navigate “their worlds” in ways that bring increased Peace, confidence, and competence. As they become more empowered and confident in their lives, everyone in relationship with her benefits.

By gaining a clear picture of what is important to the client, her ideals and values, we create a “map” for her to explore. Just like when we run errands in a new town, it takes time for it to become familiar and easy. The more connected she gets to “her world”, the easier it is to navigate it effectively and efficiently. Imagine a community full of people who led their lives with more Peace.

A few aspects of my work that I’ve been told really stands out are that the summaries a client receives after a session are revisited and revised for years and years to come and the perspectives gained by the questions I ask. I ask questions that lead clients to discover themselves and then I hold that image up for them to see.

It’s an incredible honor to be invited into this very personal work and witness the transformations. Hearing the impact it has on relationships brings great value and hope in “my world”. My world, I call it the Land of Lisa, has great hope for humanity when I know people are working on connecting to their best versions of themselves.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

My attention had to shift from growth and even maintaining a client load in order to be a caregiver for parents and run another family business for a season. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would be able to come back to it, but just couldn’t keep all the plates spinning well. For a number of years, I reduced social posts, stopped networking, and sent very few emails, but apparently enough that as I’ve shifted toward growth again, a base has remained and clients still refer.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a leader and first born, I tended to give orders fairly easily. As I aged, learned more about effective leadership and what health coaching is about (it isn’t about telling), I learned to take off my “expert hat” and see the value of the client being the expert in their life. My role is to ask the right questions that bring them closer to their desires.

Often, clients think they want to be told “what to do” and while I have ideas, perspectives, and resources that I definitely contribute, the decisions of what steps they’ll take are theirs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.optiMOMcoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrslisaengle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/optiMOMcoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaengle/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaengle
• Other: www.LisaEngle.coach