We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nancy Pickard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I was brought up in a household where I was repeatedly told that I could do anything I put my mind to. I developed a good sense of self worth and had the opportunity to model hard work and resiliency which has been the backbone of my own success.

As a marriage and relationship coach, I appreciate even more than I had already, how impactful having a supportive and healthy childhood environment was to my development.

My parents did not “helicopter-parent” me, so I learned at an early age to be independent an capable woman.

Both of my parents have passed, but a day does not go by that I don’t think of them with love and deep gratitude.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I owned a personal training gym and spent sixteen years helping people look and feel better. You could say I helped with their outer fitness. I now work on my clients’ inner fitness. My own personal journey from hell and back started with the abrupt end of my twenty-six year marriage. I was devastated and I lacked the tools to support my healing. I hired a Debbie Ford, Healing Your Heart Coach and a year later decided to become a Debbie Ford Coach. I have since added at least seven additional coaching certifications to my repertoire. I have a growth mindset, always looking for ways to enhance my coaching practice. I benefit from the trainings and I know my clients do as well.

In 2019, I published an international bestselling book, Bigger Better Braver; Conquer Your Fears, Embrace Your Courage and Transform Your Life. It is a step by step self-help book that helps the reader make the changes necessary to live their best life. The book employs the same internal processes and tools I use with my individual and group clients. I wrote the book to help those who aren’t ready for a personal coach or can’t afford one but are ready to step outside their comfort zone and use their fear as a motivating force for change.

Each of us has unknown beliefs in our subconscious, what are referred to as “shadow beliefs.” They are formed to keep us safe as children but as adults they keep us stuck and playing small. I help my clients uncover these disempowering beliefs and replace them with new empowering beliefs that can help them achieve their goals and realize their vision for their best life.

I live what I teach. I live in integrity with what I tell myself and others I will do. I balance compassion and empathy while holding my clients to a high standard so they learn to follow through and live in integrity with their word as well.

I coach one-on-one as well as group coaching. I also have two online courses. The first follows my book and the other is on GenConnectU platform.

A Bigger, Better, Braver, Career: Strategies that Keep You From Playing Small

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I took about a year to write my book. By the time I had a publisher and a release date, Covid had infiltrated our lives. I had a book tour planned and a launch party set up, which I had to cancel. At that point, I had a choice to make. Do I wallow in pity for the bad luck or do I pivot and figure out how to make the most of the bad turn of events?

I ended up having a big launch party on Zoom where I invited other coaches and authors to speak as well as myself. Over 200 signed up for the event, an audience that never would have happened at my local book stores, a much bigger success. And, instead of live events for which I would have had travel expenses, I started doing podcasts and radio shows with a significantly expanded audience base.

The timing of Bigger Better Braver and Covid paid dividends, People needed coaching and support more than ever, making the book a greater success than it would have otherwise been. I even landed an appearance on the Extra TV show.

Pivots are part of life. They require flexibility and boldness to make different choices at important times.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what helped the most to build my reputation is client word of mouth. The biggest compliment I can receive are referrals and I am always so grateful for them.

Many clients during my first year of coaching I didn’t charge. This generated long term benefits. I not only built up my skills, but over time those clients became valuable referral and testimonial sources. I actually did a series of video testimonials (called testamagicals), which were an effective way to build brand and reputation via social media. My book has also been a great brand enhancer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nancypickardlifecoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancypickardlifecoach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nancypickardlifecoach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-pickard-771993a6/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnancyrun
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/6vixvSU1I7Q

Image Credits
Stephanie Mohan Creativeportraiture.com