Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natasha Stevens . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Natasha , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
That’s an interesting question because success is subjective for everyone. For some, hard work, ethical behavior, dynamic leadership, and extreme moral character play a role in their success: something that their family can look back on and be proud of. While for others, especially over the last two years, success might mean just getting out of bed in the morning and doing the bare minimum with what they have.
I don’t think that there is one measuring stick for success for all.
And in working with myself and other high achievers, we all have one thing in common: Success is not measured by the marks they we make, but the difference we make in the lives that entrust us to touch theirs.
If you are seeking external success as an A+ on some proverbial report card, to me, that begs the question: From where does that derive?
We are all successful on the levels that we intend with conscious focus every day. That’s what separates us from the animal kingdom-and even they are successful.
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
Some people may have read the first article in Voyaye LA, and many may have not. LUNASOL HOLISTICS still exists. We are onboarding new coaches every quarter who fit within the spaces that we serve. Since your last chat with me, I’ve hired an amazing branding company out of Toronto Canada (Rayvn Design) to help with the shift that has taken place in the business.
Becoming a second Master Certified Life Coach with the ICF, while pursuing my second doctoral degree, having published a book, and now finishing the next one, have been exhilarating and filled my days with joy.
I am a consultant for businesses and nonprofits as well. Those are always fun -especially when they call me in to do DEIB training. It’s truly a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re going to get until I show up and see who I’m working with. That has been very fun and rewarding for both myself and the teams that I serve.
Life coaching high achievers to dream bigger and attain higher while remaining authentic and losing the unnecessary stress is my jam! Many times it’s difficult to see the rat-race that you’re in on those levels because your days, if not your entire life are or has been shaped around peak performance. I help clients demystify the thoughts in their heads so that they can truly live the life of their dreams, and unlearn patterns that have not served them well, even at what society perceives as “for the elite only.”
What separates me from others? On the holistic side, there aren’t that many of us who can fuse those modalities into coaching and consulting without using intuition that are bilingual by nature and degree.
A new product hit the market as well since our last interview which is only available in limited quantities and by ask only. I’m most proud of that in this moment because it’s something I created just for me. Getting a compliment from the former head of product development of Lush Cosmetics was the push I needed to bring it to market. But more than that, it’s something that works and it lasts for a very long time. I’m not ready to give it away yet, but it will be on my new website.
A portion of all of my work goes back to help charities, and I do pro bono coaching for individuals who are stuck-financially, and otherwise in areas where coaching is not affordable for them at the moment. I am proud of that as well.
To your prior question in this interview—I got into holistic health because I faced a serious injury that traditional medicine could not help. As far as coaching goes, that is a natural segue way from being a Dean of Students and a Veteran Professor.. Coaches don’t teach… we help the students pull out what’s already in them.
Consulting is a byproduct of my time in the legal profession as well as leading teams in both business and nonprofit sectors from numbers of 20 people to over 200,000 people at a time,
The thing that really sets me apart is the fact that I’m trusted more than I am loved. George MacDonald said it is the better compliment. Never in a million years did I think I would be called on by who I have been called on for help, And they are AMAZING people from around the world,
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Yes! After receiving my second certificate and doing a free Diversity, Equality/Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Training for the school where I graduated, the owner thought I would be a great fit as a Facilitator of Coaches in Training of coaches. Myself, along with other class teachers were having a blast—until we weren’t. I was terminated under the guise of “she had to protect her team.” When really, she admitted that she was protecting one person who felt bullied, AFTER I spoke up and said that I was indeed bullied and ordered around like a slave.
That was such a difficult spot for everyone involved, but what it did for them was shine a light on their onboarding of new hires process and how ineffective team building was in moments of mind understanding and crisis. Fortunately, I’ve moved past that. I can’t say the same for them, but I do wish them well. Regret? Not really. If I could get my time back to focus on those who really needed my help, that would be nice, but who is going to cry over spoiled chocolate milk?
Lesson Learned; Watch out for people who ask you to join a team based on your skill set or to meet a quota and they haven’t even gotten to know what’s truly in your heart.. When you are bound by some illogical tradition, your company will never grow. It will stagnate when you can’t think or move outside of the box that has served you so well. But everyone has their comfort zones.
To be able to bounce back from the way that I was treated is resilience, it took months to recover from that kind of trauma and I am all the more empathetic for people who told me stories of how it happened to them-and I didn’t believe them. Now? I sure do. White fragility is what it was. The funny thing is, I didn’t fill out an application, neither did I ask for a position there. They were so impressed by the training that I gave, they asked me to come along and co-facilitate. It is my hope that anyone who reads this article will use my story as an example of not to be so eager to help that you overlook the fine print -the unspoken words and intentions. Ask tough questions from the beginning. Continue asking leadership for assistance. If it’s denied, even if you are fortunate enough to be granted a formal interview process, find out what is truly in their hearts too.
And if you end up like I did, and you have a passion for teaching and DEIBJ—go where that isn’t the most important thing in the world. That by now should be automated. Go where you personally are celebrated and equipped with the right support systems and the right teams to help you understand company culture that might not be explained until you’re too far in.
When you can speak your truth, you honor your soul and in so doing I’ve been able to give my clients permission to do the same without making them feel as though what they are going through isn’t valid. “Everyone prays in the end.” -Sam Smith
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Sure! This one is easy. Pivoting for me was simple-moving from a full on wellness center where I leased a part of a building to online only and now hybrid. It’s working out really well. Everyone is happy, clients are thriving, and those who are truly invested in inclusion and belonging are making massive strides in their journey. Part of my pívot has been assisting young women and men gain access to educational and job opportunities through my podcast “Beyond the Easy: Natasha Stevens Speaks,” to media exposure that they otherwise would not have had.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.natashastevens.com
- Instagram: DrNatashaStevens
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-stevens-b94bb236
- Twitter: 1NatashaStevens
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCj0-lurBeJ-oedS2pVKbyJg
- Other: www.icfsc.org Search: Natasha Stevens