Personal development and coaching have taken the world by storm, and few have made as profound an impact as Jay Shetty. Jay’s mission is to inspire people to find their purpose by adapting ancient wisdom to modern life. Growing up in London, his curiosity led him to spend three transformative years as a monk in India. This experience revealed his calling to help others find their purpose.
Upon returning, Jay integrated monastic teachings with modern life, gaining recognition on YouTube and hosting HuffPost Rise. His podcast, “On Purpose,” and books, “Think Like A Monk” and “8 Rules of Love,” furthered his influence. Named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for his influence in media, Jay is a sought-after speaker globally. Shetty has undoubtedly made a positive impact on millions of people around the world through his efforts to help others find purpose.
We asked top coaches about their inspirations, challenges, and advice for aspiring coaches aiming to make a positive impact.
FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION
Former Miss USA, Terri Britt, is a TEDx Speaker, spiritual coach, intuitive healer, award-winning author of The Enlightened Mom, and founder of the Women Leaders of Love global community. She guides individuals to stop trying to “win” at life and to raise their Worthiness Quotients to set thriving examples for their families. Terri’s journey began as an uptight mom who realized, after her father’s death, that she was perpetuating a cycle of lack and stress for her loved ones.
Through studying meditation, intuitive and energetic healing, and spiritual consulting, Terri transformed her life and others for 25 years to do the same. Her key lesson is to love yourself unconditionally and own your worth so that you trust your intuition; “Instead of trying to keep up with everyone else, or do it like everyone else, allow yourself to be on your own unique journey and listen to your inner guidance,” Terri advises. She believes this approach is the kinder, gentler way to create a life of peace, balance, joy, and love, and is the greatest gift you can give to your family..
HARNESS JOY AND AUTHENTICITY
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Stefanie Bruns is a quantum psychologist, business mentor, and mother who helps high performers heal emotional and energetic wounds, enabling them to sell their products and services at higher prices with ease and joy. Her desire to help others and create meaningful change began in childhood and was magnified during motherhood. Stefanie’s business was forged by fire when she was ousted by her business partner. This setback became an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of her “Neuro-Energetic-Programming” method, which reprograms the brain and energy field.
This experience underscored the power of mindset, attracting abundance, and aligning energy with goals. Stefanie advises aspiring coaches to live and coach with joy and passion, as it inspires clients and those around you. “Authenticity and the cultivation of a high vibrational energy field are essential” she says. “Creating ease and flow in your work will resonate deeply with your clients.”
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSION
An award-winning peak performance, business, and mindset mastery coach, Hilary DeCesare is passionate about neuropsychology and elevating one’s energy to create remarkable success. She developed the innovative 3HQ™ framework and Tune In™ power tool. Hilary’s challenge has been balancing business and personal growth with her love for coaching, which led her to hire a strong team to handle daily operations. This allowed her to focus on what truly inspires her: impacting people with the Energetic ReLaunch process.
Her advice for those looking to make a difference is to ask themselves, “What do you want to be known for?” Hilary emphasizes the importance of honing in on your passion, stating, “Too many people try to boil the ocean and be a Jack/Jackie of all trades. But when you hone in on what you are most passionate about and tie your energy to it, that is when you can truly make an impact.”
EMBRACE RESILIENCE AND A HOLISTIC APPROACH
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Candace Tranter is an Integrative Energy Healer, Breath Facilitator, and Elite Performance Coach. Her journey began with a fascination for the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. Candace recounts a year of overcoming trauma, including her son’s near-fatal accident, PTSD, COVID-19, the brutal murder of her abuser’s victim, and a hurricane. Through these hardships, holistic healing tools and techniques such as breath work, Cellular Alignment Technique, and the Silva Method grounded her.
As a coach, Candace facilitates profound shifts in emotional and physical pain harnessing the techniques that helped her transform. Candace believes that in order to be a successful coach, it’s important to create a nurturing and challenging container to foster client self-discovery and empowerment. Secondly, it is vital to cultivate empathy and resilience as a coach. “If you want to lead others and create significant impact, embrace resilience and a holistic approach to well-being,” she says.
EMPOWERING GROWTH, AN APPROACH TO COACHING WITH PURPOSE AND PRECISION
Sariki Abungwo helps coaches, consultants, and small business owners unlock their potential and grow their businesses. His mission is to maximize opportunities for those he coaches, enabling them to serve their communities better. He emphasizes that understanding and leveraging one’s strengths is key to achieving growth and success.
Sariki believes in breaking things down into small, manageable steps with the right support and accountability. Firstly, set clear and achievable objectives to keep the client focused and motivated. Then provide support and accountability, which “should look like active listening to truly understand your needs and challenges, patience, and problem-solving,” he says. For Sariki, the essence of effective coaching lies in connecting deeply with clients and building trust and rapport. “At the end of the day, it is important to connect with your clients deeply and build trust and rapport if you truly want to make a difference.”
SHOW UP CONSISTENTLY
Chelsea Ouimet and Kayla Elderkin, co-founders of The Digital Hub, have transformed their lives through digital marketing. Leaving their nursing careers behind, they built multi-seven-figure businesses that grant them the freedom to prioritize family time and personal growth. Their entrepreneurial path was fraught with challenges, including an unfair termination, online trolls, and tech setbacks. Despite these obstacles, Chelsea and Kayla’s unwavering commitment to their vision kept them moving forward.
For aspiring coaches, Chelsea and Kayla emphasize the importance of showing up consistently, regardless of challenges. “Show up no matter what. If we only did things when we ‘feel like it,’ we would never do anything. Success is far less about the skills required but instead, the discipline required to show up even when you don’t want to,” Chelsea advises. Both women agree that building a life of freedom requires unwavering dedication and the ability to learn and grow from every obstacle faced.
LEAD WITH AUTHENTICITY AND VULNERABILITY
Alena Uzhnyeva, founder of Alonafish OU and I AM CREATION Retreat, believes authenticity is the foundation of effective leadership. Growing up in Ukraine, she learned to suppress her emotions, which left her disconnected from her true self. Despite early corporate success, she was burnt out and unfulfilled.
Everything changed after attending a transformational retreat, where she embraced vulnerability for the first time. This shift taught her that radical self-awareness and authenticity are crucial to leadership. Alena then aligned her values with her purpose and devoted her life to helping others do the same.
She defines authentic leadership as leading with self-awareness, transparency, and integrity, and advises coaches to prioritize self-discovery. “Emotional transparency is a superpower,” she says. “It builds stronger relationships and empowers others to express their unique gifts.” For Alena, vulnerability and authenticity are the keys to inspiring lasting growth and transformation.
CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR TRANSFORMATION
Carolina Lopez Saglietti is a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in logistics, technology, and consulting across Central America. After successfully founding and leading international ventures, she discovered her true passion: unlocking human potential through education, mindset development, and personal leadership through coaching and certification programs. Carolina struggled for years trying to balance the demands of running a successful business, being a mother to two young daughters, and maintaining her own health. It wasn’t until she invested time and money into her personal growth that she began to achieve exponential results.
Carolina advises aspiring coaches to focus on their own personal development and authenticity. She suggests, “My advice to aspiring coaches is to keep expanding your knowledge and skills, but always remain authentic and humble.” She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore their own truths, which can lead to transformative experiences.
STAY RESILIENT AND COMMIT TO PERSONAL GROWTH?
Missy Kelly, co-founder and CEO of CatTongue Grips, has transformed a simple idea into a globally recognized brand specializing in innovative non-slip products. Along her journey, she has faced the ups and downs of scaling a business, from tackling product development hurdles to leading a diverse customer base. These experiences have reinforced her belief in the power of empathy and adaptability. “Understanding each person’s unique circumstances is key to creating an environment where they can truly thrive,” Missy shares, highlighting how she fosters growth both within her team and the broader community.
For aspiring coaches, Missy underscores the importance of staying committed to personal growth. “The best coaches are those who never stop learning,” she emphasizes. She encourages coaches to be lifelong learners, pointing out that a genuine commitment to self-improvement builds trust and ensures lasting, transformative relationships with clients.
EMBRACE CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND SELF-BELIEF
Aang Lakey, a certified Life, Spirituality, and Meditation coach, is dedicated to raising global consciousness through conscious practices that integrate mindfulness, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Their extensive experience as a Senior Advisor and Consultant underscores the importance of cultural competence and intentionality in creating lasting impact, especially in diverse and interconnected communities.
For those looking to step into coaching, Aang emphasizes the power of continuous learning and unwavering self-belief. “The more faith you have in yourself, the more wisdom you can bring to others and the more you can inspire their own faith in themselves,” they explain. Aang advises coaches to stay rooted in their own development, recognizing that this journey of growth is ongoing. By embracing this mindset, coaches not only enhance their ability to make a meaningful impact but also build genuine, transformative relationships with their clients, empowering them to lead with authenticity and confidence.
Jay Shetty’s insight, “When you find your purpose, you’ll realize that your struggles are just as important as your successes,” reflects the reality of the coaching journey. Despite the inspiring stories and advice from top coaches, the path is often challenging and filled with setbacks. Success in coaching requires more than passion and intuition—it demands resilience and hard work.
Authenticity and joy are vital, but they don’t erase the difficulties of guiding clients through their struggles. The profession involves constant effort to set and achieve goals, offer support, and maintain accountability. Embracing these challenges is essential to truly making a difference. Coaching is not just about inspiration; it’s about navigating and overcoming the complexities of personal and professional growth.