For Support the Girls this month, we're thrilled to be going international! Gaelle Lebray is a London-based mindset and empowerment coach, a No1 international Amazon Best Seller co-author of a book called “Change Makers”, and a certified NLP practicioner. Before becoming a coach, Gaelle worked in investment banking for 20 years. That’s when she started mentoring her colleagues and discovered her passion for coaching.
Gaelle knows firsthand that when life changing events like divorce, separation, & breakups occur, it can throw your world into chaos leaving you unsure of who you are and what you are capable of. That's when working with her can give you that external bolster and support to get through the most difficult parts of the change process. Read more about her amazing services and how she went from corporate to coaching:
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am full of genuine positive energy and apparently I always lighten people's life. I was an amateur triathlete for 28 years (only stopped last year) and competed at the highest level and got numerous medals and titles including being a Triathlon World Champion while working full time on the trading floor. I am very driven and successful and from a business perspective, I am an International relationship and empowerment Coach focusing on life beyond heartbreak, a No1 international best-selling co-author and an NLP licensed and energy alignment practitioner. I love using different deeply transformative modalities to help my client create certainty amidst their chaos and re-empower them so they can then attract the perfect partner in their life and create the life they didn't even think they could create. Beyond the book that I co-authored called Change Makers (IWD edition), I have also featured on FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, Boston Herald, USA Today, and The London Business Magazine (including the cover).
What is your startup story?
My start up story birthed after leaving an unhealthy relationship which left me rock bottom from my angles. I did a lot of work on myself (and I have come to realise that it is a life journey so there will always be work to be done) and literally within 4 months I launched my coaching business. I had accumulated some similar experience from working in the corporate world where I was voluntarily coaching and mentoring for 10 years colleagues... before I decided to jump boat and be self-employed do it full time.
What has been the most challenging part? Most rewarding part?
Getting used to the ups and downs of running your own business, being for a long while a one woman band and facing my fears (we have all plenty of them,
being financially commitments, being self-doubt on delivery, etc.). Days can be long and sometimes you feel you need 3 of you to do it all. The most rewarding coaching my clients - wow seeing their transformation and their empowerment.... priceless... and then having the freedom of organising my days as I like, taking time for myself when necessary and being my own boss.
What is something you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning?
In hindsight, a better preparation would have been great.., but then when I have decided something, I am fully committed and my certainty bulldozes everything.... I am also very well aware that I know some people never starts because of analysis paralysis. I'd rather have had my naivety than still be waiting on the sideline. Naivety gives you strength.
How do you relax & decompress after a long day or week?
I practice some energy alignment, watch a little TV (couple of series that I like) at dinner time (only time I watch TV) to have a mental break and also do some Qigong, meditations, showers are great too. I love to resource myself in nature... In fact it is a need. I love grounding myself in grass and hugging trees (well I have a favourite one round the corner I live). I also exercise quite a lot but learning to be more in my feminine energy.
What advice would you give to other people wanting to start a company?
Plan enough that you know what you are doing and just do it.... Make sure you have done a market research depending in which business you are in, so you are aware of your competitors, what they do well, what they don't so well.... Do a SWOT analysis basically. Be curious and creative.. and don't wait to have it all mapped out in all the details. Make sure your company is stable before you quit your day job if you haven't got any other incoming. If you are not feeling safe within yourself (roof over your head, enough money in the bank to pay for bills and foods + savings, family / relationship is ok), it will totally impact the way you show up in your business.
Where can people learn more about your company?
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