Meet ICA Coach, Gerdi Verwoert (AUSTRIA)

Gerdi Verwoert, Life Coach

Gerdi is a former project manager, consultant and interim manager with 20+ years of experience in the Dutch corporate world yet she was always more interested more in the people involved than the projects themselves and trained, mentored, managed and supported people. After reaching the stage of a burn out, she was coached and realised she wanted to spend time in nature so she quit and went to Austria, trained to become a hiking guide and a coach and built a coaching business in which combined coaching with mountain hiking. She now works with successful people who are halfway through their life or career and who want to discover what their core values are and how they can use them to live a life true to themselves instead of a life others expect them to live.

1. Why did you become a coach?

I’d reached my 40’s and both my body and my mind were starting to shut down. I was seriously overweight, perpetually tired, and constantly on the brink of illness. I finally reached burn out, and there’s no clearer stop sign than that.

It was time to think about what was really important.

I was lucky enough to connect with some amazing therapists and coaches, and they helped me find those answers I craved.

I wanted freedom and independence. I wanted to guide and teach others. I wanted to spend time in nature. None of which abounded in my corporate career.

So I quit. Yes, just like that! I took myself to Austria, and started guiding hikes into the mountains as a certified guide.

During those hours in the wilderness, people started opening up to me in ways they never usually would. The act of hiking was a healing, mind-clearing experience for them, as it was for me.

Those conversations connected me with my calling. I knew I wanted to teach, to guide, to coach. I also knew that the mountains had a part to play.

So after I went through ICA's Certified Coach Training Program I started building a coaching business in which I combine coaching with mountain hiking.

2. How did you discover your niche and how do you use it to find clients?

From the very start I've known mountain hiking was going to be part of my coaching. As a metaphor as well as in real life. I use both my own story and how I discovered what mountains do for me, as well as a lot of mountain hiking related imagery in all my marketing. I connect with people mainly online as I have a very international focus. I believe hiking, especially in mountains is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and into new possibilities. That's why I love to combine both passions and take you into the mountains with me. By stepping out of your comfort zone your new mental perspective on life will be reinforced by the physical experience of hiking to the heights of mountain tops.

When I'm not in the mountains I offer 1-on-1 coaching online or over the phone as well as webinars and courses, but even then the mountains are never far away. I often use them as metaphors for life and life's challenges.

Join the Panel Discussion with Gerdi Verwoert

When: Tuesday, 16 May @ 3pm NY ET
Host: Merci Miglino (Training Director)
Time Conversion: Click here
Dial in Codes: Register here

3. Who are/will be your clients?

I work with successful women (and men too) who are halfway through their life or career. They want to discover what their core values are and how they can use them to live a life true to themselves instead of a life others expect them to live.

4. Do you offer blended coaching?

I'm blending my experiences as a mountain hiking guide in with my work as a coach.

5. Describe your experience at ICA?

I loved the flexibility of being able to do things on my own schedule.

6. What is a typical day as a coach?

I get up around 6am. After my shower I do a 10-15 minute meditation followed by exercises and some basic yoga. I then take my dog for a walk after which I have breakfast. Recently my focus has very much been on creating an online webinar and course. They are a testing ground for two live events I've scheduled for later this year.

Of course I do coaching calls to. Depending on where my clients are in the world they can be spread throughout the day.

I spend at least a half hour per day (re)connecting with people. Often first online via messages or email, followed sometimes by virtual teas. I've found it a great way to surround myself with like-minded, ambitious people as I live in an area where not many people 'get' what I'm trying to accomplish

Because of time zones I may take my last appointment around 8pm, but after that I shut down until the next day.