Gerdi Verwoert, Life Coach

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?

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.

Find out more about Gerdi at Dare Greatly Coaching.