Mindy J Kaleta, Life Coach

I graduated from ICA as a Certified Professional Coach in 2007.

I started my career working as a Wellness Center Coach for Weight Loss and Smoking Cessation.

I knew I wanted to work with women in designing the life they wanted to live rather than living by default. Both in my job at the wellness center and in my practice, helping women live their life by design was always front and center.

But writing a book was something that intrigued me. So from there I started writing and published my first eBook in 2009, Surviving the Puppy Stage, How to Get Inside Your Dog’s Mind Without Losing Your own! In 2015, I launched my most recent book, Stop Bending Over Backwards Trying to Please and Start Being Who You Really Are!

The past few years, I’ve been coaching clients through the publishing process a book project manager and also assisting clients in new business start-up.

But my dream to open an animal farm and educational event center was calling me. In January of this year, we decided to commit to a 5-10 acre farm and educational event center…Ladybug Junction Farm. I am now working to acquire property for the farm and getting it set up as well as coaching clients to Manifest Your Dreams Into Reality…which is one of my favorite topics! Whatever you want to do in life…IT IS POSSIBLE!

1. When did you first know you wanted to become a coach?

In 2005 a friend of mine mentioned something about “this new thing called coaching” and I decided to look into it. I did my research and found ICA. I called in, signed up and never looked back!

2. When did you discover your niche, and then how did you use it to find clients

I’ll be honest…my niche has been the biggest challenge. I knew I wanted to help women “discover and manifest their dreams” and also work with kids in some way with animals, but I was coaching on everything from losing weight, stop smoking to business and publishing. LOL!

It’s not until this year that I am finally ready to “do what I love”. I knew I was always there for my clients 100%, but when I decided to go for my husband’s and my dream for the farm, I finally realized “doing what I LOVE” is the key to manifesting all that you desire.

3. Who are your clients (or who are you planning they will be)

Coaching – Women, men and kids through coaching, classes & workshops on the farm. We will be offering various educational opportunities in the areas of friendship with animals (Kids), Puppy Training Classes for kids and their pups, School visits with a focus on children’s literacy and “The Big Red Reading Barn!
Adults – Focus on health and well-being with Yoga and meditation in the pasture, Qi gong, compassionate kitchen and much more!

4. How have you blended coaching with your previous experience or profession

I believe we are coaching all the time, so coaching fits perfectly into whatever I was doing…publishing services, VA work, business coaching, etc.

5. What is / was your experience as a student of ICA

I loved ICA and especially the classes. The instructors were well trained experienced coaches themselves and were always available for consultations when needed. Most of the instructors still worked as coaches with their own practice, which made for interesting stories and content during class!

6. What's a typical day for you as a coach or as a student

I strive to awaken and start my day with Meditation 20 mins, some type of physical exercise (Qi gong) 20 mins and Inspirational Reading – 20 mins.

(I don’t always get the exercise in…but I try!)

I spend time in household chores the rest of the morning. (We have w dogs and three cats!) I delegate the afternoon for what I call, “the project of the day”. Numerous calls throughout the week are scheduled and of course client calls, emails. I conduct work on Facebook with my business pages and groups. It’s like my “office” you would say!

One of the biggest challenges I have experienced in being a self-employed coach was spending too much time at the computer. I am now going through a transformation to limit my time sitting, even if I have to get up and walk around during calls.

That is another reason why the farm is calling me; to spend my time outside in fresh air, with the animals at the barn and enjoying those who visit the farm.

I will still be coaching no matter where I am or what I’m doing. That is the beauty of coaching. You can make it fit into YOUR lifestyle and what fills your life with JOY!