The Standard

When Stan has a problem, I usually run to a friend or to Mama D’Arde or to the Top of The Standard for a martini. Recently I was introduced to the one of the most fascinating woman I’ve ever met. Her name is T.C. Conroy, and she’s a life coach.

Don’t freak out. Life coaching isn’t as spooky as you might think. It’s like having a really smart best friend who asks all the right questions so you can figure out your problems on your own, with a little bit of guidance and a bill at the end. HA!

After a couple introductory sessions with T.C., and an unexpected conversation with my 6-year-old self that ended up with my permanently shipping that 6-year-old off to Paris (don’t ask, but it worked), I decided that this gem of a woman was too valuable not to share with you.

Ladies & Stan D’entlemen, I present to you a few moments with T.C. Conroy…

Stan: You’re one of the world’s most sought after Life Coaches. How did you make your start?

T.C.: Well, I have been coaching my whole life, but the process went more like this… Over eleven years ago, I found myself confused and unemployed in the post-apocalyptic dot bomb breakdown. I chose a cocktail of Nick Cave and Kundalini yoga to soothe my soul and that’s when coaching found me. Literally, I was on my afternoon bike ride around Lake Hollywood when my internal voice told me that I am here to coach, and my internal voice does not have to repeat itself. I started my training the very next day.

What are the origins of coaching? Was it ever an 80s fad that ended up sticking?

You mean like EST? No! That’s the Landmark Forum. Life Coaching is an offshoot of the self-help movement that has been developing over the past 30 years. I think that it has grown so well because it meets a very real need in our society – whether we admit it or not we’re all striving to be the best possible version of ourselves, and we employ creative strategies to reach our goals. Professional life coaches are perfectly tailored to support those aspirations.

What is the difference between a life coach and a therapist or psychiatrist?

Coaching and therapy are very different things. A therapist will diagnose and treat a client who has ailments or long-standing emotional challenges. Coaching is really geared toward high functioning people - people who are ready to elevate up to that next level. Anyone who comes in with unresolved therapy issues must first heal and resolve those with a therapist prior to finding real success with a life coach. Coaching is a beautiful compliment to therapy and or a twelve-step program, but never a replacement.

What are the benefits of life coaching?

Awareness! And then the fix. When people are willing and ready to do the work coupled with the expertise and accountability that comes with having a coach, the possibilities and benefits are infinite and endlessly exciting. Each client or session nets a different result - however, properly applied, the goal of coaching is to permanently empower by building a foundation of internal shifts that leads to a measurable and permanent life-changing results.

You have clients across the globe. How do they find you and how do you coach them?

Those are two very different questions. I do have clients all over the world, and they generally come to me through word of mouth. I’ve been working with artists and other creative visionaries since the beginning of my career, and I think word traveled pretty effectively in those circles. I don’t advertise, but so far my community and everyone’s six degrees of separation within it keep me busy. I coach international clients over Skype or telephone, and I have the flexibility to work with LA or NYC clients in person.

What has been the most bizarre experience you’ve had while coaching?

Being a child of rock and roll, I’m not that easily spooked. I do like to create a space where my clients feel free to access those deep dark places where the good stuff resides, but truth be told, as interesting and demented as most of us think our dark side is, it’s really not that mysterious unveiling the many faces of fear.

What is the future of life coaching? What are you doing to make change?

Coaching is still in its infancy. I believe that it will become more and more the norm, as it’s true value is better understood. I’m doing my part by being the best coach I can be for my clients. The more people are elevated and empowered by it, the more they will pass on that experience with others. I believe in the idea of a positive domino effect.

What are the similarities between coaching life and coaching football?

I have never coached football so I have no way of knowing, but I would assume a primary distinction is that in football there is more shouting and ass grabbing, two things that very rarely happen in my coaching sessions.

I’m sure you not going to tell me, but who is your most famous client and what’s their biggest issue?

Hahahahaha. Fame is relative. As is the size of an issue.

What is the one most important word of advice you have for the world?

The very nature of life is creative. Don’t allow your heart or your mind to crystallize with negative emotion, stay open to the infinite possibilities and play in the magic. Form follows thought; step into the responsibility of that.

Follow T.C. on Twitter for daily insights, and whatever you do, don’t come to me with your problems.

xoxo
Stan