 Hey, hey Tony Gaskins here, and I am here with an amazing coach Latoya Blackman She is a coach on my mentor dot life And she was one of the coaches that we selected to feature in this first series talking to coaches So Latoya, how are you? Hey Tony, I'm great. I thank you so much for this opportunity Awesome. Thank you so much for joining me and for being a coach on my mentor dot life. Now, how long have you been on the site? I have been on the site since you put it up. I did the life coach certification the beginning of this year And as soon as I received your email stating that the site was live I made no hesitation and I signed up Wow. Wow. So in 2019 or 2018 did you do any professional coaching sessions? In those years Yes, I did. I actually had one coaching session with you in 2018 I Remember you were having like a deal going on and I was like, okay. I have to coach with this man because I know You're so well-renowned. So we had a coaching session You know, I discussed about coming out of a toxic relationship and you evaluated my social media on Instagram And your feedback was so helpful and it helped jumpstart me in my healing process I knew that I always wanted to be a coach I actually had looked back at an old journal of mine and I wrote it down in 2018 That I will be a life coach for women. So I'm just so happy that now it's coming to pass Wow Now tell me a little bit about your story and what led you to wanting to become a coach Like that toxic relationship that you left. What was that like? So, yes, even that toxic relationship it taught me a lot It was a relationship that I endured emotional physical emotional abuse I was in that relationship for five years. This is someone who I thought I would marry and it really Broke me down when things ended When things became physical so I Wanted to become a life coach because I wanted to help people Know that I Understand what you're going through. I've gone through some similar things I can relate And I want I really want to help women get to the next level of their healing process with God I make it pretty known on my coaching page That I am a believer. So when people read it, they'll know Whether they want to work with me or not Hmm. I see that is something that is amazing that you you know, you lead Let them know who you are. You're being authentic. Now, you got on the site when I launched it that probably was January or so and When did you get your first client? My first client was actually a couple and that was the end of February Wow, wow a couple. So Did that catch you off guard? Were you nervous? Yes, very nervous. I was like, wow, okay. Oh I'm up for the challenge. Um, I still coach them to this day. You know, they come and coach with me periodically Um, they're actually on their way to getting married, which is amazing. Um So, yes, it was good. It was it was tough at first, but I actor it Wow, that is amazing now Your three categories that you choose to coach in As far as my mentor dot life is concerned. What are they? My coaching categories are faith relationships and health and wellness Wow, okay, so Now that couple was that the only couple that hired you and then it was individuals after that or was it More couples or more individuals Um, I did get more couples not as many as the individuals. I may be about three more couples But the first couple that booked with me, they've been the most consistent Wow So now how has it been coaching couples You know after leaving a relationship, I take it. Are you still single? Yes, I am at the moment So that's interesting because you get to kind of talk to them about hey, like You pull from What went wrong in your situation things that you Saw he could have done better things you could have done better. Like where are you pulling from when you coach a couple? Yeah, so when I coach a couple I do pull from my past experience I pull from people in my life's experience um And just also with biblical principles as well to help them go on the right path That's amazing. That's amazing and I want to highlight that because It shows that even single people can help a couple And although, you know, you didn't put like married couples or marriage you put relationships and A couple sees you and they reach out and they want to talk to you And so it's kind of like that apostle Paul type wisdom how here you have this person who Had lived and saw some things probably saw his past relationships and As far as we know was single But gave Wrote some of the most profound relationship wisdom the world has ever known And so that's amazing because when you kind of get to step into other Arenas and say hey, I've learned I've lived and This is what I know now. So that's pretty awesome now Right now with coaching Are you balancing it with your day job? Yes, I am balancing it with my day job. Um, so I usually coach in the evenings and weekends when I'm off That's awesome. That's awesome. And that's wisdom too. That is wisdom because I tell people all the time sometimes you have to balance the Dream with the job until the dream becomes the job And I think a lot of times people they'll see something that they want to do and they'll just you know, tell their job Hey, I'm done with you And haven't really built enough momentum in that other career And end up having to crawl back to the job So that's wisdom now. Do you plan on one day being a full-time coach or Would you rather continue to balance, you know for the next three four or five years So at this time, I think I'll continue to balance it. Um, I'll see where God leads me I wouldn't mind doing this full time as an entrepreneur. Um, I do plan to Branch out and become an author for multiple books. I've actually already published an e-book So, um, I'm working on my book right now my next book. So I'll see where God leads me Also, now tell me about the e-book. What's the title and where could is it available for, you know, purchase or download right now? So this is it printed out and the name of it is 30 day affirmations 30 days to stronger faith than God Um, and it is available on amazon kindle. I actually also have it available on um And a site called pay hip so you can download it Um, most people like amazon so you can download it from there Wow, that's awesome. How how long did it take you to Write the 30 day affirmations Um, it took me about Maybe a month and a half Because I do have prayers in there. I also have all the affirmations are scriptural based um I have a worship praise and worship playlist I also Give you a testimony with my faith So it's it's pretty well rounded. Um, it's a great jump start to people really obtaining faith And maintaining their faith, you know, all levels it can really help you That's amazing. That's amazing now. Where did the inspiration come from to write that 30 day affirmations book? So it really came in my prayer time to be quite honest. Um, I knew I wanted to write an e-book. I had a lot of ideas But I asked God to show me to tell me What is it that he wants me to focus on? um, and because I Coach in the faith I said, how can I help people with faith? You know, um, when they're if they can't coach with me or after the coaching session I need to provide a resource so God led me to this 30 day affirmation e-book and It was just like so easy to do it And I'm so glad that I obeyed and went through with it Wow, that's amazing. So We're gonna put that link in the description of this video For those who want to go get it because I'm sure it'll help everyone who reads it, but it also Will inspire people to write their own So that's pretty amazing. So you you work a job and You are a coach And now your author gonna get a few more book sales today When when the video is up and so that's three streams of income right there Did you plan that like at 18 or that you wanted to have multiple streams of income? Or is it just kind of your steps being ordered? So no, um, I grew up in a household where you're taught you go to college You get in your career and you work for someone. So this is all new to me um and it's really a blessing um It really is Wow. Wow. So more books you have more books on the way Yes, I'm currently writing. Uh, my next book is going to be about my story. Um So hopefully that will come out soon Awesome Now when if you had to describe your ideal client like who you feel you're really called to Him or her their situation. What would that ideal client look like that you feel You're truly called to So my ideal client would be someone who is in a place where they're looking for change um They already have made it up in their mind before they booked a session with me that they want growth um They're seeking answers. They're they're looking for a plan You know, I really try to give my clients um I give them I ask them coaching questions Of course, I listen to their story. I let them talk more than I would talk Um, and I always like to leave them with some exercises to do After our session. So it really has them thinking it really has them working so they can work through Whatever issues they're going through and get to that goal that they're trying to obtain Wow Now where did you or how did you craft your coaching style like the flow of your Calls because what you just laid out that was pretty smooth and that sounds like a powerful session. So how did you do that? I um Just kind of go with the flow of the call, you know, I listen to the client I see what their needs are what they're struggling with And I base my questions off of that. So I don't have like these preset Questions or coaching exercises for them. I just kind of go with the flow um And I really try to see what can I give them? To where they can reach their goal So that's kind of just how I do it. Yeah Wow That's pretty awesome now so From what I'm hearing you sound like a natural coach like For you to just you know Be able to say hey this this book this 31 this 30 day affirmations came to me in my prayer time And this coaching session I go with the flow. That's like a natural. It's like natural instinct So before you became a professional were you giving advice and coaching friends and family before that? Yes, absolutely Over the years I've always been I guess that friend that you can call we can talk about things Even with some of my family members um When I just started the coaching professionally I actually had a friend who said to me This is for you because you're always giving me great advice You know, I'm glad that you found something to where you can be compensated for it So yes, so I guess it's just I didn't realize that I was always coaching her say but It's it's just like a gift Wow. Wow. So now What is your current coaching rate and what went into what thought went into setting that price for yourself? Well, I recently um changed it. So now it's at 60 dollars an hour For a long time. I was I started out at 25 and then I went up to 35 So I stayed at 35 for quite a bit, but I feel like the more I grow That It will need to increase Just for the quality of coaching that I give my clients. I feel that that will be the appropriate rate That's awesome. That's awesome. And I love that you started at 25 You get your feet wet you get a feel for it. Then you give yourself a raise now How good does it feel To be able to log in To the back end of the site and give yourself a raise without having to go sit down and talk to a boss It feels amazing. I never thought that I would be able to do something like this So yes, it's very empowering and it motivates you to keep going as well I mean, it's not only about the money, but It's definitely an incentive Right. And you know the thing the interesting thing is like We don't get our time back. We never get our time back. So it's like you're not only giving value But you're also giving time that you cannot redeem And it's time that you could have been praying time that you could have been with your loved ones your friends your family and so It is a profession as well as a passion and or a purpose and so That's one thing that you know, I try to get people to understand because sometimes people expect everyone to just freely just be on the phone all the time for free and it's like at that point It would be so draining and you don't know that the person you're dealing with is serious And like you say as you increase your rate The type of clientele If they are your clients already they have to grow with you Mentally because they have to go from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset And they're also inspired and they say, you know what? If I need to grow I need to Budget or I need to add a stream of income So it inspires even your clients to say, hey, my coach is growing Let me grow and then the people who hire you That is the person that's for you at that time. So There's there's some science to it and some a deeper meaning behind it So I really commend you on having the courage to believe in yourself because that's one thing That is hard for a lot of people. So Speaking to that How did you find the confidence to take that leap of faith to become a coach? Yes, so to become a coach. Wow It I've always been a person that likes to help people and give In my current career. I am a registered nurse. So that's pretty much the core of that job You're helping people on many levels physically emotionally You know, I found myself when I was working at the bedside as a nurse that Many times I would have many coaching sessions with them you know, I would talk them through their disease processes and You know, they would give me their feedback and I was able to console them during a very hard time in their life so It just came natural to me to be honest like when I I always listened to what you're saying and I always received your emails And when you were saying that the coach insight was coming even from last year I was already anticipating to join. I knew that this was something It didn't really matter how much it cost um, I knew that I needed to be on there because I respect what you're doing and this is such a great great opportunity for people those who love to help other people Wow, that's amazing That that's a mindset right there that is really going to I see why you're a coach because not a lot of people Have that mindset, you know, just You and it's not like you're born like that You had to coach yourself to be a Dreamer to walk by faith to have an abundant mindset because you said something you said it didn't matter what it cost so that kind of says like Hey, I'm going after what I want and no one's getting in my way not even talking about money But that mindset that's that's powerful and you are a R in that's an amazing job and That's some great income. So, you know That's interesting that you have a serious job like that and then you add another job where you're serving people so That I mean do you get drained and tired and want to quit? Um, just to be transparent there are moments. Yes. Sometimes you feel like wow, okay What can I give myself? So I do try to find that balance. Um, I don't coach on Sundays I've had had I've had clients ask me. Oh, can I work with you on Sunday and I let them know that's my day off So that's where I find the balance. Um And just of course my faith in god And just rejuvenating myself exercising eating right getting enough rest Um, it's all a balance because I think because I've been a nurse for almost a decade now I've learned how to Balance work and my personal life So it's it's pretty helpful Wow LaToya, you're doing amazing. You know, I want to encourage you I can feel, you know, you're humble and meek spirit. You know, I can tell that you are You know, just genuine and authentic. You're not putting on a facade So those intangibles that will take you a long way That will take you a long way when you can be authentic when you can be real And that's one thing I've learned loved about interviewing all the coaches Is it makes sense to me why you all are having success Because you're putting your authentic self out there and people can read that in your bio They can sense it from that first coaching call where they're taking a chance So, you know, I want to commend you and just say keep going And if you could say something to The aspiring coaches those who are kind of on the fence and You know scared to take that leap What would you say or just to people in general about personal development? What would you say? Absolutely. I would say to anyone who wants to be a coach who wants to develop themselves personally It's very important To believe in yourself to invest in yourself No one else is going to do it for you um I have seen when I have invested in myself in various things. I buy the books. I take the courses I do the work We have to do the work if you want to see growth and you want to see changing in life And I'm a firm believer that when we take the steps god will Help you in the process, but you have to make that first step Sitting back and waiting for someone else to do it for you You're going to stay in the same place So I would say to anyone who's aspiring to be a coach do it If you have to budget out And make the investment You have to make the investment the return is so much greater and it's not only monetary It's it's you seeing a change in people's lives that you're assisting It's much bigger than you so I would say just go for it Wow, that's amazing. That's amazing to everyone who has watched this Please take some inspiration from Latoya and she jumped out there to help others So if you know that you have a calling and a purpose and you want to serve Even if you're serving at the soup kitchen, you know and starting there or serving in your church, you know Serving on your job just reaching out and helping if you would like to You know meet Latoya work with Latoya You can click the link in the description. It'll take you to her page On my mentor you can read her bio book a session with her You can also get her ebook that link is in the description as well And if any social media that she has shared will be in the description as well So hey, thank you so much for joining us today. I hope you enjoy today's chat and we will talk soon Thank you so much. Latoya Thank you, Tony. Take care