Life Coach Interview: Nick Massey

Q1.)How did you get into life coaching?

A1) Well, I was in a job that I hated. I felt empty and purposeless. So I started looking for a new career path. At the time I was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at Walden University, and although I enjoyed it something was missing. I knew what I loved in my past jobs, so I wrote those things down and started looking for something that combined all of them together. As I was doing my research I came across Life Coaching. It fit all of the characteristics I was looking for: it was people oriented, faith-based, I would be helping others succeed, there was the ability to work from home, and it provided a platform to write and speak on. After I decided this is what I wanted to do, I transferred to a Psychology degree with a cognate in Life Coaching at Liberty University. I also attended Life Breakthrough Academy. That is what brought me where I am.

Q2.)What’s your favorite part about being a life coach?

A2) Change! I thoroughly enjoy seeing my clients get excited about life and moving toward their goals. A fringe benefit is the relationship that I build through the process. I really get to know my clients in a special way. They tell me their dreams and fears, successes and failures; you don’t always get to hear those things from people. Listening to them helps me grow too.

Q3.)What are the biggest misconceptions about Life Coaching?

A3) This is an important question. I spend my first free session with the client getting to know my client, and making sure they understand what Life Coaching is and is not. Most of them are surprised to find out that they will be the experts in their life, and I am the expert in Coaching. What I mean by this is that they have a misconception that the Coach will tell them what to do with their life. I let the client tell me what they want. I am an expert at listening and asking powerful goal directed questions. They usually envision a counseling, therapist, mentor, or consultant relationship. From my point of view, and leading Life Coach voice Gary Collins, a Life Coach is none of these.

Q4.)How do you incorporate God or biblical principles into your life coaching?

A4) I am up front with my clients. I let them know I am a Christian and that real life satisfaction cannot be obtained outside of a relationship with God. I ask for permission to pray with them before and after sessions. I also ask them to read the Christian Life Coach’s Creed. This creed includes the values of excellence, confidentiality, etc. Additionally, when the time is appropriate, I may ask them if they would consider reading a particular passage of Scripture for homework, that I think will be helpful to them.

Q5.)What is the biggest benefit that your clients rave about after working with you?

A5) I find that my clients appreciate the perspective shifting that takes place. A fellow Life Coach explained this experience by calling himself a tent thief. He started out by talking about how Sherlock Holmes and his counterpart Watson were camping one night. Sherlock woke up as he noticed a brisk breeze. He nudged his partner and asked him what he noticed. Watson began describing the sky. Then he continued to comment on the brisk breeze etc. Sherlock interrupted him and said, “No Watson, someone has stolen our tent.” As a Life Coach, my clients actually like it when I steal their tent. I had one individual who was telling everyone about how amazing the Wheel of Life Balance was; this new view was life changing. On top of this, my clients appreciate the relationship and motivation they experience. Most people never get heard.

Q6.)In order to get the most from life coaching, what advice would you give to someone looking to become a coaching client?

A6) I think there are some important things to consider when seeking to be a Life Coaching client. Always ask if they will give you a free session to determine if you are a good fit for each other. This will give the potential client a small taste of what Life Coaching will be like. It is similar to buying a car or pair of shoes, if you don’t like how it drives or fits, you will be dissatisfied with the purchase. Chemistry and fit in the Coaching relationship are important.

Also, make sure you are ready to change. I think that time and money will be wasted on both ends if you are not. If I sense the sessions are stalling, I will bring the relationship to a close and give the client some time to consider if this is what they really want. Some Coaches will drag it on as long as the client is willing to pay. I won’t. I don’t want your money, I want you to change and be who God made you to be! I am selective in who I will coach. Bottom line, if change sounds nice but you are not willing to do the work, then the Coaching relationship is not going to benefit you.

Q7.)What current project(s) are you working on?

A7) Right now I am working on a series of books titled, “The Thoughtful Hour.” It is a Christian devotional series that goes through Colossians, Philippians, and Hebrews. The idea is to get Christians in the Bible daily for about an hour. This could be split up throughout the day or done all at one time. They have a memory verse for each day, and a section that has Coaching questions to guide their journal entries. There is much more to the book but that is the gist of it.

Also, I am transitioning into a new ministry that teaches and coaches Christians into spiritual growth. The program is going to revolve around instructing believers in the spiritual disciplines, and coaching them into applying what they have learned.

Q8.)Any final thoughts about sharing your life coaching with my blog readers?

A8) Life Coaching is about having a support partner on your journey. Knowledge and process are important, but for the majority of people this is not what brings about change. Relationship matters more. Support, encouragement, an attentive ear, and thought provoking questions are what you can expect from me as a Life Coach. If you are willing to move forward, I am willing to Coach you, or at least help you find another Life Coach that fits you. Bottom line, I want you to succeed.

Join the conversation. Share your ideas or questions in the comment form below.

Other blog interviews you may like:

Life Coach Interview: Linda Goldfarb

Life Coach Interview: Kathy Cordell

Life Coach Interview: Diana Salcicciola

To see links to ALL my life coach interview blog posts go here. (and scroll down a bit)

LIFE COACH BIO: Nick Massey

Nick Massey is a Life Breakthrough Coach and received his certification from the Life Breakthrough Academy. He also established The B.R.M.I. (Bible Revival Movement Institute) to offer spiritual discipline courses coupled with Life Coaching services. Additionally, he is a writer and offers discipleship seminars at churches nationwide. He will graduate with a BS in Psychology and cognate in Life Coaching from Liberty University in 2014. In his spare time he really likes writing about himself in the third person. Learn more at www.coachmassey.com, and follow his blog at www.breakingnatures.blogspot.com.