life as a creative coach with kathryn ho
what’s it like working as a creative coach?
I’m so excited for today’s interview with my lovely client-turned-pal, Kathryn Ho! Kathryn is a coach who works primarily with creatives, to help them get unstuck and get out of their own way. I adore Kathryn’s vibe and content and I know you will too, so I had to sit down with her to learn more about her work!
i love your approach to coaching! do you mind telling us more about what makes your approach so unique?
Okay! So, honestly, I’m not sure what makes me (and my approach) unique. Because I don’t know enough about how all the other coaches work out there — and to even start to think how their work differs to mine is mind-boggling!
So, I’ll start with what makes my coaching ‘me’.
I’d say my style of coaching is pretty organic. It doesn’t follow a rigid structure or formula. I do use particular tools and techniques, but they’re very loosely held — so there’s always room for play and adaptation.
In terms of what I actually work on with my clients, it’s all about giving them tools and ways to think differently about their situation. It sounds cliché, but it’s about opening up your mind and perspective, so you can try another approach that feels good for you. In this way, the client learns for themselves about their own resourcefulness and capabilities — the coach just opens up the door for them to see.
One of the things I am very into is using your whole body to change your perspective. It’s no good only knowing with your head what you need to do — your whole mind and self needs to be on board with the change(s) you want to make. (Otherwise you get inner conflict and turmoil, and that’s not much fun!)
Our minds (and bodies) are so powerful. And one of the things I’ve really learned over the last few years is how quickly and easily you can change — both your perspective and situation — if the conditions are right. By that, I mean learning how to use your emotions, your thoughts and feelings, so they are all aligned to help you create change.
I went through a major depression years ago — and one of the things it taught me was the power of our minds; and how they can completely change our world. Now, I get to help clients rewire their brains and their habits (which are just patterns of behaviour and thinking). In turn, this changes their worlds; and I honestly can’t think of a bigger privilege than getting to help people do that for themselves.
the three themes for our brand shoot were "grounded, badass, uplifting" -- what made you pick those words?
“Grounded" is a recurring theme for me, because it sums up how I want to feel — not necessarily through every moment of the day, but definitely throughout my life. Another way of saying ‘grounded’ is feeling connected; to self, and to the moments and world around us. It feels calm and safe to me; and that’s how a lot of people describe my presence as a person, and a coach.
“Badass” is self-explanatory… Honestly, I don’t care if anyone else thinks I’m a badass; and it’s not even a word I’d use to describe myself. But, it’s another way of saying, “True to me.” And that’s important.
“Uplifting” is perhaps not the word I would choose now, but for me it was about playfulness. I like the balance of ‘grounded’ and ‘uplifting.’ You can be both. You can experience both. I’m not a fan of either/or. For me, if you can hold multiple (sometimes contradictory!) perspectives about yourself, you are winning at life
what do you love most about your work, and what challenges you?
Honestly, this is completely selfish, but how much I get to learn. I love learning. I love the feeling of learning. And I get to apply my learning every single day - how fun is that?!
What challenges me is the thing I’m always learning, and the reason I’m here (doing coaching) in the first place. It’s changing my brain. Changing how I think; changing how I work as I adapt to a new identity each and every time. Entrepreneurship asks you to think differently about yourself. And that’s not an easy task. But, in my humble opinion, it’s one of the most rewarding things you ever get to do. (And therefore, such a privilege to help other people think differently about themselves.)
what's the biggest lesson a client has ever taught you?
Sometimes my clients have believed in me more than I believed in me. At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate it — because it also felt like pressure!
But what that has taught me is one of the main 'themes of learning' I’ve carried with me over these last few years:
You don’t know everything. You definitely don’t always know what you’re capable of. You don’t have to believe all your thoughts. (This one is super important.) You don’t have to completely buy into what you tell yourself about you. Don’t believe all your thoughts. Be playful with the idea you can play with your thoughts.
The former forest monk, Björn Natthiko Lindeblad, wrote in his book, I May Be Wrong, that, "What I value most from my seventeen years of full-time spiritual training is that I no longer believe my every thought. That’s my superpower.”
I wholeheartedly agree.
book in for your brand photography journey
I have limited availability this year! Find out more about my brand photography and get in touch for a shoot of your own here.
In the meantime, lots of love,
Anna xxx
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