Matilda Egere-Cooper
Matilda is a life & wellness coach and founder of Fly Girl Collective.
Let’s keep it 100 – life can be A LOT. Between juggling work, navigating relationships, and trying to take care of yourself (and others), it can feel like you’re balancing everything, everywhere, all at once.
And I know what it’s like to feel stuck or unsure of how to move forward, especially when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle and focusing on self-improvement. My 20s were all about pursuing success, with little regard for my health and well-being. But as I’ve grown, I’ve discovered the game-changing power of coaching (and despite popular belief, it’s not just motivational pep talks or someone cheering you on from the sidelines).
Since coaching is often misunderstood, it’s crucial to know what it is – and what it isn’t – so you can understand how it can help transform different areas of your life.
So let me break down what coaching is, how it differs from mentoring or therapy, and how it can help you find clarity and build a lifestyle you’re proud of.
So, what exactly is coaching?
Simply put, coaching is about having someone in your corner, helping you get from where you are now to where you want to be. It’s like having a BFF who asks the right questions and helps you see things from different perspectives. And unlike advice-giving mentors or healing-focused therapists, a coach isn’t there to dictate what to do or dig into your past trauma. Coaching is a structured, collaborative process where we help you clarify your goals, identify challenges, and create actionable steps to move forward.
I’ve experienced the power of coaching both as someone who’s used coaching tools and received coaching. And let me tell you, girl, it’s been eye-opening! The fixed ideas I once had about my success were challenged (in a good way), helping me gain more clarity about the habits and actions I needed to develop to get to the next step—and really discover my purpose.
I also love what leadership coach Tiffany Gaskell has to say about coaching. She describes it as working with a person “to open up new areas of thought.” She told *Forbes* magazine: “Awareness is the lightbulb moment. Then, once you’re aware, you have a choice. With choice comes responsibility. For example, whether to let things continue as they are, or to take responsibility to create things as you’d like them to be. This is a path of learning and growing.”
Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Therapy
I’ve had the privilege of being a mentor over the years—from university students to direct reports at work. Mentoring tends to be like, “I’ve walked this path; let me show you the ropes,” offering advice based on experience. Therapy, on the other hand, focuses on digging into your past, emotional healing, and working through trauma or mental health challenges. It’s great if you’re struggling with deeper issues that need unpacking.
How coaching can help you get to where you want to be
Coaching is incredibly helpful when you feel stuck, uncertain about your next steps, or looking to sort out a specific area of your life. In the areas of health, fitness, or lifestyle, here are three examples of how coaching could make a difference:
Getting back on track with fitness goals: If you want to maintain a healthier lifestyle but struggle to work out and eat well consistently, lack motivation, or face setbacks that make it hard to stick to your goals, a coach can help. We would identify barriers to consistency and work with you on an action plan, providing accountability and support.
Prioritising self-care and mental well-being: If you constantly feel overwhelmed and struggle to make time for yourself, a coach can help you explore how you’re spending your time, establish new habits, and adopt tools and accountability to help you practice self-care consistently.
Developing a healthier relationship with food: If you struggle with comfort eating, coaching can guide you in setting mindful eating practices and pursuing gradual goals to lead you to a healthier, more balanced approach to food.
So whether you’re trying to level up your health, deepen your self-care, or make lasting changes in your life, coaching is that space where you can grow, develop, thrive, and live well.
