MENU

My Journey

Apr 30, 2019

By Dalida Turkovic, PCC
(MCS Alumna and founder of the Beijing Mindfulness Centre)

Some years ago, close to a decade now, I began learning from my coach and mentor Ann-Marie McKelvey. Through her coaching I learned how to use the present moment awareness to identify the next steps and actions. From Ann-Marie’s coaching I found out that anxiety, anger, sadness or fear present themselves as messengers on how to navigate with clarity the needs behind the emotions. Step by step I was moving forward into the realms that were unthinkable by my rational mind: publishing a book, opening a mindfulness center, becoming financially independent.

After seeing the value of mindfulness and coaching in my personal life I celebrated Ann-Marie’s decision to start the Mindfulness Coaching School which offers ICF accreditation and immediately started the process of becoming an accredited Mindfulness, Wellness and Somatic Coach.

In coaching we use powerful questions, metaphors, active listening, meta views and a variety of other coaching tools to enable clients to utilize their full potential. Mindfulness and coaching are two skills that have complimentary focus on using awareness as a stepping stone toward behavioral change.

At MCS, my curiosity to learn how to bridge mindfulness and coaching was satiated with each program: S-T-R-E-T-C-H, The Art of Engaged Mindfulness, Right Speech, Skillful Means, Mindful Eating-Mindful Life (to name a few), one after the other classes were adding pieces of the puzzle on how to coach mindfully and be a mindfulness and somatic coach.

Through the support of the community the process of becoming an accredited practitioner brought inspiration to be an ambassador of mindfulness coaching. I have since recommended the MCS program to many. I am still receiving their impressions on what MCS means to them and their growth as a coach:

I would like to say many times thank you – long due actually – for having suggested that I embark on a new career with coaching and take classes with the Mindfulness Coaching School. This has been a wonderful and inspiring journey for me.  ~ T.M., a student of MCS, now ICF accredited coach

[Dalida], I decided to sign up for Right Speech after Skillful Means, I need and want to make my dream come true and become who I might have been. And so one day, I can show […] how great and strong I am!  ~ C.K., a student of MCS, now ICF accredited coach

I am always inspired to hear from fellow mindfulness and somatic coaches and recommend the programs at MCS and coaching with Ann-Marie wholeheartedly to anybody who wants to take both mindfulness and coaching practice to the next level.

0 Comments

More Posts

Testimonials

Skillful Means was a great course for learning the coaching skills for the first time or brushing up on the skills you’ve been using in your practice for a while. I enjoyed watching Ann-Marie demonstrate the coaching skills through practice sessions in class. Would definitely recommend to anyone no matter where they are in their coaching career.
Stephanie Lentini, ACCSouth Lake Tahoe, CA
NVC is an incredible tool to utilize for my coaching practice but also to enhance and enjoy more fully my life and the one of the people around me. Srdjan is an incredible human being and a teacher. His gift is to be able to share his knowledge with authenticity and vulnerability. He is embodying NVC and he inspired me deeply. THANK YOU Read more
Millie Carey milliecarey.com
This [Business Alchemy] is the course I was waiting for to help me understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur. The combination of theory, nuts & bolts business and marketing concepts and hands-on instruction for creating a web page is magical! It really is alchemy!
Robin OlsonStudent CoachBryan, TX
Great starting point for anyone who would like to see how coaching works and how to stretch yourself to achieve more!
Srdjan VukcevicFounder and CEO, Blue CoachPodgorica, Montenegro
STRETCH does just that…it stretches your understanding of what a coach is/does, it stretches your thoughts and insights about yourself and your journey and it stretches your bonds with your classmates to learn from their collective experiences and knowledge. This was an enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable class that really pushed you to think from a variety of perspectives and to also really think about who you are, the story you tell and why. I am sad it is over.
Lara T. AbreuStudent CoachPleasanton, California
Simply put, when I was taught coaching by a popular institute, I learned to coach thoughts and feelings. When I was taught The Dynamic Trio: EMDR, Positive Psychology, and Somatic Coaching at MCS, I learned how to feel those feelings and release them. The mind and body connected; this was the missing link for me.
Moira ClearyStudent CoachJohns Creek, GA
This was an amazing class that helped me develop better communication tools as a coach. Meg is a wonderful and knowledgeable instructor. I loved the poems she read at the start of each class! Thank you.
El Khansa Kaicer, Ph.D, LMFTLos Angeles, California
This class exceeded all my expectations. A must have class for all coaches, no matter what your path is! This was my first detailed exposure to NVC and I fell in Love! Communication is basic and the most important part of relationship, connection and belonging. This opens up deeper level of connection which leads towards love and peace. Srdjan is one of the finest human being I came across. His calm, positive and joyous presence was reflective of NVC in practice. In each class we were able to learn by observing him being ‘NVC carrier’ for all 90 mins. Being a master of NVC he created safe place for  learning. His modesty, kindness and compassion not only made it easy for us to open up and participate in class he held is in safe place and made us feel supported. He was able to bring best from all of us. He made learning joyous and excited. No matter what we brought to table, he took us forward from where we were and utilized every sentence spoken into a learning experience. I have no d… Read more
Dolly Anadkat Ph.D., PCC, PGDCH Practicing Coach for over 10 years
Ann-Marie is a fabulous teacher and mentor. She is a superb coach who models coaching skills and mindset throughout the learning process. Coaching is an exciting profession and Ann-Marie’s passion for coaching is contagious. I have made more changes in my life in the 6 months I’ve been taking classes with Ann-Marie than I have ever made in an entire year. I am now more confident and more energized in my work. I am so happy that I’ve taken the leap into coaching with Ann-Marie leading the way!
Christy EndicottLICSW, Psychotherapist, Wellness/Mindfulness Coach
This school has changed my life in a incredibly positive way. MCS speaks to my soul, and I am more present with my clients, my partner, my children and in my life because of what I’ve learned at MCS. I get so excited when the academic calendar is released, I feel so grateful for this school and I am so thankful that I have found this school.
Kate ToyeStudent CoachPrince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada