Katrina Court is a Matrescence Coach who qualified with the Animas Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching in 2022. She has since gone on to set up her own business, Katrina Court Coaching working with new mums as they transition into the world of motherhood, supporting them through the period known as matrescence. Katrina defines this as “when a woman’s identity completely changes as her world is flipped upside down as she welcomes a new child into the world and a new version of herself”. Her mission is to be part of a wave of mothers who are taking it upon themselves to make a change, and become the support for other mothers in a society where mothers are undervalued and under supported.
What follows is a very insightful conversation with Katrina about her coaching journey with Animas and into the world of becoming a self-employed Matrescence Coach.
How did your coaching journey begin?
“Throughout my career, I’ve been exposed to coaching, and I dabbled with informal coaching within my people-facing role. It was something that interested me as I’ve always been someone that listens more than she talks. When I first signed up, I didn’t know for certain that I would become a full time coach, but I did know that it was something I was really passionate about and whenever I learn something through doing, I am able to apply it in some way”.
How did you choose to train with Animas?
“I did my research. I looked at other schools, I attended a couple of their open sessions where you go and find out more and gain more of an understanding of what to expect. There was something about Animas that really stood out. On the introduction day I became a little bit pally with one of the other people on the course just through the chat and it turned out that we had quite similar backgrounds. I remember leaving the call and messaging her separately saying ‘yes, I’ve made my mind up, this is definitely for me!’ I think when it came down to it, Animas was just somewhere I felt like I belonged.”
Did your expectations live up to reality?
“I didn’t really know what to expect when I signed up as I didn’t really know what I was letting myself in for! However, from very early on, I knew that it would be in depth, and that it wasn’t superficial. It reassured me that I would be walking away with some real skill and competencies, rather than just the surface layer.”
“The trainers created a really safe space in which participation was encouraged, but not forced. We all felt like equals and it was a lovely experience!”
What impact has coaching had on your life?
“The ability to have better conversations. I think you realise very quickly once you start going through your coaching training, just how badly we listen. Being able to listen and have a lot more respect for the person who’s talking is an invaluable skill, as is the permission to be silent”.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?
“The biggest challenge was after qualifying, going from the exhilaration of finding something you’re passionate about, and wanting to share that with the world, to realising that there’s a whole other side to building something for people to pay you for using these services”.
“Once you’re fully immersed in this industry, you realise that it’s an unregulated industry and not everyone goes through the same process that we did. There’s a lot of people calling themselves coaches that give the industry a bad reputation.”
“Particularly in Matrescence Coaching, there’s a lot that can come up that is quite triggering, so it’s been invaluable to have a Coaching Supervisor as an outlet where I can work through that”.
Any advice for newly qualified coaches?
“One of the best things that someone said to me was to hold your nerve, and that your ideal clients are out there and they will find you, when they are ready. I’d also say to watch out for the people who promise to turn your practice into a 6-figure business overnight; if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!”
“The most important thing is to keep coaching, even if it’s for no cost, just to get the practice in”.
What are your future plans?
“Being able to create something that can grow, alongside my daughter who is about to start school, is my key goal for the future.”
What message would you give to prospective coaches?
“If anyone is on the fence about doing this course, you should take a leap of faith, as I don’t believe that anyone would ever regret being part of Animas. There is so much that you will gain from this experience, not just in terms of professional skill and qualifications, but as a person, through further understanding yourself and the growth that happens during and after the course”.
If Karina’s story has inspired you and you’re considering starting a journey to become a transformative coach, you can find out more about our Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching on our course page.
