Anastasia Ageeva, certified life coach, real estate consultant, model and triathlete shares the power of coaching and its empowering effect on wellbeing.
Hello, how have you been? I hope you are smiling now?
Have you recently felt that there is something you liked the sound of so much and, when you noticed someone mentioning it on a social media platform, you became enthralled and curious? You’re viewing the pictures and think to yourself: “She did that; it’s amazing. I wish I could.” Or: “Wow he could achieve that. He looks like an ordinary guy. I think I have more muscles/brains/experience, but I doubt I could do it.”
How many times have you thought of something that fascinates you, only to immediately convince yourself it would be too hard, that you could not possibly do it, that you don’t have the time or that you will fail?
Fear! Forcing you every time to go back into your comfort zone and continue with what you’ve always done. At least you will feel secure even if it’s not what you really want. But that’s one thing you do know everything about – creating reasons for not doing what you want!
When we learn how to deal with our fears the result can be surprising. We feel more safe and comfortable feeling them and knowing how to deal with them, taking that one challenge to make the change towards reaching what we really want.
A close friend constantly mentions this phrase: “Decide then do!” Do you see this as a positive action from the start?
Have you ever made the decision that “Yes I can”? Has there been an occasion when you defied the odds? Would you like to know that you can achieve anything you want and know you are the best self you want to be?
Four years ago, the sport of triathlon suddenly became popular in Bahrain, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who participated in the events of Bahrain Road Runners and went on to establish and promote the sport within the Kingdom. Coincidentally, I had also tried a standard- distance triathlon, merely because I found it to be a great cross-training exercise, having just completed a marathon and other endurance races. I loved the challenge of training in three sports (swimming, cycling and running) and continued training throughout the summer whilst at home in St Petersburg, Russia. I returned fit and well to the scorching sun of Bahrain and heard news that the ‘Challenge Bahrain’ race was to be held that December. For those of you who mightn’t know much about this type of triathlon, it’s a half Ironman distance. Participants need to complete a 1.9km swim followed directly with a 90km cycle and then a 21.1km run — competing over a total distance of 113km to reach the finish line.
I was thrilled! All my friends were registered for the event; excitement and anxious posts on social media built the anticipation. The course was set to go through Bahrain Bay, adjacent to the Four Seasons, with a cycle towards and on the world-renowned F1 circuit, culminating in a run through the beautiful wildlife park of Al Areen.
However, panic set in. I began to think I couldn’t do it. After all, only 10 years previously, I recovered from a horrific car accident. I was confined to a hospital bed for two months with a broken backbone and hip bone. Then, after seven months of physiotherapy on crutches, I had to learn to walk again. Upon discharge from the hospital the consultants had instructed me not to run or jump if I wanted to keep my bones healthy. But, here I was, doing quite well before the Challenge race announcement. But was I at that level?
After my accident, I had started swimming a lot and walking miles, then in 2013 I started running 3km, 5km, 7km, a half-marathon and then my first full marathon, finishing as a runner-up.
So, you can imagine, I was full of insecurities, exposed beliefs and yet wanting to do the Challenge Triathlon Race. I believe a pivotal moment for me was as a result of a friend who had obtained his life coaching degree and was providing a few free sessions as a part of his qualification.
The one lasting memory of those sessions was that I felt empowered to do anything I wanted to do; so I decided to do the Challenge race. I was aware that I needed a proper programme over the three months leading to the event. I set a goal of finishing the 70.3-mile triathlon distance in the best possible time I could and felt healthy and happy. Another friend had told me he had a great coach who had trained him and his wife for a full Ironman race, in a limited time, and they both finished healthy and injury free. That seemed to fall in line with my criteria, so I got a contact and hired the coach on September 14 with a specific target clear for both myself and my coach – “By the afternoon of December 5, I will have completed a 70.3-mile triathlon and received a finisher’s medal.”
I received my training programmes every month, planned all my training sessions in the early hours before work, balancing my nutrition to maintain energy levels for work and training. I knew that I had a good base and, by following a professional plan, in three months I would be ready to achieve my goal. I had many questions concerning the triathlon and got all the answers and guidance from the professional coach, who, over the years, has become a great friend and mentor.
I completed the event and I must admit it was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in my life. It almost felt like I was living a dream. I had proved to myself that I could set a goal and reach it. The coaching helped me a great deal. I also realised that it’s worth paying for professional advice in order to achieve a goal. However, the most amazing phenomenon was that I have been able to take forward the guidance provided by the coach. It’s retained and available to me now at any time.
To describe what I feel I would use an analogy: Imagine a USB stick, now imagine saving all the files you need related to what you want to achieve upon this device. All the ideas empowering you, all the advice you require — be that a training programme or an online book or maybe even a picture of what you need to see on the way or simply the picture of the goal itself and how you imagine it when you have achieved it. Perhaps it’s you receiving a finisher medal and smiling happily, perhaps it’s a picture of the much wanted signed contract, a certificate or a house of your dreams. Now, imagine that when you have received coaching advice, your USB stick with all the data, all the keys to your success, is instantly available to you. If you want, you could become your own life coach or, as in my case, triathlon coach. You follow the guidance and you are empowered to reach the results you want, live the life of your dreams and be happy.
My triathlon and life coaching experience provided me with this. I have my ‘happy plug-in’ on me at all times and it has become a part of me, my awareness, my entire being. I became so inspired by the effect the life coaching has played that last summer I studied to qualify and am now an international life coach and NLP practitioner. I can touch people’s hearts and lead them to their inner happiness.
Now, how are you doing?
Are you feeling determined? Have you been thinking about those things you would like to achieve? Then I encourage you to put this magazine aside and set your happy goal, write it down, plan how you will reach it and use all the resources available to you to achieve it! Because you can do it!
