What Qualifies me to be any kind of Coach?

Some Background:

I started my working life as an Engineer and Scientist in the Ministry of Defence:

 working in Flight Test, Research and Development, designing and testing Flight Control Systems.

I became a qualified Project Manager, Risk Assessor, a qualified safety critical software developer
and Quality Assurance Manager.

 I was a member of EPSRC placing MoD research contracts with UK Universities.

I sat on a number of GARTEUR research programmes and sat on the UK  'Grey Book' Editorial board.

I was a UK Subject Matter Expert for Modelling & Simulation and Flight Control.

I advised the UK and allied Governments and ran Multi-Million pound research programmes. 


Then, in 2009, after 20 years, I decided that I was no longer where I wanted to be, or 
doing what I wanted to be doing. I wasn't finding the work as interesting, nor rewarding.

I took the opportunity presented by a move of post, to quit, and strike out in a new direction.

I'd always been a keen photographer, had done a few weddings and family shoots so thought
I'd investigate whether I could work as a photographer.

15 years later, I am still a freelance photographer. 

As an editorial and fashion photographer I have been published world wide, 
in hundreds of publications. I have a photographers profile on Vogue Italia and exhibited in Central London.

As a performance photographer I worked extensively in the Burlesque Scene at the height of it's 
popularity with publications such as the Burlesque Bible, Vintage Life Magazine and numerous
pin-up publications. I started my own Pin-up company and model agency and was an official photographer
for the Ambassador Theatre Group. I ran a high street photo studio in Bedford for 4 years, until COVID 
changed the game somewhat.

I have been a t-shirt designer, printing and selling my own designs at events and comic cons all
over the UK.

I have organised and staged large scale photoshoots and helped with large scale events.

I have done all of this whilst suffering, at times, chronic anxiety and bouts of imposter syndrome.
I have had to push myself constantly to 'do' and to get out of my comfort zone.

I am now starting to find myself with different priorities once again, being driven more to help others.
I am also currently going through a divorce so starting a new life in more way than one.

I thus believe I have a wealth and depth of experience, both career wise, but also in my 
personal life. I have had to overcome adversity and problems, including ill health, a number of times.

I am though, now, happier than I have ever been.

So, why not start offering services now?

Whilst in the UK, there is currently no requirement for formal qualifications or
certification to style yourself as a Life Coach, I am undertaking a formal certification 
to ensure that I am fully conversant with the latest formal techniques and methods
to aid Life Coaching/Personal Development Coaching. 

I have also recently 'qualified' as  Reiki Practitioner so will be offering
Reiki sessions as well.

If you would like to know when I start, then use the contact form and I will let you know.