Meet the Coach: Ivan Levin
Ivan Levin is a life coach and business coach in North West London and online
What attracted you to become a coach?
I have had the privilege of working for some very well-known organisations as a manager and then senior manager. I always felt that being managed, and especially micro-managed, did not get the best out of me, but that something like coaching would.
I always thought that coaching would be the way forward in many aspects of life and business, as it has proven to be so successful in sport.
Where did you train?
I have trained and studied extensively. Initially I was trained by Sir John Whitmore's programme, however my progression and CPD has taken me through many diverse courses and models, thereby offering different modalities which are used in a bespoke way with each client.
What kind of coaching do you offer?
I offer life and business coaching. I work one-to-one with clients to enable them to discover themselves, their strengths, their challenges, and their goals.
I offer one-to-one coaching extensively for clients to discover themselves. Once we have overcome that hurdle, we progress to delve deeper and encourage the client to find that ultimate pathway.
How does coaching help people?
Life coaching helps you improve motivation, reduce anxiety, empower yourself, achieve goals and ambitions, build confidence, improve anger management, form better relationships, and feel better about yourself.
I work with a range of people, from teenagers to adults, to improve the way they function and feel in themselves.
Business coaching helps you identify and clarify your goals within your career and business, develop goals to achieve your aims and help you achieve your goals.
My kind of coaching is supported by years of training incorporated with lifelong learning skills.
What sort of coaching clients do you usually see?
I work with people who are neuro-diverse who struggle to maintain employment, as well as young adults who find connecting with friends extremely stressful whether at school, university, or the work environment.
I help teenagers and adults with anxiety and difficulty with motivation and confidence .
Do you ever suggest books or other materials to clients?
I have often encouraged my clients to read the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Dr Richard Carlson. It is a great read which helps improve perspective on difficulties and challenges we face in life and how to deal with them.
What do you like about being a coach?
I see my role as a developmental coach within the client's pathway as they search for stability and progression within their own lives. I love the opportunity to walk the talk with my clients and support their progress as they seek a positive outcome.
What is one life lesson you try to live by?
I live by the four-letter word "SELF". Want to learn more?
What do you wish people knew about coaching?
I wish people knew that coaching can literally change your life for the better. I believe people should explore the value of using a coach to help move their lives forward and not feel afraid to have that initial discussion. It could change their life in a hugely positive way forever.
Do you have a favourite client testimonial or success story?
“Ivan has helped both my boys, at different times, with problems such as social, confidence and anger issues. The boys felt relaxed and comfortable with Ivan and were able to be open and honest with him from their first meeting. They loved talking to him and felt safe, whilst working through their issues. They view Ivan as their friend yet know that he has a no-nonsense approach and was firm but fair when needed. As parents we also felt safe with Ivan on board. He guided us and supported us whilst offering us a way forward out of situations that we didn't know how best to deal with. We highly recommend him. We call Ivan 'The Child Whisperer'.”
“After spending 18 months recovering from the stroke, I can't say I had hit rock bottom but I wasn't far from it. I certainly didn't feel the same confident person I had 18 months previously. I felt I had lost me forever and become someone else, a victim I suppose! However, meeting you and having our daily chats seemed to make me grow as a person and gradually I felt the old me returning. My sense of humour, my confidence, the feeling I didn't need to hide away anymore. I could tackle anything head on that came my way as I was strong again. I am a stroke survivor, not a stroke victim. Friends and family noticed the change in me we called it the "Ivan effect". Even my counsellor said Ivan should be available on prescription!"
