My Coaching Journey- Rising Strong, Empowering Connections

by Jane (Jianyi) Nie

Jane (Jianyi) Nie shares her journey, reflecting on her skills and experiences, life challenges and a blissful discovery: how she found her calling coaching women from diverse backgrounds to achieve their wildest dreams.

Sometimes, you don’t even realise a seed has been planted within you. You connect the dots only when you look back ten years later. Solutions may not come immediately, but when you plant a seed in your mind, it can lead you to a solution. That’s the power of the universe—you don’t always need to work hard to figure things out. Your mind doesn’t know the future, but if you desire, the universe will work for you.

First Seed: Public Health

I have always had a passion for contributing to the greater good. Initially, I set out on the path of public health nutrition because seeing people suffer from pain or heartbreak was difficult for me. Health is fundamental for everyone, and I wanted to help people become healthier. I wanted everyone, no matter where they are in the world, to have access to health and the ability to take care of themselves. However, public health interventions are not easy to implement and ensure effectiveness.

Initially, I thought I could intervene by disseminating knowledge through communication so people would know how to care for their health. I have always had a passion for connecting with people, speaking, and especially telling stories. In this case, I wanted to use storytelling to communicate health information powerfully and effectively, so I started my career in science communications. 

I wanted to use storytelling to communicate health information powerfully and effectively

English was not my first language, but my determination, passion, and courage paved the way for me to successfully land a career in health communications. However, I witnessed that merely having knowledge doesn’t change behaviour. Even with interventions at various levels, something was missing. Looking back, I believe coaching was the missing puzzle piece that dives deeper into people’s barriers and motivations for behaviour change.

Second Seed: Landing My Passion in Communications and Connections

I had several career changes in the US due to visa issues each time. Navigating the political landscape of living in different countries was always the most complicated part. My first job was as a media relations specialist at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Everything seemed to be going well until I was told one day by the director that I would need to leave in a few months because the institute couldn’t sponsor my work visa. They were sorry to tell me that and did everything to support me by helping me with my resume and connecting me with people. However, it was still heartbreaking—I had to leave my first job, my favourite manager, and my loving team. I had to find another job quickly before being forced to leave the country. Luckily, the skills and knowledge from my first job helped me step into communications.

Desperate to get a job, I took a second role as a scientific writer, which was not ideal for me. I was more passionate about writing stories for the public than scientific writing for applications and papers. Still, I enjoyed learning in an academic environment. Even better, I was excited when I took on a role in a startup company spun off from the lab where my PI was a co-founder. 

I wanted a career where I could make a tangible positive impact on people’s lives instead of marketing to profit a company.

Satisfied with my work and spotting my talent, he made me the sole marketing person in his company. I always had that entrepreneurial spirit, constantly seeking creativity and change. However, the initial excitement gradually diminished because, deep in my heart, it wasn’t my true passion. I wanted a career where I could make a tangible positive impact on people’s lives instead of marketing to profit a company. My public health values were always there—the passion for touching people’s lives and influencing them positively never waned.

However, I was afraid of change. I was scared of leaving a stable job with good pay and the pressure of needing visa sponsorship. I dragged on in the job like a frog in warm water, choosing to suffer because it felt safer.

Third Seed: Low in Low, Supported by a Coach

When you are not on the right path, your body gives you signals. For me, it was repetitive ankle fractures. I fractured my right ankle after moving to a new city for a job and working from home in pain. Soon after, I flew back to China due to a family emergency, and then COVID hit. 

When news came that the US would prohibit Chinese people from entering, I returned to the US quickly. I was quarantined in my micro studio, unable to see a doctor, grappling with health anxiety and inner conflict over my job. I felt guilty for not enjoying my work and pushed myself hard, while my fractured ankle and fear of COVID kept me isolated for over six months without stepping outside my door at all. Witnessing the changing season from the changing colours of trees outside my window, I wondered when this would come to an end.

COVID was “over”, but my inner conflict wasn’t. In fact, even after COVID had been normalised by most people, it still triggered big fear in me. I continued working from home long after most people had returned to the office. I didn’t hang out with other people due to fear of socialising. My ankles seemed to be helping me with the decision to stay inside by giving me constant pain.

When you are not on the right path, your body gives you signals

Physical pain, loneliness, anxiety, and perhaps some depression marked the lowest point in my life, but I still didn’t take the leap. Loyal to my company, I thought leaving would put more pressure on the understaffed team. I naively believed I needed to compensate for the time lost due to visa issues by working harder.

A coach accompanied me through this journey, sharing my tears, helping me envision my future, exploring my emotions, and clarifying my desires, vision, values, and superpowers. The pivotal moment came when I was laid off. Initially, I shed some tears, but I also felt the excitement of freedom. Someone finally decided for me. Grief and fear followed, especially after signing a one-year lease on a new apartment, but I was stronger. This time, I chose not to settle for a job that didn’t energise me.

The universe cooperated, bringing me news of the High Potential Individual visa in the UK. I decided to come to the UK. Life is too short to feel trapped, and I wanted to explore new opportunities.

Seed Sprouting: Coaching Training

Returning to China to reset my mind, I fractured both ankles and found myself in a wheelchair. During a phone call with a stranger, he said he was healed and empowered after the call—I realised my power. Friends in Shanghai often said I had a coaching talent. Despite my media relations background and natural intelligence, I lacked confidence and feared taking on others’ negative emotions. However, that conversation sparked an instinct to learn coaching. Despite opposition from my dad and financial strain, I invested in myself, and I’m so glad I did. The journey of learning coaching has been filled with awakening and fulfilment, tapping into and fulfilling my calling.

Learning coaching allowed me to experience constant self-discovery, gain more self-awareness and clarity, and break limiting beliefs. I found joy in supporting others in making changes, finding clarity and purpose in life, and making leaps. Coaching came naturally to me, and I progressed quickly despite being the youngest student.

Through coaching, I became more aware of our shared humanity. We are all beneficent and generous in essence. We all have resilience through struggles and challenges

Through coaching, I became more aware of our shared humanity. We are all beneficent and generous in essence. We all have resilience through struggles and challenges. I realised my problems were part of the human process, helping me normalise my own shameful thoughts, beliefs, and emotions and embrace and love all parts of myself.

The stress of COVID-19 led me to spirituality and psychological tools, and coaching helped me grow in these aspects. My tears revealed my deep love for all beings and for awakening the beneficent humanity. I discovered my purpose through coaching: contributing to a more equal and connected world. I want to help people connect to their identity, discover their authentic selves, and free themselves from social and civilisational divisions.

Growing Sprouts: Transformation in Progress

Transformation does not happen overnight. Liberation and awakening are processes. I was always a good girl, following the rules set by society and my parents. Coaching showed me that everyone is unique and free from internalised social expectations. Pursuing my non-traditional life was a struggle, but I learned to defend my boundaries from a place of trust, respect, and love. Gradually, my parents accepted my choices, realising that only I was responsible for my life.

Coaching showed me that everyone is unique and free from internalised social expectations

Years of old patterns and limiting beliefs did not change overnight. When I moved to the UK, my mind still sought stability and safety by looking for a full-time job aligned with my previous career path. Moving to a different country and changing careers didn’t seem wise until I witnessed bullying and harassment in the workplace. Worse still, I didn’t recognise it until someone pointed it out. Realising that even as a coach, I could fall into such situations made me recognise the need to help others find their voice.

I decided to embrace my passion for coaching, knowing I am gifted in changing lives. The universe supported me with trust and faith. Following my intuition, I moved to Glasgow and started my own business, fully claiming my identity as a coach.

Watering the Buds: Connecting the Dots

Sometimes, it takes multiple pushes to make that leap of faith. It took time to fully embrace coaching as my career, but now I boldly claim it. When I finally changed my LinkedIn headline to life coach, that declaration made me feel I no longer needed to hide. For the first time, I am living my life free from societal and family expectations. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but the excitement of being a creative human being drives me.

Connecting the dots from past experiences, I want to contribute to the holistic well-being of the world, starting with individuals. Physical health, mental strength, and spiritual connection to a higher power and life purpose are essential. Nutrition is just the surface; aligning with your higher power and life purpose reduces stress and enhances physical health.

I am passionate about empowering others to do the same, especially women and ethnic minorities, who easily fall victim to internal and external doubts and pressure

Science and nutrition evolve, and each body has its own wisdom. When connected with your body, you know what is good for it. Science can explain why something works, but intuition makes it easier. The universe constantly responds to your call, aligning things smoothly without much effort. Life becomes joyful and fulfilling.

I am still working on letting go of control and clearing blocks, but I celebrate my growth daily, enjoying the journey of transformation. I am passionate about empowering others to do the same, especially women and ethnic minorities, who easily fall victim to internal and external doubts and pressure. 

By healing myself, I can be a clear channel for my clients to explore themselves and find their higher power. My struggles have led to transformation, so you don’t have to go through the same pain. Investing in a coach early on can make life much easier.

I am also exploring how to use coaching to fulfil my initial passion for public health. The missing piece may be motivation. Coaching can bridge the gap, helping individuals find their inner drive and align with their true purpose.

Conclusion: Blossoming into the Future

As I continue to grow and evolve, my journey has shown me that every experience, whether painful or joyful, has contributed to who I am today. The seeds of love, passion, connection, and transformation planted throughout my life are now blossoming into a fulfilling career in coaching. I am dedicated to helping others find their path, overcome obstacles, and achieve their highest potential. The universe has guided me here, and I am ready to guide others on their journeys, ensuring that no one feels alone or unsupported. Together, we can create a more equal, connected, compassionate, and loving world.

Jane Nie is a life coach passionate about empowering female and minority professionals. With a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition from Johns Hopkins University and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Jane combines her coaching, nutrition, and holistic well-being expertise to help individuals overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Her extensive cross-cultural experiences and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) drive her mission to help clients find clarity, discover their purpose, and live their best lives. Jane's personalised coaching sessions, workshops, and group facilitation are designed to inspire clients to dream big and break through barriers.

https://coachjanenie.com/
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coachjanenie@gmail.com