Charlie’s Story

Before coaching with Tony I didn't fully understand the different elements of ADHD and how much it was impacting my life. I didn’t realise that the emotional aspects of ADHD played such a significant role in my challenges. Before I understood this life was frustrating and it affected my relationships negatively. I used to see it as a personal defect or character flaw, rather than understanding it as a consequence of my condition. This lack of understanding caused a lifetime of frustration. I felt lost and alone, unsure of how to make sense of the diagnosis and what it meant for me. Starting coaching with Tony was a significant help.

Another challenge was managing my ADHD symptoms at work, especially since I had started a new job in September. I had fears about old behaviours resurfacing and whether I would be able to sustain the job. Additionally, I wanted to explore my long-term vocational journey and gain clarity on that aspect as well. So, there were several different things going on that I needed to address.

Since starting coaching, without doubt, my levels of insight and self-awareness have significantly increased. I’ve been able to differentiate between what’s me and what’s ADHD. Not everything that we’ve looked at has necessarily been specific to ADHD. It’s been an interesting journey to learn more about myself.

Coaching has made it possible to cultivate self-acceptance and kindness towards myself. Looking back, I  have a clearer picture of the challenges I've faced and how they have impacted different areas of my life, especially work. I have learned to forgive myself for past mistakes and let go of shame and guilt. 

Understanding that my struggles are connected to my ADHD has been a significant revelation. It has helped me reframe my work history and see my strengths and values in a positive light. I no longer feel the need to question my choices or compare myself to societal expectations. Instead, I have found a sense of purpose and alignment in my current job. 

Through coaching, I have also explored my long-term aspirations and feel more positive about the future. It has opened up possibilities for me to thrive and reach my potential. During our time together, I even decided to pursue a coaching course because of the profound impact coaching had on me. I want to share this transformative experience with others and help them access their own potential. The values and strengths we uncovered during our sessions further confirmed my inclination towards coaching. It aligns with my desire to guide, counsel, and empathise with others. So, the opportunity to pursue coaching arose, and it felt like a natural progression for me.

I appreciate Tony’s attentive listening and insight. He picked out the relevant themes and challenged my thinking even when my efforts to express myself felt fragmented or incoherent.

I appreciate Tony’s extensive knowledge and the breadth of resources he has available to share for my own self-study along with his encouragement to explore. I found being challenged pushed me to examine my thinking and perspectives more deeply.

Tony’s coaching sessions feel really relaxed, that really helped me to feel comfortable and he’s got a really good sense of humour. He helped me to feel safe, I guess, and that has been a really important thing, you know.