Our Coaching Institute Graduates

Name: Mike Shoeman

Your previous job:

Accounts manager for a financial firm and a part-time actor.

How long did you work there?

I was at my previous employer for 4 years. I have been acting for 15 years.

What was your position?

My responsibilities included researching insurance and mortgage rates, prescription drug programs, and comparing home equity loan packages for clients.

When/why did you decide to learn coaching?

Coaching has always held a great appeal to me. From the time I was 12 years old, I was listening to Anthony Robbins' tapes and had been fascinated by Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Within the past 3 years, I have been using drama techniques in the mental health field to help others understand and manage depression.

What symptoms did you have that prompted this career change decision?

After witnessing some questionable business practices both in show business and in the modeling industry, I realized that hoping to "be discovered" was not the way I wanted to live my life. Through discovering my gifts as a coach, teacher, director, and role-model, I wanted to create a business that would provide the talented creative artist a direct pathway to financial, emotional and artistic success. This was always my "dream" but my coaching training made it a tangible intention.

What skills now benefit you and/or your company?

As president of LifeACT International (Life Artist Coaching Technologies) I've been able to apply coaching skills to running a full service coaching practice for performing and creative artists. The "tuning in" process is priceless because it allows an artist space to fully express their brilliance. My job is has become very pleasurable because of this fundamental skill.

With programming commencing in 2007, I also serve as executive producer for New Century TV (www.lifeactcoaching.com/newcenturytv.html) in charge of "The Performing Arts Channel." In this position, I keep coaching skills and values at the heart of all programming. This ensures that our internet television shows will be competitive because they offer emotional intelligence to our audience. Imagine actors with an uncanny ability to tune in. Envision performing arts teachers who compassionately make powerful questions, observations, and requests which give their students a safe place to explore. Or a reality tv show that honors overcoming critical gaps instead of exploiting character flaws. I'm also enjoying the profound connection I have with other coaches. It is rewarding to introduce passionate coaches to producers who can help increase exposure.

What do I do as a coach?

In addition to teaching private acting lessons, my coaching practice is designed to target specific challenge areas relating to the performing artist. These targets include finding your emotional center, motivation to create your performance art piece, life management through goal setting, international business and marketing skills for building an audience, and tapping into your personal genius.

At LifeACT International (www.lifeactcoaching.com) I offer 5 programs of study which I believe are essential in to stop hoping "to be discovered" and pave your own way as an artist:

1. Basic Coaching Skills for Emotional Mastery
2. Create a Performance Art Piece
3. Make Room For Your New Life (Goal Setting for Life Change)
4. Business and Marketing Strategies (For building a local or international audience)
5. Tap into Your Personal Genius ("Mind Stretching" activities and discussions with creativity coaching as an emphasis)

Any other comments or examples you want to mention regarding how your training at The Coaching Institute has changed/benefited your life and/or career and those around you?

I really can't say enough about the Coaching Institute. My training has not only given me the opportunity to live my dream, but also to touch every one else's life who is actively looking to design their own life. There's magic in finding and honoring the greatness in others...and KNOWING the greatness in yourself. There really is nothing more authentic than that.

If somebody has a question and wants to email you to ask personally – can they?

Of course! lifeartist@LifeACTcoaching.com