Do you believe in the power of coaching to transform lives? Being in the presence of a powerful coach who asks amazing questions is one of the delights of my life, whether it's a coach I've hired, like Melissa Ford, today's guest, or someone I interview on the podcast. The benefits and interchange that can occur with a beautiful coach are truly exponential. Melissa Ford is a seasoned business and life coach, and I had the pleasure of diving into a conversation with her about starting something new, the tools necessary for growth, personal mantras, and getting real with ourselves. This episode resonated deeply with me, and I know it will do the same for you. So, let's dive into the highlights of our discussion. Before recording, we set an intention for the episode and reminisced about how we first met within Susan Lucci's circles. These circles created impactful and powerful containers for personal growth and connection. Melissa highlighted the importance of having role models who step forward with courage and constantly stay on the learning curve. Melissa shared her personal story about starting her coaching career. She candidly spoke about how she initially treated her coaching business as a hobby and struggled to make it profitable. It wasn't until she hired a coach that she began to see significant growth and transformation, not only in her business but also in her personal life. In our conversation, we touched on the abundance of buzzwords in the coaching industry, such as "manifestation" and "abundance." Melissa shared that her approach to coaching is much more practical and down-to-earth. She focuses on asking powerful questions, challenging her clients to take action, and holding them accountable. "Our minds love drama," Melissa observed. She noted that while everyone's story is different, the underlying conditioning and narratives are often similar. These narratives are usually built on feelings of lack, insecurity, and not-enoughness. We all have the opportunity to question these narratives and reframe our experiences. Melissa encouraged listeners to start by taking small steps and showing up, even if they don't have a clear vision or feel confident. She shared her journey of questioning her beliefs about aging and stepping into a new phase of her life with courage and enthusiasm. "There's too much life to be lived," she said. We talk about: 00:00 Intro02:32 The Power of Mentorship and Coaching07:06 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Growth12:20 Practical Coaching: No-Nonsense Approach15:14 Building Trust and Relationships in Coaching17:21 Maintaining Personal Well-being as a Coach20:53 The Importance of Readiness25:30 Challenging Ageism and Embracing Growth31:49 The Journey of Writing 'Living Service'36:13 Embodying Service in Life and Work38:29 The Power of Self-Responsibility Resources mentioned in this episode: The Mystical Sisterhood Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysticalsisterhoodCreator Connections: https://www.maureenspielman.com/events Sacred Awakenings 8-Week Workshop: https://www.maureenspielman.com/events The Magic of Wisdom Keeper Dolls Workshop: https://www.maureenspielman.com/events  About the...