What is a creative coach?

    <figure class="
          sqs-block-image-figure
          intrinsic
        " style="max-width:1875px">
      
    
    

    
      
        
      <div class="image-block-wrapper">
        <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element
          
      
    
          has-aspect-ratio
        " style="position: relative;padding-bottom:133.33334350585938%;overflow: hidden">
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            <img src="http://sarahshottsblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/b1e42-img_5302.jpeg" alt="" width="1875" height="2500" style="display:block;object-fit: cover;width: 100%;height: 100%;object-position: 50% 50%" loading="lazy">

        </div>
      </div>
    
      
    

    
  
    </figure>
  

</div>

You may wonder why I've started calling myself a Creative Coach. It's something I've been drawn to for a few years, but have struggled to name.

I considered words like mentor or teacher, but they just weren't RIGHT.

Maybe I feel this on a visceral level because I coached gymnastics for so many years. I have a very specific idea of what it means to coach. Its a huge part of my identity that's laid dormant for some time.

A “mentor” feels like someone you meet for coffee. They're further along in their career and share stories about their experience in the field. They might even introduce you to some important business connections. They're great. I've had several and love them dearly. But a mentor is not a coach.

A “teacher” imparts a specific skill or knowledge set. I teach at times, but a teacher is not a coach.

<div class="
      image-block-outer-wrapper
      layout-caption-below
      design-layout-inline
      combination-animation-none
      individual-animation-none
      individual-text-animation-none
    ">

  

  
    <figure class="
          sqs-block-image-figure
          intrinsic
        " style="max-width:2500px">
      
    
    

    
      
        
      <div class="image-block-wrapper">
        <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element
          
      
    
          has-aspect-ratio
        " style="position: relative;padding-bottom:59.84000015258789%;overflow: hidden">
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            <img src="http://sarahshottsblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/60840-img_5373.jpeg" alt="A rare photo from my decade coaching gymnastics." width="2500" height="1496" style="display:block;object-fit: cover;width: 100%;height: 100%;object-position: 50% 50%" loading="lazy">

        </div>
      </div>
    
      
    

    
      
      <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper">
        <div class="image-caption"><p class="">A rare photo from my decade coaching gymnastics.</p></div>
      </figcaption>
    
  
    </figure>
  

</div>

A coach is there with you in the sweat and the chalk. It's not about what they know or who they know. It's about you. How you can thrive, grow, and reach your potential.

And good coaching is holistic. Alongside physical fitness it also knows the importance of rest, healing, and mental health.

<div class="
      image-block-outer-wrapper
      layout-caption-below
      design-layout-inline
      combination-animation-none
      individual-animation-none
      individual-text-animation-none
    ">

  

  
    <figure class="
          sqs-block-image-figure
          intrinsic
        " style="max-width:1080px">
      
    
    

    
      
        
      <div class="image-block-wrapper">
        <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element
          
      
    
          has-aspect-ratio
        " style="position: relative;padding-bottom:130.8333282470703%;overflow: hidden">
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            <img src="http://sarahshottsblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/83370-page0.jpeg" alt="" width="1080" height="1413" style="display:block;object-fit: cover;width: 100%;height: 100%;object-position: 50% 50%" loading="lazy">

        </div>
      </div>
    
      
    

    
  
    </figure>
  

</div>

So much of gymnastics is mindest. It's about overcoming fear. Doing the work and then trusting yourself. Getting up when you fall to try again.

There are so many parallels that translate directly to the creative process. I could write a book about it.

<div class="
      image-block-outer-wrapper
      layout-caption-below
      design-layout-inline
      combination-animation-none
      individual-animation-none
      individual-text-animation-none
    ">

  

  
    <figure class="
          sqs-block-image-figure
          intrinsic
        " style="max-width:1080px">
      
    
    

    
      
        
      <div class="image-block-wrapper">
        <div class="sqs-image-shape-container-element
          
      
    
          has-aspect-ratio
        " style="position: relative;padding-bottom:126.38888549804688%;overflow: hidden">
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            <img src="http://sarahshottsblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/11b4c-page0.jpeg" alt="" width="1080" height="1365" style="display:block;object-fit: cover;width: 100%;height: 100%;object-position: 50% 50%" loading="lazy">

        </div>
      </div>
    
      
    

    
  
    </figure>
  

</div>

That is why I call myself a creative coach. I'm not here to hand out cookie cutter advice or tell you how I do things.

We'll work together to find YOUR best way.

Every artist is different and so are the conditions you need to thrive. I can't do the work for you, but I can support you every step of the way.

Sarah Shotts @sarahshotts