Meet William Wright
This interview was originally published to CanvasRebel.
Hi William, thanks for joining us today. How did you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
I spent 20 years as a personal trainer and was growing increasingly frustrated supporting people on the outer work only. Now, as a coach, I am able to leverage my ability to connect, with others, in a way that significantly serves them on a deeper level
William, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations.
Throughout my life, I was always pulled towards roles and professions that allowed me to work with individuals. I can see how much I was always in supportive roles that allowed me to hear about their greatest fears and vulnerabilities, as well as support them in getting to their most significant victories.
I started as a preschool teacher at the Montessori schools. It was amazing to be able to support families when they were at such a pivotal point in their lives. I then transitioned to working at a summer youth camp as a pastor leading Bible study. I loved this job because it was humbling to be able to hear the aspirations of the children.
But I found myself more and more misaligned with the church, and it was challenging to work for an organization that I didn’t feel was practicing what it preached.
At this time, I received a personal trainer certificate while I worked with the church. Because I was no longer affiliated with them, I needed a job.
I began as a personal trainer, and I was gratefully able to connect with people and support them. I was able to offer compassion and empathy. I helped my clients in moving toward what they wanted in their lives. I found many of my clients invited me into some of their most personal moments, and for that, I am genuinely grateful. My clients often told me that I was more than a personal trainer.
For me, it was never about the physical. In fact, I’ve often joked that I never wanted abs. I was in an industry that was all about the outside.
And, on the outside for me, I seemed satisfied. But on the inside, I was in turmoil.
As much as I loved supporting others, I was frustrated that it was never truly getting to the root of what was stopping them from being satisfied. And in many ways, this experience was a mirror for me – I was never getting to the heart of what was stopping me from being comfortable.
I showed up for my clients, and I saw them. But I was never genuinely seeing myself. I had a deep fear of vulnerability. Rather than being authentic, I hid behind the support I was providing. It felt imbalanced, and it often created agony for me.
2020 changed so much for me as it did for the whole world. When the pandemic began, I shifted my business online and found myself physically and emotionally inside.
It allowed me to finally face what I was terrified of – being honest with myself.
It was at the end of that year that I felt inspired to explore life coaching. I knew I could support people more deeply than in personal training. The program at iPEC allowed me to go deeper into my journey, as well.
I started the pivot to becoming a life coach in 2021 after I got my certification. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. But still, something wasn’t right.
It was in 2022 that I realized it was the very thing that I was seeing so much of with my clients – the vulnerabilities and the fears – that I was bypassing in myself. I then did the next layer of work. It wasn’t always easy. But I can see now how much I needed to be honest with myself.
It was the tools I learned as a coach that supported me, and that is why I am even more passionate about what I do. Now, as I am embracing vulnerability and looking some of my fears straight in the eye, I am also able to experience some of my deepest personal victories, as well.
As a personal development coach, I focus on 1:1 coaching and group-based learning experiences for small businesses, teams, and individuals.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My clients have shared that I am able to create spaces where they can truly get to the bottom of what’s holding them back and ultimately be at the choice to release what’s heavy – whether it’s guilt, obligation, or self-doubt. From there, they take action to step into life feeling driven, confident, and motivated.
On a personal note, I have benefited from the exact processes and experiences I share and create for my clients. I am truly grateful to be able to do the very work with my clients that have provided the learning and growth that has also served me.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
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