We delve into the fascinating journey of Nicole Christian, a high-performance coach who has a unique and deeply empathetic approach to helping others.
In this episode, we explore Nicole's path from a childhood marked by strict religious control to becoming a powerful advocate for personal freedom and authenticity.
We uncover how she navigated a restrictive upbringing where self-expression was seen as "threatening," and how she developed unique coping mechanisms to keep her true self safe.
This is not your typical "life coach" story; Nicole's journey is one of resilience, self-discovery and growth. We unpack her early life in a very religious evangelical Christian household with a controlling father, including a strong "purity culture", which meant any form of self-expression was often seen as "threatening and very bad".
We discuss how this led to a lot of "walking on eggshells," and performing as the "perfect Christian girl". This is where she developed her "secret cookie" metaphor, a concept that represents small, hidden joys and acts of self-preservation, which she now uses to understand her client's motivations.
A key part of Nicole's journey is her more recent understanding of her neurodivergence. Initially, she felt her traits might point to ADHD, but she now identifies more with autism. This autistic awakening has helped her understand her unique gifts, including her musical ability, her echolalia, her mirroring of others, and her direct communication style.
She explains that finding out that "her gifts were just autism" has been truly insightful. We explore how her ability to repeat back what someone says, and mirror their actions, made her a natural musician and dancer. We also discuss her direct way of communicating which she has had since a very young age.
Discover how Nicole's experience of masking and adapting to fit in during childhood, a common trait for autistic people, has given her a profound understanding of how to help others. Learn how she uses her personal journey to inform her professional practice, emphasizing mindfulness, self-compassion, and taking actionable steps to create a more fulfilling life for her clients.
This episode delves into:
Nicole's background in classical music and how it informs her coaching.
The impact of purity culture on her teenage years and the development of her "secret cookie" coping mechanism.
How she moved from a potential ADHD misdiagnosis, to embracing her autistic identity and her unique gifts.
Her experiences of masking, and the importance of authenticity in her life and coaching.
Her approach to coaching, which focuses on helping others thrive, find their own "cookie", and make decisions under pressure.
This is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of embracing one's true self. Join us to be inspired by Nicole's wisdom and learn how you too can create a life that is truly your own.
This description is designed to highlight Nicole's personal journey, her unique approach to coaching, and her understanding of her neurodivergence, always with the inclusion of the key words "ADHD" and "autistic", as requested.
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