Hey there, I’m Stephen, founder of Renegade Life and a Transformative Coach.

Now, chances are good that you have a preconceived idea about “Life Coaching”; and there’s more than a decent chance that it’s a few notches shy of stellar.

And “Transformative”, what the hell does that mean?

Fair enough on both accounts.

Being this is the ABOUT page, I’ll take a brief moment here and share a bit about myself, my coaching practice, how it all works, and then you can decide if it might be worthwhile to schedule a chat.

Probably a lot like you, I’ve gone to war with those pesky questions such as:

How do I get from here to there and just where is “there” anyway?

How do I know if I am doing the right thing?

Do I feel happy?

Why is everyone so weird… or is it me?

Is this really all there is?

How did I get so friggin’ STUCK?

After decades of a full-throttle assault on these never-ending thought-loops, I switched gears (paradigms, actually) and now employ more of an Aikido-style dance with life.

And it made all the difference.

I’ve been there. I’ve done that.

Now, as for my (somewhat) official qualifications for being a coach:

I’m the co-founder of The Human Form, a holistic health and fitness institute in Columbus, Ohio. For the past 29 years I’ve worked with hundreds of people to optimize their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

My undergraduate studies were in Psychology, Philosophy and Religion. After a couple of false starts in law school, due to what I’ll call “irreconcilable differences”, I began my graduate school studies in East/West Psychology and Comparative Religion, with a focus on Buddhist monastics. When I finally realized that the world of academia was a tad bit stifling for my personality and I had a severe case of wanderlust, it was off to Southeast Asia to explore and teach English.

I spent two decades studying Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and subsequently became a Robbins-Madanes Trained Strategic Intervention Coach (you know Tony Robbins, right? He’s the world-famous Life Coach with the giant head and big teeth).

As much as I valued those techniques aimed at manipulating thought patterns and behaviors, I now embrace a more Transformative Coaching style.

What is Transformative Life Coaching?

Instead of focusing on the application of techniques, I am more inclined to have my clients benefit from the implications of insightful understanding. These insights include: The discovery of who you really are, the true origin of your experience of life, and the authentic freedom and ease that is available in each moment.

How does it work, exactly?

Well, let me tell you about “The Space”.

My primary calling as a coach is to assist clients in accessing an internal space that allows their innate wisdom to come forth, providing insights (“to see from within”).

I am quite aware that the above sounds like “New Age BS.”

Stick with me for just a minute… and perhaps you’ll get a whiff of what I’m stepping in.

What I call The Space is quite like what is referred to as FLOW or The Zone, and there is a buttload (official term) of scientific research about how to hack into this state. One of the most beautiful characteristics of this state is that the concept of “self” loosens or even dissolves completely. That is why it is the gateway to FREEDOM.

Most everyone these days is preoccupied and distracted. They are overflowing with (mostly useless) information, obligations, and deadlines, not to mention self-doubt and other mental/emotional misunderstandings.

Although everyone (yes, everyone!) has an abundance of innate wisdom and spiritual intelligence built into their human software, there is simply no space available for it to emerge and guide them.

By entering The Space (which is primarily a process of allowing) we are reconnected to our True Essence and experience a Quiet Mind.

Note: a formal meditation practice is completely optional; there are many ways to fall into The Space.

It is from this state of Relative Emptiness that our perspective expands, and we can be grounded, heart-centered and wise.

There are two primary ways that I explore The Space with clients:

1) Transformative Conversations:
We engage in conversations about who you really are, and about how your experiences in life (including your “problems”) are created. When you begin to have insights into HOW life works, many of your previously perceived “problems” take care of themselves. No matter what your goals may be, it is decidedly useful to understand the rules of the game (hint: they are relatively fluid, and that’s good news). With deeper understanding, the appropriate actions to be taken (if they are any) become abundantly clear.

2) Mind/Body Work:

I use a synergistic blend of two practices, Be Activated and Reiki, to facilitate a somatic shift to the parasympathetic nervous system. Clients often enter a “flow state” and can begin to experience/remember their true essence of peace and wellbeing.

Some clients call my {f}Reiki bodywork a “shared meditation”; and that is fitting in that all you do is relax and allow the energetic exchange to prompt your self-healing. It is a safe place to practice the Art of Allowing. As you become more comfortable dropping into the space of allowing during a session, you will notice yourself more easily doing so in your everyday situations.  And though it may sound contrarian to mainstream “take massive action” proclamations, Allowing is the Gateway to Authentic Freedom.

Read more about Reiki – Cleveland Clinic Integrative Medicine CLICK HERE

 

My Reiki training and lineage CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Read more about Be Activated CLICK HERE

Would you like to get a taste of my Transformative Coaching perspective (what is also referred to as “The Inside-Out Understanding)? The best way to do that is to check out a few episodes of my podcast “There Is No Spoon” HERE

If you’re in need of counseling, seek out a qualified psychologist. If you’re in need of mood stabilizing medication, seek out a board-certified psychiatrist. If you feel drawn to engage in a transformative exploration into how your mind works and who you truly are, contact me and let’s journey together.

But enough about me, already.

I’d like to hear about YOU – where are you now and where do you most want to be, and what are the challenges and obstacles that are preventing you from getting there?

If you’d like to chat about it, and see if we might be a fit for a coaching relationship, Schedule your Discovery Conversation Today.

Schedule Your Discovery Conversation Today

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My Renegades

Kyle Peterson
Licensed Acupuncturist Dublin, OH

“As someone who has explored a variety of modalities and practitioners, Stephen Ladd is undoubtedly atop that list. His thoroughness, wealth of knowledge, and ability to create a comfortable atmosphere are truly remarkable. Each time I leave a session with Stephen, I feel grounded, engaged, and, quite frankly, happy!

Another fantastic aspect of working with Stephen is a personalized activation routine. This goes beyond immediate benefits and ensures enduring results. Thanks to this personalized routine, I’ve gained the means to consistently enter a flow state, and the impact on my workouts has been nothing short of remarkable. I’ve been able to forge a powerful connection between my mind and muscles, leading to a genuinely impressive enhancement in my performance. It’s so fascinating!

Throughout my journey with Stephen, I’ve observed a profound harmonization of my body and movement. As a practitioner and as a client, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking a transformative and enriching experience.”

Dave Holmes
Dave Holmes
Sebastopol, CA

“I can honestly say that Stephen is the most accepting, welcoming and respectful professional I’ve ever worked with, including coaches, psychologists, psychiatrists, friends, and family.  He creates a safe and nonjudgmental environment where I feel comfortable sharing absolutely anything, including things I don’t like about myself, or perceived flaws and character weaknesses.

He helps me to better understand my patterns, beliefs, and behaviors and gently examine what is behind them and alternative choices available to me.

Most of all, Stephen takes the time to truly listen to what I’m saying.  No lecturing, directing, or judging.  He just wants to understand me and my current worldview; and the questions he asks always help me to look more deeply into how I tick, and how I might tick better.”