Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rafael-Cristian Rios, CEO of Coaching Season, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Millions of us are genetically and environmentally predisposed to having more challenges in life. Some examples are those who have experienced situations of trauma or abuse from growing up in turmoil, growing up in poverty, being a person of color, identifying as part of a minority group, living with a disability, growing up with shame from society, and struggling to live your truth. It is a human need and right to be seen, heard, and valued for who we are. We thrive when someone connects with us to help support our life journey, including our mental health. Our mission at Coaching Season is to provide life-impacting coaching services at value-driven prices.

The goal of my team and me at Coaching Season is to provide as many folks as possible with the education, guidance, and strategies so that they may thrive as the best versions of themselves. We provide coaching that brings together the best of science, as well as incorporating wellness-based guidance in:

  • Personal Life Coaching
  • Career Coaching
  • Life Event Support
  • Executive Coaching
  • Integrative Approaches to Health and Nutrition and Addiction Support

There are some fantastic organizations doing work in these areas. You will find many of them listed on our website CoachingSeason.com. However, the great need for personalized support outweighs the capacity of our current systems, which inspired the creation of Coaching Season.

Coaching Season is the perfect support system for anyone looking to thrive in their lives. Feel free to schedule or recommend a person in need to schedule a free Discovery Call at coachingseason.com.

Tell us about yourself

My Journey began 25 years ago when some really special people in Florida took me under their wing at the age of 18 to provide me with opportunities, mentorship, and coaching. It wasn't long before I realized the value of such support and how having someone on your side can change your life's trajectory and ripple out into positively impacting those who are close to you in your life. I have also seen the impacts of not having the support we need and how THAT can also alter the trajectory of your life and ripple out to those who are close to you.

My mission in life has always been to heal others and provide them with hope. Originally this was supposed to happen via the Ministry, but I am so glad it has evolved to a more inclusive level where my company Coaching Season gets to help everyone, no matter their spiritual beliefs.

In building Coaching Season, I have teamed up with experts in business, neurology, psychology, and holistic medicine to ensure we provide clients with evidence-based support. Seeing the incredible and life-changing impact Coaching Season makes in our clients' lives gives me such joy to continue doing our meaningful work.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as the Coaching Season business owner is in witnessing all of the amazing results all of our clients have experienced.
For example: They find jobs 87% sooner, become more confident, and develop new lives and new approaches to life. I have also seen many improvements in our clients' respective relationships. For me, it's about the clients first, then the business.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

As a business owner, I consider myself the motivational visionary for our clients and everyone within the organization. As one goes through the many but normal trials and tribulations of building a business, maintaining motivation can be a task within itself. My own self-care practices have allowed me to maintain that motivation and vision by remaining balanced and healthy in life.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I have one tip that I would like to repeat 3 times to emphasize its importance.

  1. Develop a wellness routine.
  2. Develop a wellness routine.
  3. Develop a wellness routine.

My Wellness Routine:
Life has been both an incredible and challenging journey for me. I have become an entrepreneur 4x over throughout my career, traveled the world helping others develop to their fullest potential, and received invaluable guidance to support my personal development. I have been affluent at times and destitute at other times in my journey. Being a minority, I faced societal challenges and had to work incredibly hard to overcome life's difficulties. Throughout my journey, I have learned that having the right balance of emotional control, healthy thoughts, and life-affirming beliefs is essential to overcoming the various obstacles in life and has allowed me to achieve my desired full potential. People I've encountered often ask me what steps I have taken to successfully overcome obstacles, break the generational cycle of poverty, and improve my mental health.

I remind myself that we are all a work in progress and ever-evolving. I take action daily by incorporating simple things into my routine, such as learning to pause and reflect rather than overreacting or becoming aggressive in my response. I stopped watching the news due to the adverse psychological effects and negative impacts on our brains which we can't undo, and I found healthier outlets to learn what is happening in the world. I have surrounded myself with supportive people who value my skills and gifts. I practice my unique approach to spirituality that involves prayer, faith, and crystals. I am an avid believer in the benefits of meditation and breathwork and practice daily. I see a therapist, and I also have a life coach. Lastly, but most importantly, I maintain a beginner's mind and am a lifelong learner.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My Best Advice:
As human beings, our brains have mastered the skill of holding onto every emotion we have and then labeling that emotion as who "we are." These labels create many limiting beliefs within us. In doing so, we create a great deal of heaviness in our bodies that physically makes us sick and negatively impacts our lives. I want people to know that we have more control over our nervous system and emotions than we may think. By learning to pause and breathe, we can calm down our nervous system. Just the simple act of pausing and breathing will help with your trajectory in life and can dramatically improve how you react in most situations throughout your day. This effective tool will positively impact your mental clarity and overall physical wellness and vitality.

Not only is this knowledge backed by many scientific studies, but I have personally implemented these techniques to elevate my own life and improve my mental health. While we are all on a unique journey, I have seen and continue to feel massive improvements in my well-being, resilience, and success. It is a scientific fact that you can change the lens through which you view the world with regular breathing and calming your nervous system. Learning to breathe in a way that begins from your abdomen and fills your lungs towards your shoulders deeply will increase vital activities in your brain and nervous system and even boost your immune system. Please let me be clear in saying breathwork is not the only tool we need to employ multiple modalities in addressing our mental health, including doctors, therapists, and medications. I have personally held on to my multifaceted support system for over 15 years.

A multifaceted approach to finding support in our lives is key for anyone to help us navigate the challenges life throws our way and celebrate life's victories together.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.coachingseason.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachingSeason
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingseason/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coaching_season
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coachingseason/


If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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