Inspiring Conversations with Kala C. Simmons of KC Simmons Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kala C. Simmons

Hi Kala C., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Absolutely! I have always had a desire to motivate and inspire others. I fell in love with psychology and human behavior in high school and pursued my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology and Social Work. I was born into a family where nearly everyone is in the helping profession. This background made working with the public and helping people identify strengths and overcome barriers seem more like a natural gift or talent than a job duty.

While I am incredibly grateful for my childhood and the privilege of a two-parent home where both parents were college graduates, I am well aware of the often unrealistic expectations for excellence set for me and my siblings. As a high achiever, I regularly found myself ridden with anxiety, plagued by the desire for perfection, and readily seeking outside approval as a means to verify that I was good enough.

Like many other women, I was a “good girl.” I followed all the rules, checked all the boxes, used my manners, and rarely rocked the boat. I did as was expected of me. Go to college. Meet a life partner. Get married. Start a family. Live happily ever after. There was only one problem. My happily ever after never came- at least not in the sense that I was expecting it.

My first husband and I were only married for one year before adopting his nephews. Becoming parents significantly rocked our foundation. Our divorce followed shortly after, which was the first of a series of adverse events and blows to my ego. I remember being angry and disappointed that my life had taken this turn. After all, I had checked all the boxes! I wish I had realized how much engaging in people-pleasing and the need for validation had played a role in my circumstances. Even in my pain, I used that experience to create my first blog. Chronicling my new life as a single mother and giving tips and pointers to others on how to co-parent and thrive became an escape.

I spent the next six years in a fog. Like most people, I thought that getting the house, the ring, the promotion, or another degree would complete me, but instead, it left me empty, disappointed, and still feeling inadequate. In 2019, just as the world was about to shut down, my life was flipped upside down. My children’s behaviors were so severe I had to move them into their father’s house for safety reasons. Only three months later, my fiancé and I ultimately decided it was best if we parted ways. I was a walking country song. I lost everything- even the dog.

For the first time since I had left home I found myself alone. While it was initially maddening, I remember my therapist challenging me to take this time to get to know myself and decide what my story would be from this point. It was in my darkest moments that “Coach K” was truly born. I promised myself after I had healed and learned all I could, I would light the way for others. Now, I use my educational and corporate background in collaboration with my personal experience to empower other women to shift their narrative and embrace their role as the Main Characters of their stories.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can think of many ways to characterize my journey, but smooth is not one of them. I did not get here overnight. I have faced many challenges over the years: divorce, single-parenthood, displacement of my children, family turmoil, calling off an engagement, corporate burnout, anxiety & depression, etc. I am just grateful that I have transformed my pain into power. When you grow up with excellence as the backdrop to your story, it makes the idea of failing publicly terrifying. It is like having an insatiable need not only to succeed but also to exceed expectations. It can be exhausting and very emotionally taxing if you do not have the appropriate support and coping skills. Thankfully, I knew where to turn, and have learned that if you aren’t ever failing, you aren’t growing. This has been an invaluable, but difficult lesson.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As a thought leader, public speaker, and coach, I created KC Simmons Coaching as a method to empower women to reclaim their narratives and become the Main Character of their stories. This is the secret sauce to long-term success and happiness. Using my platform, I host communities, programs, masterclasses, live training, and Q&A sessions, as well as group and individual coaching calls to equip others with the skills necessary to unlock their true identity, find their purpose, and operate in their power.

The thing that sets me apart from other coaches is my personal and professional experience. In addition to my certification as a master life coach, I have 15 years of clinical experience in the mental health and goal attainment sector. When a client sits down with me or enters my programs, I can quickly decipher if my services are a good fit, or if they need a referral to a more intensive intervention such as therapy. I desire to lead people to emotional freedom and success, even if that means they should work with someone else.

I am most proud of the theme of positivity, growth, and trust that my platform fosters. I have multiple ways for women to work with me because I want anyone who truly desires to transform their current situation to have access. The women participating in my programming are extremely supportive of one another and every space is safe. I have positioned myself as a beacon of hope, light, and resilience in the face of adversity and I lead by example. Having the courage to share my story and bear my scars has led me to my tribe.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Taking calculated risks has driven my growth, success, and life experience. I have restarted my life many times. Each has been more frightening than the last; however, I have found that no risk is scarier than finding yourself in the same space weeks, months, or years down the road because you chose not to take action.

Canceling my engagement, moving to the big city from my small hometown, daring to fall in love again, enrolling in a mastermind after working with a Coach for only three months, etc. I can name multiple times when I chose to roll the dice on myself with nothing but blind faith that the outcome would be in my favor.

I have not always had success when taking risks, but I have gained a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insight into my abilities and potential, and I’d say that is worth something.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heycoachk.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heycoachk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heycoachk/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeyCoachK1
• Other: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200038