How coaching transformed Maika Endo’s life

The Power of Impact

“I used to suffer from chronic migraines due to work stress,” Maika Endo begins. ”Now, I’ve cured this, and whenever I feel a migraine coming on, I can detect and overcome the early signs.”

When people ask Maika today how she conquered her chronic migraines, she tells them that it all started with an unexpected invitation and a leap of faith into the coaching world.

Coaching was calling

“A friend emailed me to offer free coaching, but I was too busy running my brick-and-mortar spa to think about it productively. I didn’t have the bandwidth to try new things and couldn’t think of a challenge to be coached on, so I replied, ‘Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind’.”

A couple of years later, Maika remembered her invitation and finally accepted her generous invitation. 

“Dalida, my coach, had an office tucked away in the ancient hutongs of Beijing. As I walked through the maze of alleys, I felt like I was entering a secret world. Her office, with its stunning view of a majestic tree, was a peaceful oasis in the hustle and bustle of Beijing.” 

“My first coaching session was a revelation” 

“Dalida asked me how I saw myself at 80. She used a combination of thought-provoking questions, mindfulness, and visualization to help me gain clarity and perspective. We also used the four levels of competencies to imagine my skill set through time.” 

“My brain was stimulated, and I felt a sense of lightness, play, and freedom I hadn't experienced in years. When I walked back to work after this hour-long session, I could not help but notice the new sensations in my body: I felt so light and free; walking felt like slow-motion flying.” 

“I had a new perspective on life, seeing the world with fresh eyes. I was full of hope and excitement. From then on, I met with Dalida nearly every week for five months.”

“Each week, even when I didn’t have a specific question, she always found a way to help me uncover underlying issues and worries.”

Coaching for calm leadership 

“Over time, I learned to become a more self-aware, resourceful, and calm leader. This is reflected in my decisions - rather than procrastinating, I took action.”

“I used to micromanage my team. However, I gradually handed them the reins and the power to make decisions, leading to more joy at work, autonomy for the team, and freedom for me. I could put the business almost on autopilot and manage it remotely from Thailand.”

“It was a relief as, after a decade of managing the spa business and being hands-on, I had gained the confidence and courage to honor my desire to physically separate myself from the business and create some much-needed space.” 

Impacting personal and professional life

“Coaching gave me the tools to provoke and embrace these changes gracefully and calmly. The impact was not only in my professional life but personal as well: I cured my chronic migraines by learning to identify my stress signals and act upon them.” 

“I've also overcome my fear of public speaking, and actively participated in a mastermind group I joined —ultimately facilitating a personal growth workshop for the members.” 

“Coaching has opened Pandora’s box for me, positively impacting my business and life.” 

In closing

“If you're wondering what coaching can do for you, especially if you've never been coached before, I understand. I doubted coaching for a long time, and even when I walked to the sessions, I sometimes wondered how a coach could help me with business worries—she didn’t know the intricacies of a spa business.”

“Each time, and to my surprise, I came out of the session with new insights, tools, and renewed self-confidence.”
“If I hadn’t been coached, I would have made decisions out of fear and doubt and regretted it. Coaching was my bridge to the destiny awaiting me.”

“This is why I’m here today, writing this article, and why I became a coach. If you’re considering coaching, I encourage you to take the leap. It’s an investment in yourself that will reap rewards now and for years to come.” 

“What's inside Pandora's box? Where will it lead? There's only one way to find out…”

Maika is an Erickson Accredited Coach and esteemed Alumni member.