From Housing to Healing: A Coach’s Journey of Purpose

Recently, I had the profound privilege of sharing my story on Debbie Williams’ remarkable podcast “Personal Journey and Storytelling”, a conversation that unveiled the transformative path from being a ‘housing bod’ to becoming a purpose-driven coach.

My journey wasn’t a straight line, but a series of subtle shifts and quiet revelations. Working in housing, I was always more than just an administrator—I was a keen observer of human dynamics. I noticed the unspoken narratives, the silent struggles behind professional facades, the ways people protect themselves through performance and confuse achievement with genuine alignment.

Those years taught me something crucial: systems don’t always see the individual. I chased roles that looked perfect on paper but felt disconnected from my core. I lost pieces of myself in relationships and professional environments, slowly and painfully reclaiming my authentic self.

Each experience became a lesson. Burnout wasn’t a failure, but a whispered invitation to realign. The turning point wasn’t dramatic—just a persistent, gentle question that cracked something open: What if I stopped chasing productivity and chose purpose instead?

BigohCoaching emerged not from a strategic business plan, but from a vision to create transformative spaces. Spaces where leaders could explore who they are, not just what they do. Where change-makers could reconnect with their deepest “why”.

Through Debbie’s podcast, I shared how coaching is fundamentally about storytelling. We aren’t here to rewrite anyone’s narrative, but to witness its unfolding, to hold space for genuine transformation. It’s about helping people remember their inherent worth, their untapped potential.

My work now is a tribute to every mentor, supervisor, and client who has trusted me with their journey. It’s about creating conversations that matter—conversations that are brave, reflective, and deeply human.

Born in Brixton to Nigerian immigrants, my journey of independence began at just 11 years old when I chose to remain in London after my parents returned to Nigeria. This early experience of resilience became the foundation for my unique coaching philosophy that has earned me recognition as a multi-award winning coach,  London’s Most Innovative Business Coach 2024 and SME Mentor of the Year.

Through authentic conversation with Debbie Williams, I reveal how personal challenges transformed into professional strengths, exploring the quiet moments that led to founding BigohCoaching after 30 years across public, private, and voluntary sectors.

Listeners will discover powerful insights about transitioning from performance to purpose, reconnecting with your “why,” and developing the entrepreneurial mindset that I now explore with a variety and diversity of clients.

Whether you’re carrying quiet doubts about your leadership direction, rethinking your professional journey, or seeking to align achievement with purpose, I think my story offers valuable perspective on creating spaces where authentic change can happen.

https://debbiewilliamspodcast.com/episode/an-extraordinary-journey-to-coaching-success/

For leaders carrying quiet doubts, for professionals rethinking direction, for anyone searching for their next chapter: your story matters. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s uniquely yours.

Coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions. It’s not about fixing people, but about helping them remember who they truly are.

Want to explore your story? Let’s connect.

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