René Kok is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her bravery and strength of character.
She stands out with her transformative story and a unique approach to coaching. She has over two decades of corporate experience, including 13 years in a senior management position at a JSE listed investment holding company. Her rich professional background and personal triumphs are the backbone that helps her to guide others towards self discovery and emotional resilience.
She is smart and qualified. But, what really sets her apart is not just her impressive credentials (a master’s in business administration, certifications in Negative Emotional Therapy™, and Neuro Linguistic Programming), but her deeply personal journey of overcoming drug addiction. This transformative experience has equipped her with profound insights into the challenges of limiting beliefs and negative emotions, making her a beacon of hope for those seeking to reclaim their lives.
Her innovative coaching style, which blends Negative Emotional Therapy™, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring techniques, provides a holistic and tailored approach to emotional wellness. Passionate about helping individuals unlock their potential, she uses cutting edge tools and interdisciplinary strategies to empower her clients. Whether through mindfulness apps, cognitive interventions, or her expertise in emotional therapy, she offers a supportive environment where clients can explore, heal, and thrive. Here is what she said.
Name: René Kok
Pillar: The Heart
Who is this coach for: Anyone who wants to explore their emotions in a safe place, achieve inner peace, cultivate emotional resilience and wellbeing, and live a more fulfilling life.
How they can help: By using various tools, techniques, and modalities like Negative Emotional Therapy™, mindfulness based stress reduction, cognitive restructuring, and positive psychology.
We’re doing alright, thanks for asking!
It’s been a rollercoaster, as I’m sure it has been for many.
We’ve been fortunate to stay healthy throughout the pandemic, which we’re incredibly grateful for.
Adapting to all the changes in our routines has had its challenges, but we’ve managed to find some silver linings along the way too.
I cannot comment on this question in the context of how the coronavirus pandemic affected my clients, as I was not yet a certified Life Coach during the pandemic.
I was not personally affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which I am incredibly grateful for.
The pandemic has been a profound teacher, offering lessons that have reshaped perspectives and priorities for many of us.
Personally, I’ve learned several invaluable lessons throughout this challenging period.
First and foremost, I’ve learned the importance of resilience and adaptability.
The pandemic forced us to navigate unprecedented changes and uncertainties, requiring us to pivot and adjust our lives in ways we never imagined.
Through it all, I discovered an inner resilience I didn’t know I possessed and learned to embrace change with a more open mindset.
Secondly, the pandemic underscored the significance of connection and community.
While physical distancing measures were necessary for safety, they also highlighted our deep need for social interaction and support.
I’ve come to cherish my relationships even more, recognizing the vital role they play in maintaining mental and emotional well being.
Another key lesson has been the importance of self care and prioritizing mental health.
The pandemic brought to light the fragility of our mental health and the necessity of nurturing it proactively.
I’ve learned to carve out time for self care practices like mindfulness, exercise, and creative expression, understanding that taking care of myself ultimately enables me to better support others.
Lastly, the pandemic taught me the value of gratitude and perspective.
Amidst the challenges and losses, I’ve learned to find gratitude in the simple moments and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for life’s blessings.
It’s reminded me to approach each day with a sense of humility and gratitude, recognizing that every moment is precious.
I have accumulated over two decades of experience in the corporate world.
For 13 years, I have dedicated my efforts to a JSE listed investment holding company in a Senior Management position.
I hold a master’s in business administration (MBA) and I am a certified Negative Emotional Therapy™ Practitioner as well as a Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner.
What inspired me to become a Life Coach, having worked in a corporate environment, my everyday interactions exposed me to the challenges that people experience on a daily basis in their personal and professional lives, which was mainly limiting beliefs, negative emotions and behaviours.
In the role of a Life Coach, I leverage the rich tapestry of my personal experiences to guide and inspire others.
My distinctive background provides valuable insights into both personal and professional transformation, offering individuals a compass to navigate their own journeys of self discovery.
I am deeply passionate about assisting people in unlocking their potential, overcoming obstacles, and embracing positive change.
My personal journey reads like a tapestry woven with numerous twists and turns.
At its core is a transformative voyage through overcoming drug addiction, an experience that has evolved into a profound exploration of self discovery.
I live in Cape Town, South Africa with my husband, and two cats.
I’m an avid reader, love spending time outdoors and travelling with my husband, and I compete in triathlons.
I am internationally accredited with the International Coaching Register (ICR).
About 18 years ago, I faced the grip of drug addiction, a destructive web that seemed endless.
In the depths of darkness, I discovered the strength to reclaim my life.
Confronting the harsh reality of addiction became my first step towards recovery, acknowledging that substances meant for solace were, in fact, drowning me.
Admitting the problem and taking action played a pivotal role in my healing.
Hidden struggles behind a facade of normalcy became small victories celebrated each day.
Sobriety’s first steps and overcoming threatening cravings marked triumphs in a non linear journey filled with setbacks, embraced as opportunities for learning and growth.
Understanding root causes, facing past traumas, and developing coping mechanisms empowered me to break free from long held chains.
Guided by an amazing mentor, I navigated the complexities of recovery.
Rediscovering purpose became a beacon of hope, redirecting my focus to a positive and fulfilling future through passion driven activities.
Innovating with coaching clients in the realm of emotional therapy and mindfulness is a constant journey of exploration and adaptation.
One of the key approaches I take is to tailor my techniques and strategies to the unique needs and preferences of each individual client.
This means staying up to date with the latest research and methodologies in the field, but also being open to unconventional approaches that might resonate deeply with certain clients.
I also place a strong emphasis on integrating technology and digital tools into my coaching practice.
Utilizing mindfulness apps for daily practice, incorporating technology allows me to extend the reach and effectiveness of my coaching beyond the confines of traditional therapy settings.
Additionally, I’m always exploring interdisciplinary approaches to emotional wellness and resilience.
Drawing insights from fields like positive psychology, neuroscience, and even art therapy, I strive to provide my clients with a holistic toolkit for navigating their emotional landscapes.
Ultimately, my goal is to empower my clients to become active participants in their own healing journey, equipping them with the tools, insights, and support they need to cultivate emotional resilience and lead fulfilling lives.
What sets my coaching approach apart is its foundation in a combination of Negative Emotional Therapy™, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring techniques.
This holistic blend allows me to address emotional wellness and resilience from multiple angles, tailoring my approach to the unique needs of each individual client.
One aspect that makes my coaching unique is my specialization in Negative Emotional Therapy™.
This innovative therapy approach focuses on identifying and addressing negative emotional patterns at their root, enabling clients to break free from recurring cycles of distress and achieve lasting emotional well being.
By combining Negative Emotional Therapy™ with mindfulness practices, I empower clients to cultivate greater self awareness and self compassion, enhancing their ability to navigate challenging emotions with resilience and grace.
Furthermore, as a Cognitive Restructuring Specialist, I bring a deep understanding of how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviours.
Through targeted cognitive interventions, I help clients reframe limiting beliefs and thought patterns, empowering them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
What truly distinguishes my coaching approach is my passion for empowering clients to take an active role in their own emotional wellness journey.
I foster a supportive and non judgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their emotions, challenge their assumptions, and cultivate new ways of thinking and being.
By equipping clients with practical tools and strategies, I enable them to build resilience, cultivate inner peace, and live more fulfilling lives.
Ultimately, my coaching approach is characterized by its holistic nature, evidence based techniques, and client centered focus, making it a powerful catalyst for transformative change in the realm of emotional wellness and resilience.
Absolutely, I leverage a variety of specialized tools and techniques to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in my work with clients.
One key tool I utilize is comprehensive assessment instruments to gain a thorough understanding of each client’s emotional landscape, cognitive patterns, and behavioural tendencies.
These assessments provide valuable insights that inform the development of tailored treatment plans.
Furthermore, I integrate evidence based interventions and exercises into my coaching sessions, drawing from modalities such as Negative Emotional Therapy™, mindfulness based stress reduction, cognitive restructuring, and positive psychology.
These tools empower clients to develop practical skills for managing emotions, challenging negative thought patterns, and fostering greater resilience.
If I had the opportunity to share a message with the entire world through a super megaphone, I would convey the importance of prioritizing mental and emotional well being.
In a fast paced and often chaotic world, it’s easy to overlook the significance of our inner health.
My message would emphasize the power of self awareness, self care, and self compassion in fostering emotional resilience and overall well being.
Ultimately, my message would be a call to action for individuals to invest in their emotional well being, to prioritize self care, and to cultivate a deeper sense of compassion and understanding for themselves and others.
By embracing the journey of self discovery and emotional empowerment, we can create a world where mental health is valued, supported, and celebrated.
The most profound lesson I learned in my life was self compassion.
Forgiving my past mistakes allowed me to move forward without the burden of shame, crucial in rebuilding self esteem and embracing the potential for a brighter tomorrow.
Today, I stand as a testament to recovery’s possibility.
The journey from addiction to sobriety is challenging, but every step is worth the effort.
I share my drug addiction story not as despair but as inspiration for those facing similar battles, there’s always hope for a triumphant return to the light.
As I reflect on our conversation, my final thoughts centre around the profound potential for growth and healing that lies within each of us.
As a Certified Negative Emotional Therapy™ Practitioner, Mindfulness Advocate, and Cognitive Restructuring Specialist, I am deeply passionate about empowering individuals to cultivate emotional wellness and resilience.
In a world where stressors and challenges are inevitable, it’s essential to recognize that our ability to thrive amidst adversity is not predetermined.
Through mindfulness practices, cognitive restructuring techniques, and the transformative power of Negative Emotional Therapy™, we have the tools to rewrite our emotional narratives, break free from limiting beliefs, and foster a greater sense of well being.
My final thoughts echo a message of hope and empowerment.
No matter where you are on your journey, know that you have the capacity to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience.
By embracing self awareness, self compassion, and a willingness to explore new perspectives, you can unlock your innate potential for growth and create a life filled with meaning, purpose, and emotional vitality.
If you liked this interview and you would love a safe place to explore your emotions, achieve inner peace, cultivate emotional resilience and wellbeing, and live a more fulfilling life, go to https://renekokcoaching.co.za and see how coach René can help you.
If you’d like to capture a glimpse of her coaching, follow her Instagram.
And if you’d like to connect with her more personally, you can do that through LinkedIn, by WhatsApp (+27 67 401 2823), or by sending her a direct message on her Email rene@renekokcoaching.co.za. It was an honor having this interview with her.
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