Annita Gibson is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her expertise, passion, dedication and innovativeness.
She had a really interesting path in her career. Her journey, from the high stakes casino industry to transformative life coaching is as dynamic as it is inspiring. With a background in psychology and a personal triumph at the Australasian Croupier Championship, she discovered early on the power of mindset in achieving success.
She seamlessly transitioned from roles as a trainer and aerobics instructor to becoming a certified coach, blending structured methodologies with deep personal experience. Her coaching approach now focuses on empowering midlife women in transition, helping them cultivate confidence and clarity as they step into entrepreneurship. Drawing from a wealth of experience and a unique combination of visualization, holistic practices, and targeted coaching tools, she guides clients through profound transformations.
She is using techniques like the Values TRACK method and Universal Freedom Technique. With her skills, tools, and profound experience she helps her clients unlock their true potential by aligning their goals with their core values. With a focus on both the mind and the spirit, she not only helps individuals achieve their goals but also heal from past traumas and gain lasting fulfillment in both their professional and personal lives. Here is what she said…
Meet Life Coach Annita Gibson:
Name: Annita Gibson
Pillar: The Spirit, The Mind, The Heart
Who is this coach for: Anyone who wants to “deal for themselves a winning hand” in life and make their desired reality come true.
How they can help: By using various tools and techniques like visualization, grounding exercises, meditation, and energy work, just to name a few.
First of all, how are you and your family doing after these Pandemic times?
Looking back at the pandemic from 2025, while the acute crisis is behind us, its effects continue to ripple through our lives.
For my family, it was a period of profound loss and transformation.
As a small unit consisting of my parents and myself, we faced one of our greatest challenges when my brother passed unexpectedly in 2021.
The pain was compounded by the strict border lockdowns in Australia, which prevented my nephew from attending his father’s funeral, a heartbreaking reality of those unprecedented times.
The grief hit my father particularly hard, and his health has deteriorated significantly since then, with signs of dementia now emerging.
As their daughter, I’ve stepped into the role of caring for my elderly parents, now in their eighties.
During this same period, we also lost a cousin, with the pandemic restrictions limiting our ability to properly mourn together.
Now I stand in an empowered place, knowing what I stand for and focussed on my vision for helping others to live their passions and play big!
The challenges I navigated have created an unbreakable spirit and great wisdom.
This allows me to support my clients with empathy and provide the mentorship and strategies to overcome any “storm” they may face.
How did the coronavirus pandemic affect your clients? Did it affect you at all?
The pandemic created profound challenges for many of my clients, particularly those who faced difficult choices because of vaccination mandates.
One story that particularly stands out is that of a clinical psychologist.
As a mental health professional, she found herself suddenly unemployed for over a year after being stood down from her position.
She felt the weight of responsibility in supporting her husband and spiraled into a dark place, spending countless hours doom scrolling through alternative media channels, seeking answers but finding only more anxiety.
Within two weeks of starting our coaching relationship, her transformation began.
We identified that her passion for ocean walks (something she’d abandoned during her online immersion) could be her path back to light.
By implementing structured daily practices and shifting her focus from what she couldn’t control to what she could, she began to rebuild.
The spark in her eyes returned as she reconnected with nature and developed a proactive plan for her future.
Another client, a schoolteacher, faced similar challenges after being stood down.
Through our work together, she discovered creative ways to reinvent her professional life.
These stories highlight a crucial lesson: while we can’t control external circumstances, we can control our response to them.
The tools and strategies we developed together helped these clients not just survive but emerge stronger and more aligned with their authentic selves.
Personally, the pandemic became a profound test of my own convictions and resilience.
As a learning and development professional in a large organization, I faced intense pressure to comply with vaccine mandates.
It was a lonely position to be in.
I watched as colleagues who had initially shared my concerns about the vaccine’s safety succumbed to the pressure, only to later experience serious health complications.
In a workplace of thousands, I found myself standing virtually alone in my conviction.
One of the most challenging aspects was navigating family dynamics during this time.
While my father was deeply fearful of the virus, he still allowed me to visit their farm and embrace him, a beautiful contradiction that spoke to the power of love over fear.
This experience taught me volumes about human behavior and the courage required to stand in one’s truth, even when it comes at a professional and social cost.
The pandemic also brought unexpected gifts of clarity and connection.
Through attending rallies and standing up for human rights, I discovered a community of like minded individuals who shared my values.
This period of upheaval ultimately led me to stand more firmly in my sovereignty and authority than ever before.
I emerged with an unshakeable determination that no one would ever again dictate how I should live my life.
These experiences have left their mark, like visible scars that remind us of our journey.
Yet they’ve also revealed our innate resilience.
As I often tell my clients, we’ve survived 100% of our past challenges, and each experience shapes us, equipping us with the skills to navigate future difficulties.
What are the biggest lessons that you learned in this pandemic?
The pandemic revealed true characters and tested relationships.
It showed how easily fear can divide communities and families but also demonstrated the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
I learned who my true allies were and discovered my own strength in standing firm in my convictions, even when faced with professional consequences.
Today, I stand more firmly in my truth than ever before, having learned that when you remain grounded in your heart and soul, you can weather any storm.
These experiences have only strengthened my ability to support clients through their own transformations.
The Origin:
Tell us about you, your career, how you started with your coaching career?
My journey to coaching has been wonderfully eclectic.
I spent over two decades in the casino industry, starting at age 19 and working my way up through three different establishments.
A pivotal moment came in 2014 when I won the Australasian Croupier Championship, competing against the finest dealers from Australia, New Zealand, Macau, and Singapore.
This achievement wasn’t just about technical skills and phenomenal guest service, it was my first real experience in coaching myself to success.
With a background in psychology (holding both a bachelor’s degree and graduate diploma) and drawing inspiration from mentors like Tony Robbins, Byron Katie and Benjamin J Harvey, I developed the mindset that would set me apart.
I used visualization techniques, mentally rehearsing every aspect of the competition, from the room layout to holding the trophy.
This experience taught me that success happens first in the mind before manifesting in reality.
My coaching journey evolved naturally through various roles: as a trainer, facilitator, aerobics instructor and learning and development professional.
In 2021, I became certified in Gallup strengths coaching, working within a large organization of 9,000 people, supporting those from frontline team members to senior managers.
Later, I obtained my international results coaching certification, focusing on one on one mindset coaching.
Today, I primarily work with midlife professional women transitioning to entrepreneurship, helping them cultivate a winning mindset and develop bulletproof confidence.
My approach combines the structured methodology of professional coaching with the deep empathy that comes from personal experience.
What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in your life that made you who you are today?
My greatest obstacle was overcoming issues with self worth and self esteem, particularly after experiencing toxic relationships in my twenties.
The emotional and verbal abuse left me in a dark place, struggling with depression, diminished self confidence and not believing in myself.
Recovery began through personal development work and, surprisingly, through my background in acting.
Meisner technique classes became therapeutic, allowing me to speak my authentic truth and have a safe space for my emotional life to be expressed while working through character studies.
This journey from hiding from the world to becoming confidently visible informs my coaching today.
I teach clients that confidence isn’t innate, it’s a learnable skill developed through practice and persistence.
The Coaching Style:
How do you innovate with coaching your clients?
My coaching innovation stems from authenticity, bringing my unique perspective and continual learning to each client relationship.
I believe in simplifying the path to success by focusing on achievable goals rather than overwhelming clients with multiple objectives.
One of my signature techniques involves visualization and having clients record their ideal life script, speaking it into existence as if it’s already achieved.
There’s powerful psychology in hearing your own voice declare your dreams.
I also incorporate holistic practices, addressing not just the mind but the body and spirit through grounding exercises, meditation, and energy work.
I’ve learned that meditation doesn’t need to follow strict rules, it can be as simple as a mindful walk in nature or sitting quietly with your thoughts.
These practices help my clients find balance in our increasingly busy world and ultimately, I help my clients have the best relationship with themselves.
What’s unique about your coaching approach?
My coaching method follows the Rapid Results model, which is a dynamic process beginning with an in depth, explorative questionnaire that helps clients deeply examine their lives, achievements, dreams, and challenges.
This initial work creates a foundation for transformation.
We then move through a structured program that identifies core values, clarifies goals, and addresses limiting beliefs through various techniques, including close eye processes and Universal Freedom Technique.
I also incorporate soul retrieval work, helping clients heal from past traumas and reclaim their whole selves.
I keep my “sword sharp” by continuing to do the work on myself so I can be my best to support my clients.
What benefits do your clients get after working with you?
The benefits my clients experience go far beyond professional development, they experience profound personal transformation.
When clients first come to me, they often share a common profile: minds cluttered with competing priorities, lives overwhelming them with responsibilities, and self doubt clouding their decision making.
But through our work together, remarkable changes unfold.
One client, a corporate executive, arrived feeling trapped in what she called her “golden handcuffs”, a high paying position that left her emotionally drained and disconnected from her values.
Through our values tracking process, she discovered her altruistic passion and creative entrepreneurship had been buried under years of societal expectations.
By identifying her core values and aligning her actions with them, she found the courage to launch her own business.
Today, she reports not just greater financial success, but a sense of fulfillment she hadn’t thought possible.
The transformation typically follows a clear progression:
1. First, there’s an energy shift. Clients report feeling lighter, more focused, and more optimistic after just a few sessions.
2. Then clarity emerges. The mental clutter clears as we identify core values and true priorities.
3. Action follows. With clear direction and renewed confidence, clients begin taking bold steps toward their goals.
4. Finally, sustainable change takes root. Clients develop their own internal coaching voice, becoming their own best advocates.
One of my most rewarding experiences was working with a client who had spent decades in a career that society deemed successful but left her feeling empty.
Through our soul retrieval work and values alignment process, she connected with a childhood dream of working with her intuition and teaching art and facilitating sound healing.
Many would have dismissed this as impractical, but by breaking down the transition into manageable steps and addressing her limiting beliefs, she successfully pivoted into her dream field in her mid 40s.
What makes these transformations possible is the combination of structured support and deep inner work.
Using targeted tools, I uncover not just what clients want to achieve, but what’s been holding them back.
Many clients express surprise at how quickly breakthroughs happen, unlike traditional counseling where the same stories might be revisited for months or years, our approach focuses on appreciation, learning, and forward momentum.
The key to success is taking that first step.
You don’t need to see the entire staircase, just begin the journey.
Having a coach in your corner, someone to shine a light on the answers already within you, can make all the difference.
As one client recently told me, “I didn’t just find my voice, I found the courage to use it.”
When you’re ready to transform your life, listen to that quiet voice inside, and take action.
The magic happens when you decide to begin.
Do you use any specific tools to be efficient with your clients?
My coaching approach combines structured processes with deep inner work to help clients achieve lasting transformation.
The foundation begins with an intensive self reflection process that can’t be rushed, it often unfolds over days or weeks.
During this time, clients explore pivotal moments in their lives, both triumphs and challenges, to understand how these experiences have shaped them.
From there, we move into a structured weekly program that goes far beyond surface level coaching.
One of our key tools is what I call the Values TRACK method, which helps clients uncover their true values, not just abstract concepts like ‘integrity’ or ‘truth,’ but their genuine driving forces.
TRACK stands for:
Talk: What topics light you up in conversation?
Research: What subjects naturally draw your curiosity?
Acquire: What skills do you love developing?
Contemplate: What occupies your quiet moments of reflection?
Know: What areas of expertise have you naturally accumulated?
This process reveals what truly matters to a person by examining where they naturally invest their time, energy, and resources.
It’s particularly revealing when we discover misalignments, like professionals trapped in ‘golden handcuffs,’ earning well but feeling deeply unfulfilled because their work doesn’t align with their core values.
For goal setting, I use the START framework rather than traditional SMART goals:
Specificity: Clearly defined outcomes.
Timing: Meaningful deadlines.
Achievability: Challenging but attainable.
Reasons: Deep understanding of personal motivation.
Three Actions: Immediate steps to create momentum.
I also incorporate several powerful visualization and healing techniques.
Through guided future pacing exercises, clients can vividly experience their achieved goals, making them more tangible and attainable.
The Universal Freedom Technique helps rapidly release trapped emotions and limiting beliefs, while soul retrieval work, inspired by shamanic practices, helps clients heal from past traumas and reclaim fragmented aspects of themselves.
This combination of structured frameworks and deep emotional work creates a comprehensive approach that helps clients achieve not just their external goals, but also the inner transformation necessary for lasting success.
The Impact:
If you had a super megaphone that, when you speak into, the whole world will hear your message, what would you say?
Stop putting your life on hold waiting for the perfect time, that time is NOW!
As Wayne Dyer beautifully expressed, “Don’t die with your music still in you.”
Everyone has a unique spark, a dream, a calling.
Many play small, staying safe in their comfort zone, but everything we desire sits on the other side of the comfort zone and true fulfillment comes from embracing your authentic path.
That idea in your head, that spark in your heart, it’s there for a reason.
Trust it.
Chase it.
The circumstances will never be perfect, but you can still take steps toward your dreams today.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned in your life?
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned through my journey in psychology and personal development is the power of suspending judgment.
Growing up, I was incredibly judgmental, not just of others, but especially of myself.
I lived with crushing self criticism and impossibly high expectations.
Through my work and life experiences, I’ve come to understand the deeper psychology behind our tendency to judge.
“We’re biologically wired to make snap judgments,” I explain to my clients.
“Our ancestors needed to instantly decide whether that shadow was a Saber tooth tiger or just a bush, their survival depended on it.
But in today’s world, these quick assumptions often hold us back from genuine connections and personal growth.”
This lesson particularly resonates in my group facilitation work, where I often encounter people from vastly different backgrounds.
I tell participants, “The person who seems most different from you might end up being your closest friend, but you’ll never know if you let judgment create a barrier.”
It’s amazing to watch people’s expressions shift as they realize how many opportunities they might have missed through premature judgment.
The beauty of withholding judgment lies in what it allows to flourish: curiosity, openness, and genuine connection.
When we stop assuming we know what others are thinking or feeling, we create space for authentic discovery.
This applies equally to how we treat ourselves, when we suspend self judgment, we often find strength and capabilities we never knew we had.
I’ve seen this principle transform client relationships, business partnerships, and personal connections.
One client, a high achieving executive, came to me struggling with team dynamics.
Through our work together, she realized her habit of quick judgments was creating invisible barriers with her team.
As she learned to pause, ask questions, and truly listen, her team’s productivity and morale soared.
More importantly, she found herself enjoying her role in a way she never had before.
Another powerful lesson came through understanding the importance of emotional authenticity.
In both my casino career and early coaching practice, I observed how people often wear masks to meet others’ expectations.
The real breakthrough comes when we dare to be genuinely ourselves.
This doesn’t mean sharing everything with everyone but rather developing the discernment to be authentic while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
These lessons culminate in perhaps the most important insight: true transformation requires both inner work and outer action.
We must address our internal landscape (our beliefs, judgments, and assumptions) while also taking concrete steps toward our goals.
This balanced approach creates sustainable change that enriches not just our own lives but the lives of those around us.
And you need to back yourself!
Your final thoughts?
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of coaching: when your vision is clear, the path will appear.
Many of us try to do it all alone, we take courses, practice meditation, set goals, and maintain positive habits.
But life has a way of derailing our best laid plans.
That’s where coaching makes the difference.
Having a coach means having someone in your corner who does more than just support you, they help you uncover the clarity and wisdom that already exists within you.
They ask the powerful questions that illuminate your path forward, provide the accountability that keeps you moving, and help you hear your own inner wisdom more clearly.
I’ve seen countless clients who attempted solo journeys before finding that partnership with a coach catalysed their transformation.
The truth is, you don’t need to see the entire staircase to take that first step.
You just need the courage to begin and the right support to keep going.
My invitation to you is simple: listen to that quiet voice inside that’s calling you toward growth.
Take that first step.
Your future self will thank you for starting today.
Where Can You Find Annita Gibson?
If you liked this interview and if you would love to “deal for yourself a winning hand” in life and make your desired reality come true, go to her website and see how Coach Annita can help you do that.
If you’d like to peak a glimpse into her coaching, follow her Facebook profile and Instagram account. Feel free to also check her YouTube channel.
And if you’d like to connect with her more personally, you can do that through LinkedIn or by sending her a direct message on her Email [email protected]. It was an honor having this interview with her.