Today we’d like to introduce you to Gigi Santiago.
Hi Gigi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been the girl that people spoke to, I would get approached at the mall by people who may have seen me at school, church or work and talk to me about their problems. In my youth, I thought I had to have a reply or answer to help fix “them” but as I’ve grown older, I know that is not the case. These experiences, at the time, made me realize I need to listen better, which lead me to be trained as a Spiritual Director in 2011.
Even then when sitting with people, I found that my quality of listening needed to be better, because those I sat with were coming with real issues not just spiritual. I mean they were both but not. That’s when I learned about life coaching. As I researched coaching certifications, I wanted to make sure that it aligned with my spiritual direction training. Finally, I found a certification and was certified in 2016. I found my listening to be enhanced for the nuances of life’s tensions with my clients. I really enjoyed seeing through their lenses and beyond. I have an intuitive ability to find clarity in people’s future. Most times, I see it before they do, but my coaching is evocative to help my clients to come to it themselves.
As my clientele grew, I found I really like working with entrepreneurs. My husband and I have been entrepreneurs in the Central Florida area since 1990. Starting out with a part-time business which went to full-time in 2000; now we both own companies, I help him with marketing. Being an entrepreneur helps me understand the endless cycle of what-if scenarios, procrastinating on decisions due to fear and the pressure of having do it all. How a brilliant mind that has built a business can be the same one that overthinks it into the ground. Again, I found myself wanting to be a better listener for my clients, so in 2021, I was certified as a Money Breakthrough Business Coach.
My company, Optimal-Mindset LLC, works with the overthinking entrepreneurs who have experienced some measure of success but continue to feel overwhelmed, stuck and like an imposter. We help break the cycle of mental chatter that hinders clear, confident decision-making. My coaching framework is mindfulness powered, strategically tailed driven for results. My ACE Coaching Framework helps bring awareness of what the block in patterns of thinking are, establish a commitment to make the changes this awareness brings, to then execute strategic planning to create the lifelong behaviors cultivating the success my clients desire and know they can have.
As owner and founder of Optimal-Mindset LLC, I am an Executive Coach and Success Strategist, a certified N.L.P. practitioner, Master Mindfulness practitioner, author and speaker.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would not say it’s been a smooth road, nor has it been rocky. Each challenge has been an opportunity to learn how to navigate my own overthinking. Not only am I the coach, but I’m the client as well, Utilizing the techniques I’ve studied and teach, I help myself overcome overthinking tendencies, such as imposter syndrome, fear of rejections/judgment, that could stop my momentum to push forward. I enjoy working with entrepreneurs who experience overthinking and its effects because it helps to ground me in what I teach. It makes me walk the talk. Not only giving me authority but authenticity when I say to my clients there is another way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Optimal-Mindset LLC?
Optimal-Mindset LLC, a success coaching firm, was established in 2020; our mission is to empower overthinking entrepreneurs and executives to break free from self-doubt and cultivate habits of mindfully crafted success. We envision a world where entrepreneurs and executives utilize mindfulness effectively. They adopt a growth mindset to achieve unparalleled success, as they also seek fulfillment. We guide our clients on a transformative journey using the ACE Coaching framework to unlock their full potential, creating intentional, balanced lives.
Our ACE framework consist of Awareness, Commitment and Execution. Most coaching practices help with the awareness and commitment to change. Our impact is in the execution phase of coaching; we plot out and build daily success habits to execute goals established during the commitment phase.
We offer a variety ways to create your future success. I suggest you begin with Mindset Makeover Reboot, our 30-day Intensive. Mindset Makeover is a transformative coaching program designed to help you break free from limiting beliefs and create a powerful mindset for success. Over 30 days, you’ll receive daily guidance, practical tools, and unwavering support to achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
What are your plans for the future?
Currently I’m working on online courses so that more individuals can have access to my work. A book and podcast are in the design stage for the next 2 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://optimalmindsetllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimalmindsetllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimalMindsetLLC/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigisantiago/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Optimal-Mindset-LLC
Image Credits
headshots by Photos by Nannette
