Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Venendaal.
Hi Liz, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always felt that pull to connect with other people. As someone with cerebral palsy, I have a deep understanding of what it’s like to navigate a road less traveled. It can be hard, frustrating, confusing, lonely – you name it. If I can serve to make that path easier for others, that’s exactly what I want to do. After working at mental health non-profit for several years, I felt the impact that one person can make. I loved that job but left after the birth of my children. Those years were amazing and precious but that pull to do more continued. There were so many times in my life that people referred to me as their life coach. I would usually laugh it off but as that pull became stronger, I soon realized that becoming a life coach was something I needed to explore.
I am a researcher at heart and after countless google searches, I kept coming back to this global coaching academy called Fowler International (FIA). The founder, Berry Fowler, is also the Founder of the Sylvan learning Centers and having never been a fan of school, I needed to know that this program was both credible and taught in a way that this tired mom could learn. When I took the leap and registered, I knew FIA checked both of those boxes. What I didn’t know at the time was how incredible and insightful that training would be and how FIA and Berry would soon give me so much more.
As I was completing my coaching coursework, I was thrilled to learn that I was being featured by HBO for women’s history month. HBO was featuring women’s raw, unedited journal entries throughout history for their #becauseofher campaign. I was honored that my work was prominently positioned in their beautifully curated “Inspiration Room.”
FIA’s founder, Berry Fowler, had heard about this HBO campaign coinciding with my graduation from his coach training program and called to congratulate me. Talking to Berry was like talking to a dear friend. It’s safe to say that everyone who talks to Berry ends the conversation with that same sincere warmth and sincerity washed over them. He’s just that kind of a guy. But, in the weeks, months and years that have followed that congratulatory call, our relationship – in business and friendship has grown to impact and enrich my life beyond measure.
Together, Berry and I, co-founded We Live Without Limits which is a specialized division of FIA focused on training individuals with disabilities to become life coaches. People with disabilities are so often viewed as needing support. Although that can be true, people with disabilities are also uniquely equipped to provide support. I hate to paint with a broad brush but I do believe that by and large, the disability community has a very special skill set by virtue of having to face adversity on a daily basis. That builds compassion, character and many of the traits that make a great coach.
In addition to providing life coach training, I have a successful coaching practice of my own. It’s been the blessing that I was striving for and has allowed me to work from home, be present for my children, and connect with other people in the way I always wanted. People often ask, “Why would you train other people to become life coaches?” It makes me laugh because although I am essentially creating my own competition, there is more than enough room for all of us. I really do believe that together, we can change the narrative surrounding disability. We will show the world that each of us has the power to unleash our abilities and live without limits.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles are ever present when you live in a body that doesn’t function in a “typical” way. It could be struggling to push through pain, facing accessibility barriers or simply being underestimated. For me, it could be any combination or so much more. It depends on the day, the moment and really comes down to how equipped I feel mentally and emotionally to tackle them. Because, the reality is that those challenges are going to be there but how I respond to them is going to differentiate how I am affected. And, if I’m being honest, how those around me are affected too. As they say, “if Momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” But, in all seriousness, some days I can cope better than others. What keeps me going and shapes my response to challenges is that I know I deserve happiness. My family does – my children deserve a happy mom. So, every day I wake up and I make that choice and remind myself that I am happy. Some days it feels like a lie and some days I know I’m good but I always choose “happy”. We get one, short, sweet, shot at this life. It can be really hard but that’s another reason why I am so passionate about what I do. I believe to my core that we all can all discover what brings happiness into our lives and hearts. Becoming a coach and having a coach has truly helped create that mental shift for me. It’s such a blessing to be able to pay that forward to my clients and to see the collective impact of all of our incredible We Live Without Limits life coaches.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Liz Venendaal Life Coaching and We Live Without Limits?
I have a growing coaching practice that specializes in providing life coaching for people with disabilities. All of the amazing coaches on my team are professionally trained life coaches who also have disabilities themselves. There are so many support services out there for people with disabilities that are geared towards physical therapy or overall life skills. What’s more important to a happy, productive life than mastering your ability to live without limits? We all have challenges and limitations regardless of our physical abilities. Real, sustainable change happens when we remove those self-limiting beliefs, hone in on our internal motivation and ability to create a life we love. THAT is what life coaching and our coach training program is all about.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Optimism, determination, resiliency, and mental toughness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lizvenendaal.com
- Other: www.welivewithoutlimits.com
