From Voice Teacher to Spiritual Life Coach: Meet Leigh Leigh Kossman

In our Case Study series, we're diving into the personal journeys, the real-life ups and downs, and the unique paths of Lumia graduates. Discover how real coaches found their way to coaching, built their businesses, and get clients!

Every interview is a window into the life of someone who has embraced coaching as a way to not only change their own lives, but also to impact others. These conversations are about connection, growth, and the diverse ways each coach brings their authentic self to this meaningful and important work. 

From Voice Teacher to Spiritual Life Coach: Meet Leigh Leigh Kossman, ACC

Leigh Leigh Kossman, ACC is a motivational speaker and ICF-certified life coach dedicated to empowering spiritual women to transform frustration into purposeful action. As a four-time survivor of near-death experiences, Leigh Leigh brings a unique perspective on life's purpose, combining her deep faith with masters-level studies in positive psychology and professional coach training.

With a diverse background in singing, teaching, and youth leadership, Leigh Leigh's coaching approach emphasizes positivity, laughter, and joy while guiding clients through life transitions. Her mission is to help women connect with their spirituality, overcome obstacles, and take inspired action towards their divine calling. Leigh Leigh helps clients manifest their destinies and embrace the idea that they were created "for such a time as this." You can connect with Leigh Leigh here.

What led you to become a coach?

My background unknowingly prepared me for coaching. On November 8th, 2017, I felt a calling to become a coach. It was a profound experience that I really remember.

At that time, I was going through a period of uncertainty about my future. We have three children, and our twins, the youngest, were approaching high school graduation. I was anxious about what would come next for me. By the time I received this calling, our twins were already in college, and I was actively questioning my next steps in life.

In response to this calling, I decided to pursue graduate studies in positive psychology. It was during one of my coaching classes in this program that I learned about Lumia. This discovery set me on the path to becoming a coach.

How did you decide on your next steps after receiving this call to become a coach?

I discovered a memo I had saved about 10 online positive psychology programs. I don't recall saving it, but it led me to Mizzou. I wanted more than just a certificate, I sought a formal educational background - a master's degree. So I enrolled at Mizzou. During one of my coaching classes there, the professor recommended three life coach certification programs to complement our positive psychology studies. Lumia was one of them. When I called Lumia, I immediately felt comfortable. It just felt right, so I signed up and began my journey.

How did your previous experiences prepare you for coaching?

I love it. I love it. I love it. It's in my heart. I was prepared for it for decades going into it. I am a singer and a performer. I've been on stage in plays and musicals, so I'm not afraid to be in front of people. My husband and I were youth leaders for 13 years, so I had a lot of experience with kids and young adults. 

How would you describe your coaching style?

How I show up is very warm, very honest. I've been told I'm a good listener. Working with Lumia and with ICF, I've learned the importance of not talking a lot - and I'm a talker! So I've had to really learn how to do that. 

'm very spiritual. I'm intuitive. Because of my spirituality, I'll bring that into a session if a client agrees or is for that, or wants that. If a client says, no, I'm really not interested, then we don't go that direction.

How did you start building your coaching business after completing coach training?

I initially thought clients would flock to me, just like they did for my voice teaching business. For 28 years, I've had a waiting list without ever advertising. So, I assumed life coaching would be the same – build it, and they'll come.

Luckily, I started with three clients right away. They were all acquaintances in some form – either direct contacts or friends of friends. This gave me the momentum I needed to get started.

When I received my certificate from Lumia, I posted it on social media along with my Mizzou degree. I announced, "I've been preparing for you! I've got the credentials now. I've done master's work in positive psychology and completed a specialized training program for life coaches. Here I am!" That social media post was my first step in letting people know I was open for business.

What challenges did you face in growing your coaching business?

The tricky thing about life coaching is that clients come and go. You help them, and then they move on. The good news is that many clients return, which I absolutely love. In my three and a half years of coaching, I've had numerous clients come back after taking a break.

However, we always need to be generating new business. I turned to online marketing for this, but I soon realized I needed more help with the business side of things. That's when I found Michelle Rabell through the Lumia alumni network. She was offering a five-day masterclass on building your coaching business. I took her class, which led to joining her coaching program. I've been working with her as my business coach for two years now, and she's been fantastic.

How has your coaching brand evolved over time?

A year ago, I started out calling my business "Get Your Sh*t Together Coaching." It was fitting, but I ran into issues advertising on the radio due to the language. So, with Michelle's help, I rebranded to Leigh Leigh Kossman Coaching and launched a new website. This rebranding was a fun process. Being quite feminine myself, we incorporated more girly elements into the brand. I also hired a graphic designer, which I'd recommend to every coach. While you can try designing on your own (I initially used Fiverr for my logo), professional help can make a big difference. Interestingly, one of my Lumia classes actually helped me decide on my logo design.

What resources have you found helpful in building your coaching business?

First and foremost, a business coach. Unless you have a background in business, this is invaluable. I didn't, so having a coach was crucial. Secondly, a virtual assistant. Having someone to help with tasks you're not great at or don't enjoy frees you up to focus on what you do best. Thirdly, a graphic artist, unless you have design skills yourself. Lastly, a branding-focused photographer is really beneficial. I've worked with two, and it's made a big difference.

What strategies have you found effective for attracting clients?

Networking has been my most effective strategy. I'm involved in several chambers of commerce and often speak at their events. It's all about who you know and the connections you make. Many of my speaking engagements have come through these chamber associations. While I do get some business from social media, it's not as productive as I'd like. 

I've also had success with more unconventional methods – I've literally put up signs around town with tear-off contact info and gotten clients that way. Free speaking engagements have also been great for attracting clients. You never know where your next client will come from!

Can you share an example of how a speaking engagement led to a coaching opportunity?

One of them that I did last summer was for our county. They were doing a little thing called toddler garden, and it had to do with toddler basics, from zero to five, with all the skills that little kids need. And so I spoke to caregivers and parents in a park setting. It was beautiful. One of the ladies there who has a daycare said, I think I need a life coach. I've got this dream that I want to realize – will you help me? So that was one way.

How else do you find opportunities to connect with potential clients?

I think that when you're out and about and you're talking to people. I've literally even talked to strangers about being a life coach or that I'm a speaker because I like to talk to people. So I might be in a doctor's office in a waiting room and we start chatting and someone says, oh, my husband needs this or that and he could use a life coach. I work it into the conversation when it's appropriate. Doesn't always get me clients, but that's okay. I'm still out there and I'm still promoting and smiling.

How has the Lumia program impacted your personal and professional growth?

It was a wonderful program. I realized how much I didn't know, which is always good to realize that you have a lot to learn. I love learning. I'm a forever student. 

In Lumia's program, you learn the craft of coaching, but you also learn about yourself, which helps you become a better coach. A lot of the tools and exercises that we would use with clients, Lumia has us go through first ourselves so that we can self-examine, know how to use the tool, and we know the benefits of using the tool.

What are some of the key insights you've gained from your coaching experience?

We, and only we, have the power to make changes in our life. And that's the good and the bad of it, because you don't have to rely on someone else to make change in your life. The “bad” part is that it's up to us. It's up to you. It's up to the person, and it starts with the self. 

I think that awareness is key, absolute key. You have to be aware of that. Before becoming a coach, I wasn't as aware of how there's so much going on in our head that we don't even realize.

How has your understanding of listening and presence evolved through your coaching journey?

Lumia's program definitely highlighted for me the importance of listening, listening without judgment, because we all come with preconceived notions. 

It's part of the human experience. But as a coach, it relates to your relationships in your entire life. Park those notions for a moment and just listen to who is talking. Don't worry about your response. Worry about what they're saying and look at their body language and where they might be coming from that you hadn't considered. 

I would say the biggest takeaway for me from Lumia was how to listen, the importance of listening, and therefore the positive results that will happen in your life when you're not as focused on yourself.

How has completing the Lumia program affected your confidence as a coach?

I am a most definitely more confident life coach than I ever would have been had I not been in the program. And also, I find that Lumia is full of resources and directions to point us in to learn more, to keep learning. And the ICF, both of them in tandem have really helped me to continue to want to learn and find places to learn, books to read.

How has your training helped you maintain professional boundaries?

I learned in Lumia that you don't want to be triggered by something that your client says, that we have to learn how to, in essence, not show that, to have a good poker face, and to not let it get in our head in the middle of a coaching session so that I'm sidetracked by something the client just said. So I felt very well prepared that way. 

And then I would say as well, even when you're feeling compassion and you feel those tears welling up, that it really is not about you. It's about the client. You don't want to distract the client or take away from what the client is saying by your reaction. Because you just don't want to sidetrack them. 

It's not about me. It's about the client.

How has your ICF credentialing impacted your coaching practice?

Because I have my certificate through Lumia and credentialed through ICF, I have more confidence as a coach. And so I would say professionally, the doors that open are more coaching opportunities because I'm confident to put myself out there and say, I am a life coach. 

And on my wall are my papers framed, my certificates. So I feel that professionally that helps me to promote myself better because I have the confidence. And then step two of that is as a speaker, as a motivational speaker, I've learned through my coaching experiences, I have things to bring to the table. 

I can speak more to how our thinking affects our energy and our lives. Those things I can bring not only to individual clients, but to a bigger audience, which was part of my calling when God said, you're going to be a life coach and a motivational speaker. I feel like it all works together and prepares me. And it's synergistic. I say that one positively affects the other, and in turn, that positively affects the other, and it's like a sort of an upward spiral.

How has completing the Lumia program affected your client base and income?

I have increased my client base and have increased my income since completing the Lumia program, absolutely.

What's the most significant personal growth you've experienced through your coaching journey?

I would just say more confidence. I've always been a leader. Throughout my life, I've been in leadership positions and leadership roles, so that was not new to me, but most definitely confidence. We learn, we grow, and then we increase our confidence as well.

How do you approach being a spirituality coach?

It is interesting being a spirituality coach because not everyone is open to it, which is okay. As a coach, I'm not ready to draw that line and say that I only want to work with spirituality clients, because I think that everyone can use help. And so, if they're not tapped into that, that's okay. 

For me, my spirituality is my anchor, it's my foundation, it's my compass. So I cannot operate without it. I love working with clients who are open to it, either because they're fully into it or because they're exploring. And that's really exciting to be able to help someone on that journey and on that path of discovering what spirituality is all about and the connection to everyday life. 

If again, if that's what you subscribe to and if it doesn't work for you, then it's not going to work and I would never force it.

Can you tell me about your experience with the Lumia community?

It is a fantastic community. The networking, the community is the best part of it. Lumia really fosters that environment, very much encouraged to keep in touch and do things on the side, not just in class, and to learn from each other and to support each other.

What do you appreciate most about Lumia's program?

I'm so proud that I'm a Lumia graduate because it is a quality organization. It's a quality educational space. The people are so intelligent, the leaders, that it blows my mind. I have learned so much. So I would say just 100% top-notch. I couldn't recommend it any more highly at all.

What are the most important skills you've developed through your coaching journey?

I've always been told I'm a good listener, but it's different being a listener as a friend as it is as a coach. So I learned the differences and really honed that skill for coaching. Then the other thing is the non-judgment piece. I'm not a judgmental person. I love all people, but we do come with these preconceived notions because that's part of being human. 

I learned, especially in the ICF portion of the training, that our clients are whole, they're smart, they're resourceful, they're complete and they're just in a space where they need someone to listen and someone to help guide them. I've learned the art of asking good questions as well.

How would you describe Lumia's approach to coach training?

I would say that Lumia is professional, but not intimidating. As I was looking at coaching programs, when you're new to something, you might be intimidated by the amount of things you don't know. Lumia is very comfortable. It's professional and it's comfortable. It prepares you for what's coming. It prepares you to be a really good top-notch coach.

How does your coaching practice currently look?

My coaching practice is one-on-one clients and speaking engagements that are either a workshop where they're participating, it could be a one-time deal for the workshop, I just did one that was a four-part. So for four months in a row, I went every Friday morning once a month. I had a workbook and a little talk and a PowerPoint so that they were more involved. So there's more interaction in a workshop than say when I just get up in front of people and speak. 

Do you have any final words of encouragement for aspiring coaches?

Thank you to all future coaches. You have a gift that no one else has. There are audiences who need to hear from you. 

Even if you feel like other coaches are saying the same things, they're not you, and you're not them. There are clients, there are people who need to hear the message, even if it's the message someone else is giving. They need your take on it. They need your energy, your vibe, whatever that is. It's beautiful, and it's special, and it's unique, and it's all you. 

Keep going. Don't lose heart. Just keep working, and those doors will open for you. Don't give up. Don't give up. Don't give up. Just keep going.

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