Meet Atiya Spencer | Life Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Atiya Spencer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Atiya, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite affirmation is ” I will not be a cup holder. I will not continue to allow people to pour out of my cup for there to be nothing left for me”. I often work with people who have experienced someone relying on them for everything but couldn’t reciprocate the energy leaving them left with nothing while they build that person back whole. This affirmation means that you will not be the “go-to” person for every crisis in other people’s lives. You will no longer allow someone to suck you dry. What I like about this affirmation that is reminds you of when you allow these things to happen, you lose yourself. You now have nothing left to build yourself back up because your cup is empty. Someone who truly loves you will never allow your cup to be empty because they will continue to pour into you as much as you pour into them.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Certified Life Coach offering nine years of mentoring and empowering experience. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t do it for the money but to truly be a servant to others. I am eager to build confidence, self-love, personal development, good character, and severing toxic relationships by overcoming adversities one obstacle at a time. I inspire to assist empowerment seekers by cultivating their faith into a purpose-driven life. I have proud solid track record of encouraging young woman to maximize the value they bring, accepting themselves, and a lifestyle that promotes a healthy mind, body, and spirit. I am most proud of the results of clients leaving feeling enlightened and inspired with the blueprint for transformation and personal development through a deep desire only they can create. I strive to help my clients become a better version of themselves.

After completing Life Coach School, I was stuck figuring out where to begin. I was so scared of failing that I became the obstacle in my way. I struggled with creating my website because I wanted it to be perfect. It took me a whole year to launch due to my own imperfections. It became a challenge for me to create content daily due to having this new platform. I was known for posting inspirational and motivational quotes on social media sporadically, however, after announcing I was a Certified Life Coach, people were expecting me to post daily. I had to find balance in creating content for my social media pages because although I was providing “free gems,” I still wanted to help at least one person even if they couldn’t afford my services. Another obstacle was learning that everyone will not support you and your business isn’t made for everyone. I had to learn how to not get discouraged and to not alter my business for others.

I believe my journey began at the age of 15 years old when I was abducted. I seen life in a different perspective because what I thought would never happen to me did, and I no longer wanted anyone to be naive to the realities of life. That devastating experience took the innocence that was left of me and turned into turmoil. With two years left of High School, I was stuck figuring out what path I wanted to take in life. I knew that I wanted to bring awareness to abduction for young girls but didn’t know-how. As a freshman in college, majoring in Mass Communication, I began to target all my projects around abduction, rape, and domestic violence. Not wanting to become another statistic, I sadly fell into the category. I wanted to break the cycle because I was determined to end this “general curse.” Hearing stories of family members being victims of domestic violence, witnessing my forever friend being raped, and even myself being a victim to my own traumas, I knew that change was the only solution.

I became an advocate for women who have been a victim of trauma and began volunteering with the YWCA of Richmond to strengthen resilience and empowering women. Many young woman began to gravitate towards me as I spoke proudly on my platform of “Overcoming Adversities One Obstacle At A Time” to assure they were aware of the truths of life and to gain a safe space because most women don’t. I became a vessel across many college campuses in Virginia and North Carolina. I have five years of experience working in the mental health field where I felt I was making a change but It just wasn’t enough. One day, I came across an advertisement on Instagram of attending Life Coach School with a chance of winning a scholarship. Contemplating all day if this was a sign from God, I applied and two days later received an email stating that I was the scholarship recipient. I found my niche as an Empowerment Life Coach and started my own coaching business called “A.K.S Coaching.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ironically, wherever I travel, I am the friend to create the itinerary because I always want to assure everyone gets an experience. I love to support Black Owned Businesses and all the places I have curated on this list will be black owned. There’s so many great places to choose from we will pick a restaurant/activity from a jar each day to make it fun.

Drinks

Social house lounge
Prospect park
The locker room
Craft Burger
Davis Street
Taste Bar and Kitchen
Caribbean Hot Pot
Bar 5015

Brunch/ Day parties

Lost & Found
The Breakfast Club
Seaside Lounge
Urban Social
Sweet mustard cafe
Amahle

Juices
Thrive Juices

Sweets
Lucy Pearls Sweets

Lunch/Dinner

Mr. Potatoe -stuffed baked potato restaurant
Post HTX Food Hall
Caribbean Hot Pot
Seafood connection
Craft Burger
Chicken Plus

Night life

Kamp
Island 1515
Bar5015
Friday nights-Groove
Vino Lounge
The Spot (New & Old)

Activities

Selfie museum
The BLCK Market
Trez Art and Wine Bar -make s’mores
ErmaRose Winery
Houston’s Black Wall Street – Almeda Road

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to recognize my village that has been very supportive of me embarking on this journey since day 1. My father is always my go-to person when making life changing decisions. Without him always supporting my dreams and in my corner, I wouldn’t have enrolled in the Life Coaching course. My mother has put my name in rooms that my feet hasn’t entered in yet providing me with client referrals. My Soror/second mom/mentor, thank you for the talks, providing me with the resources to further my education in coaching, and always supporting me. To the rest of my village, my best friends/sisters who have become my unofficial promotors, photographers, clients, and guinea pigs, I can’t thank you all enough for believing in me and pushing me beyond my limits. Without my village, there wouldn’t be Life Coach Atiya K. I love you all dearly.

Website: www.akscoaching.com/

Instagram: @lifecoachatiyak

Twitter: @lifecoachatiyak

Facebook: @lifecoachatiyak

Other: Email: lifecoachatiyak@gmail.com

Image Credits
Jasmin Davis and Ajah Smith-Bell