BEYOUROWN Meets Courtney Proctor

Thank you for interviewing with us today, can you introduce yourself to us?

I’m a Certified Spiritual Life Coach, Esoteric Healer, and founder of Atman Collective. My life’s passion is helping ambitious women design their personal roadmap to wellness and lifelong fulfilment. I have always been a driven, ambitious person but it took facing and overcoming many obstacles for me to discover how to use that drive to align with my purpose and highest potential.

In my free time I love practicing yoga, learning about all things spiritual and metaphysical, reading, and hiking with my husband.

Can you take us through your journey to where you are now?

Growing up and even well into my 20’s, I thought that if I did all the “right” things then I would be happy and fulfilled. So I got good grades, went to college, started my career, was promoted often, went back to school for my Masters degree, etc. I was constantly chasing the next thing, thinking maybe that would be the thing to finally bring the deeper meaning and fulfilment I longed for. On the outside my life looked very successful but on the inside I felt exhausted, lost and dissatisfied.

On top of this growing sense of dissatisfaction, between the ages of 17 and 28 I faced several illnesses and losses including multiple emergency surgeries, 3 lost pregnancies, and a spot of skin cancer. With each new diagnosis or event, I got the same response from doctors that sounded something like “you’re young, your healthy, this is a fluke, I don’t know what to tell you”. I felt completely powerless over my own health and infuriated at my body. Then just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 29.

At this point I knew survival meant change. I innately knew that if I wanted anything other than the illness and dis-ease I’d been experiencing, I had to learn how to slow down and face the inner turmoil I’d been ignoring. I didn’t know exactly how to do that, and I was quite disconnected from my inner knowing at the time, but I had an idea of where to start thanks to my obsession with Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday show.

My quest for wellness led me to study ancient wisdom from eastern traditions, mindfulness, and other spiritual and healing modalities. Each new thing I learned helped me identify and release layers of the false self. As I learned how to slow down, be still, and feel the emotions I’d been carrying for years so I could release them, I started to see my true self. It was like I was awake for the first time in my life – my heart was open, I felt connected, grateful, fulfilled.

I was stunned to realize that in the midst of battling cancer, while I was undergoing surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments with some very unpleasant side effects, I found the deeper meaning and peace I had been so desperately seeking. It taught me that what I had been searching for externally can only come from within. It also showed me that I am empowered to change my state of being regardless of external conditions. That is certainly not always easy, but it is possible.

People around me noticed something was different and started asking me what I was doing. It opened the door to have the kind of deep conversations I love, and I was so excited to share the wisdom I learned through my experiences. Many people would tell me that they thought about our conversations weeks after we talked, or they started practicing something I mentioned and they’re feeling so much better.

I knew there was something deeper trying to emerge and ultimately that is what led me to becoming a Spiritual Life Coach, so I can help empower other women to reach the wellness and fulfilment they desire.

Since starting, have you made any changes to your business model?

I added Esoteric Healing to my list of offerings a couple of months ago. I’ve been studying and practicing this modality since early 2021 and I’m thrilled to offer this service!

Esoteric Healing is an energy healing modality that works to balance the energy bodies. Most physical illness begins with a block in our energy field, so energy healing has been an important part of my personal wellness since learning about it after my breast cancer diagnosis. It is very effective for many conditions, including GI issues, back/neck pain, anxiety, depression, and much more.

Have you ever had a mentor? If so how has this benefitted you either personally or professionally?

I’ve had several mentors and they are a big part of the reason I am where I am today. At my second job out of college, my boss’s boss was a straight-talking, no-nonsense woman with high expectations. I was a little afraid of her to be honest, but she took me under her wing and taught me a lot. I learned so much about myself and how to be a leader from her.

My first coach helped me get clarity about my purpose and her belief in me kept me going on this path of becoming a Spiritual Life Coach when the natural fear and imposter syndrome arose. Now I have a branding and marketing mentor who helps me clarify goals, create strategies and keep me accountable.

What outlets do use for marketing?

I use Instagram, Facebook and referrals.

Which methods are you using to build your own support network?

I met some amazing soul-friends in my coaching training that are a hugely supportive network for me. They are intimately aware of the challenges I face as a business owner and coach, and we regularly swap ideas, encourage one another, and help each other through the tough days.

I’m also part of a local small group of women that I’m grateful to have found recently. It’s so important to have community where you can share with like-minded people!

What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?

The best piece of business advice I have received is not to take business personally. If a post doesn’t get any likes or I put an offer out and all I hear is crickets, it’s not personal it’s just information I can use to learn from.

How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?

With patience and practice! It can be challenging to find balance, especially since I absolutely love all things coaching, personal development, and healing. Often it doesn’t feel like I’m working so it can be easy for me to spend hours in front of my computer working or learning without checking in to see what my body needs or how my energy level is.

So I have an ongoing practice of mindfulness where I pause and check in with myself throughout the day to notice what is present or what I need. I also schedule in play or time with friends if I’m starting to feel heavy and too serious.

What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?

When a client breaks through an inner barrier, wells up with self-love, or connects with their true self I overflow with gratitude and appreciation. To be a part of someone’s journey back home to themselves is endlessly satisfying.

Are there any leading entrepreneurs or SME leaders that you admire and if so, why?

I was fortunate enough to personally learn from Christine Hassler, one of the leading coaches in the industry and someone I greatly look up to. She co-founded Elementum Coaching Institute with 3 other coaches and I was part of the first class of students through the program last year where I graduated as a Certified Master Coach. Christine is compassionate, authentic, humble, and walks the talk.

How do you define your own success?

To me, success is taking aligned action. That could look like a sold out program or an inspired post on social media no one ever sees. It’s about tuning in to what wants to be expressed through me and allowing that to guide my action rather than requiring a particular outcome.

Finally, What can we expect from you this year?

This year you can expect more visibility from me! My goal is to create more connections and widen my network. I encountered some challenges in this area by launching a business during COVID, but it gave me the opportunity to spend the first year or so creating a solid foundation and setting up systems. With that complete, now I’m looking forward to creating more visibility for Atman Collective so I can reach more people.