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

Hi Ali, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My husband and I lost 7 people close to us within a 2 year time span from cancer, an overdose, suicide and more. Each time I went to these funerals, I saw the difference between those that had the tools to cope with grief and trauma vs those that did not. I remember thinking, “there has to be more resources for people to cope and heal.” Fast-forward four years and my own physical health had crashed and burned. I sat in an IV room for 9.5 months, 3-4x a week, 6-8 hours a day, fighting for my health. On my good days, I had a strong feeling that this experience was breaking me down to build me back into the person I knew I was meant to be. My business was born inside of that IV room. I would sit there, day in and day out, and talk to people who were also struggling. I would listen to what was plaguing them mentally and how badly they wanted resources to be able to cope. The resounding thing that people need when they are going through trauma are the tools to cope. It was there that I created my trauma coaching practice.

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 believe that everyone deserves the right to find healing from their emotional pain/trauma. Your past does not have to dictate your present & future. Most people that I see are walking around with this imaginary backpack on them that holds all of their emotional pain and causes physical pain. Our bodies hold onto the trauma that we have been through. This is why it is key to work with a coach that can help you expel the emotional pain stuck in your body. My clients, my education, and my experiences have all taught me that you can do ALL of the things for your mental and emotional health, but it doesn’t stick until you address your body and nervous system. Your body holds onto all of the moments that your mind so easily blocks out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Petaluma where I am from I would say going to Bodyrok for Pilates in the morning. Followed by a nice coffee/brunch from Avid coffee and then walking around town going in and out of the cute boutiques and ending the day with Wild Goat Bistro would be ideal.

In LA: Venice Beach! I would start off by walking through the neighborhood on Oakwood and then getting a coffee and juice at Erewhon and walking down Abbott Kinney pursuing through the stores and ending the day back at Erewhon :).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have had an INCREDIBLE support system in my life that has been filled with mentors, coaches, friends, acquaintances, and of course, my husband Ryan. When I first thought of my business sitting in the IV room, I worked with an incredible Personal Brand strategist, Anna Vatuone, who helped me understand the direction of my business and hone in on my story. But the biggest part of putting myself out there as a coach and entrepreneur was believing in myself. Being an entrepreneur is hard work, in the BEST way possible. The minute you put yourself out there, you are confronted by your past conditioning, limiting beliefs, triggers, emotional pain, etc. This is why working through your, what I like to call “emotional backpack,” is key to allowing yourself to create the life you want. I think this goes for everyone, not just creatives. Finding a coach that can help you work through your emotional pain & limiting belief is key. You can have all the strategies in your arsenal, but when you get out of your own way, you will be able to own it. I am grateful for my own trauma coach that has helped me tremendously in regulating my nervous system and working through my limiting beliefs.

Website: https://alikates.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alikates.co/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikates/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alikatesco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alikates.co/

Other: Tiktok : www.tiktok.com/alikates.co

Image Credits
Tory Putnam: all photos except South & West photos: one with me chin on hand ( first upload) and one with green plants in background

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