Meet Myisha Battle | Sex & Dating Coach

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

Hi Myisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had been working in the nonprofit world for almost a decade when I started to evaluate how I wanted to make a bigger impact, specifically through direct service. I met with a coach who had been consulting with the organization I worked for and she helped me realize that I had actually moved away from my true interests and purpose. I was able to distill down what I wanted to do to “helping people with their sex lives” and knew I needed to build up some serious credibility in order to be financially successful doing that. That’s when I decided to go back to school for a Masters degree in psychology and after that I pursued a sex coaching certification. It was actually pretty difficult figuring out a) what I wanted to do in my own business and b) how to be successful without losing sight of my original intention. With hindsight I can see that things unfolded pretty naturally over time, but I definitely struggled with impatience while I figured it all out.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a certified sex and dating coach, writer and speaker. My company, Sex for Life, LLC is home to my coaching practice and podcasts, Down for Whatever and Dating White. My goals have always been to provide accurate sexual information, instill pride in difference, and encourage the quest for sexual satisfaction no matter a person’s race, gender, orientation, ability or age. Through my work I empower my clients, listeners and readers to embrace better sex for a better life.

As the foremost feminist sex coach, I offer my clients the opportunity to explore how gender and the expectations of gender roles impact their sexual desires and experiences. I create space for my clients to grow into the kind of sexual people they want to be, not who they are told they should be.

Building a business on the premise of improving people’s sex lives has not been easy. Most people have never worked with or heard of a sex coach before, so I have had to work hard to align myself with other businesses and organizations that advocate for sexual wellness as part of holistic health. On top of this, sex is so often not spoken about in ways that are nuanced, nonjudgmental and informative. I don’t see sex as something we should keep separate from other aspects of our health and wellbeing, but it has been a journey helping others embrace it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My community is centered in the east side of LA, so that’s where most of my recommendations will be. First off, Otherwild, which is a super inclusive, sustainability-focused retail store & graphic design studio, became a hub for gathering before COVID and some of my favorite events have happened in their space. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out Skylight Books and have a drink at The Dresden.

I also love the Feminist Center for Creative work. Their programming is great and includes opportunities to become civically engaged and meet a diverse group of folks from all over the LA area.

I recommend visiting The Underground Museum, which should re-open in 2022. The space is located in Arlington Heights and has an amazing gallery, bookstore and backyard that hosts yoga and meditation classes.

For food, honestly…. follow your nose. There are so many amazing places to eat and drink all over LA! It’s the lifeblood of the city so if you see a spot or a truck that’s poppin’, it’s probably worth it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I celebrated my five year business anniversary this year and invited a group of people who have supported me to join me in recognizing the progress of my business. It takes a village to raise a business, and so many people have contributed along the way and I wanted to acknowledge that. That being said, the biggest resource that helped me run my business day-to-day was the Small Business Administration. Through them I received free help with marketing and financial management. They also helped me locate grants that I was eligible for and I was able to receive $5k that I used towards SEO training. Their guidance was instrumental in helping me manage my business more effectively.

Website: myishabattle.com

Instagram: @MyishaBattle

Twitter: @MyishaBattle

Image Credits
Lauren Crew Michael Leviton Laura Luna Helena Price Hambrecht