The Gem Guru: Life Coach Atiya K. Spencer By Odyssey Fields

“There is so much to do in the world and so much to see. You should live instead of existing. Sometimes we exist just to survive and we are not living our full potential and our full dreams,” said Atiya K. Spencer.

Life/līf/ noun, the existence of a human being or individual that extends into the functionality of being. Life comes with agony, lessons and sometimes happiness. It even comes with an underlying agenda of being prosperous and stable in three areas; mind, body and spirit.

Atiya K. Spencer is a Certified Life Coach that focuses on providing empowerment while building self-esteem, self-love, good character, personal development and helping to create a healthy consistent lifestyle. She developed A.K.S Coaching, in 2020 offering services in relationship advice, trauma and life coaching sessions.

At the age of 15, Spencer was abducted from her family and was forced to see life through a different lense. Following in 2016, Spencer was sent on her spiritual journey. She took two years to build-up her self confidence, complete self-care challenges and simply relearn how to love herself unconditionally.

Within these two years she read a book by a Life Coach twice and began setting her path toward the Life Coaching lifestyle. Once A.K.S Coaching launched in 2020, Spencer was considered the Gem Guru, her services were on the market and promoted the importance of mental health and knowing your life's worth.

In the midst of a global pandemic, A.K.S Coaching could not launch at a better timing.

In 2021, 41 percent of adults reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. The adults affected most were ages 18-29 years old and had less than a highschool education, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Once COVID-19 advanced to a pandemic, the daily routines of people’s lives were disrupted. The government mandated a quarantine and stripped people of a social work-life balance. The new normal was now working remotely and virtually from home to effectively avoid contact with COVID-19.

This led to an increase of unmet mental health care needs which increased by 2.5 percent(CDC).

“ This new era is so different. It's been normalized and showcased okay to seek help whether it is therapy or a life coach. People were always afraid,” said Spencer.

Spencer then went on to say, “The new generation and new era is setting trends and we are being leaders to the older generation. We are paving the way for them letting them know it's okay. I love how this generation is so headstrong especially millinumes are fixing theirs and doing whatever it takes to fix their problems.”

Black Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience a mental health problem or disorder than the general population, reported the Anxiety and Depression Association of America(ADAA).

2020 highlighted the behavioral health industry and mental health industry. COVID-19 began to put a huge emotional and mental strain on behavioral health stressors. The life coaching industry is in high demand due to COVID-19, according to IBIS World Report. The industry grew .7 percent since 2015.

There are over 18,000 Life Coaching businesses in the United States and the Life Coaching market size is at $1 billion.

A.K.S Coaching took a huge risk, launching during a Pandemic. Spencer saw COVID-19 as a blessing in disguise. Her business was a necessity in assisting those through a global pandemic. Spencer began sharing daily motivation quotes on her social media platforms while marketing the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

AKS Coaching offers three packages: The Discovery Call package, The Clarity Call package and The Comeback kid Bundle.

• Free -20 min Discovery Call that is intended to identify whether I am able to assist you with your goal(s) and to answer any questions that you may have pertaining to my coaching sessions.

• $75-100-Clarity Call/1 session. This optional 45- 60 minute session is to help you overcome any adversities you may be facing one obstacle at a time. The Clarity Call is designed to identify your goals, roadblocks, and any trauma you may be facing to provide you with realistic steps to become a better version of yourself. My goal is to help you embrace your flaws and empower you to see your greatest potential.

• $500/4 sessions The “Comeback Kid” Bundle. The “Comeback Kid” Bundle will consist of (4) 60 minute sessions during the durati

on of 2 months to achieve a personal goal. During the 2 months, we will work diligently to identify your obstacles, create a personalized plan, and homework assignments to work towards achieving your goal. This package includes: -Four 60 minute one on one sessions (1 call bi-weekly) -A personalized plan -Accountability Homework – Email/Text support

The personalized package AKA “Work it Out Plan,” is a newly added package which allows clients with unique financial circumstances to be assisted. "Work it Out Plan" with A.K.S Coaching is unlike any other coaching program out there.

“I understand that

Each package with AKS Coaching is tailored to the service that will best fit your needs and budget.

“I want to give my clients the best of me. I want to be like Iyanla Vanzant. I want to fix peoples lives too,” said Spencer.

For inquiries regarding AKS Coaching please visit https://lifecoachatiyak.wixsite.com/akscoaching and follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @Lifecoachatiyak. Inquiries can also be sent to Lifecoachatiyak@gmail.com