Navigating Trang Nova's Transition: Former Sports Figure Embraces Life Coaching Career
Hey there! We're chatting with life coach and TEDx speaker, Trang Nova, who took an interesting career detour after an impactful moment during an early morning run.
Once a sports industry bigwig, Trang's life altering incident sparked a deep introspection on her actions and their consequences. This realization led her to pursue a career that transcends physical training and focuses on enhancing personal and professional lives.
Now, Trang combines her life, business coaching expertise to help people navigate their lives with purpose and mindfulness. In this candid chat, Trang shares her methodologies for unlocking human potential and the philosophies that drive her transformative work.
Trang, could you share the story of that pivotal moment in your mid-20s when you realized you needed to swap gears from the sports industry? What was going through your mind?
Oh, absolutely! It's a wild tale, though, so hang on tight, lol!
My quarter-life crisis was ignited one particular morning. I'd woken up early for a run when, as I stepped out, I heard a crunch. I looked down and realized I'd stepped on a snail.
Now, this wasn't my first time, but for some reason, that morning, I couldn't shake off the guilt. I thought, "Because of me just going about my day, I've inadvertently ended a life."
This two-second moment gave me pause, and I started to see the bigger picture. Here I was, feeling guilty about a snail, yet my lifestyle choices were already causing numerous atrocities.
I started considering how each decision I made had a real impact. I recognized I had a considerable footprint and could have a greater one.
As a Personal Trainer and Physiotherapist, I instructed individuals on perfecting squats to sculpt their booty or rehabilitating wrists. This work was necessary, but it wasn't enough for me anymore. With the world's turmoil in full view, I knew I had to do more.
I spoke to my life coach about what I should do—should I become an activist? Should I start a charity? His answer was profound.
He said, "Trang, you want to make a change, right? What if you don't have to fight on the front lines to make a change? For instance, if you were in a war and wanted to assist injured soldiers, could you make a difference by becoming a nurse in the hospitals while stepping back from the battlefield and ending the war?"
So, what was the war Trang needed to end? Well, it was societal issues like environmental degradation, indifference to widespread suffering, and more. She decided to pivot her career to life coaching and eventually business coaching to raise people's consciousness so they could live purposely, mindfully, and thrive in their lives.
I'm intrigued by how you guide people to unlock their potential. What's your approach to helping others unleash their greatness?
Well, I've lived several lives—from 60-hour workweeks to the free-spirited business owner I am now. This diverse experience lets me assist people in multiple areas:
- Intimate coaching and empowerment to overcome all odds
- Personalized and proven strategies for achievement, sustained success, and living an extraordinary life filled with freedom and fulfillment
These principles are my guide:
- Transforming the core of who you are
- Results will only reflect your true self (beliefs, wounds, etc.) so it's vital to address this first to unlock possibilities and take proactive steps.
- The high-performing woman
- Analyze your daily routines and management style to ensure spacious business practices. You can run your business successfully without suffering burnout.
- Bespoke business strategy
- I'll help craft your personalized business strategy – from branding to offers – so you can excel, gain recognition, and dominate the industry.
Moving towards a life of legacy is a powerful ambition. What do you consider the first steps someone should take to leave a meaningful impact?
Every decision we make ripples out, whether beneficial or detrimental. Living a life of legacy doesn't have to feel daunting or out of reach. It's in the everyday choices you make—how you act at work, on walks, with family, or even your meal choices.
Your legacy is a journey you fulfill as you live life day by day.
Your TEDx talk featured important themes within the personal development industry. Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind it and the conversations it sparked?
The TEDx talk is titled, "Is the Personal Development Industry Racist?"
This topic stirs the pot, for sure.
Over the years, as a life and business coach in the personal development industry, I'd get questions like, "What exactly do you do, Trang?" After all, when I look around, people of color like myself are scarce in this industry.
Even though Eastern philosophers like Laozi, Confucius, and Buddha founded many of the theories and practices used in the personal development industry, there's underrepresentation among people of color on world stages, best-selling bookshelves, social media, and more.
My TEDx talk sparked conversations about taking responsibility, from industry professionals collaborating and hiring people of color to people of color empowering themselves and breaking cultural norms to step into the spotlight.
Imagine if everyone in the personal development industry made one inclusive choice—how much impact that would create. Over time, we could reach a tipping point where the industry consistently celebrates people of color on world stages.
Balancing a startup with a full-time job sounds like a Herculean task. What practical tips do you suggest for managing both without losses?
Well, I could ramble on about this—I love the subject!
The key is understanding that burnout isn't caused by overworking but under-recovering.
Yes, humans are capable of high workloads. We didn't evolve over 500,000 years for nothing! Recovery, though, is equally important.
With that in mind, I encourage people to block out relaxation time in their schedules as non-negotiables. Once you've scheduled rest, you can allow your schedule to fill up accordingly, as long as it doesn't compromise that rest.
Something powerful is viewing time as a Tetris game, using every minute efficiently. This means arranging work, tasks, and playtime effectively to optimize energy and maintain balance.
Common hurdles people face when pursuing a purpose-driven life include feelings of guilt or failure upon putting effort into a cause but not seeing the desired outcomes. What guidance do you provide when you coach them through these challenges?
When people strive for a purpose-driven life, they might feel guilty or consider themselves failures if they put in significant effort and care but the desired results don't materialize.
In such moments, I always encourage them to understand: We can't completely control the outcome, so we can't measure the worthiness of our actions on how things turn out. However, our efforts are never a waste. Everything we do—no matter the size—carries weight and meaning.
Imagine if everyone dedicated the same positive intention and effort as you did. The world would change dramatically! Not just that, imagine everyone showing up 1% more than usual to contribute to change. That would create an immense impact.
So, keep shining your light and don't ever stop!
When planning for the future, what new goals are you setting for yourself and your mentoring programs? How do you plan to grow and adapt with your audience?
Authenticity and resilience are evergreen qualities. As I gaze into the future, I have one primary goal: To continue showing up as my authentic self while remaining free and adventurous.
At the same time, I'm excited to expand my brand's reach and impact by running my revolutionary mastermind and retreat (Life of Legacy), offering one-on-one coaching, and speaking to thousands on stage.
I'll continue adapting my approach to connect with my audience's needs and expectations while staying true to my values, ensuring they get the best support on their life-altering journey.
- Finance and entrepreneurship are two areas Trang Nova focuses on in her coaching business as she helps her clients create personalized and proven strategies for achieving financial success and building a thriving business that promotes freedom and fulfillment.
- Education-and-self-development and career-development are crucial components of Trang's coaching methodologies. She empowers her clients to overcome challenges, live purposefully, and unlock their human potential through intimate coaching sessions and transformative workshops that encourage self-discovery and personal growth.
