A personal introduction. My convictions as a pilgrim coach

What makes you want to do what you do? How much of it is down to natural skills you possess? Have you been shaped by experiences that have opened up possibilities that you previously didn’t recognise as available to you? Do you have a driving inner conviction about your place in the world, or the kind of world you want to live in?

I’m Geoff Ashton, a professional coach, podcaster, and occasional spiritual director. The idea for the title of the podcast The Pilgrim Coach was inspired by a thought - I think it was from theologian and scientist Alister McGrath - about the difference between a pilgrim and a tourist. Whereas a tourist may visit a place looking for an experience, or a memory, or perhaps a souvenir, the pilgrim sees his or her journey as a search for transformation. When you leave a place of pilgrimage, something of the place stays with you, becomes part of you and continues to live itself out through you.

Two areas of expertise that have shaped my work in world are theology and coaching. Theology - particularly Christian theology - has provided me with visions for what you might call the good, or the thriving life. Coaching has given me ways to introduce ways of bringing those visions to life in someone's personal experience.

A major inspiration for these podcasts is Misoslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan Mcannally-Linz from the Centre for Faith and Culture at Yale University in Connecticut, and their book: Life Worth Living, a Guide to What Matters Most. The book provides a wonderful journey of discovery. Come and join me on my own journey of reflections on life and see what discoveries you make yourself.

For this particular episode I am indebted to another work by the same stable - For the Life of the World, Theology that Makes a Difference -which has helped me shape my six convictions which underpin my approach to my work.

If you want to explore further any of the subjects I cover, please contact me at [email protected]. You can find out more about my professional work on Linkedin.